COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 23, 2023
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
8:45 – Cammie Heaton –
9:00 – Bids – Community Health 2016 Toyota Rav4
9:30 – Tony Martin
9:45 – Eric Escalera – West Industrial Property
10:30 – Jayme Rich – CD’s /Bank
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Tharp, County Clerk were also present. Pat called the meeting to order. Tron moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Tron moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe 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 | $ 110,457.97 |
| Judicial District | $ 724.56 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 42,672.32 |
| Airport | $ 10,425.97 |
| ARPA | $ – |
| Noxious Weed | $ 5,843.89 |
| EMS | $ 8,615.45 |
| Fire | $ 6,124.76 |
| Community Health | $ 13,358.29 |
| County Building | $ 331.50 |
| Sheriff | $ 43,775.04 |
| Emp Misc W/H | $ 50.00 |
| TOTAL: | $ 242,379.75 |
Rodney Kelling came in and discussed using some of the LACTF funds to pay for the camera system at the Fire/EMS building. The commissioners told Rodney to get more quotes and bring them in to the next meeting. Rodney also discussed the Opioid Settlement and said he would like to use those funds to purchase Narcan and hold some educational programs for both the USD210 and USD209 school districts along with a public educational program. He stated he would like to work with the Hugoton Police Department as they are getting in touch with a speaker to come to town and give an educational look at what Fentenyl is doing to the community.
Joe asked Paul Kitzke about a bill on the voucher listing and Paul stated it is a civil case where there is an appeal due to ineffective counsel work and he is taking over that case.
Cammie Heaton came in and presented the Health Officer form for the commissioners to sign allowing Lisa Steers to be the Health Officer for Stevens County. Cammie also stated she has contacted Southwest Glass and Door to come and look at the back door of the Community Health building to see if they can fix it so employees can use that door in the morning for work. She said the area is really dark and there have been some questionable people lurking around early in the morning and she would like the staff to be able to use the back entrance where they park instead of having to walk around the building. Discussion about the heat and air in the Community Health building brought up an issue about fans constantly running and thermostats not working correctly in the closed off wings. Pat said the commissioners are looking over Trane’s chiller proposal and said he will contact Trane about looking into the thermostats and fans to see what can be done. Cammie stated Trane charges around $322.00 per month for maintenance and charges more if something is wrong or needs fixed and she feels it is a waste of monthly payments.
The commissioners opened bids for the sale of the Community Health Department 2016 Rav4 with VIN
- Eric Escalera $ 5,000.00
- Lisa Fehr $ 9,800.00
- Will Schnittker $15,401.00
Joe made a motion for the 2016 Toyota Rav4 to go to the highest bidder, Will Schnittker for $15,401.00. The bid money will go into the Community Health Departments fund. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Tony Martin came in and stated the new landfill pit has been in modification for the past two and a half years (2 ½). He said there will be a conference call with the new engineer and the State on Wednesday about the new pit. Tony said if they want to start digging they will need to dig on Cell 8 which is east of the chemical shed.
Tron made a motion to adopt Resolution 23-02, Adopting Waste Management Plan for 2022. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Tony said he hired a new employee at the landfill to replace the employee who has turned in his notice for March 1, 2023. He stated another employee has been consistently late and has had wrote him up in the past and assumes that employee will be leaving before too long.
Joe told Tony someone wants to put in a temporary concrete crusher and lease a portion of the landfill. Tony said no.
Tony turned in the list of the 2023 Fair Board Members for review by the commissioners.
Eric Escalera was present to discuss with the commissioners the possible purchase of Lot 6 Block 4 of the West Industrial Plat. The commissioners and county attorney said they will entertain selling the property as long as no building is built on the site and all the FAA rules and regulations are followed. The lot is two and four tenths (2.4) acres and the commissioners are asking $5,000.00 per acre totaling $12,000.00. Paul said he will get in contact with Eric when he finds out more about the FAA regulations for that lot.
Sheriff Ted Heaton and Duane Topliss came in. Ted said he hired a new deputy and will be looking to get a vehicle in a couple of months for the new deputy. Ted said at this time he is going to see if they can get by with the dispatchers they have without hiring a new dispatcher since one is working as dispatcher and payroll for Sheriff.
Jayme Rich came in and said she has been talking with multiple banks about the interest rate on CD’s and at this time Citizens State Bank has the highest interest rate in Stevens County.
Pat said there is an issue with the house Robert Terrill built in the Pioneer Addition. The house is too close to the property line and does not give the eight (8) foot setback. Paul said it is now up to the City of Hugoton to take care of the issue and bring any guidance to the commissioners.
Tron said he was asked about giving $35,000.00 to Eco Devo and $15,000.00 to the Chamber which is what the appropriations were in the past and now it is $25,0000.00 to Eco Devo and $25,000.00 to Chamber. Pat and Joe were not interested in changing the current appropriated amounts.
Pat called Mike Heiland with Trane and asked about the chiller proposal for the Community Health Department and asked if it covers the fans or thermostats. Mike stated the fans running and thermostat issues are probably part of the programming and can be changed. Pat asked if the price is guaranteed of $198,555.00 for the chiller replacement even if some of the part prices increase. Mike said yes and Trane will be responsible for any overages and it will not be charged to the County. The commissioners agreed to the chiller replacement using ARPA funds and signed the proposal from Trane.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk
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Pat Hall, Chairman