December 30, 2021

Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting
December 30, 2021

John Bertram, David White, Bert Lowery(absent), Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Matt Christenson, Karen Butler, DJ McMurry, Kerri Ulrich, Eric Buck and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and Commissioner minutes of 12/20/2021.

After prayer given by Jeff Blackburn John Bertram opened the meeting at 9:00. David moved to approve the consent agenda as presented John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Kristi Cooper presented a letter in absence of Shelly for a year end budget transfer for District Court in the amount of $6000 to be transferred to the special equipment fund that will go towards microfilming next year. John moved to approve the transfer and David seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Jay Schmidt came to present a payroll change for J McClain(seasonal position ended) for approval. John moved to approve the payroll change and David seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, he gave some updates which included shoulder work on City Service, preparations for upcoming weather, landfill track loader updates on repairs, Belvidere cemetery road updates and removing some cottonwood trees around Wilmore.

DJ McMurry came to request a year end budget transfer out of the Appraisers fund to go into his special equipment fund in the amount of $9000 that will go towards GIS updates and arial photography. David moved to approve the transfer and John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll changes for all county employees for the 4% Cost of Living increase that was pre-approved at the last meeting. David moved to approve the payroll changes as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Break called till 9:23

Eric Buck came to request a year end budget transfer for Ambulance services to his special equipment fund in the amount of $20,433.87 to be used for purchasing power loading systems for ambulances, repairs on the Durango, batteries for the cots, uniforms, and future vehicle purchases. David moved to approve the transfer and John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Kerri Ulrich came to discuss making some changes to her office by offering better testing options which would be to put in a walk-up window on the east side of the building and mentioned what the benefits this would be for the public and the staff. It was by consensus to get bids for the project and report back for approval. Next, she presented a new policy and procedures for BinaxNOW COVID-29 testing and went over the handout.

Matt Christenson came to present the updated pay plan to reflect the COLA they approved at the last meeting. After review of the changes, David moved to approve the changes as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, he presented a yearend budget transfer request for $10,000 for Emergency Management to go towards updating towers into his special equipment fund. John moved to approve the transfer and David seconded, motion passed unanimously. Last they discussed funds that could be used to go towards assisting the roof replacement at the round barn and after some discussion he suggested for those funds to come out of the commissioner’s fund since their fund always has extra funds at the end of the year that could be used. Discussion was tabled till the Kiowa County Historic Society can come to be part of the discussion.

Karen Butler came to request a yearend budget transfer in the amount of $10,000 from the Register of Deeds and be put into their special equipment fund for electronic updates. David moved to approve the transfer of funds and John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

During Commissioner discussion they revisited the topic of recruiting for the sheriff office.

Meeting adjourned at 10:47.