Met With PVD Regarding Overview Of 2024 Compliance Standings
Greenwood County Commissioners heard from Eureka City Administrator Joel Laws on Monday morning. Laws requested a letter of support for a Historic Building grant being sought for Memorial Hall. He shared with commissioners that the goal is to complete replacement of remaining windows within the structure. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in December. Commissioner Ben Fox signed a letter of support to pair with the city’s grant application.
County Commissioners met with the Property Valuation Department (PVD) with the State of Kansas for provision of an overview of the 2024 standings in regards to compliance. This was held in keeping with Statute 79-1404b. Property manager Mike Dallman with PVD appeared via Zoom for the overview. After explaining that PVD is required to hold a meeting with the county commission of any county deemed out of substantial compliance, Dallman reviewed numbers. Where Greenwood County was determined to be out of compliance was Uniformity COD for residential sales. Dallman noted with the increase seen in the market over the last few years, it doesn’t take much to impact numbers. Reports were reviewed including the procedural review check list. In this, Field Inspection of Data was an area highlighted for improvement. Dallman explained that the county is required to go to the field with a property record card and measure two sides of the structure being sold. This is required during valid sales. Dallman further explained that the appraiser’s office has to document notes and indicate that measurements were verified. In summation, Dallman noted that Greenwood County was in good standings overall, but uniformity needs to be worked on.
County Commissioners Provided Letter Of Support For Eureka Grant Application . . . . .
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Dallman commented that the issue with uniformity is, the figure is based on median numbers and inflated sales impact these ratios. Commissioners told County Appraiser Shawna Griffitts that she has done well with what she is having to work with.
County Fire Chief Glen Collinge told commissioners that a truck is being put together for Fall River Lake. Collinge noted that he had found a used tank, but the owner was wanting to sell it as a unit and not separate the tank and truck. After noting that the tank was all he was wanting, Collinge asked for the commission’s thoughts on buying the unit and scrapping the truck.
Commissioners approved the purchase in the amount of $2,500.
While Collinge was present via Zoom, Commissioner Paul Hodge brought the Severy fire station to the floor. Hodge questioned about needed work to the department facility, in particular referencing the doors.
Hodge asked Collinge to check into needs at the department.
Commissioner Preston Evenson, who was absent from the last regular meeting, questioned about the fire training facility being constructed by the City of Eureka.
During the last meeting, commissioners approved providing support through the concrete pad for the facility. Evenson questioned if footings would be needed to better support this. Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson noted this had been asked of the concrete company and they had noted this was not needed for the intended use.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood clarified standings in regards to plans for BB Road from 50th to 57th Streets. Greenwood noted he had thought they were in agreeance to Bomag the chip seal road. This is a 50/50 road, with joint maintenance between the County and the Corps of Engineers. It was clarified that the county is looking to grind up the road, but has been waiting on a response from the Corp so they can proceed. Rural resident Sherri Schaffer was on the agenda seeking an update on BB Road. Commissioners noted it may be helpful if residents were to call the Corps. When Schaffer noted individuals had contacted the local office, Commissioner Mac Obourn suggested calling the Tulsa Office.
In pending items, Greenwood noted that they were expecting to hear back anytime on the oil distributor and Road and Bridge was also expecting numbers back on the grader soon. Multiple county roads were advised as locations for Road and Bridge to assess for needed work including one at Neal, one at Reece and M50 Road leading to Christian Hills.
Safe driving habits were discussed with Road and Bridge drivers.
County resident Jan Stuber returned to the commission meeting seeking further clarification in regards to plans for Q Road and 90th Street. Stuber asked if the county were making 90th Street into an RS Road, what increase in cost for maintenance would tax payers see? Vinson explained that Greenwood County doesn’t decide what is an RS Road, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) does.
In regards to cost, Hodge noted this would provide a little relief of pressure on the township. Commissioner Roy Ballard added that maintenance cost should be the same unless the road
were improved beyond its current condition. Vinson explained that the logic behind this change was creating 8 to 9 miles of straight county road with emergency access in mind.
As discussion drew to a close, Stuber noted that it would have been nice to be notified of plans in advance.
Vinson offered a suggestion to commissioners, going forward for future employees and commissioners, Greenwood County could follow the RS Road map by the state and adopt it in policy to follow this. Vinson noted the process of updating mapping has been an experience for all involved and noted it could avoid the county seeing such a response through frustrated calls from the community. Commissioner
Evenson commented that the county needs to review roads annually.
Greenwood presented a form for pay rate change for Road and Bridge employee Douglas Bishop from $16.75 to $19 an hour. This was noted as where Bishop should have been originally.
Commissioners approved the pay rate change. Obourn questioned about the county Trail Blazer.
County Clerk Deann McCaffree shared that it was out at Road and Bridge being repaired. Mention was made of switching vehicles having the Trail Blazer for use by EMS to travel to Madison and the former EMS/Ambulance director vehicle being brought for the courthouse for use. Two executive sessions were requested by Greenwood: the first for the subject of personnel for 5 minutes, with no action following and the second for 15 minutes for legal discussion with Legal Counsel Paul Dean, Vinson and County Clerk McCaffree. No action followed.
A 10-minute executive session with Dean for legal was held. Following the session, no action was taken. Payables in the amount of $190,357.45 were approved.
Payroll in the amount of $150,306.48 was approved. Minutes of the Sept. 23 meeting were approved.
A road viewing is slated to follow the Oct. 7 commission meeting. The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m.
