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

Ronald Freeman, John Unruh, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Matt Christenson, Travis Payne, Jay Schmidt, Matt Christenson, Mitzi Hesser, Kerri Ulrich, Chris Tedder and Jay Schmidt attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and Commissioner minutes of 07/2, 07/3 & 7/11.

After the pledge of Allegiance, Ron opened the meeting. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Mitzi Hesser came forward for the Board of Health meeting (BOH). Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the BOH meeting to order. She explained that they are working on the end of the grant year for Emergency Preparedness, Family planning and Immunization grants that has been submitted for the new grant year starting. Next Mitzi requested an executive session for 15 minutes for non-elected personnel to discuss employee relations to include Mitzi and Kerri Ulrich. Bert moved for the executive session at 9:02 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 9:17 with no action taken.

Travis Payne and Jay Schmidt came forward to give updates for Public Works departments. He presented a payroll change for C Pyatt (merit increase) for an approval. After review Bert moved to approve the payroll change and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, he talked about the truck driver that was budgeted for next year but felt like since he is leaving that the Commissioners can decide to fill the position if they would like since it was budgeted. They discussed an application that had been submitted. They will discuss this during Commissioner discussion later. John asked about the grader district maps and Travis informed them that he will bring them up for them to review and make some changes on the priority roads. They discussed the musk thistle issues and requested to have Bruce come back and discuss their concerns and what they can plan for next season.

Chay Howard presented Policy 504 for use of equipment and vehicles. He explained that the department supervisors discussed adding some changes such as, valid driver licenses check on all employees at their yearly evaluation with a new consent form. Also, was added if any employee was involved in an accident while operating any county equipment or vehicles they may be subjected to a drug test. After review John moved to approve the changes to Policy 504 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. The Clerk will send out the updated policy to the supervisors.

Matt Christenson came forward to discuss the software for our HAV system. Next, he brought up the topic of the rent for the Health department with Mitzi and Kerri present. The discussed excess cash balance in her fund and how they would use some of it lower the balance per the Auditors suggestion at the budget workshop. They discussed using some of the funds to help with the building of a new storage facility or possibly purchase an already constructed empty building to save on costs. This was tabled till they can get more information. They continued the discussion on rent for the Health department and it was by consensus to invoice them the full $60,000 that was budgeted.

Break called for 10 minutes 10:45

Chris Tedder came forward to discuss the approved 2019 County Holidays. He asked since there are 2 half days approved for holiday pay, if the employees in his department could receive a full day since they are working. Bert moved to approve the employees at the Sheriff office to receive a full holiday pay for the half days and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper asked for approval for an appointment for ICHD for Lynn Holthaus. Ron moved to approve the appointment and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented renewal contracts for audit services from Lewis, Hooper and Dick LLC for approval. After review of the contracts John moved to approve the contracts with Lewis Hooper and Dick LLC for 2019 through 2022 and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Last she presented a payroll change for K Amaro (merit increase) for review. After review John moved to approve the payroll change and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

During Commissioner Discussion John moved to go into executive session for non-elected person for 5 minutes to discuss employee relations at 11:41 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 11:46 with no action taken. John requested an extended 5 minutes for the executive session for employee relations 11:48 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 11:53. Payroll changes was approved for job reclassifications for M Hesser and K Ulrich. Kerri will assume the duties for Administer of the Health department. Mitzi will assume the duties of Assistant Administer, Staff nurse, Health Officer and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. John moved to approve the payroll changes and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jeremy Butler came in with some items that was found on F St after the R&B crews were out last week working on that specific road. Jay Schmidt was called to come in and talk to them about F St. Jay came in to discuss the road and looked at the contents that Jeremy brought in and explained that last week they worked on that road. Jay informed them what he had his crew do and now he will have them go back out and work on the road some more to prevent more issues in the future.

Commissioners Discussion continued. John moved for a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personal to review applications for the Public Works Supervisor position at 11:59 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 12:09 with no action taken. Travis Payne came back and presented the grading maps for them to review.

Meeting adjourned at 12:19

John Unruh, Bert Lowery, Ron Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Travis Payne, Chris Tedder, Karen Butler, Matt Christenson, Theresa Dasenbrock and Brenda Osborne attended the meeting.

Ron called the special meeting to order at 9:00 to go over the 2019 County budget requests with our Auditors, Theresa Dasenbrock from Lewis, Hooper & Dick and LLC.

Before the budget process began Theresa shared comparison graphs for population, totals milled levied last year, assessed tangible valuations, total levies that was compared to surrounding counties and cities. And then went into the audit process and explained some observations and recommendations such as transfers between funds should post to a transfer account for tracking purposes, bank reconciliations process, Cemetery Districts not filing their annual reports with the Commissioners, Extension Council minutes missing dates on their official minutes, Library to upgrade to use financial software and typing their board minutes instead of being hand written.

Next, they moved into the budget process and went through each request and Theresa informed them that with the budgets that were presented to her they would be looking at a decrease of 1.144 mills making it a total of 75.800 mills to fund the 2019 budget requests. Bert moved to set the 2019 mill levy as 75.800 for publication and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. The budget hearing will be August 6^th at 9:00 am during the regular Commissioner’s meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 11.40

Ronald Freeman, John Unruh, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper and Travis Payne attended the special meeting.

Ron called the Special meeting to order at 8:30.

Travis Payne came forward to give his resignation that will be effective July 17^th. They discussed a few things they would like him to do before his last day. He will place an ad in the papers for his position and it will be added on Indeed with the Clerk.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00

Ronald Freeman, John Unruh, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Matt Christenson, Wade Reh and Jay Schmidt attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and Commissioner minutes of 07/29.

After the pledge of Allegiance, Ron opened the meeting. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came in the absence of Travis for public works discussions. Jay had nothing to report but, they discussed grading territories and roads with him. Jay left the meeting. John moved for an executive session for 10 minutes at 9:15 to discuss employee relations for non-elected personnel and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 9:25 with no action taken.

Kristi Cooper present a payroll change for J Finch (merit increase) for approval. After review John moved to approve the payroll change and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented a payroll change for A Brown (correction on merit increase) for approval. After review Bert moved to approve the payroll change and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Wade Reh came to give a breakdown of the County Extension budget request and wanted to answer any questions they may have. He informed them they had a 3 day 4-H day camp last week and is getting ready for the upcoming fair.

Chay Howard via phone called regarding the settlement offer from Pratt Wells Inc. between the counties that are affected from the lawsuit. It was by consensus to ask for 80% of the back taxes and wait to hear back with their acceptance or denial.

John requested a 5-minute executive session for non-elected personnel to discuss employee relations at 9:50 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 9:55 with no action was taken.

Commissioners began the pre-budget workshop and went through the individual budgets

Meeting adjourned at 11:47