The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, May 2, 2016 with Commissioners Pat Hall, Dave Bozone and Joe D. Thompson all present. Also present were County Counselor Paul Kitzke, County Clerk Pam Bensel, RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes and District Two Commissioner Candidate Don Beesley.
The following is just an agenda for the morning with a few of the unofficial highlights. The agenda included Bills at 8:30; Rodney Kelling at 8:45; Sherry Martin at 9:00; Dorothy Hagman, Mike Willis and others at 9:15 with Paula Rowden; Tony Martin at 9:30; Eunice Schroeder at 10:00; Susan Schulte at 10:15; Chris Lund at 10:30; SDSI & RCDC budgets at 11:00; Alfredo Don Juan at 11:30; and lunch at 12:00.
When this reporter arrived at 8:35, the Commissioners were finishing talking with Sherry Martin. She was presenting the budget for Stevens County Conservation. She explained where all the money goes for her department. They have a very good board and are very conservative. They have cut everything they can including travel expenses, although this is not stopping their continued training. Sherry is the only district employee now, has not had a raise in wages in a few years and does not receive benefits (health insurance). They used to have a seed business but do not do that anymore. This provided a fund of “old money” they can use for scholarships – which will probably become a thing of the past. She said their budget is just as thin as it can get. She explained the office situation of her department. Commissioners warned the valuation is taking another big hit so money will be even more short.
Rodney Kelling was next to take the floor. He has been trying to get in to talk to Paul Kitzke about some Fire Department business. Paul set a time for him to get in to get the details for an ad to run in the paper. Rodney talked about some leaks in the roof of the EMS building. Commissioners advised him to get a couple of companies to give their opinions about spot fixing it. He said some of the fire department’s bunker gear is getting in bad shape. Some have been patched, and that is not advisable. Each set costs $2500. Rodney also told of an upcoming EMT class. They visited about EMT shifts and insurance. The requirement is two shifts a month. Rodney has to fill in when needed.
The Commissioners talked about replacements for the hospital board. Johnny Denton has accepted one position; another person is being considered; and one other person turned it down at this time.
Next was the group of people concerned about doing away with public transportation. Those coming in were Dorothy Hagman, Kay Cochran, Janet Sutton, Kathy and Mike Willis, Marian Wolf and Jessie Thompson. Paula Rowden was also present. Paula explained the Commissioners asked her to find ways to make cuts to her budget. She said since one of the two drivers, John Peterson, is retiring this year, she thought about not replacing him to save the yearly salary and benefits. Due to Obama Care, the employee has to be paid benefits also. Each time the driver goes out of town – this can result in overtime pay also. Insurance and vehicle maintenance has to be considered as well. This service definitely does not fund itself and looking at the number of people who use the service versus the cost of funding it – it does not seem to justify spending that large of an amount for the service. What is the cost? Paula presented a print out for the Commissioners and those attending the meeting. The cost on the paper included a few expenses not related to transportation. The money used to pay for this service largely came from federal grants in the past. Guidelines for the grants became restrictive to the point they were going to require the Stevens County vehicle to provide a regional service to Johnson City, Elkhart, Garden City, Liberal, etc. This would require additional drivers and other costs, while the grants were shrinking and requiring the county to pay a bigger part. So it was decided to dissolve that relationship. If the service is dissolved the vans would be sold. The Health Department’s budget is $450,000 per year. Half of that is from fees taken in for services at the health department. The commissioners give approximately $250,000 now. Several expressed their genuine need for the transportation service. They also gently reminded the commissioners: they are tax payers.
Commissioners asked those attending to remember the commissioners were the ones who initially asked Paula to find ways to make cuts. They explained how many budgets have been cut and how much less money is coming in for county funds. Some of the audience suggested the city help out and maybe ask some other entities to help. The Commissioners said they were open for suggestions. It was discussed how much to raise the fees to make it work, but it is simply not feasible. It was discussed the many people who have no family members or other support systems to attend doctors’ appointments or fulfill other needs. Those people depend quite heavily on the transportation service. Commissioners explained other departments are also having to slash their budgets including road care, law enforcement protection, meals at the Senior Center – the list goes on and on. They are trying to not raise taxes, unlike Morton County, which has raised taxes by 90 percent! The Commissioners will do all they can to try to save the transportation service. Don Beesley suggested these people approach other entities and ask for help to save this service. The people there pleaded for the commissioners to do everything in their power to try to save the service. They each thanked the commissioners for listening.
Tony Martin was next on the agenda. He presented his budget. He cut off $278,000. and made big cuts in overlay and road maintenance. His worry is if fuel costs come back up – his budget will not work.
Tony also presented the Fair budget. He had also made cuts to it. He opined, if any more cuts are made, it will eliminate some of the ribbons and other prizes given.
Stevens County Library budget was presented by Eunice Schroeder and Stacy Strickland. Rhonda Ray and Bob Eyestone also came to lend support. Eunice explained the cuts they have made, including employees and housekeeping personnel. She also found a cheaper workmens compensation insurance additing up to a savings of $1400. Much discussion followed.
Ted Heaton brought in his pickup bids. He is saving by trading in two pickups for one. Bids were as follows: Riley $9750 and Ghumm’s $4850. Motion was made and passed to accept the cheaper bid from Ghumm’s Auto. Sheriff Heaton expressed his strong opposition to the proposed horse race track for east of town. Much discussion followed. Other counties with the same kind of track were contacted. There were concerns but no reported incidents. It is to be understood the local law enforcement has every right to enter the establishment and enforce the law.
Chris Lund from City on a Hill presented his budget, as did Mark Hinde from SDSI and Jill Reagle with RCDC. Commissioners agreed to consider their requests.
Susan Schulte presented the budget for GIS.
Commissioners discussed the letter from a tax payer and decided Paul should write him a letter advising him to file a protest.
Alfredo Don Juan came in again about the proposed horse race track east of Hugoton. Susan had made a list of landowners within 1000 feet of the proposed track: Shannon and Diana Crawford, Miles and Alex Franz, Burton Mann, Roy and Deborah Stoddard and Leland and Janet Lissolo. There are no close residences.Vernon Anderson was also present to discuss permits and regulations. Mr. Don Juan was told he is advised to get his own lawyer instead of getting advice from Paul. He also has to set up a meeting with the zoning board and then schedule a public hearing. They stressed this is not a fight – they are not against the track – but everything has to be understood completely and done right.
Commissioners had many other miscellaneous things to discuss including the following: EMTs will not receive double time on holidays because they are considered part time; according to the state, all the expenses, hassle and so forth are too much to consider changing the name of a town; and minutes were accepted and checks were signed.
Meeting adjourned.