COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 7, 2019
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
8:45 – Rodney Kelling: Non-elected personnel
9:00 – Extension – Agreement of terms for districting
9:30 – Longevity gifts
9:45 – IT choice for 2019 year: Gilmore Solutions or NexTech
10:00 – Surety Bond: Omissions discussion
10:30 – First of year Resolutions/Motions/Appointments
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Also present were Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk. Joe called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Tron seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Tron 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 | $ 65,140.11 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 73,373.37 |
| Airport | $ 1,615.39 |
| Building | $ 5,953.10 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 5,964.47 |
| EMS | $ 7,381.20 |
| Fire | $ 15,777.26 |
| Insurance Agency Damages | $ 5,737.78 |
| Community Health | $ 13,440.76 |
| Diversion | $ 290.71 |
| Sheriff | $ 39,986.42 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 223.08 |
| 911 | $ 407.96 |
| Solid Waste Equipment | $ 36,842.00 |
| $ 272,133.61 |
Rodney Kelling came in and requested an executive session over non-elected personnel wage increase.
Pat made a motion to go into executive session at 8:36 am for ten (10) minutes over non-elected personnel wage increase. Tron seconded. Amy Jo Tharp was in attendance for the session along with the commissioners and Rodney. Paul Kitzke was not in attendance at that time. Executive session ended at 8:45 am.
Pat made a motion to give Joy Lewis a salary of $200.00 per month for EMS training and class instructor, and to give John Moser $150.00 per month for EMS secondary director. Tron seconded, motion carried.
Pat made a motion to give Margaret Bell a three percent (3%) merit raise. Tron seconded, motion carried.
Rodney told the commissioners that the freightliner ambulance is in Liberal and it is suggested the overheads need a tune up. Joe told Rodney to go ahead and get it done so the ambulance will stay in good running order.
Phillip Willis came in to discuss the scales at the Solid Waste plant, letting the commissioners know they will be in on February 11, 2019. He also informed the commissioners that someone was offering to purchase the old scales. The commissioners agreed that the old scales could be sold if someone shows interest.
Tony Martin came in and informed the commissioners due to the recent storm, they have been busy plowing snow and there are about four (4) people in his department that did not get to use their accrued time they would lose going into the 2019 year. He asked if those people would be allowed to carry over their “use or lose” accrued time to 2019. The commissioners gave permission for Tony to allow the people in his department to add the accrued time they would have lost beginning 2019 to their accrued time in 2019.
Tony told the commissioners his guys were clearing the north side of the Library from ice and snow when they noticed some grass so they quit blading. He wanted to make sure the commissioners were informed in case there was damage that needed repaired.
Paul Kitzke, the County Attorney came in.
Tony said the company that is putting in the Casey’s on Main and 11th Street are giving the county free dirt. He said his department has already hauled about one hundred (100) loads.
Joe asked Tony if there was something that could be done in Moscow on the High School Road because water floods the houses nearby when there is moisture. Pat inquired if it was Moscow City’s deal and Joe said no, it was never annexed by the city. Tony said the owners would need to be aware that portions of their yards might be torn up. He would like to work on it and get it completed before the end of March.
Vanessa Willis with the County Treasurers office came in and said she would really like to get new IT people to take care of the county. She said she constantly has issues and feels she is getting over-charged. She also said the internet speed is poor and would like to request permission to get better speed which would be a higher cost. Joe said to contact Pioneer Communications and let them know to up the internet speed.
Pat made a motion to take the phone out of Memorial Hall. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Nancy Honig with the Extension office came in and presented the commissioners with the Extension District #18 Operational Agreement that is between Haskell, Seward and Stevens County Extension Councils and the K-State Research and Extension to form an Extension District, beginning July 1, 2019. Nancy asked Joe D. Thompson to sign the agreement as he is the Chair for the County Commissioners.
Nancy presented the list of board members to the County Clerk for signature and seal.
Joe asked Nancy about the building the Extension office is using and what needs to be done about it. She said the county can rent it to them or sale it and they will be responsible for any upkeep and utilities for the building. She said that will need to be done By July 1.
Paul asked if the budget will stay the same throughout 2019 or if changes are needed. Nancy informed them the budget will not be changed for the year 2019 as it is already approved and completed.
Joe told Nancy that Tony Martin would like to be on the board for Fair purposes.
Amy Jo asked the commissioners what gift they would like to give the people meeting the ten (10) and fifty (50) year mark of employment with the county. They said to purchase gifts within the county to present to them.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 19-01 for participating in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) student loan repayment program. Tron Seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 19-02 for the financial statements and financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2018 to be prepared in conformity with GAAP. Tron seconded, motion carried.
Tron moved to appoint the Hugoton Hermes as the official newspaper for Stevens County. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Pat moved to have Citizens State Bank as the first band depository for Stevens County. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made motion to have Equity Bank as the second bank depository for Stevens County. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to continue the meeting days and time on the first 1st and 3rd Monday at 8:30 am each month, unless Monday is a county holiday then the meeting will be on Tuesday. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to appoint Tron Stegman as Chairman. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe moved to appoint Pat Hall as Vice Chairman. Tron seconded.
Amy Jo brought up surety bonds that are paid by the county, informing the commissioners it only covers elected officials. She also informed them the Stevens County Boards are not covered under this policy through KCAMP as they are not elected officials. Jan Leonard with Eco Devo gave Amy Jo some information that some insurance companies do surety bonds for around $1,000. Pat said if any of the boards want to request extra funds to receive surety bonds for their members or their board, they need to add it into their budget for next year. As of this year, the commissioners are not going to entertain paying for more insurance.
Sheriff Ted Heaton and Deputy Adam Mauk came in to let the commissioners know the trailer that was stolen from Morton County has been recovered in Stevens County. He said there is nothing further to report.
Pat made a motion to accept Gilmore Solutions as Stevens County IT department. Tron seconded.
The commissioners discussed the county land and said they would like to get the letters out to the renters and begin accepting bids by February 1, 2019.
Abatement Orders for tax year 2018 number 87, 89-99 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total value removed is 28,224 and relief assessment is $3,216.30. The Added Order for tax year 2018 number 88 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total value added is 185 and added tax is $26.46.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Joe Thompson, Chairman