COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
FEBRUARY 10, 2020
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – County Business
9:30 – Tony Martin – Road & Bridge
10:00 – Encumbrances
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. Tron called the meeting to order. Joe moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Pat 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 | $ 111,800.26 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 72,166.27 |
| Airport | $ 1,707.71 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 4,578.10 |
| EMS | $ 19,746.10 |
| Fire | $ 16,859.82 |
| Community Health | $ 21,953.46 |
| Sheriff | $ 41,072.28 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 46.88 |
| Highway Improvement | $ 190,012.05 |
| Special Law Enforcement | $ 661.40 |
| Non Specific Equipment | $ 3,599.00 |
| Reg of Deed Tech Fund | $ 9.77 |
| TOTAL: | $ 484,213.10 |
Rodney Kelling came in and told the commissioners the ambulance he was taking to Iowa to get repaired, is in the shop in Dodge City. He said he was glad he wasn’t transferring a patient because a bearing went out in the rear seal and caused major issues. He hopes it will be repaired by Tuesday and he can continue the trip to Iowa for the bed repair.
Rodney turned in his encumbrance letter and requested the remaining funds from Fire and Ambulance be rolled over into the corresponding equipment funds. He would like to purchase a new desk chair and computer for the office with the $3,900.00 he has left in the civil defense fund.
Rodney informed the commissioners the CodeRed bill came in and the County Foundation will cover the 2020 year but he is unsure who will cover the years following. He said the bill for CodeRed is about $4,300.00 per year. It has been beneficial with weather related issues and he hopes the school and city will start using the program also.
The tornado sirens do not currently work with the new digital radios. This causes an issue on the dispatcher’s switchboard which no one really planned for. They are looking to implement a better fix on this soon.
Joe asked Paul how cases are determined if the county is responsible for a defendant. Paul told the commissioners the defendant has to fill out paperwork to be allowed free legal representation or on a sliding scale. He said the county pays for subpoena’s and misdemeanor attorney fees, but the state is responsible for covering felony fees.
Pat discussed the Trane contract and the commissioners all agreed to not sign into an annual contract but to have the twice annual maintenance and pay any repairs needed during the rest of the year.
Pat made a motion to strike the Article of Attendance and Leave in the employee’s handbook referencing E-5 (a) The maximum amount of M/B/E leave that can be accumulated is 90 days. After 90 days have accumulated and if an employee does not use any M/B/E leave for six (6) months following the accumulation, he/she will be granted one personal day off to be used within six (6) months. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
A question was presented to the commissioners on who is allowed to drive the county vehicle assigned to the appraiser and courthouse maintenance. The commissioners agreed the appraisers and courthouse maintenance are allowed to drive the vehicle and anyone with Angela Eichman’s authority acting in her capacity.
Amy Jo Tharp brought up an issue with the 2020 budget for the Appraiser’s department. She states the new county appraiser is paid in a different manner than the previous appraiser and would like to transfer the appropriate funds from the appraiser’s contractual amount to the appraiser’s personnel fund account so the accounting would be reflected correctly.
Pat asked if everyone has paid their dues on the land leased out by the county. Amy Jo Tharp informed the commissioners she is still waiting payment from one renter and has sent two (2) letters prior to February 1, 2020. Pat asked Paul to send a final notice by certified mail.
Amy Jo Tharp went over the airport memorandum she received by e-mail to discuss any issues with the revisions. Discussion was made and a response will be given to the airport board.
Joe made a motion to accept Carol Swinney and Ashley Pearcy for a second four-year term on the Library Board beginning May 1, 2020. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo Tharp told the commissioners she put an ad in the Hugoton Hermes two (2) separate times for the SWKAAA (Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, AKA Silver Hair) to get two (2) people to volunteer to represent the elderly in Stevens County. She has had no one contact her showing interest at this time.
Tony Martin came in and said he spoke with Mike Bennet from Freedom Pipeline and expressed his concerns with requiring landowner permission for Right-Of-Way usage. The commissioners stated the last company went in without notice to landowners and it caused quite an issue.
Tony presented the commissioners with the bridge inspection report and said two (2) of the three (3) bridges were good and on one (1) the steel beams need to be repainted.
By law, a class-3 city cannot own a bridge unless they sign a statement stating they have the financial stability for the liability and upkeep of a bridge. The bridge on East Third and Washington is currently under the county’s liability due to this rule.
Tony requested $130,000.00 left from the 2019 budget be rolled over into the County Equipment Fund.
Discussion of Christmas holiday for the county was brought up and left as is.
Discussion of the Road and Bridge workers going to work while the rest of the county is closed was brought up.
Tron made a motion to allow the road and bridge workers no more than eight (8) hours comp time when they are called in to work when the county is closed due to snow days. It is up to the department heads discretion when said employee(s) use their comp time prior to summer work hours. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe discussed with the other commissioners about giving the county clerk a cell phone allowance to compensate for the times at election and regular usage when the commissioners need to contact the county clerk (work related).
Joe made a motion to give the county clerk a cell phone allowance of $40.00 per month. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Discussion about allowing county employee’s discounts at the Stevens County Wellness Center was brought to the commissioner’s attention.
Joe made a motion for full-time Stevens County employees to have access to the Stevens County Wellness Center at $48.00 per month for family and $20.00 per month for single memberships at a minimum of six (6) month intervals. The memberships will be deducted from payroll. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Ted came in and told the commissioners he will need a new compressor for the fire system at the sheriff’s department. He also turned in his encumbrance letter.
Joe made a motion to accept the encumbrance and transfer letters from Road and Bridge, EMS, Fire, Civil Defense, Wellness Center, Community Health, Election, District Court Clerk and Sheriff. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Added and Abatement Orders for tax year 2019 number 194 thru 195 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation added 72 and tax assessed $11.96. Total valuation abated -72 and total tax abated -$11.96.
Added and Abatement Orders for tax year 2018 number 159 thru 160 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation added 72 and tax assessed $12.85. Total valuation abated -72 and total tax abated -$12.85.
Added and Abatement Orders for tax year 2017 number 111 thru 112 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation added 72 and tax assessed $12.71. Total valuation abated -72 and total tax abated -$19.35.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman