The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in their first 2016 regular session Monday, January 4 with all members, Pat Hall, Dave Bozone and Joe D. Thompson present. Also present were County Clerk Pam Bensel and RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes. County Counselor Paul Kitzke was not present.
The following is just an agenda for the morning with a few of the unofficial highlights.
The agenda for the meeting this week was a short one again. It included Bills at 8:30; Lori Hensley at 9:00; Tony Martin at 9:30; and Josh Morris at 10:00.
When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were finishing going over the bills. Motion was made and passed to accept and pay the bills.
Rodney Kelling brought in his department’s proposed budget. He talked about computers with the Commissioners. They visited about fire equipment – you never know what the year may bring. Abengoa has some equipment but Rodney found out that it’s leased. Encumbrance was talked about. Joe would like to see all the departments’ proposed encumbrance before making decisions in that matter. The subject turned to a new-to-the-department ambulance. A couple companies have offered to bring out demos, but these would be above what Stevens County needs. It was agreed his budget looks good. The ambulance is needed. It was agreed to wait a month and see how it’s going. Rodney asked if they had noticed the big savings in the gas bill since the front remodeling.
Next on the agenda was Lori Hensley with LARC DVS and Jandi Head with SW KS Sexual Assault Services. They presented details of their services for domestic violence victims available and being used by several southwest Kansas counties since 1981. They told of how in the past they have had to take victims all the way to Hays or Great Bend since Garden City no longer offers the services they need. They are in the process of putting together a program in cooperation with Southwest Medical Center to have the use of their equipment and nurses so the victim will not be further traumatized by the travel time. This will be possible with funds from the state, federal and local gathered from the counties being served. That was the reason for their visit – to ask for Stevens County to add them to their budget and to help as they can this year. They have already worked closely with Sheriff Heaton, Police Chief Leslie, Patty Bultman at Peace House, Paula Rowden at the Health Department and the County Attorney in Stevens County. Commissioners agreed they think this is a really good service and to see what they can come up with.
Pam reminded the Commissioners that they had official business to designate different entities for the county. To designate a newspaper for the official county paper – motion was made and passed to designate The Hugoton Hermes. Motion was made and passed to designate Citizens State Bank as the primary banking service and First National as secondary. Motion was made and passed to set the meetings for the Board of County Commissioners as the first and third Mondays of each month. Pat Hall was voted in as Chairman and Dave Bozone as Vice Chairman.
Tony Martin was next on the agenda. He informed the Commissioners that the truck that had been ordered with the snow blade is in Wichita now. He plans to call them and see if he can hurry along its completion. They visited about the KDI highway project. No work is being done still. Tony thinks some changes need to be done to the detour barricades since the recent wreck. He has been visiting with KDOT about the reimbursements and checks are supposed to be coming. The subject changed to the width of county roads. Some of them seem to be getting narrower. Tony said he bought his guys tape measurers and has been addressing the situation already. Roads are supposed to be 21 to 24 feet wide.
They visited with Tony about money for the truck already on order. This would not be an encumbrance – it would be a transfer of funds already marked for this equipment. Motion was made and passed to make the transfer of funds. Materials was the next topic of discussion.
Josh Morris came in to talk about the Extension districting again. He urged the Commissioners to make a decision in the matter now so it could be done in 2016 instead of waiting until 2017. He said the Extension Board voted, and voted unanimously to do the districting. He said, time-wise, if the Commissioners did not make a decision at the current meeting – it would be too late. It has to be published in the newspaper for two weeks followed with a 60 day protest period. Dave asked about the new board members and if they were allowed to vote and was informed they were not. His opinion is that they should be allowed to vote for or against the issue. The new incoming members are Don Beesley, Walter Beesley and Ben McClure and the outgoing are Shelley French, Able Sullivan and Tony McBride. The board is made up of nine members. Note: Following the meeting, Josh added that Brenda Frederick is also a new member, as Ruth Van Horn had vacated her position with the board earlier in 2015.
All three Commissioners were hesitant to give their approval yet. Josh stressed that if they did decide at the meeting, it could go into effect July 1, 2016. Otherwise it will have to wait until 2017. When asked, he told the Commissioners that yes – the Morton County Commissioners had voted in favor of the districting. Commissioners said if a third county was to be included they would be more in favor so the distribution of funds would be more even. They stressed that this in no way says they do not care or want to support the Extension program. They do not like to go against the Extension Board, but they feel they really need to be more educated and informed on the subject. They would like to wait and see if the third county will join and not be so time-stressed to join for 2016.
When asked, Josh assured the Commissioners no COLA raises had been issued for the past two years, and he is worried about finances if no districting is done this year. They have trimmed everywhere they can, and the Extension just cannot take another cut to their budget. Next it will have to be salaries. Commissioners asked and discussed if it would help, and if it would even be possible, if they assured him of no budget cuts. Yes it would, but any reserves will be depleted. Also the Extension will not receive extra funds from K-State if there is no districting. Discussion continued about the details that would have to be done in a short time for the districting. The valuation facts of Morton County would be appreciated – again – it would help so much if a third county was joining also. Commissioners thanked Josh for coming in and told him they will continue to discuss the matter.
Following much discussion, the Commissioners decided to not approve the Extension districting for this year. Commissioners discussed adding insulation to the courtroom. Jorge can do the labor, it will just be the cost of the insulation. This was given the okay.
Commissioners moved into executive session with plans to adjourn following.
