COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
DECEMBER 13, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – 4H building repair bids
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Shelby Martin – Wellness Center budget concerns
10:30 – Nathan Foreman – Opioid Budget Concerns
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session with Tron Stegman and Pat Hall present. Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Tron moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Pat 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 | $ 215,692.94 |
| Judicial District | $ 426.44 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 151,991.75 |
| Airport | $ 23,598.88 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 17,039.31 |
| EMS | $ 12,961.51 |
| Fire | $ 7,667.96 |
| Community Health | $ 25,117.37 |
| Sheriff | $ 105,157.89 |
| EMS Bequest | $ 436.50 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 33.14 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| Fire Bequest | $ 517.50 |
| Insurance Agency Damages | $ 8,213.41 |
| ARPA | $ 5,433.10 |
| TOTAL: | $ 574,500.20 |
Brandon Bozone appeared with Jeremiah Johnson. Brandon explained to the commissioners there was an issue with the tax roll on some property his dad purchased in 2013 and no one has been paying the taxes. He said the taxes were still being charged to the original owner who was not paying them as he had sold the property and David Bozone was not aware the taxes were being paid. When Brandon received the taxes this year, he found out the property his dad purchased before his death was going to the tax sale. He asked the commissioners if they would waive the tax sale fee due to the county’s oversight. Jeremiah said he is willing to waive his fees and said Paul told him to go to the commissioners to have the fees waived. The commissioners told Brandon to go ahead and pay to keep the property from going into the tax sale. They will visit with Paul on how to waive the fees and will reimburse Brandon for the overages.
Pat made a motion to go into a ten (10) minute executive session over land contracts with Jeremiah Johnson. Joe seconded; motion carried. Executive session began at 8:35 and commenced at 8:45. No action taken.
Theresa Dasenbrock and Madison Farr presented the commissioners with a Christmas gift. The commissioners asked Theresa if it was unusual for KDHE to question the county purchasing land for the landfill. Theresa said she was not sure. Theresa said at this time the county will not have a single audit unless they spend quite a bit more grant money before the end of the year.
Nathan Wolters and Rick Wolters, with Wolters Construction, and Ron Honig were present. Amy said no bids were turned in to her office at this time. Ron said he only had the one (1) bid from Wolters Construction.
Bid for 4H Building Remodel (Base): $125,000.00
Alternate 1 (Wall modification/Cafeteria): $ 11,900.00
Alternate 2 (Paint Exterior): $ 5,400.00
Ron said the 4H has collected $108,000.00 in grants and has some other funds in savings to help cover the remaining $17,000.00 of the building remodel but not sure if they can cover the alternate plans. The commissioners suggested getting the remodel completed and wait on the alternate ideas for a later date.
Joe said he would like a cap on the materials to be no more than $5,000.00 over the actual bid. Wolters said they will write up a contract stating the cap instead of their original fifteen percent (15%) due to material costs.
Joe made a motion to accept the bid from Wolters Construction in the amount of $125,000.00 for the base remodel with an amended set limit of $5,000.00 on price variance due to material costs. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo said she spoke with Paul about the lot east of Hugoton in the Stevens County Industrial Park known as Lot 3, Block 2. She said there are some gentlemen interested in purchasing the lot for $9,000.00 per acre for 2.248 acres totaling $20,232.00. She said it will need to be listed in the Hugoton Hermes for three (3) executive weeks before a closing can be done on the property. She said the property will be for the New Reinlander Mennonite Church. The proposed date for the sale of the property will be January 10, 2022.
Tony Martin was present with Brent Chesnut from Alfred Benesch and Company. Brent said he is not surprised KDHE sent a notice of the acreage acquired by the county to expand the landfill. He said they do those notices to make sure the commissioners are informed it is part of the plan to modify the landfill. Tony said Nadine with KDHE is the county representative for the state and is being very thorough to make sure everything for the landfill expansion goes as planned. Brent said he is confident they will be able to find the correct soils where they plan to dig a new pit so they will not have to change plans.
Tony presented the commissioners with Resolution 21-08 for the Waste Management Plan. He said nothing has changed.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 21-08 for the Stevens County Waste Management Plan. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Tony said the Public Works department passed the state inspection. There are a few things needing attention, but he will have those fixed in the time frame requested.
Tony said the landfill will be closed December 25, 2021, and January 1, 2021, for the holidays.
The commissioners agreed with Tony about getting estimates on the new pit to be dug in case the county does not have the time to get it done.
There are signs on the Hooker/Moscow Road stating dangerous intersection with a flashing yellow solar light on top and yellow reflective tape. Tony hopes that will help cut down on the traffic accidents.
Planning and Zoning have received information from Skyland Grain about putting in new elevators outside of town. Tony told the commissioners that he informed Skyland to speak with the appraiser’s office and might need to speak with the commissioners as well for any tax appeal.
Amy Jo informed the commissioners the Treasurer’s and County Clerk’s office will be closed to the public at noon on December 30th, 2021, to get the year end totals done before they return to work on January 3rd, 2022.
Sheriff Ted Heaton came in and said he is having issues with the copper plumbing in the boiler room. The commissioners suggest he get a bid from Goode and Tatro to see what the cost would be to get it repaired.
Ted said he spoke with the Kansas Attorney General about inmates and who is responsible for the bills. The Attorney General told him any case that goes through the District Court is the county’s responsibility.
Shelby Martin came in and said she is going over her budget on communications and has concerns. She also asked if Erin Gerrond could become a county employee to avoid purchasing extra insurance. The commissioners told Shelby the wellness center is under the general tab and if her overall is not past budget, it should be fine and whatever overages come out of the county general to cover. As far as Erin Gerrond there should only need to be a Certificate of Liability and Amy Jo will review with KCAMP.
Shelby said the rags for cleaning she would like to keep and said the costs should have come out of ARPA funds. Amy Jo said when the bills are turned in and it is not stated where to take the funds from, her office does not know how to process other than to whom the bill was issued. Amy Jo said she will transfer the funds for rags from ARPA to the Wellness Center fund to get the issue corrected.
Shelby said the sign in front of the fitness center states rehab and she is not qualified to do rehab so she would like to pain over that or get it changed somehow. She has found mold in the wall and ceiling and is wondering if ARPA funds can help with that expense. Shelby will be purchasing an air purifier with ARPA funds as well.
Shelby asked about the part-time employee and asked why his time needs to stay under twenty (20) hours a week. Amy Jo said if he is working a consistent twenty (20) or more hours per week he will have to have KPERS, by working under the twenty (20) hours per week, he does not have to pay out to KPERS.
Nathan Foreman came in to speak to the commissioners about the opioid litigations. He said a resolution needs to be passed and a memorandum of understanding needs signed from the commissioners for the county to pursue litigation on opioid. The funds received from the opioid litigation can go to medical, testing and having informational meetings for the citizens of Stevens County.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 21-09 to Approve to join the Statewide Litigation Regarding the Opioid Epidemic. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Added and Abated Orders were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; for tax year 2021 number 12 thru 19 and 21 thru 23 total valuations removed 30,310 and tax assessed -$4,816.24; for tax year 2021 number 20, 24, total valuation added 1,092 and a relief assessment of $177.60. Total valuation of -29,218 and total tax assessed -$4,638.64.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk ________________________________
Tron Stegman, Chairman