COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
MAY 10, 2022
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder; and Members, Greg Balthazor and Tim Berland. Ruthmary Muir, Rooks County Clerk, was present to write the minutes. Ruder asked all to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved.
Gary Knight, Rooks County Sheriff, updated the Board with the Jail Building issues. He has had to order three new handicap electronic door openers with a cost of approximately $1,000 each. Also, the mini-split that is in the electronics room has gone bad. Ivan Normandin is putting in a new one. The new parts will have a 12 year warranty. This will cost approximately $8,200 installed. Knight is getting bids for a commercial refrigerator. The present refrigerator is six years old.
Knight met with representatives from INAalert. He plans to send out more bids for a camera security system soon.
Knight requested to have budget work session with the elected officials and the department heads. The officials would like for the Board to decide about a cost-of-living percentage for the 2023 year soon, as they are working on their budgets.
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes of May 3rd. Ruder made a motion to approve the minutes of May 3rd with a grammar correction. Berland seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed. After the minutes were printed, Balthazor made a motion to sign the minutes of May 3rd. Berland seconded this motion, and Ruder agreed.
In weekly reports, Berland said that an idle grader was used on the Logan Road to replace the grader needing repairs. Now this grader is being used by the original operator and the Logan Road area does not have a grader to use. Some of the operators did get out on Friday after the rain to work the roads.
Rich Bouchey, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported the grader that needs to be working the Logan Road area is now back from the shop. He has taken another grader for repairs for the same type of issue – the front end.
Also, the reclaimer and a loader are in the shop after blowing the turbos. Other repairs needing done include a Western Star Truck (gasket) and another dump truck. These repairs can be done in-house.
Bouchey will be meeting with KDOT about culverts that need drained on K18 through Zurich.
Bouchey has heard that the new pickup should be done by the end of the week.
Bouchey is ready to go get the oil distributor from Topeka so that some asphalt can be hauled in and do some chip/seal around Plainville and Palco blacktop.
Gail Strutt is working on getting all the mowers out. The tractor that has the new mower attached is blowing black smoke. When the computer was put on it, no repair codes showed.
Balthazor said he had one road concern on J Terrace.
Ruder made a motion to review, approve and sign the weekly vouchers as follows. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Berland agreed.
May 10, 2022
County General 77911-77937 8,210.22
Road & Bridge 77938-77942 67,302.89
Noxious Weed 77943-77949 12,989.42
Health Department 77950-77958 2,312.52
Sanitation 77959 43.43
Rooks County Golf Course 77960-77961 44.12
Economic Develop EX Trust 77962-77963 151.01
DARE Fund 77964 840.61
GRAND TOTAL 91,894.22
The Commissioners discussed the cost-of-living raises for 2023 as the Elected Officials and department heads are needing guidance for their budgets. They agreed to budget for a 4% COL.
Ruder needed to leave the meeting at 10:45 am for another appointment. With no further business to transact, Balthazor made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Berland seconded the motion.
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS :
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John Ruder, Chairman
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Greg Balthazor
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Tim Berland
ATTEST
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Ruthmary Muir, Rooks County Clerk