January 16, 2018

Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting
Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room
January 16, 2018

Bert Lowery, John Unruh (absent), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Travis Payne, Mitzi Hesser, Rosia Spainhour, Chris Tedder, Debbie Price, Deborah Factor and Chay Howard attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and Commissioner minutes of 01/02/18

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Ron seconded motion carried 2-0.

Ron adjourned the Commissioner meeting and called the BOH meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Mitzi came to inform them that the WIC program generated $18,258 in sales at our local grocery store. She also reported that they are about caught up on book work from the flu season and explained that it takes a few months to get it all recorded. Lastly, she wanted to inform them that the Health Fair is scheduled for April 7th and informed them that it cost approximately $8800 last year to pay for all the blood work for all county residents and that she isn’t sure if they will do it again but if they do would they consider lowering her rent for the year to cover that cost and they said they would discuss it and let her know. Ron adjourned the BOH meeting and called regular meeting to order.

Travis Payne came forward for updates for his departments. The Clerk presented his payroll change for his 6-month probation period for approval. She explained after the average of the three evaluations he received a 3.5 % increase. Bert moved to approve the payroll change for Travis and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next Travis presented a payroll change for Jerald Schmidt (new hire) for approval. Ron moved to approve the change and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. A payroll change was also presented for department changes for Joshua Meitl and Derry Liggett for approval. Ron moved to approve the department chances and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. Travis added that the transfer switch has come in for the generator at the Community building and is waiting for Sagebrush to schedule the hook up. He also reported that the old noxious weed truck brought $5300 and the lathe brought $1900 on purple wave. Additionally, he presented information for a membership from National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) to purchase equipment at discount prices and by consensus they agreed to sign up. He wanted to clarify that the purchase for the compactor was discussed at the meeting of September 5, 2017 and it was moved by Ron to take it out of landfill closure fund and Bert moved to transfer $18,000 for solid waste capital outlay to help with the purchase. Next, Chay requested a 5-minute executive session for employee relations to include Travis. Bert moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss employee relations at 9:26 and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Regular session began at 9:31 with no action taken.

Debbie Price came to ask about an invoice she had received regarding the fence at the fairgrounds. Bert explained that they agreed to pay for all the remainder supplies for the fence and it was by consensus for the Commissioner’s to pay the invoices out of the Commissioner fund.

Grant Neuhold came to give updates for the Media Center which included the continued growth from the opportunity from hosting conferences for companies, educational training for schools, streaming live events, open community classes twice a week at the media center.

Deb Factor came from Youth Core Ministry Program to inform them of the program they offer the communities called Circles and gave an overview of what the program is about and what it does and asked them to consider funding to help with the program and Bert explained that this would have to be budgeted for and they would look at it in the budget workshop.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll changes for Jennifer Scarbrough (merit increase), Andrea Taylor (merit increase), Zane Martin (part-time) and Jacob Martin (full-time). After review of the payroll changes Bert moved to approve them and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. She then presented a tax correction for review and after review Ron moved to approve the tax corrections and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next, she presented quotes on a new copier from Office Solutions and Bolen. She explained that Bolen doesn’t offer as many choices as Office Solutions and that she would like to purchase the same brand that they already have which is a Lanier and after they went through the quotes she explained that she would use $4300 from the Clerk Tech Fund and the difference from her regular budget and Bert moved to pay $300 from Commissioner fund do to the use for their reports, copies etc. and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Chris Tedder came forward and reported they he has purchased a new charger for $24,750 for this year and he forgot to come in and ask about encumbering and was wondering if he could still do that and explained he wanted to use some of it to help with the purchase of the new vehicle, but he wasn’t sure if he would be allowed since he was late. They asked him to talk with Theresa to see what she suggests and report back. He also reported he has hired a part time and full-time deputy as well and that there have been no issues with the pipes in the mechanical room.

During Commissioner Discussion, Rosia asked if they would be talking about the ambulance contract again and Chay added that he has went over the contracts that the Clerk has on file and that he will be reviewing it over with Scott and will be in contact with Great Plains. Rosia added that she thought it renewed every year and Chay explained that the contract that is on file expired with no amendment, but he would look further into the contract so see if he missed something. Next Ron asked Rosia about purchases that he notices on her last voucher that there was sales tax paid and he explained that they don’t pay taxes with a government status and Rosia explained that on hotel expenses that if you don’t use a company card that they won’t honor tax exempt status at some hotels and Ron suggested not to stay at places that won’t honor it due to them being exempt for taxes and he suggested making sure to use their tax exempt on all purchases in the future.

Meeting adjourned at 11:29.