COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 25, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 –
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Christian Brothers Construction
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes, were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 55,694.90 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 36,776.53 |
| Airport | $ 34,352.04 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 1,539.14 |
| EMS | $ 5,692.43 |
| Fire | $ 2,592.63 |
| Building Fund | $ 342.20 |
| Community Health | $ 12,023.04 |
| Road Machinery | $ 12,000.00 |
| Highway Improvement | $ 24,887.86 |
| Airport Grants | $ 11,577.76 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 114.40 |
| Sheriff | $ 31,248.33 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 4,023.68 |
| COVID – SPARKS | $ 15,891.61 |
| TOTAL: | $ 248,756.55 |
During the review of the bills, Pat asked about the CARES funds for the airport. Amy Tharp said the airport received funds from a grant separate from the CARES act the SPARK Committee is delegating. Pat asked about other airport grants. Amy said the airport requests their grants. Some are paid in advance and others are set up as reimbursements. The commissioners instructed her to send the most recent airport minutes to them.
Pat said he would like to get the contact information of the company handling the tax sale because nothing has been done yet. The commissioners stated they will have Paul give them a call and see where and how close to the tax sale the county is.
Rodney Kelling was in attendance and brought up the discussion of a new brush truck. He said he would like to replace the 1980’s brush truck with a newer one because parts are hard to find. Rodney would like to get a 1,000 to 1,500 gallon water tank on a freightliner which would cost around $250,000.00 to $300,000.00. Rodney told the commissioners he believes he has $190,000.00 in the fire equipment fund and if he has enough left from the fire fund to roll over into the 2021 year, he would have enough for the new brush truck.
Rodney said he would also like to discuss trading in the Emergency Management pickup. It is a 2012 and has 75,000 miles on it which would make it a good trade in. Joe asked Rodney if he would rather trade in the older Emergency Management truck (2003 about 150,000 miles) for a newer one and use the 2012 truck as the second (2nd) vehicle, as needed.
Rodney and the commissioners discussed the vehicles at length with possibly looking at smaller models with a smaller tank for the brush truck, leasing the brush truck, trading one (1) truck in at a time and other ideas. The commissioners would like to see the brush truck sometime soon. Rodney was instructed to get ideas of what he would want in spec sheets and what the costs could potentially be. Discussion has been tabled until later.
Tony Martin came in and presented the commissioners with the list of Fair Board members to be accepted for new and/or continuing terms.
Pat made a motion to accept the Fair Board members as listed on Tony’s page. Joe seconded, motion carried.
Tony said there is approximately $53,000.00 left in Noxious Weed Department to help purchase more chemicals and let the employees use it for classes.
There are three pickups, a 1999, 2005 and a 2013, currently at the Road and Bridge department. Tony wants to trade in three (3) pickups for two (2) new ones for Road and Bridge and take two (2) others from Road and Bridge for the landfill. There are currently eleven (11) pickups at Road and Bridge, four (4) for each territory, one (1) shop, one (1) for mowing and two (2) diesel trucks to pull trailers.
Commissioners suggested Tony write up specs to review at the next meeting. Joe asked if Tony is hiring anyone at Road and Bridge. Tony responded he would like to find someone.
Pat asked if it is possible to stop purchasing chemicals. Tony said there are two (2) people who still want chemicals to get rid of rodents.
Tony is sending two (2) employees to weed school to be able to be the director for noxious weed. The license will be good for three (3) years and require eight (8) hours of continuing education thereafter.
Joe made a motion to appoint Jack Rowden to the Eco Devo board. Pat seconded, motion carried.
Pat brought up Paul Kitzke’s budget and stated their intent was not to cut his budget along with everyone else and wanted to know what needs to be done. Amy Jo said Paul’s budget will come out of the general if he goes over but will contact the auditors to see what can be done about it.
Joe made a motion to decline COLA for the commissioner’s pay. Pat seconded, motion carried.
Paul stated he is declining the COLA raise.
Ted Heaton was in and told the commissioners he had to contact Tatro Plumbing to fix the water sprinkler leak at the Sheriff’s office. Tatro was the only one able to work with three inch (3”) copper.
Jeremiah Johnson and Jan Leonard were in attendance along with Christian Brothers Construction (Zac Carlton and Paul Lehmkuhler). Jeremiah said the county has the Pioneer Lots valued at the agricultural rate of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per lot. He said KSA 19-211 states if the value of the property does not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), a publication in the paper shall not be required prior to the sale of property. The statute also states if the property has a value of more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) but less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the commissioners must publish as part of KSA 19-227 requirement.
Paul Kitzke said he intended to get the lots to them the best way possible. He asked Jeremiah to come in today to get the title work done and get a clear title. Since the lots are valued under One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), there does not need to be a notice or publication in the Hugoton Hermes for public hearing. Jeremiah said the County Clerk will have an affidavit to comply with the terms of the value not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00)
Pat asked if the costs of specials are included in the statutes cost. Jeremiah said no, only the appraised cost. Paul Kitzke said the process has been slowed down to make sure everything is done correctly. Jeremiah did deeds for every half (1/2) block but was not sure how many were being purchased at this time. Paul Kitzke said six and a half (6 ½) lots is what they are wanting to start at.
Zac asked Jeremiah if the lots are zoned as residential since they are appraised as agriculture. Jeremiah said they are zoned as residential just set at agricultural value.
Jeremiah reaffirmed with the Christian Brothers and County Commissioners the purchase price is Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per half (1/2) of a lot and they are purchasing Block 2, Lots 1-3.
Amy Jo discussed with the commissioners the bid opening on the 4-H building. She said several people have called inquiring about the bids. The commissioners set the bid opening to be held February 8, 2021 at 9:00 AM in the Commissioner Meeting Room.
The commissioners asked for the legal on the land, located next to Carter’s Grocery Store, that is being discussed by Garnands.
Abatement Orders for taxes 2020, numbered 20 through 28 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation removed 28,626 with a relief assessment of $4,130.13
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman