Road issues and budget clarification included in meeting proceedings
Insulation quotes for the EMS bay were provided to Greenwood County Commissioners during their weekly meeting on Monday, Aug. 5. Bids were as follows: Airtight Spray Foam Insulation, $13,065 or with minimum 2” depth of the foam for $14,065 and Flinthills Foam Insulation Inc., $13,812, with no guarantee that the 2” minimum requested would be met in all locations. Recommendations included putting tin over the two skylights in the facility. Increased energy efficiency and better climate for medicine and staff were shared as benefits. Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson made a note for consideration, commenting that the building is approaching 40 years old. It was originally built for use by volunteers, not for 24hour service and further noted he would recommend a new building. Vinson added that this was basically a storage building that was continuing to be adapted to fit needs and the county had outgrown the intended purpose of the space. In following related discussion, new construction was referenced as not being feasible. In further discussion of insulation, Flinthills Foam noted plans for beginning work on Aug. 26 and it was hoped this will be completed in two days. Time frame for completion was referenced as being comparable between both companies. Commissioners approved proceeding with Flinthills Foam at $13,812.
Discussion of the low water crossing on 60th Street west of J Road was revisited. A previous proposal which had been requested from contracted engineer Michael Maris was again reviewed by commissioners. During last week’s meeting, it was decided that records would be reviewed to check if action had been voted on in previous years. It was shared this week that no record of approval for work had been found for this. Lengthy discussion included notation of continuous flooding impacting the crossing and roadway. As the item was on the floor, Vinson shared that average usage was two vehicles a day. Vinson also noted that a Mitigation Specialist had previously looked at the site and FEMA will no longer reimburse for this in the future if it gets washed out in a weather event. Commissioner Roy Ballard expressed disinterest in spending $50,000 on a bridge that is minimally used and as soon as it rains, is no longer fixed. Commissioner Paul Hodge commented that they may as well close the road if the county was not going to repair this.
Following this comment, Commissioner Mac Obourn noted that they have went down that path and area property owners were not interested in closure. Commissioners voted that the county would not make improvements, this was to be designated as a minimum maintenance road and the township will be provided with the engineer’s plan. This was approved 4-1, with Hodge voting no.
Rural resident Sherri Shaffer attended the county commission meeting in regards to the condition of BB Road between 50th and 57th Streets, a chip seal road. After noting that this is in the Vaughn’s Acres area, Shaffer shared that this area of road, over the last few years, has become more treacherous. Vinson explained that this is a 50/50 road between the Corps of Engineers and Greenwood County. Both parties share responsibilities. Vinson noted that the county conducts maintenance of the road, adding that it hasn’t been chip sealed since 2001. After sharing that 42nd Street up to 50th Street is in better condition, Vinson commented that from 50th-57th is hilly, in rough condition and shoulders are falling apart. Vinson told commissioners that himself and former Road and Bridge Supervisor Darrell Chrisman had met with the corps and months later, he and current supervisor Allen Greenwood again met with the corps and an updated agreement was being drafted. Vinson noted that it has been approximately a year and they are still waiting. Commissioner Preston Evenson told Shaffer that it sounds like this road needs to be ground up and double-sealed. Following discussions, officials conveyed that they would speak with Road and Bridge Supervisor Greenwood in regards to this. Potential future plans were to grind up and blade the road and, if they are unable to chip seal this before winter, this would remain in a condition similar to a gravel road until sealing can later be completed.
Register of Deeds Marsha Ramsey brought an item for thought to commissioners. Not included within the estimated budget figure was Cost of Living (COLA). The estimate for the next fiscal year was shared as 2.6-2.7% for Cost of Living. This was later discussed in more detail following the audit review for the 2023 fiscal year.
Phil Jarrod with Jarrod, Gilmore and Phillips, who was present for audit presentation, was consulted by commissioners. In lengthy discussion, inclusion of an increase in anticipation of insurance rates and COLA were noted as items some departments were lacking in their budgets. Communication errors were sited, as some departments noted not having received one directive or another. The county will be revising their budget and is now slated to be published next week. A special meeting was to be held this Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 9 a.m. to finalize the budget for publication. All departments were to be advised to ensure the following was included in budgets: 3% COLA, 2% Merit and 10% for insurance. As this item concluded, Commissioner Ben Fox noted the need “to bear down” on better communication.
Jarrod provided the audit report for 2023. A clean opinion was reported. Compliance was achieved with Kansas cash basis laws and Kansas budget laws. When footnotes and schedules were briefly reviewed, one small violation was noted: in the publication of quarterly statements, one was not published within the 30-day requirement. In provision of disclosures noted within the report, Hidden Valley Repair is owned by a commissioner included in disclosers. Jarrod noted that this is not unusual for smaller counties.
Pertaining to credit cards and charge accounts, Jarrod suggested working to improve documentation reporting as some charges did not have adequate supporting documents. He noted that often this is due to legitimate expenses associated with meals and not turning in a receipt.
Resolution 24- 05 deeming two roads as minimum maintenance roads was approved: 320th from the east right of way of V Road west, to the west right of way of Kansas Highway 99 and 310th Street from the east right of way of W Road west, to the west right of way of Kansas highway 99 (see full description in related resolution included on the legal page).
Sheriff Heath Samuels provided an update on the body camera/technology project. In regards to efforts to outfit all officers, Samuels noted that grant funds would cover a portion of cost and he noted plans for working with the City of Eureka and County Attorney’s office to cover the amount.
As employee Deann McCaffree was appointed to the position of County Clerk, commissioners voted to change her from hourly to a salary wage.
After noting that removal of stops signs has to be conducted by resolution, Vinson noted there are closed roads where stop signs will need to be removed.
Vinson recommended surveys be conducted for roads where triangle turns are to be removed because they are not needed. Vinson was asked to get bids for this for future consideration.
An executive session for personnel pertaining to equipment was held for 5 minutes with commissioners and Dean. Following the session, no action was taken.
An executive session pertaining to employee performance was held for five minutes with commission and Legal Counsel Paul Dean. No decisions were made following the session.
Special Payables in the amount of $7,528.96 for utilities were approved.
Payables in the amount of $241,664.94 were approved.
Payroll in the amount of $148,934.32 was approved.
The next regular meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m.
