The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners met in session Monday, March 6, 2017. All members Pat Hall, Joe D. Thompson and Tron Stegman were present. Also present were County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp, County Counselor Paul Kitzke, Pam Bensel, RoGlenda Coulter from The Hugoton Hermes, Robert Rich, Vernon Anderson, Gary Porter and Rodney Kelling.
The following is just the unofficial highlights for the morning. The agenda included: Bills and Robert Rich – 8:30; Tony Martin – 9:30; Sheriff Ted Heaton – 10:00; Airport Board – 10:30; and lunch – 12 noon.
When this reporter arrived, the Commissioners were in several executive sessions.
Vanessa Willis checked in just to inform the Commissioners her office now does Hunting and Fishing Licenses.
Following the executive sessions, motion was made and passed to transfer Robert Rich from the Fitness Center to Road and Bridge.
Motion was made to pay the bills.
Vernon Anderson came in and informed the Commissioners his Zoning Board will be back in session March 15. They were visiting about a sub-station.
Rodney Kelling reported about the fires his department had been fighting. He said they had a very long weekend. Paul said he was informed firefighters 17 and under are not able to serve as firefighters. Paul is to do more investigation. They visited about a burn ban. Joe said he thinks they should for sure put one in place. Rodney said they had been out fighting a fire of rotten grain for UPA at least three times with trucks and a few times without. Rodney said UPA is working on a plan to bury it. He reports the bunker gear is in.
Tony Martin reported in for Road and Bridge. Commissioners informed Tony he will be getting a new employee. He requested an executive session.
Commissioners told Tony about the resolution for a burn ban. Road and Bridge has been graveling roads and doing crack sealing. Tony reports they are having really bad gopher problems they are addressing.
