COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
May 21, 2018
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. Tron moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Pat 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 | $ 18,710.28 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 30,193.36 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 157.37 |
| EMS | $ 1,793.09 |
| Fire | $ 1,922.41 |
| Alcoholic Treatment Fund | $ 237.50 |
| Community Health | $ 8,430.62 |
| Sheriff | $ 15,818.66 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 403.48 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 57.60 |
| $ 77,724.37 |
Paul Kitzke said there was only one land owner on the Robb Heger road that had an unresolved question. This land owner said there is a fence that runs North and South and if the fence needs to be moved and it is his responsibility for the removal, he is not interested in signing the easement.
Robert Lucero with maintenance/janitorial came in to discuss the lawn at the Sheriff Department and the Courthouse. Paul inquired as to what happened to the grass. Robert said it was chemical in a sprayer that was assumed to have been just weed killer and he used what was left. The commissioners discussed the cost of reseeding and possibly concreting in some areas. The discussion was tabled for a later time.
The bids for the sheds at the Wellness Center began. After opening 31 bids it was unanimous that Kenny Burrows was the highest bidder for the gray 12’X12’, double door shed at $900.00 as well as the 10’X12’ brown, single door shed at $700.00. Jeremy Hogg was the highest bidder for the 11’X18’ shed with carport for $2,276.00. The commissioners have instructed the County Clerk to contact the winning bidders and advise them they have thirty (30) days to pay and remove the sheds or they will go to the next highest bidder. The commissioners also told the County Clerk the money has to be paid before the shed is moved.
Rodney Kelling came in to let the commissioners know that his department is doing good and has nothing to report at this time. He did inform the commissioners that at this time the cities of Hugoton and Moscow has banned fireworks this year as well due to the dry conditions.
Tony Martin with the Road and Bridge Department said that the overlay project has begun and when it gets completed the department will move onto patching. He hopes to start chip/seal the sixteen (16) miles by July 9, 2018. When the chip/seal is completed he hopes to begin working on Road P, east of Washington and the landfill road. Tony also said that if he has the funds in his account toward the end of the year, he would like to overlay two (2) miles between Road 4 and Road 5 by the Morton County line. He said his employees as well as himself, have noticed the bine weed growth due to the drought. He will be contacting Phillip Willis with the Noxious Weed department to see if something can be done to help with the problem.
Paul told Tony he had talked to all three (3) land owners and they are okay with the road that is off of Road D, one (1) mile east of Morton County and one (1) mile north, unless the fence that is there has to be moved and county will not move it. Tony said he will go out and look at the area again but he doesn’t feel that the fence is in the way and should not be a problem. When Paul gets confirmation from Tony about the fence he will contact the land owner and get the easements going.
Pat asked Tony if the cost of the dirt that was hauled to Moscow came out of the Road and Bridge budget. Tony said it was all taken out of the Road and Bridge budget with labor, diesel and equipment costs it totaled $30,355.99. Tony asked that if he is going to go over the budget at the end of the year for the over expenditures, that the general account be responsible for the cost of the dirt that was hauled. Tony said it took 350 loads of dirt and nine (9) days to deliver all of it to Moscow.
Vernon Anderson came in with the Planning and Zoning department and asked about starting a nuisance ordinance since at this time there doesn’t seem to be a rule on junk or trash on property. Joe said it would be difficult to enforce it. Vernon said he can enforce it as much and as often as needed. Discussion was tabled for a later date.
Joe discussed the fence on the county land that Pam Peachy is currently renting for her horses. Tron made a motion for the county to pay up to $600 for the fence on the pasture land and allow the labor to be completed by someone needing to complete community service hours with a signed release absolving the county from all liabilities. Pat seconded, motion carried.
Tron mentioned he would like to see the county land bid out every five (5) years. Joe and Pat agreed and said they would like to table that discussion for a later date.
Sheriff Ted Heaton came in to find out if the lawn had been discussed and the commissioners told Ted what had been decided. Ted told the commissioners that the riding lawn mower is shot but will still work to plow snow if needed.
Joe opened the meeting for the hearing for the T-Mobile tower. Present were Vernon Anderson and Darin Heger. No one appeared to contest the tower which will be placed just south of Highway 56 on the northeast quarter (NE ¼) of that section and Road 26. Vernon said all were in agreement to allow T-Mobile to build a tower. Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 18-08, Conditional Land Use by T-Mobile. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Don Beesley, Nancy Honig and Ron Honig came in to discuss the Extension budget with the commissioners. Ron said they would like to request an extra $5,000 from the county because K-State has done another cut. Don said that K-State cut their appropriation by $15,000 in December. The amount of appropriations that the Extension receives from K-State goes by the number of students enrolled at K-State. Joe said they will have to discuss it further at the budget hearing and that he is anticipating a twenty percent (20%) reduction with the hopes it will be less.
Don said the Extension has some reserves left that will carry them for about six (6) months. Ron said the budget has been cut overall by two percent (2%). Joe told them to show up for the budget hearing on June 28th. Don said they are pleased with hiring Ron Honig, he has been productive and doing an outstanding job.
By motion the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk ________________________________
Joe D Thompson, Chairman