COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
OCTOBER 10, 2023
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
8:45 – County Business
9:00 – Matt Greene – KDI
9:30 – Nex-Tech
9:45 – Tony Martin – Public Works
10:00 – Robert Harrington – RHID (Did not appear)
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session. Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk was also present. Pat called the meeting to order. Joe moved to approve the county vouchers. Tron seconded. Motion carried. The County Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 77,436.47 |
| Spec Law Enforcement | $ 8,080.00 |
| Judicial District | $ 879.68 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 125,237.91 |
| Airport | $ 3,267.60 |
| County Building | $ 1,930.50 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 13,185.07 |
| EMS | $ 10,744.81 |
| Fire | $ 11,479.40 |
| Community Health | $ 27,284.78 |
| Insurance Agency Damages | $ 20,810.00 |
| Library Emp Benefits | $ 400.23 |
| Library | $ 85,742.50 |
| Fire Bequest | $ 355.88 |
| Non Specific Equipment | $ 7,000.00 |
| Sheriff | $ 45,784.64 |
| Reg of Deeds Tech Fund | $ 3,300.00 |
| TOTAL: | $ 442,919.47 |
Robert Salazar was present.
Ross Sullivan came in and told the commissioners the county is under contract with Unifirst until 2025 and it would be costly at this time to break the contract. Discussion over the tiles for the drop-ceiling at the wellness center were discussed. Ross gave the commissioners the estimate for the hallway in Memorial Hall that goes to the elevator. The commissioners, Ross and Robert Salazar, went to view the Memorial Hall wall. The commissioners asked Ross to get in touch with KCAMP and see if we are covered for water damage. Amy Jo asked if the work was started soon, if it would be completed before November 7th (election day), Robert said he wasn’t sure because no one knows what’s needing replaced behind the tile and if there are support beams rotted, or if there’s mold and other issues. The commissioners asked Robert if he could start after November 7th, and he stated that would work. The commissioners and Robert discussed having the windows replaced along that outside wall as well.
Joe made a motion to wave the normal bidding process and have Sinco do the work on the west wall of the Memorial Hall entrance to the elevator in the amount of $4,533.86, with any other amount needed to make all necessary repairs that will be needed once the total damages have been assessed. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Ross told the commissioners that HMH Roofing should be starting on the wellness center roof today. The commissioners viewed the different vacuums for Memorial Hall and told Ross to choose which one he would prefer. Ross told the commissioners the cost of shampooing without scotch guard is $742.50 and with, is an extra $200.00. Ross said the chiller for community health should begin being installed in December instead of January.
Matt Greene with KDI came in and discussed the IRB which began in 2015. The commissioners acknowledged there was an error on the county’s side and Matt stated KDI understands they owe back taxes and would like to enter a payment plan beginning November 1st, 2023, in the amount of $15,000.00 per month until the past taxes are paid in full. Matt also requested the commissioners forgive any penalty fees or interests; the commissioners agreed.
Rodney Kelling came in and told the commissioners the top for the truck should be here next month. Joe asked Rodney what he plans on doing with the truck and ambulance in Moscow. Rodney said he plans on putting it in the newspaper for bids and would like to open them the second (2nd) meeting in November. Rodney also told the commissioners the SCBA equipment is wearing out and he has been unable to find parts to make repairs. Tron asked about the costs of the SCBA equipment and Rodney said anywhere between $200,000 and $250,000, which includes new compressors.
Jayme Rich came in and the commissioners asked her to contact Matt Greene and get an agreement signed for monthly payments on the back taxes of KDI. Pat asked Jayme if there are any penalties for late taxes and Jayme said there is a forty-five (45) day window, but it is ultimately up to the commissioners to waive any penalties. Joe asked how the reserves are doing and she stated this year most are in CDs to gain interest, which is helping in the money market. Pat asked about sales tax and Jayme said since the county began collecting in July it’s too hard to tell if it is helping. Jayme informed the commissioners there have been no sales taxes paid by the wellness center to the state. Tony told the commissioners he can send Stacey out there to see if there is anything she can do to help.
Chelsey Willer, Olga Detrixhe and Justin Dempsey with Nex-Tech came in along with Cammie Heaton and Thea Schnittker. Chelsey informed the commissioners that the courthouse and community health department need a new server. The cost is quite steep at $754.43 per month for five (5) years for the courthouse and $743.00 per month for five (5) years for community health (a new server with installation will cost $20,000.00 to $21,000.00 each). Olga said Nex-Tech can move some apps to the cloud service to possibly eliminate a new server. Justin stated it will up the risks for cyber security and be harder to secure, as well as the cost of cyber insurance possibly going up. Nex-Tech said they investigated a single server to work for community health and the courthouse but said there would be too many issues. Chelsey, Olga and Justin left with Cammie to review the community health department’s current server to see what apps are installed in it because it is costing the same as the courthouse which appears to have more use.
The commissioners took a break.
Chelsey, Olga and Justin came back, and Justin said the only application on the community health server is KIPHS which is the scheduling for that department. Pat told Nex-Tech he would like a breakdown of costs showing the cost of the server, cost of labor and installation, etc. Olga said they will provide that information. Amy Jo and Thea asked Justin if he could determine what applications are on the courthouse server as well to see if there might be another avenue to take. Nex-Tech said they will put together a cost breakdown sheet and have the names of the apps on the courthouse server along with information on what Nex-Tech covers and get that information to Amy Jo.
Tron Stegman left the meeting.
Tony Martin came in and said Stevens County is due for bridge inspections and requested a motion to accept Kirkham Michael to do the inspections.
Joe made a motion to accept Kirkham Michael to do the bridge inspections for Stevens County. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Tony informed the commissioners he still has not found a replacement for the landfill.
Amy Jo presented an email from David Luke with KCAMP, stating the hospital will no longer be covered by insurance as of July 2024 due to the rates going up substantially and coverage terms being restricted. The email also stated that many markets no longer want to cover hospitals. KCAMP is looking into a separate property program for hospitals to begin January 1, 2024, or renewing the current property coverage under the county’s existing property program until June 30, 2024, when a separate hospital program will hopefully be developed. That proposal will not be received until May or early June of 2024.
Ross Sullivan came back in and stated the roofing has begun at the wellness center.
Added Orders for taxes numbered 165 for year 2016 and numbers 117-118 for year 2017 and numbers 166-167 for year 2018 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation added 392,720 with an assessment of $83,204.35.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Pat Hall, Chairman