July 25

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS

JULY 25, 2023

The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present:  Chairman, John Ruder, and Members Tim Berland and Kayla Hilbrink. Laura Montgomery, County Clerk, was present to record the minutes.  Virgie Laska was present to write a report for Stockton Sentinel. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance

The agenda was accepted as presented.

Burch Post, EMD, was in to have the commissioners sign the EMPG Application. Ruder made a motion to sign the EMPG Application. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.

Post said the single audit report has been completed and needs to be signed. Ruder made a motion to sign the single audit certificate. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.

Post presented the Title 6 Civil Rights Plan for discrimination to be signed. Ruder made a motion to sign the Title 6 Civil Rights Plan. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink.

Post said the LEPC meeting is Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Sheriff’s office. On the agenda is the County Emergency Action Plan. He has sent the plan to the State for informal review.  

Commissioners reviewed July 18th minutes. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.

Hilbrink weekly report: Hilbrink received a call from Sheila Parks about the roads, including 16 Road by Dean Hrabe’s residence. They also discussed roads maintenance, personnel and calls not being returned.  Hilbrink drove roads over the weekend and said mowing needs to be done. She said 22 Road by Riffle’s needs to be rocked.

Hilbrink said she visited with ABC Cleaning out of Hays about cleaning the kitchen at the Golf Course. She presented the quote to the Golf Association in the amount of $500.

Hilbrink had an Economic Development meeting Monday night. The main conversation was about the recruitment grant. They also discussed the CBDG Grant that Hrabe presented to the commissioners last week.

Berland weekly report: Berland received complaints about the roads by Natoma.  He had a complaint on a ditch that needs to be cleaned at 29 Road and Z Road. The runoff is draining into the fields.

Berland visited with Mike Klein, Weed Director, about spraying weeds along the roads.  Berland said the weeds are so overgrown on 2 Road, it is hard to see the road signs. Berland drove H Road, the mile west of the highway is good but the next two miles are powdered out. Hilbrink also received a call on H Road.

Ruder weekly report: Ruder called Roger Hrabe about TK Smokehouse opening a restaurant at the Golf Course. Terry Kinderknecht is still interested but hasn’t looked at the building. Hilbrink said the building really needs to be cleaned.

Ruder talked to Adam Comeau about the ambulances for the county.

Berland ask if there is any news on purchasing of the lots in Stockton and Plainville. Ruder said the City of Plainville would like the county to demo and haul the debris and the city would help.  Bouchey told Ruder they could do both.

Mike Klein, Weed Director, was in about the sprayer the golf course is currently using. It is hard to use and not in good condition. He would like the county to purchase a new sprayer. The sprayer he is looking at also has a dry spreader. Klein said it is about $13,500. Can he purchase the sprayer out of his fund and give it to them? It will only be used on the greens and not the fairways. He looked at used sprayers but he thinks purchasing a new one would be better.

Casey Frasier, with CAT, was in to visit with the commissioners. He thanked the commissioners for purchasing the excavator. Frasier and the commissioners discussed the availability of new and used equipment.  

Hilbrink inquired about funding for the new ambulance that will probably be here before the end of the year.  Hilbrink will reach out to DG Hansen and NWKS P & D for grants. The county has obligated funds out of APRA and has funds in the equipment reserve. Ruder asked about LMI surveys as it may be needed. Hilbrink will contact both DG Hansen Foundation and NWKS P & D about applying for a grant. She will also inquire about the survey.

Ruder made a motion to review and approve the weekly vouchers as follows. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.

JULY 25, 2023

FUND                                                    WARRANTS                        TOTAL

General                                              81044-81065                     12,602.73

Road & Bridge                                    81066-81073                         988.56

Noxious Weed                                    81074-81076                         125.37

Treasurer Equip Reserve                    81077                                4,525.67

Health Department                              81078-81084                       254.37

Insurance Claims                                81085                                   254.37

Grand Total                                                                                19,014.68

               

Julie Yarmer with Freedom Claims Insurance was in to visit with the Commissioners about how the County is doing half way through the year on our self-funded health insurance plans. Yarmer presented the both plans and current rates.

Yarmer explained as of January 1, 2024, there will be new rules for prescriptions. Blue Cross will be sending out letters to employees with the new information. Employees must sign up for co-pay cards for certain prescriptions and if they don’t, the employee will be responsible for the full cost of the prescription.

Open enrollment will be the end of September or first part of October. Berland asked how many counties FCMI works with. Yarmer said they currently have 25 counties.

With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.

Adopted this 31st Day of July, 2023

ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

______________________________________                     

John Ruder, Chairman                                                                    

                                                                                                                

______________________________________

Kayla Hilbrink, Member

______________________________________

Tim Berland, Member

ATTEST:

__________________________________

Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk