COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
NOVEMBER 22, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:15 – Cimarron Basin – Kayla
9:30 – Tony Martin
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session with Tron Stegman and Pat Hall present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk were also present. Tron 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 | $ 49,738.69 |
| Judicial District | $ 366.41 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 81,560.81 |
| Airport | $ 12,898.40 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 6,226.30 |
| EMS | $ 7,560.36 |
| Fire | $ 2,242.39 |
| Community Health | $ 20,479.46 |
| Sheriff | $ 37,487.41 |
| Building | $ 246.00 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 233.14 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ – |
| ARPA | $ – |
| TOTAL: | $ 219,039.37 |
Amy explained to the commissioners at this time, Pioneer Communications does not have hosting or cloud services for the phone systems to eliminate long distance. Amy Jo said she told Pioneer the county has accepted the bid for the phone system at $10,479.00. She spoke with a KCamp representative about filing a property claim and was informed a deductible will apply and KCamp will surrogate against the Electric Company. The commissioners decided to forgo the property claim.
Amy informed the commissioners there was a citizen interested in one to two (1-2) lots east of the hotel. They should know something by the first part of December.
Pat asked about the costs of autopsies and Amy told him they went up to $2,100.00 per autopsy and still must be transported to Topeka.
Rodney Kelling came in and asked the commissioners to appoint someone for the Southwest Kansas Regional Planning Council for 2022 through 2023.
Pat made a motion to appoint Rodney Kelling for the Southwest Kansas Regional Planning Council for 2022 through 2023. Tron accepted; motion carried.
Amy asked the commissioners if the Kirkham/Michael bill for airport needs to be held until she can verify funds have been received. The commissioners agreed and asked if any money has been receipted in for fuel and other uses. Amy said she will check into it. She asked the commissioners if the Trane bill for monthly maintenance on the Community Health HVAC should come out of building expense or Community Health. The commissioners said it should come out of Community Health instead of building.
Amy asked Paul about the property to the south and west of Pioneer Manor to see who would oversee the sale and taxes. She said a lady from the Christian Brothers called and said the tax statement was sent to WVG Investments, LLC instead of Tequila, LLC. Paul said to speak with Jeremiah Johnson about the title work to see what is going on. Pat said he is tired of waiting on the property to be developed and no more title work has been completed on the rest of the lots. He said it has been over a year and asked Paul if the county can back out on the sale of the lots except the ones that are developed with homes. Paul said he will check into it and visit with Christian Brothers.
Amy told the commissioners the annual Southwest Kansas Highway Officials Association meeting is being held in Garden City on February 17, 2022, at 9:00 AM.
Kayla with Cimarron Basin came in with a progress report and asked for Tron’s signature stating they have complied with the grant for requirements for the year of 2021. She stated they have received a new machine for hair follicles. It traces drug use on hair follicles and is very accurate. It works great because it is harder for people to manipulate the system.
Tony Martin came in and said a whole new pit will be getting started in September of 2022.
Tony asked for a ten- minute executive session over non-elected personnel.
Pat made a motion to go into ten (10) minute executive session over non-elected personnel for succession plan concerning retirement. Tron seconded. Session began at 9:31 AM and ended at 9:41 AM. The commissioners moved to accept Gina Payne’s retirement resignation and accept Tony’s succession plan. Motion carried.
The commissioners and Tony discussed the holiday for Thanksgiving and the landfill. They agreed to leave the landfill closed on Thursday and Friday but open on Saturday, November 27th, 2021.
Tony said after KWORCC came in, they suggested the landfill have an eyewash station located in the shop building. Tony said he will check into what can be done because the water that reaches the shop is contaminated.
Tron asked Tony about the Hooker/Moscow Road and Highway 51 intersection. Discussion about the multiple wrecks that have occurred there are not good and there should be something the county can do to help. It was discussed as being human error as people do not stop, slow, or take caution when entering the intersection. Tony said a formal complaint from a citizen was filed with the State of Kansas. The state called Tony and asked for his input on the situation. Tony agreed it was a poor intersection. Tony is hoping the state will install flashing red lights on the stop signs but for now the commissioners agreed to have Tony purchase signs stating, “Dangerous Intersection” and put up flashing yellow lights.
Sheriff Ted Heaton came in and visited with Amy about the accident Chris Beltz had with the deer and report to KCAMP. Amy said she is waiting on pictures to send to KCAMP. Ted said he will provide the pictures later this morning to complete the report.
Added and Abated Orders were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; for tax year 2021 number 1 thru 7 total valuation removed 11,775 and tax assessed -$2,241.29; for tax year 2021 number 8-11, total valuation added 6,910 and a relief assessment of $1,168.61. Total valuation of -4,865 and total tax assessed -$1,072.68.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
________________________________ Tron Stegman, Chairman