COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 5, 2019
Agenda: 8:30 – Budget Hearing
8:45 – Bobby Bonner – Cimarron Basin
9:00 – County Business
9:30 – Tony Martin – Road & Bridge
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session. Also present were Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes. 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 | $ 85,438.78 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 138,280.10 |
| Building | $ 1,800.00 |
| Election | $ (34,442.53) |
| Airport | $ 1,661.55 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 6,250.52 |
| EMS | $ 6,591.52 |
| Fire | $ 2,654.18 |
| Community Health | $ 18,251.19 |
| Sheriff | $ 48,537.95 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 75.74 |
| Hwy Improvement | $ 86,165.86 |
| Diversion | $ 846.40 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 1,461.24 |
| Reg Deed Tech | $ 3,090.61 |
| $ 366,663.11 |
Joe moved to accept the budget for 2020. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe moved to close the budget hearing. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Casey Settlemeyer came in and said Ross told him the county wanted bids on trimming the pine trees east of the courthouse. He said Betty Rosel suggested they remove the trees. Casey wanted to know exactly what the commissioners are wanting.
Pat asked Casey what would be best. He told the commissioners the dead branches are so extensive it would be better to take the trees completely out. It would save money in the long run as well as there are safety concerns for passersby. He said one tree is under a power line and needs to be removed.
Joe questioned if the trimming would be noticeable. Casey said there is quite a bit of dead branches up inside the trees and they would look hollow. Pat asked how much the cost would be to remove the trees and Casey said he would guess around $12,000.00 but unsure depending on the stump removal. The discussion was tabled.
Bobby Bonner with Cimarron Basin came in to request some help with funding from Stevens County. He said they take care of offenders that are on probation and make sure they stay in compliance with court. They will pick up offenders and take them to court if they don’t have rides, pull UA’s, surprise visits and check on their employment as well. Paul Kitzke and Ted Heaton said Cimarron Basin is very beneficial for the county.
Bobby said the State gives them grants but the funds are decreasing and Seward county gives around $65,000.00 per year. He is asking if the county could help with $4,000.00-$5,000.00 for funding. Joe said funding is usually broken down by population and asked if Seward County is giving a proportionate share. Joe also states he has an issue with paying for services the State is supposed to pay for.
Pat asked if Stevens County pays anything towards Cimarron Basin. Bobby said Stevens County never has, but they use offices and the Sheriff’s department has worked really well with their services. Discussion was tabled for later.
Bobby presented the commissioners with Resolution 19-05, Approving Interlocal Agreement to Participate in Multi-County Community Corrections Program. The commissioners signed the resolution.
Rodney Kelling came in and inquired if the budget hearing was over. Joe said it was closed and the budget stays. Rodney asked about the repair on his trucks and Joe said to bring in the bill.
Rodney told the commissioners he is looking at replacing radios and is looking at going to 800 except the cost for that is one to two million dollars. He is having Snyder Radio come out and give estimates on digital instead of analog.
Pat asked Rodney how much time AK Roofing has to complete the roof at the Fire/EMS building. Rodney said he has about thirty (30) days left to get it completed.
Erick Nordling with the airport board came in and told the commissioners the budget they have to work with will have them using up their reserves. It was agreed between Erick and the commissioners the county does need an airport for emergency purposes and other air usage.
Pat questioned Erick about the County Clerk’s office taking care of accounts payable and the Treasurer’s office taking care of receipts. Erick said that issue has never been resolved and at this time Tracy Jorde does the books for the airport. Pat assured Erick it would not take away the board, as they have more information on regulations and would still be advisory, just the billing would go through the county like other departments such as Noxious Weed and Road and Bridge.
Erick informed the commissioners the airport board meeting will be tonight at 6:00 pm at the airport. Joe said he would attend.
Tony Martin with Road and Bridge was in attendance. Joe asked if there was a statute or ruling of some kind that discussed what needs to be done if a neighbor runs water across the road from irrigation. Tony said it could be a low spot causing flooding or bad culvert. Tony said he would check on it and see what could be done. Joe said the water could cause serious damage or a bad wreck if someone was driving down the road at night and not notice the moist ground in that spot. Tony said he will look at the statutes and see what it says.
Tony said in the past farmers/people were charged for damages made to the roads. He said he would appreciate people calling in if a road is damaged so it can be fixed or repaired as soon as possible and they would not be charged for the costs.
Tony told the commissioners the Stevens County Fair went very well. He said the hot water heater went down but had been in place for well over twenty (20) years.
Pat requested the county pays Cimarron Basin $4,000.00 to $5,000.00. Tron said it should wait to see where the county stands before an agreement can be made.
Sheriff Ted Heaton checked in and told the commissioners he hired Christian Heger as a deputy. Christian will attend academy in a year. Tom Mirabal is back at work doing light duty as a jailer. Ted also informed the commissioners he is looking at using some funds for night vision.
Amy Jo brought up questions she has received about the lots the county has for sale on the east side of town in the industrial section near Best Western and Carter’s grocery store. She told the commissioners she could not locate the files on the lots and was told Paul Kitzke had the information.
Pat made a motion to go into executive session over land acquisition for five (5) minutes. Pat seconded. Executive session began at 10:11 am with the commissioners and Amy Jo Tharp in attendance and Gary Armstrong via conference call. Executive session ended at 10:16 am. No action taken.
Amy Jo brought up some information from UNUM for dental insurance and told the commissioners that HUB/Group Benefits suggested not taking any more dental insurance. The commissioners decided no extra dental insurance is needed.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman