Following the submission of a petition for closure of 60th Street and J Road, commissioners held a viewing of the site after their Feb. 12 meeting. Last Tuesday, Feb. 20, the subject was among agenda items slated for discussion. As the subject was brought to the floor, commissioners heard from an area property owner, present with his business partner, who voiced support for work being performed to the site and the road remaining open. As he discussed low water bridges, the resident noted they would be happy to aid toward the expense or provide labor. Commissioners voted to deny the petition for closure. Road and Bridge is to contact Engineer Michael Maris to look at drafting a plan for the site.
Greenwood County resident Charles Brodie was present to discuss a letter he sent to commissioners regarding a suggested approach to bridge replacement. After sharing that he had spent time at Texas A&M, the center for roads and bridges for the State of Texas, Brodie explained that a lot of counties and cities have been going to different methods to fund maintenance/replacement of roads and bridges. Brodie noted that, because of the expense, a different way of funding needed to be found. He told commissioners that the county would never get ahead if they focus on one or two projects a year. Next, Brodie noted concern for potential risk and told commissioners that such a proposed program, as was outlined in his letter, would be risk control.
He encouraged county officials to consider buying in volume– including pre-manufactured drop-inplace steel bridges – and looking into funding this through a 30-year bond. After discussing his credentials as a contractor, Brodie noted he is retired, but here to help. Brodie added that if commissioners looked at adopting a bond program, they could potentially be able to lower property taxes.
Road and Bridge Superintendent John Schouten reported that in regular operations, staff have been performing needed tin horn installations. An update was provided in regards to grader 33, a 2014 unit with approximately 13,000 hours. Schouten explained that it had previously been taken in to be repaired and this was going to be more expensive than had originally been anticipated. Although he noted the final figure had not been received, it was anticipated to be approximately $6,000.
County Fire Chief Glen Collinge reported that the lights and sirens on his 2018 truck had quit recently and he had sought a quote from Invena for a new package. It was noted during discussion that the truck had originally been outfitted with a used kit. A bid of $5,488.53 for upfitting was approved.
EMS/Ambulance Director Brian Mongeau provided an EMR class update, sharing that three students had dropped out and they were down to nine for Greenwood County students. During this time, Commissioner Ben Fox noted there has been a bill drafted, which would reinstate emergency drivers.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson shared that the county had been contacted by Civic Plus, a social media archiving company, recently. Vinson explained that in all 50 states, it is specified that anything the county puts on social media is public record which has to be retained. This includes any comments on county social media. As he discussed retention of records, Vinson noted that he believed this type of service would be standard within the next 5-10 years. Social media accounts possessed by county entities include Facebook pages and X/ Twitter accounts, shared as totaling 7 profiles which could all be covered by Civic Plus in addition to the county website. Vinson reported that the annual cost would be $5,388. Following discussion, commissioners briefly noted the potential of looking into other companies that may be available and voiced appreciation to Vinson for passing along the information.
Ben Sims with K-State Research and Extension was present on behalf of the 4-H Foundation, seeking a contribution for inflatables for the fair. Sims noted that the total approximate cost would be $2,900. Commissioners approved contributing $1,450.
Kassi Lazar with the Road and Bridge Department told commissioners that, due to availability of Memorial Hall, the annual Township Meeting would be held March 27 instead of the 28th.
County resident Frank McCollum was present to discuss the CareArc clinic. He noted having read an article in the Madison News, and after voicing concerns in regards to financials, discussed seeking private donations.
Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor Greg Rawlings revisited discussion of the facility boiler, sharing that only one company out of the six contacted had submitted a bid to-date.
In old business, Commissioner Roy Ballard referenced previous concerns voiced in regards to the recycling trailers. Ballard shared that he had looked at them and noted he believed the county could repair the latches and added that he was not in favor of purchasing new trailers.
A 15-minute executive session was held for legal with Schouten and Lazar remaining. Following the session, no action was taken.
A 15-minute executive session with Schouten for the subject of employee evaluation was held. Following the session, no decisions were made.
County Counselor Paul Dean requested a 10-minute executive session for legal. Following the session, no decisions were made.
Commissioners held a 5-minute executive session with Schouten for personnel evaluation. No decisions were made following the session.
A 10-minute executive session for legal was held with Clerk Kathy Robison, Health Department Director Vicki Lindsey and Deputy Clerk/Payroll Clerk Deann McCaffree. No decisions were made following the session.
A 5-minute executive session for legal with Robison was held. Following the session, commissioners approved correcting hours on the Health Department payroll.
Commissioner Preston Evenson reported that work on the 7th Street Bridge had been completed and was anticipated to be reopened Wednesday, Feb. 21. Later last week, Road and Bridge confirmed that the site was reopened Thursday, Feb. 22.
Vinson noted that he had started getting traffic counters out to collect data and a threshold for traffic count to discern road classification: County maintained or township maintained. During discussion, Vinson shared that a road in the north west part of the county near 300th Street is an RS route and by law, it is a county road, so they will need to start maintaining this.
Commissioner Mac Obourn questioned about where the county was at in regards to holding a property tax sale. Legal Counsel Dean shared that he would be contacting the county treasurer for the next round of letters to be sent out and he would put this out for bid for title work.
Payables in the amount of $234,078.99 were approved.
Special Payables in the amount of $489.44 were approved.
Payroll in the amount of $146,763.40 approved.
Amended payables for Jan. 26, from $234,786.90 to $234,825.95 was approved.
Minutes for Feb. 12 were approved as written.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m.
