COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 30, 2022
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members, Tim Berland and Greg Balthazor. Laura Montgomery, County Clerk, was present to write the minutes. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
Ruder had spoken with Mark Lowry, Garrett Insurance: K-Camp has a good proposal and he understands the county wanting to save money. He is offering to be a liaison for the transition for a year for a fee. Berland talked with David Luke to compare numbers with other counties. Lori Augustine, Trego County Clerk, the premium is cheaper and has saved them about $15,000 over the years. He spoke with other commissioners in adjoining counties and received all good reviews. The commissioners discussed the insurance bids, benefits and savings.
Heather Poore, Appraiser, was in to request that one of her employees, who is pregnant, be allowed to carry over and earn more than 30 hours of comp time. The employee is planning on taking twelve weeks. She has three weeks saved but would like to have an addition time paid while on maternity leave. It was approved by the commissioners for her to carry over at the end of the year any accumulative comp time up to 36 hours.
The commissioners had asked about a value for the restaurant at the golf course so they can estimate what the taxes will be for next year to help calculate what to ask for rent. Poore presented them her value for 2023 in the amount of $83,110. This times the current levy gives an estimate tax dollar of $2805.00
Berland weekly report: Heard some more about the Logan Road and he forwarded to Rich Bouchey. Ruder had talked to Rich Bouchey on Monday and he was on it. Bouchey was also working on the Damar Blacktop.
Ruder weekly Report: Red Bud Board meeting tomorrow at 4:00 pm. They would like to increase the number of people in the assistance living. Balthazor asked about numbers for the new buildings. The cost to build at the current location is about 11 million dollars, to build downtown or by the hospital was about 15 to 15.5 million. Ruder had talked with Chuck Comeau and told him the county can’t use the APRA money. Ruder will find out at the meeting what their plans are for raising the money for the engineering and architecture.
Rich Bouchey, Road Supervisor, was in with his weekly presentation. Jim Prockish was also present. Bouchey asked Prockish if he wants to work for the county. Prockish said “Yes.” Bouchey said he wants to be able to do his job and he wants Prockish to do his job. He doesn’t want toxic employees in his department. There was a discussion with Prockish, Bouchey and the Commissioner about personnel issues. Bouchey doesn’t have a problem with the work being done, he is having a problem with the talk behind his back. They talked about protocol and chain of command and communication. Ruder suggested using the radios or calling instead sending a text for communication. Prockish said that the communication needs to improve.
Bouchey and the commissioners discussed roads conditions and maintaining the roads.
Bouchey hasn’t received any new applications. He has 2 grader-men, a dozier operator and 2 truck driver positions open.
The commissioners asked about the oil distributor. It is still in Topeka. Balthazor asked about the Stafford Road. Bouchey said it needs rain.
The commissioners review September 30th minutes. Ruder made a motion to approved the minutes with changes. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed.
Mark Lowry, Garrett Insurance Group, visited with the commissioners about concerns of all of the “moving pieces” that are part of insurance and what can possibly fall through the cracks if they should choose to accept the bid from K-Camp/K-Worc. Namely the Airport Insurance, Fair Insurance and the loss from recent storms. He had already discussed with Ruder, if the county goes with the insurance pool, to hire him as a consultant for the 1st year to help with the transition. Last year the county paid over $300,000, K-Camp/K-Worc quote was for $206,000 and his quote was for $248,000. Balthazor asked what his fee would be. Lowry said $20 thousand. Berland has talked to other counties about K-Camp and K-Worc and they didn’t have a big increase the 2nd year. They discussed the cost and benefits. Ruder is interested in working with Lowry to help with the transition with the understanding that the commission hasn’t made a decision. The commissioner will make a decision by next week.
Steve Melton was elected to Twp #1 Clerk but he is already on the board as Treasurer. He declined the position and recommended Downer Hull. Berland made a motion to appoint Downer Hull to Twp #1 Clerk. Ruder second the motion and Balthazor.
Ruder made a motion to accept and endorse the Water Resource check in the amount of $1,000. Balthazor second the motion and Berland agreed.
