COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 8, 2024
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Denise Spence
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Cimarron Basin – Kayla Janko
10:15 – Jim Ghumm – Neighborhood Revitalization
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session. Paul Kitzke, County Counselor; and Amy Tharp, County Clerk, were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes from the previous special commissioner meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The County Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 98,237.40 |
| Judicial District | $ 305.82 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 78,552.23 |
| Airport | $ 2,961.80 |
| LATCF Grant | $ 62.73 |
| Library | $ 96,692.25 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 7,768.96 |
| EMS | $ 9,489.85 |
| Fire | $ 10,705.91 |
| Community Health | $ 16,370.12 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 520.00 |
| Sheriff | $ 51,422.08 |
| Employee’s P/R Misc W/H | $ 800.00 |
| Reg of Deeds Tech Fund | $ 111.40 |
| TOTAL: | $ 374,000.55 |
Bob Brunson was in attendance.
Rodney Kelling came in and gave the commissioners the estimate for a new 20kw, diesel generator. Rodney stated 20kw is the smallest generator he can get that runs on diesel, and the tower has a 15kw generator now. Joe asked if Caterpillar is the only place that sells generators. Rodney said they are the only company he can find. Joe asked Rodney if a propane generator would be better. Rodney said it was possible, but he would need a propane tank at the tower to connect to the generator. Pat said propane doesn’t degrade like fuel does and would probably be better than diesel. Rodney said he will investigate a propane generator and see what the total cost would be including tank lease/purchase. Rodney told the commissioners he has already had to pay $7,200.00 for repair on the current generator and the company is having a hard time finding the panel if there is one in production anymore.
Denise Spence came in and Paul told the commissioners they met last week, and he advised her to set up a meeting with the commissioners to discuss her plans for the mobile home and update the commissioners on where she is at with building a home. Paul stated there are no promises about what will or won’t happen. Denise told the commissioners she had spoken to some contractors and the prices of lumber are still high and too costly at this point. She did state they are changing the size of their house to get it within their budget and are working with Jon Peterson to design a home with less square footage as well as G&G CAD Works. Denise said she doesn’t want to lose what they have started and after putting in $67,000.00 for the land, plumbing and electricity, she will build on it. Denise stated that if it comes down to it, she might have to look at a prefab home. Denise asked the commissioners what they would need from her. The commissioners told her they would like to see the plans and a slab or footers down. Pat said nothing is enforced on building codes other than water wells and septic and is not sure what can be done by November. The commissioners told her she can come into any meeting and give updates. Denise requested to be on the agenda for April 22 at 10:15 AM.
Kayla Janko with Cimarron Basin came in with the FY2025 plan which needs signed by the commissioners so she can submit it to the department of corrections. The commissioners signed the FY2025 presented by Kayla. Kayla asked the commissioners if they had discussed and what their decision was on appropriating roughly $27,000.00 to the Cimarron Basin for assistance in purchasing newer vehicles. The commissioners told Kayla to send an email to Amy requesting how much they are asking for so it can be put into the 2025 budget and hopefully be able to help.
Tony Martin was present and told the commissioners the planning and zoning committee will meet on April 16th, at 10:00 AM in the Memorial Hall to go over the regular planning and zoning regulations. Tony stated a public hearing for the wind and solar regulations will be held on April 24th, at 10:00 AM in the Memorial Hall for approval. After the hearing, it will then be presented to the county commissioners for finalization. Pat told Tony to ask Glenn Kerbs about an impact fee. Tony discussed ways of getting the meetings publicized and Bob said to use Facebook to put ads up for the Stevens County area so people will see it. Discussion about possibly holding an informative meeting in Moscow over the wind/solar/zoning regulations.
Ted Heaton and Cuylor Miller were in attendance and Ted informed the commissioners he will be purchasing a new sheriff pickup soon and is bypassing the bidding process.
Tony requested an executive session over non-elected personnel for fifteen (15) minutes. Joe made a motion to go into executive session over non-elected personnel for fifteen (15) minutes beginning at 10:03 AM. Pat seconded. Motion carried. Executive session commenced at 10:03 AM and ended at 10:17 AM. No action taken.
Tony said there will be a notice in the newspaper around May 1st to inform of digging the new pit at the landfill. He stated it is a lengthy process but is hoping by this time next year it will be completed.
Jim Ghumm came in and asked if the two (2) homes he recently built would be allowed in the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (NRP). He stated he was under the impression that all the homes he plans on building as a project would require only one (1) application for the project and not a single application per home. The commissioners stated the renewal for the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan is still in the works and they are discovering more information on the plan but according to the old plan, the application is per dwelling and needs to be turned into the appraiser prior to building. Paul said he did not know if the NRP could be undone, waived, or what.
The commissioners discussed the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Amy said she has acquired some information from several other counties who continued the plan, and it appears it needs to have a public hearing and resolution along with interlocal agreements with the cities and schools in Stevens County. The commissioners would like to get this going as soon as possible. Jan Leonard will need to be informed so he can help get the process going as far as the interlocal agreements and the appraiser will need to be informed so she will know to start looking for applications when this gets put back into place.
Added and Abated Orders were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; for tax year 2021 number 114-115 total valuation added 135 and tax assessed $21.96, removed 135 and tax assessed -$21.96; for tax year 2022 number 233-234, total valuation added 135 and tax assessed $19.81, removed 135 and tax assessed -$19.81; for tax year 2023 number 62-63, total valuation added 135 and tax assessed -$18.33, removed 135 and tax assessed -$18.33. Total valuation of 0 and total tax assessed -$0.00.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman