COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
FEBRUARY 24, 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. Joe moved to approve the county vouchers. Pat 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 | $ 57,264.42 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 50,089.07 |
| Airport | $ 1,707.71 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 6,456.42 |
| EMS | $ 11,688.53 |
| Fire | $ 2,070.02 |
| Community Health | $ 15,027.54 |
| Sheriff | $ 69,164.41 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 223.44 |
| County Building | $ 2,983.00 |
| 911-Wireless | $ 2,510.36 |
| Reg of Deed Tech Fund | $ 156.68 |
| Alcohol Treatment Fund | $ 250.00 |
| TOTAL: | $ 219,591.60 |
Ross Sullivan came in and told the commissioners he received a better proposal on the Trane contract. He gave prices of tires to the commissioners and was instructed to get the tires replaced on the appraiser pickup. Amy Jo Tharp inquired of the commissioners where the fuel costs for the pickup should be paid from. It was agreed the courthouse general should pay for fuel usage as it was not budgeted in for appraiser.
Rodney Kelling was in briefly to discuss with the commissioners about the repairs on the freightliner ambulance. He will be taking it Saturday to Iowa for the box repair.
Rodney Kelling and Courtney Leslie talked to the commissioners about the State Emergency Management coming down and having an exercise on March 31 for training. Courtney said it would be beneficial to have several people from the county there for representation, possibly from each department such as commissioner, clerk, road and bridge, landfill, sheriff, etc. to show support. It was also mentioned the PIO (Public Information Officer) class will be held here in Hugoton on April 22-23. The County Clerk is supposed to act as PIO and has taken classes. Susan Schulte is another PIO for the county but Rodney feels it wise to have at least three (3) PIO’s for the county in case of any catastrophic event.
Vanessa Willis came in and expressed her thanks to the commissioners for their concern regarding her health. She said she is still not up to par but is working on getting stronger.
Phillip Willis came in and said he is still working on the permit for the new pit which should be ready in a couple of weeks. This new pit should last about five (5) years. Phil then asked the commissioners about a new dozer as the current one has over 16,000 hours. Pat suggested calling around and getting prices and Phil agreed. Phil also stated he would check out lease deals to see if that would be a better way to go.
Joe made a motion to appoint Judy Parsons and Walter Beesley to the Eco Devo board. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to move budget authority for a transfer in the appraiser’s fund for $21,000.00 from contractual to personal. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo informed the commissioners the auditors would like to set the date for the budget workshop on June 25th. Joe asked if it could be right after July 4 sometime. Amy Jo said she would look into changing the date.
The commissioners agreed to have the budgets to the county clerk’s office no later than June 1. They also asked Amy Jo to give revenue amounts along with the budgets for true cost comparison.
Tony Martin with road and bridge came in and passed information about the new CDL law. He said this law states everyone with a CDL, or going to get a CDL, will need to register with the clearinghouse. Any new employee requiring a CDL will have to be registered with the clearinghouse prior to being hired and the employer will have to run a pre-employment check. There is a $5.00 fee for each employee test.
Tony said Pipeline Voorhees, LLC is starting a new pipeline.
Chance Yoder with Freedom Pipeline came in and gave the commissioners a signed copy of the Application to Install Gas Pipeline.
Sheriff Ted Heaton and Christian Heger were present. Ted said the only thing he had to inform the commissioners of, is that he is changing the rules on the acceptance program to admit people into the county jail.
The commissioners inquired if every party had paid their dues for the lot lease. Amy Jo stated one party still has not brought in lease payment. She has mailed two notices to inform them the money was due. Pat suggested the next highest bidder would have an option for the lot and if they choose not to lease the lot, it should be reopened for bids. Paul said he would send a letter to the current party informing them of the decision to cancel their lease and go to the next bidder due to non-payment.
Rodney Kelling came back to be present for the ambulance bid openings.
Tim Leitnaker with American Response Vehicles was present for the ambulance bid openings.
AMBULANCE BIDS
- American Response Vehicles – $217,579.00 (delivery 120-210 days)
- Rocky Mountain Emerg. Vehicles – $219,834.00 (delivery 130 days)
- Osage Ambulance Emergency – $203,080.00 (delivery 240 days)
Pat made a motion to accept the lowest bid from Osage Ambulance Emergency for $203,080.00. Discussion ensued and the motion dropped.
More discussion on the ambulance took place and Tim with American Response Vehicles stated their bid is for all specs and will come to Hugoton to do any repairs on the vehicle.
Rodney looked over all the bids and discovered the Osage bid did not meet all of the specs and had a longer build time. Rodney was concerned about the build time.
Paul told the commissioners by sending out bid specs and having bids put out on them, the wise choice would be to go by the one with the matching specs and choose appropriately.
The commissioners asked Rodney if any of the specs gave him a concern. He replied the main concern he had was build time and felt 240 days was too long to wait for an ambulance.
The commissioners told Tim they appreciated having a representative from the company to come out for bids.
Joe made a motion to accept American Response Vehicles bid at $217,579.00 since it met all of the specs. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
The commissioners told Rodney when the ambulance comes in, they would like to discuss what the plans are for the ambulance he will be getting rid of since it was not included as a trade-in on the bids.
Abatement Order for tax year 2019, number 196, was reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation abated 1,156,629 and tax assessed (174,347.41). Total valuation abated 8,665,904 and total tax abated $1,306,133.72.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
________________________________
Tron Stegman, Chairman