The Courthouse Celebration Committee requested permission to open the time capsule ahead of the April Celebration so they could see the condition of the contents. They also invited the commissioners to witness the opening of the time capsule. The commissioners approved the committee to open the time capsule and to set the date so they can be in attendance.
Ruder made a motion to sign the Administration Agreement for Freedom Claims. Balthazor second the motion and Berland agreed.
Kim Northup, Treasurer, asked the commissioners to approve and sign small fund vouchers. Balthazor made a motion to sign the small fund vouchers. Ruder second the motion and Berland agreed.
Northup requested to be closed all day on December 30 for end of year balancing. Ruder made a motion to allow the Treasurers’ office to be closed all day on December 30th for year-end balancing. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed.
Montgomery requested installing a land-line phone in her vault. The emergency action plan includes going into the vault during an active shooter emergency. If the employees are locked in the vault, they have no way of calling for help as cell phones don’t work in the vault. The phone would also be used during election when assistance is needed with the scanner. The commissioners approved having a phone installed in clerk’s vault with the cost being paid out of the custodian’s budget.
Balthazor made a motion to approve the 2023 Holiday Schedule as follows. Berland second the motion and Ruder agreed.
COURTHOUSE 2nd FLOOR
2023 New Year’s Day January 2 Monday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 16 Monday
President’s Day February 20 Monday
Memorial Day May 29 Monday
Juneteenth June 19 Monday
Independence Day July 4 Tuesday
Labor Day September 4 Monday
Veteran’s Day November 9 & 10 Thursday afternoon & Friday morning
Thanksgiving Day & Day After November 22, 23, 24 Wed. afternoon, all day Thurs. & Friday
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day December 21, 22, 25 Thurs. afternoon, Friday morning & Monday
2024 New Year’s Day January 1 Monday
COURTHOUSE & EVERYONE ELSE
2023 New Year’s Day January 2 Monday
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 16 Monday
President’s Day February 20 Monday
Memorial Day May 29 Monday
Juneteenth June 19 Monday
Independence Day July 4 Tuesday
Labor Day September 4 Monday
Veteran’s Day November 9 Thursday for Road/Weed/Sanitation
Veteran’s Day November 10 Friday for Courthouse
Thanksgiving Day & Day After November 23 & 24 Thursday and Friday
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day December 22 & 25 Friday & Monday
2024 New Year’s Day January 1 Monday
Berland made a motion to sign September 30th minutes. Balthazor second the motion and Ruder agreed.
Ruder made a motion to review and approve the end of the month vouchers and payroll as follows. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed.
FUND VOUCHERS EMPLEE BEN GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 152,115.44 42,382.42 155,954.49 350,452.35
Road & Bridge 3,066.86 70,357.41 73,424.27
Noxious Weed 177.52 6,767.74 6,945.26
Sheriff Equip Reserve 12,448.75 12,448.75
Health Dept 4,416.82 25,226.39 29,643.21
Sanitation 9,889.01 9,889.01
Golf Course 108.24 108.24
RCED 1,789.47 830.72 4686.50 7,306.69
Insurance Claims Reimb . 70,616.42 70,616.42
GRAND TOTALS 240,214.46 47,629.96 272,989.78 560,834.20
MONTHLY TOTALS
FUND VOUCHERS EMPLEE BEN GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 218,080.47 42,382.42 155,954.49 416,417.38
Road & Bridge 66,272.56 70,357.41 136,629.97
Noxious Weed 5,660.98 6,767.74 12,428.72
Sheriff Equip Reserve 15,733.75 15,733.75
Health Dept 3,500.60 4,416.82 25,226.39 33,143.81
Custodian Equip Reserve 840.46 840.46
Sanitation 4,607.50 9,889.01 14,496.51
Golf Course 2,305.18 108.24 2,413.42
RCED 1,939.20 830.72 4686.50 7,456.42
DARE Fund 850.91 850.91
CKLS 511.29 511.29
Insurance Claims Reimb . 81,062.06 81,062.06
GRAND TOTALS 240,214.46 47,629.96 272,989.78 560,834.20
With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Balthazor second the motion and Berland agreed.
Adopted this 6th day of December, 2022
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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John Ruder, Chairman
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Greg Balthazor, Member
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Tim Berland, Member
ATTEST:
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Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk