During the regular Greenwood County Commission Meeting held on Monday Jan. 15, EMS Ambulance Director Brian Mongeau discussed work being done to ambulances. Mongeau advised commissioners that the unit which had a new engine put in had been working well and then started experiencing insufficient power issues. The repair company came and got the ambulance. Diagnostics were completed and were not conclusive. The company experienced issues when driving it around Emporia. Cost for needed repair was $800. During this time, injectors were also addressed at no cost to the county. The truck was then fixed. Mongeau, however, noted that they had begun using it again and there was no heat in the back. Mongeau believed this to be a vacuum line issue and addressed it.
This later occurred again, with Mongeau sharing that there was now no heat in the back again and the vehicle was only blowing through defrost in the front. Commissioners were advised that the shop in Emporia was on their way Monday morning to address this. The Duramax ambulance, another unit, has experienced ongoing issues with a check engine light regarding reduced power. Auto Correct was able to fix this, but the light was still on. As Auto Correct is closing, the unit was taken to Don Hattan Chevrolet. The determination was that there is an intermittent bad injector and the initial recommendation was to replace them all. Mongeau noted that he had told the shop to identify the injector experiencing issues and that injector will then be replaced. After Commissioner Preston Evenson questioned how many ambulances the county has, Mongeau shared that there are 5 total. Evenson then asked how long it would be if a new unit were ordered today, Mongeau shared that it would be approximately 2026. He noted that the delay is getting on the build schedule. Mongeau then told commissioners that the scheduled remount was anticipated for receipt at the end of the year. For future planning, Evenson spoke in favor of getting on the list for a new one. Following discussion, commissioners approved getting on the list for a new ambulance.
Mongeau discussed getting a 2023 Chevy Tahoe to replace the 2010 vehicle currently being utilized, with approximately 93,000 miles on it. The old vehicle would then be auctioned or maintained for the county fleet. Mongeau will get a figure for this and the subject will again be brought for discussion at a later date.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson shared that an online training with Orion damage assessment software was scheduled, with himself, Road & Bridge Superintendent John Schouten and Foreman Alan Greenwood planning to attend. Vinson explained that this program is provided to all counties for the purpose of inputting information regarding road damages after floods and damage caused by natural disasters. Commissioners spoke in favor of office staff also attending this live-streamed training. County representatives are slated to utilize the county meeting room for this in late January.
Vinson revisited discussion in regards to anticipated mandates for emergency services communications (last introduced in August of 2023). This encryption change, a move to 800 radios, was requested at the federal level and is being done to reduce information being put out publicly (personal information such as tag and license numbers). Vinson shared that emergency services recently had a meeting for future planning, to assess the system and look towards the future. The need for investment in newer technology was the determination. Vinson told commissioners that new 800 radios are approximately $8,000-$12,000 per unit. To plan for this unfunded mandate, emergency services were looking for preauthorization to purchase needed radios used, when they come available, at a reduced cost. It was shared that units that pop up for sale, are quickly purchased and in order to take advantage of this, preauthorization would be needed. Frustration was expressed as the subject of this mandate was discussed, as the radios currently utilized work well, but do not meet the mandates. Units are needed for the Sheriff’s Office, County Fire, Emergency Management and EMS. It was shared during discussion that every fire division has an 800 radio. Hope for purchasing all needed radios over the next couple of years was noted. Commissioners preauthorized the purchase of radios when they become available with a cap of $2,000 per unit. Vinson noted at this time that this was not something they were wanting to do; it is something they have to do to
meet the requirements.
Schouten provided his regular report on operations. He told commissioners that no one would be sitting at the landfill on Monday, due to the low temperatures. If a call were received, someone would go out to open it. Crew members were working on equipment and doing maintenance in the shop on Monday. Work completed keeping roads open was noted. Schouten shared that the Road and Bridge auction had concluded and $54,745 was received from the sale of auction items. Preparation for roadwork in the spring/summer was briefly discussed. Schouten told commissioners that most of the tires ordered last week had already been received.
The Sheriff’s Office (SO) contract for services with Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness, a wellness program for SO staff, was approved. It was noted in discussion that this was last approved for 20212023 and the updated contract is for 2024-2026.
A 10-minute executive session for legal including County Counselor Paul Dean and Vinson was held. Following the session, no decisions were made.
Special payables in the amount of $200,969.38 (includes moving funds for the insurance freedom claims account) were approved.
Noxious Weed Director Jennifer West presented the annual report and management plan. Commissioners approved this. In preparation for spring/ summer, West shared that the New Holland tractor still will not start. This will continue being looked at.
Greenwood County Clerk Kathy Robison presented a pay-increase for commission approval. Members of the commission voted to increase the annual pay of County Counselor Dean by 7% to $30,896.28.
A letter of appreciation from the Field Trials event was received by commissioners.
Minutes of the Dec. 29, 2023 and Jan. 8, 2024 meetings were approved.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commission will be held on Monday, Jan. 22.
