COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 31, 2024
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members Tim Berland and Jake Prockish. Laura Montgomery, County Clerk, was present to record the minutes. Virgie Laska was present to take notes for Stockton Sentinel. Tonia Goertz with Plainville Times was present to take notes for the newspaper. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
Butch Post and Adam Bryant, EMD, were in to present a quote for shirts as requested last week. The commissioners approved Bryant ordering shirts.
The bunker gear for Post is in good shape but is out of date and can’t be used. Bryant has bunker gear from the City of Stockton he can used. Bryant asked if the county would be willing to reimburse Stockton city if it is destroyed on a fire outside of Stockton fire distract while working as Emergency Manager. The commissioners agreed to this.
Post, Bryant and the commissioners discussed the courthouse exercise. Post said the courthouse needs to be closed to the public during the exercise. It was decided to do the exercise on a Friday afternoon when the courthouse is already closed. The date to be determined later. The commissioners will be involved exercise. The commissioners said the courthouse employees are to take time off during the week so there is no overtime or comp time.
Bryant said there will be a NIMS Class at Stockton City Hall on March 22 thru March 24. Butch invited Berland and Prockish.
Post and Bryant are working on updating Rural Maps. The software for the GIS program in the EMD Office is out of date and will cost $800 to update. They will contact Clint Offutt who does GIS for the County and ask if he can provide the program so they can print maps.
Eric Biggs, Road Supervisor, weekly report: He has been busy working on oil changes and vehicle maintenance. Took a pickup to Shane Balthazor, E.G.A. for repairs because he doesn’t have the time to work on it. He hired three part-time employees.
Penco contacted Biggs and he needs to put 24 signs on bridges in the county. He has ordered them and they will be here in about three weeks.
There have been some complaints about roads and he is trying to get to as many as possible as the melting snow and mud allows. He moved one guy from a truck driver to a grader to help with road maintenance.
Biggs and the commissioners discussed equipment.
Berland had a text from a person over in the Damar area, expressing appreciation.
Biggs and the commissioners discuss hiring a mechanic.
Danny Knoll, Sanitation Supervisor, weekly report: Knoll presented quotes for spray form insulation. Ruder announced there were two bids: Billy David Construction in the amount of $19,948.00 and JS Spraying in the amount of $10,170.00. Ruder made a motion to accept the bid from JS Spraying in the amount of $10,170.00. Berland second the motion and Prockish agreed.
The commissioners reviewed last weeks minutes. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections. Prockish second the motion and Berland agreed.
Roger Hrabe, RCED and Kim Northup, Treasurer were in to request renaming the Micro-loan account. The funds from the Micro-loan were transferred to the housing authority because it need to be a zero balance to qualify for the CBDG-CRV Grant. The money for the grant will go in and come out of the account as each project is approved.
There are still have a few micro-loan payments coming in, and Northup would like to put those funds into the housing authority account. The commissioners approved putting the micro-loan payments into the housing authority account.
Ruder made a motion to approve and sign small fund vouchers. Berland second the motion and Prockish agreed.
Ruder made a motion to endorse the check from State of Kansas for the Water Resource rent in the amount $1,000.
Ruder made a motion to sign the appointment of Jake Prockish to the NWKS Juvenile Service Board. Berland second the motion and Prockish agreed.
Ruder made a motion to sign the documents for CBG-CVR Grant. Berland Second the motion and Prockish agreed.
Ruder presented the cost report and commitment agreement for LEPG. Ruder made a motion to sign the commitment agreement. Berland second the motion and Prockish agreed.
Ruder made a motion to endorse Township Bond Checks for Twp#11 $522.41, Twp#6 $37.59, Twp#1 $87.78, Twp#4 $147.97, Twp#5 $44.67, Twp #8 $90.36, and Twp#10 $348.05. Prockish second and Berland agreed.
Prockish weekly report: He went to Topeka with a group from Stockton City on Monday and Tuesday for legislature meeting. He met with DOT, there are a lot of grants and cost share programs the county needs to look at for bridges and roads.
Prockish looked at the concrete slab in front of the door at the Water Resource Building. The concrete needs to be replaced and the area regraded. Zac Brown, Custodian, will get bids to replace the concrete and John said he will visit with Jason Hamil in Plainville to get a bid from him.
Berland weekly report: He didn’t make the LEPC meeting on Monday. He has a NWKS Planning and Development meeting next Monday. Ruder said he attended the LEPC meeting on Monday by zoom.
Ruder weekly report: There were about 10 people in attendance at the LEPC meeting. KDPW gave a program on wild fires and fire safety. He also attended by phone the LEPG on Wednesday. They elected officers and voted a pay increase for Phil Murrow. Smith County provides a secretary service for LEPC and the voted to paid them $700 for the services.
Ruder attended the speaker series last Thursday. Steve Sheild, CEO with managing company CEO spoke. The process of getting the USDA loan has been put on the back burner. Ruder said there was a good crowd.
The commissioners discussed the Medicaid Expansion and if the county support it. The commissioners tabled any decision until next-week.
Berland made a motion to review and approve the end of the month vouchers and payroll as follows. Ruder second the motion and Prockish agreed.
WEEKLY VOUCHERS & PAYROLL
FUND WARRANTS EMPLE BEN GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 152,138.41 41,849.51 176,062.98 370,050.90
Road & Bridge 27,702.12 54,988.18 82,690.30
Noxious Weed 38.53 9,035.11 9,073.64
Health Department 3,323.03 19,490.10 22,813.13
Sanitation 5,136.90 8,901.58 14,038.48
RCED 2,478.29 838.16 5,020.18 8,361.60
Alcohol Program 400.00 400.00____
Grand Total 187,894.25 46,035.67 273,498.13 507,428.05
MONTHLY TOTALS
FUND WARRANTS EMPLE BEN GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 530,118.79 41,849.51 176,062.98 748,031.28
Road & Bridge 73,563.43 54,988.18 128,551.61
Noxious Weed 1,477.16 9,035.11 10,512.27
Health Department 5,840.71 3,323.03 19,490.10 28,653.84
Sanitation 7,786.70 88,901.58 16,688.28
Golf Course 237.11 237.11
RCED 2,478.29 838.16 5,020.18 8,361.60
Alcohol Program 800.00 800.00
DARE Fund 550.00 550.00
Central Kansas Library 82,081.39 82,081.39_____
GRAND TOTAL 704,933.58 46,035.67 273,498.13 1,024,467.38
With no further business to transact, Ruder mad a motion to adjourn the meeting. Berland second the motion and Prockish agreed.
Adopted this 6th day of February, 2024
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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John Ruder, Chairman
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Jake Prockish, Member
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Tim Berland, Member
ATTEST:
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Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk