COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 8, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Canvass of Election held on 11/02/02021
9:00 – Ron Honig
9:30 – Tony Martin
9:45 – Bills
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session with Joe D Thompson and Pat Hall present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk were also present. Pat called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Joe moved to approve the county vouchers. Pat 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 | $ 73,689.50 |
| Judicial District | $ 1,101.57 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 94,630.53 |
| Airport | $ 15,753.86 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 2,847.22 |
| EMS | $ 9,007.09 |
| Fire | $ 2,164.80 |
| Community Health | $ 14,038.56 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 3,200.00 |
| Sheriff | $ 39,384.63 |
| Building | $ 11,928.64 |
| Fire Bequest | $ 8,350.66 |
| Wellness Bequest | $ 653.89 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 33.14 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| County Equipment | $ 8,734.31 |
| ARPA | $ 62.09 |
| TOTAL: | $ 285,792.99 |
Amy began by starting the canvass for the City/School General Election of 2021. The commissioners reviewed the ten (10) provisional ballots. Eight (8) were due to address changes within the county more than thirty (30) days prior to election (11/2/2021), one (1) was a poll worker error and one (1) was expired photo ID. Amy informed the commissioners she contacted the person with the expired photo ID and explained to him he needed to provide an unexpired ID by the start of canvass. She said he had not come in with an unexpired ID by the start of canvass. The commissioners counted the nine (9) provisional ballots and rejected the one (1) with the expired photo ID. Canvass was completed.
Rodney Kelling checked in and reported the loss of two (2) teenagers from a one vehicle accident.
He said he is requesting $15,000.00 from the Foundation Board to purchase equipment to go on the new fire truck when it gets here.
Amy informed the commissioners, Jeff Cox will not be farming the SW/4 of Section 10-33-37 in 2022, as he is retiring. Amy had a request to ask the commissioners if they wanted to give that portion of land to the City of Hugoton. Conversation was tabled for a later day. The commissioners asked when the lots that are being rented out will be ready for a new lease. Amy told them the rent lease is up March 1, 2024.
Amy asked Paul if all the Pioneer Lots have been sold. Paul said yes, but there is still title work being done.
Ron Honig and Nancy Honig representing 4-H, came in to present the commissioners with building specs for repairs on the 4-H building. They need to be handicap approved and need other updates. Pat asked if there will be two (2) handicap bathrooms and Ron said yes. Nancy said it will take up more room but will be better overall. Most of the repair and update funds will be through grants. The commissioners asked Ron and Nancy if December 13, 2021, at 9:00 AM will be enough time for people to bring in bids to be opened. Ron said it should be enough time and wanted to know if there will be a bid discussion so contractors can explain why they may not be going by all the specs presented. Paul said when the contractors come in for the bid opening, they will have a chance to discuss their changes on the specs. Amy was instructed to contact the Hugoton Hermes and publish the bidding information for two (2) weeks.
Tony said he visited with Invenergy, and they stated they will apply for a conditional use permit. Invenergy told Tony they want at least 100,000 acres before they are set to begin the next phase for the windfarm. Joe said there are enough big operators against the windfarm that it may present an issue getting to that number. Pat said especially with those who irrigate their land because it brings in many changes.
Joe asked Tony if he was the City of Hugoton’s inspector when the land north of town was annexed and if he had to vacate any alleys. Tony said he was not, and said he thought it has been since Josh Grubbs has been the inspector. Joe asked Tony if he knew how the annex and vacating of alleys worked. Tony said the city can use their zoning areas up to three (3) miles, but to do any work, there needs to be a plan.
Tony discussed a possible revision in the personnel policies and procedures regarding landfill employees and potentially working in inclement weather, since they are a part of public works. Amy asked which part of the handbook he is referring to and he said they will discuss it and figure it out later.
Tony said the State of Kansas did their review on the county’s Road Safety Plan and said no roads were unsafe, other than some shoulder work needs to be done.
Tony told the commissioners the asphalt plant has been winterized. They are purchasing rock for next year, and hopefully mowing will be completed this week.
Paul said title work is being completed so the county can conduct the tax sale on properties.
Paul left the meeting.
Jayme Rich asked the commissioners if Paul had mentioned anything to them about the person who wrote a check for their taxes in 2019 then immediately went to the bank and put a stop payment on the check. She said it was suggested she file a civil case on the person. Their taxes in 2019 were $2,600.00 and have not been paid since. Joe and Pat both told Jayme to look into filing a civil court case and get the process started.
Amy presented the 2022 holidays to be observed by Stevens County:
February 21 Presidents’ Day
April 15 Good Friday
May 30 Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
September 5 Labor Day
October 10 Columbus Day
November 11 Veterans Day
November 24-25 Thanksgiving Day
December 26 Christmas
January 2, 2023 New Year’s
Pat made a motion to accept the 2022 holidays for Stevens County employees. Joe seconded. Motion Carried.
Amy discussed the phone system issue which occurred when there was a power outage in Hugoton on November 2, 2021. She said the outage caused a surge and the motherboard for the phone system in the courthouse is no longer working. The courthouse has been using a different system to allow the citizens to call in. She said she ordered a part which was referred to her by Pioneer Communications. This will get the system up and running again but did not know if or for how long it will work. She said Pioneer gave her estimates on new systems:
- New control unit using the current phones: $10,479.00
- New digital sets including control unit: $23,135.00
- New control unit with VoIP: $19,118.00
Discussion was had over a new phone system. It was decided to ask if insurance covers any of the costs and if Sunflower Electric will help with some of the costs since they were responsible for the outage. Pat said he would like to find out if the VoIP system would eliminate long-distance phone charges. Amy said she will contact KCAMP and Sunflower Electric as well as look into the long-distance charges to find out more information.
Pat made a motion to forego bid requirements for the courthouse phone system and accept the bid from Pioneer Communications in the amount of $10,479.00. This is contingent upon there being no system used for hosting or cloud to eliminate long distance calling in Stevens County. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Pat Hall, Vice-Chairman