Commissioner Minutes

Ronald Freeman, John Unruh, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Matt Christenson, Bruce Foster, Cyndee Tuttle, Kerri Ulrich and Jay Schmidt attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, PR reports, AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 07/16, 07/25 & 7/26.

After the pledge of Allegiance, Ron opened the meeting. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda with additions to the agenda and corrections to the minutes of 7/16 as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came forward to give updates for the Public Works departments which included patching on M Street, scrub seal on 11^th Ave, grading priority road maps and musk thistle.

Break was called for 5 minutes at 9:26

Bruce Foster came per their request regarding musk thistle and presented a map of the musk thistle he has treated. They discussed the concerns they had, and he advised them that he has sprayed and keeping an eye out for the areas with the issues of the musk thistle.

Cyndee Tuttle came to discuss increasing tire fees due to the costs have went up and the County is paying more to dispose of them than what they are collecting. She also added that the company prices may go up two or three times a year and asks that they can increase our fees accordingly to theirs. After some discussion Ron moved to allow solid waste to set their own prices on the tire fees as needed and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Matt Christenson came forward to continue the storage facility discussion. He presented information on costs to build a new one ranging from and the cost of purchasing the SRS building for $85,000 here in Greensburg. It was discussed that it would be cost effective to look into purchasing the existing structure and they discussed options which included moving the Health department or other offices there to create space in the courthouse for storage. Kerri Ulrich came to be part of the discussion and explained the pros and cons from moving her department there such as parking would be better for clients and access to the building, but plumbing would have to be ran to each office used to see patients. And that her budget would be impacted by the additional cost of utilities, insurance and other costs affiliated to the building. Matt came back and informed them that the realtor can meet next week, and they agreed to setup a special meeting to look at the old SRS building $85,000.

Kerri Ulrich next explained that they have made reservations for flu vaccines and explained that they are wanting to pay for the private flu shots for county residents this year in the amount of $14,500. After some discussion John moved to allow the Health department to provide free private pay flu shots for all County residents and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-1 (Ron opposed).

Break was called for 10 minutes at 10:48

Ron is requesting a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel to discuss employee relations at 10:53 to include Chay Howard and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 11:03 and no action was taken.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll changes for approval for T Payne (resignation), M Christenson (merit increase), C Clark (merit increase), S Retallack (merit increase) and J Mullen (separation). After review of the payroll changes, Bert moved to approve them as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Then she presented tax corrections for approval. Bert moved to approve the tax corrections as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

During Commissioners Discussion Chay added that he had received a counter offer for 20% from Pratt Wells Service and it was by consensus to counter offer with 50% from Kiowa County. Chay will contact Hinkle Law with their offer. Next, they spoke about the windfarm in Pratt, fence at fairgrounds, storage building, tax sale, flu shots, public works supervisor position and unapproved minutes. John expressed concern on releasing the minutes until they have been approved. After some further discussion John moved not to release the unapproved minutes only to those that came to the meeting to conduct County business and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-1 (Ron opposed) The offer for the Public Works position was declined by the applicant and it was by consensus to run the position for 2 additional weeks. Last John expressed concern on the 700 private pay flu shots being paid for by the Health department and so John moved to not pay for the shots and the motion died due to the lack of a second.

Meeting adjourned at 12:19