The Elk County Commission meets weekly at 1 p.m. on Mondays, at the Elk County Courthouse. On July 8, the commission held two meetings, starting with the 2023 audit and 2025 county budget presentation. Their routine weekly meeting followed in the afternoon. The following report was created from the official minutes of those meetings. To request the official minutes, contact the Elk County Clerk’s office.
Chairman Jake Liebau called the 2023 Audit Report & 2025 Budget Preparation meeting to order at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of the courthouse. Following a short recess, Phil Jarred and Emily Franks with Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, PA presented the 2023 Audit Report. Discussion was had regarding their findings. The audit report was approved as presented.
Jarred and Franks presented the 2025 County & Rural Fire Budgets, which was followed by discussion on the budgets. The commission approved increasing the Elk County Council on Aging budget by $10,000 for the senior centers. The commission also approved increasing the county budget by $13,000 to afford for servicing the new improvements. The budget hearing date will be Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. in the commission room of the courthouse. The notice of hearing to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and budget hearing was to be published in Elk County’s official newspaper, the Prairie Star.
The budget meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
The commission met for their routine weekly meeting at 1 p.m.
The June 3 special meeting minutes were approved as presented. The commission tabled the minutes from the June 24 meeting.
In public forum, Kaye Spooner spoke of Dominion voting machines not being accurate.
Gillian Beaumont, with EMS, presented the monthly report. Beaumont would like to switch phone service from Verizon to US Cellular. She has spoken with the Kansas Board of Nursing and they have authorized her to work on the ambulance as a registered nurse.
Chris Miller presented a new application for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
The Health Department shared they had planned a tabletop exercise for July 18, during the LEPC meeting.
Don Sanders with public works stated they have done a lot of walk throughs in the courthouse for the HVAC and windows.
Stephanie Ollenborger, Register of Deeds, presented the report for June. They had a total of 37 instruments recorded and a total deposit of $2,282. Ollenborger stated the pop machine in the courthouse is not working correctly and she would like to get some quotes on replacing it.
Sheriff John Walker stated the 2017 Toyota was wrecked in Osage County.
An open records request was received by County Clerk Kerry Harrod, regarding the policy for entering the courthouse. Sheriff Walker stated he was working on the request with County Attorney Jill Gillett and County Counselor Paul Dean.
The commission approved to have their RNR and budget hearing on Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. in the commission room of the courthouse.
A five-minute executive session was held for personnel – employee review with EMS Director Beaumont. After returning to open session, the commission approved to increase Abbi Holden’s hourly wage from $12.50 to $13 starting on the July payroll.
Another five-minute executive session was held with Treasurer Rachel Ware, for personnel-annual employee review. After returning to open session, the commission approved to increase Kristina Kraft’s hourly wage from $17.60 to $18.13 starting on the July payroll.
Greenfield Cemetery Treasurer Byrdee Miller stated she had concerns regarding the 2025 budget prepared by Carolyn Brock. County Clerk Harrod stated Miller would need to discuss the budget with Brock to make any changes she would like made to the budget.
Warrants, in the amount of $81,535.12, were approved to pay.
In c o m m u n i t y development discussion, Shari Kaminska presented a quote for $10,530 to disconnect and move the 11k generator at the courthouse and install it at the 300 N. Plum, in Moline. This included installing the automatic transfer switch, excavating conduit and wire, replacing four electric sump pumps, and excavating all the discharge lines away from the building. Appreciation was expressed to Van Coble for cutting the trees and shrubs from around the building for free. The bid was approved as presented. Kaminska also noted she would like to review the county’s procurement policy and make changes if needed.
The meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
