COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 8, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – County Business
9:30 – Tony Martin
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe 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 | $ 59,736.96 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 54,471.92 |
| Airport | $ 4,044.07 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 3,005.46 |
| EMS | $ 5,530.86 |
| Fire | $ 3,018.94 |
| Highway Improvement | $ 57,495.58 |
| Community Health | $ 13,215.62 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 3,200.00 |
| Road Machinery | $ 62,390.00 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| Diversion | $ 276.75 |
| Sheriff | $ 39,867.71 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 13.62 |
| COVID – SPARKS | $ 126,111.21 |
| TOTAL: | $ 432,591.20 |
Ross Sullivan came in and told the commissioners the Trane bill for locating the heating issue on the third (3rd) floor will be roughly $2,500.00 on top of the monthly maintenance fee. Pat said he was under the impression there was still a warranty. Discussion ensued and Pat will call Trane and verify if the bill will be part of the warranty.
Tron Stegman said Paula texted him over the weekend and said she is eligible to receive a $127,000.00 ELC Grant to be used for salary support and discussed she would like to give her staff a $500 bonus each, with the money. Pat said he didn’t see why there should be a bonus since they worked their normal work hours and job duties and the office was closed for four (4) months to the public. After taking the grant into consideration it was decided that Paula can write for the grant.
Rodney Kelling came in and handed the commissioners the spec sheet for the new tanker fire truck he plans on purchasing. Rodney would like to purchase a Freightliner truck because he can get parts and repairs done in Liberal which is closer than other repair places. Pat said he would entertain bids but does not want to purchase a truck at this time. Joe said by the time the bid is approved and the truck is built it will more than likely be the end of the year before they get the truck. He is satisfied with a purchase since the Moscow truck is in great need of repair and due to its age, parts cannot be found. Rodney said this truck will be as basic as possible to cut costs and is looking to pay around $230,000.00 for the new truck. Joe said they should take bids and set up the new truck for end of the year delivery or first of next year.
The commissioners asked Rodney about a burn ban and he said at this time the only fires they have been called to are where a chain had been dragged, cigarettes have been tossed out of vehicles or no fault of someone intentionally burning. He did not see a need to have a burn ban.
Hugoton Senior Center sent a letter to the commissioners stating they would be short on funds for the 2021 year. The commissioners voiced some suggestions of possibly applying for grants and seeking funding from the Foundation board, etc. There will probably not be very many funds to disperse this year due to budget cuts.
Tony Martin came in and said there is algae in the diesel fuel on several of the trucks, leading to repairs with fuel filters.
Tony said the Road and Bridge Department will begin their ten (10) hour days on May 1st through September 1, 2021. He has sent two (2) employees to weed school for the week. Tony also spoke with John Deere and got a ballpark figure on two (2) mowers for around $36,000.00 to $38,000.00. Currently the mowers the county has are 2009 models and run 6,000 miles per year.
The commissioners told Tony to get bids for two (2) new mowers. The bids will be opened on April 12th at 9:30 AM.
Pat and Tony discussed the utility bill for the transfer station and deemed the amount includes two (2) buildings, the office and the transfer station.
Tony said he is going to do away with the clear diesel and regular gas pumps out at the landfill. He said he’ll keep the dyed diesel for the large equipment and if the other equipment need fuel, they can take the trucks to Road and Bridge for fuel.
Amy Jo told the commissioners the KCAMP insurance pool is substantially higher than last year, roughly around $20,000.00 due to the twelve percent (12%) increase.
Amy Jo presented the commissioners with department encumbrance and transfer letters.
Joe made a motion to accept the presented encumbrance and transfer letters from GIS, Election, Fire/EMS and Road and Bridge. Pat seconded.
Paul said the Garnand property purchase was in the newspaper March 1 for public hearing and no one had come in to object of the sale. Paul will move forward with the contract.
Amy Jo said July 8th at 9:00 AM is the scheduled Budget Workshop. The commissioners agreed that would be a good date.
Tron asked about the tax sale and Paul stated the Kansas Governor has a hold on tax sales and delinquencies.
Joe asked Paul if the courts were slowed down. Paul said the DOC has slowed down and most cases are thirty to sixty (30-60) days out and are slowly getting caught up.
Ross came back in and said Trane is going to see if Mitsubishi will cover the majority of their labor costs on the HVAC unit.
Abatement Orders for taxes 2020, number 32 was reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation removed 37,464 with a relief assessment of ($6,128.80).
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman