COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 24, 2023
Agenda: 8:30 – Cammie Heaton – Community Health
9:00 – Bills
9:15 – Mark Hinde – SDSI
9:30 – Rebecca Clancy – RCDC
10:00 – Tony Martin – Public Works
10:30 – Paul Nordyke – City of Hugoton/Easement
11:00 – Shelby Martin – Wellness center/Grants & Funding
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. 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 | $ 71,912.58 |
| Judicial District | $ 2,893.11 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 67,622.88 |
| Airport | $ 6,130.25 |
| ARPA | $ 200.00 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 2,740.85 |
| EMS | $ 7,051.73 |
| Fire | $ 2,504.40 |
| Community Health | $ 10,427.95 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 400.00 |
| LATCF | $ 24,125.30 |
| Sheriff | $ 48,660.38 |
| Fire Bequest | $ (13,455.00) |
| Wellness Bequest | $ 8,962.50 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 116.37 |
| TOTAL: | $ 240,293.30 |
Amy Jo spoke with the commissioners about the meal allowance stating the county had approved going by the federal government allowance and asked if the commissioners wanted to stay with the per meal allowance or go with daily total of meal allowances. The commissioners stated they will stay with the per meal allowance.
Cammie Heaton came in and said she spoke with Trane about the issues of the heating and cooling system at the Community Health Department and was told it will not work correctly until the chiller is repaired. The Trane representative made some changes to the program, but the back rooms are now cold, and the thermostats are still not working correctly. Cammie said she is waiting for a tech from Trane to come in and make some adjustments to see if it will fix the issue. Cammie informed the commissioner that Ross replaced the back door handle on the Community Health Department. Cammie also demonstrated how she and other employees at the Community Health Department can check the status of the vaccine temps from their phones using the Helmer monitoring system with temp sticks. She said there is no annual or monthly fees, just battery changes on occasion which she will get alerts of low batteries or temperature changes. She stated the temp sticks were only a one (1) time fee of $436.00. Cammie told the commissioners she is working with Insight Global for the third (3rd) quarter reports and ended with a large budget violation due to reports not being turned in on time. She asked Insight Global about recouping any unspent funds and they told her it was too late to get reimbursed on the grants as they have expired.
Amy Jo told the commissioners the old dishwasher needs to be replaced with the new one. Pat said to have Goode’s come out and help Ross install the new dishwasher.
Amy Jo discussed the information she gained on the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Plan) and informed the commissioners they would need to fill out an application, approve an ordinance and a resolution. Amy Jo said she will bring the information in to the next meeting.
Mark Hinde and Steve Sandoval with SDSI (Southwest Disability Services, Inc) were in attendance and informed the commissioners they currently serve eighteen (18) counties. SDSI helps individuals and communities by advocating, providing services, education, and quality assurance checks. Mark stated they need someone from Stevens County to be on the board and said the board meets four (4) times a year with paid mileage and meals. The commissioners instructed Amy Jo to put an advertisement in the Hugoton Hermes for SDSI board member to represent Stevens County with Mark Hinde’s information as a contact.
Rebecca Clancy and Stephanie Wills with RCDC (Russell Childhood Development Center) came in and told the commissioners they help with special education for infants zero to three (0-3) years of age. They provide physical therapy and speech therapy along with several other services. RCDC helps families plan for doctor visits, transitioning into school and IEP’s. There are eighty-one (81) children serviced in Stevens County.
Tony with the public works department came in and gave the commissioners a 2021 County Engineering Annual Report on the roads in Stevens County which includes all counties in Kansas to see how the county compares. Tony stated there was an error in the report as it stated Stevens County recycled fifteen (15) miles of road, which Stevens County did not recycle any in 2021. Tony told the commissioners he turned in his 2022 report to the state so in a year there should be a statewide report as well. Tony informed the commissioners he had an employee quit over the weekend via text. The road and bridge department got the loader back from Foley and is working fine. The 2009 John Deere Tractor needs a new hood which will cost around $4,500.00.
The commissioners discussed the windmills and Planning and Zoning. Paul said he will email Glenn Kerbs to get the Planning and Zoning regulations up to date.
Paul Nordyke and Josh Grubbs with the City of Hugoton came in and Paul said the East Industrial lot has drainage issues. The specific lot is Block 2, Lot 2 of the East Industrial Plat just east of the Best Western, running north to 10th Street then east. Paul and Josh are asking for an easement for drainage before the lot gets sold stating there will need to be thirty feet (30’). Another area of concern is north of the grocery store, Block 5, Lot 1 of the East Industrial Plat, will need a twenty-foot (20’) easement for drainage as well because of the low spot. Those easements will need to be filed with the Register of Deeds office when completed.
Tron made a motion for putting a thirty-foot (30’) easement on Block 2, Lot 2 and twenty-foot (20’) easement on Block 5, Lot 1, both of the East Industrial Plat. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Tron asked Josh and Paul Nordyke about selling equipment out by the airport on Road 12 across from Flatlander’s. Tron said the contract specifically stated there can be no selling or storing of farm equipment on those lots. Josh said it is considered Ag Zoning, the homes and equipment comply but not the business. Pat mentioned Paul Kitzke should draft a letter for the homeowners about the business. The commissioners later agreed the City of Hugoton should be involved and not the county. Josh and Paul Nordyke stated that other businesses were there and could be stopped but they have been doing business for so long and if the City of Hugoton is not going to make everyone follow the same rules, then they cannot just target one (1) or two (2) individuals.
The commissioners asked Josh about Robert Terrell’s property and Josh said the house needs to be ten (10) feet from the property line, but the house is directly on the property line. Joe asked if the City of Hugoton can grant variances and Tony Martin said the city cannot grant variances as per regulations. Pat said Robert needs to come in and help handle the issue. Boundaries will need to be changed and new plans drawn up.
Shelby Martin came in and said she would like to keep the high school employee through the summer giving them nineteen (19) hours a week instead of just twelve (12) and stated she understands her budget will not allow it. She told the commissioners she is trying to find ways to stagger the employees so there is someone at the gym later in the day and is trying to find a way to receive grant or donation money to help fund the extra personnel expenses such as having a double membership month. Shelby said she is $4,000.00 above year to date in earnings than she was last year, and things are looking good for the wellness center. Pat stated no one needs to attend the Wellness center twenty-four (24) hours a day and didn’t see where an extra two (2) hours for staff would make a difference when there are still twelve (12) hours left in the day. Shelby said she greatly appreciates the washer and dryer as it is used for at least two (2) loads of towels a day and people clean the equipment when they are done. Shelby informed the commissioners she will be applying for a grant/funding through the Stevens County Foundation in June for other goals she would like to reach. Shelby said people don’t understand the profit from the Wellness center does not go back into the Wellness center but to the County General which makes it hard to purchase new equipment. Shelby is checking in with the auditors to see if she can use the bequest fund for donations and grants to help pay personnel from.
Tron made a motion to pay half (1/2) of the AA utilities. No second, the motion died.
Joe asked what can be done at the Sheriff’s Department with one of the employed deputies. Paul said the commissioners cannot do anything about an employee of the Sheriff’s department because the Sheriff oversees his personnel. Pat said the only way to control the issue is by cutting the budget, but Paul stated cutting a department’s budget is not the way to handle an issue like this when it involves protecting the community. Paul suggested waiting to see what the KBI finds and then the commissioners can give the Sheriff their suggestion, but that is all that can be done at this time.
Abatement Orders, year 2022 for taxes numbered 211 through 225 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation removed 74,495 with a relief assessment of $4,975.95.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Pat Hall, Chairman