COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
October 17, 2023
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members Tim Berland and Kayla Hilbrink. Laura Montgomery, Clerk was present to record the minutes. Virgi Laska was present to write a report for Stockton Sentinel and Tonia Gertz was present to write a report for Plainville Times. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
The agenda was accepted as presented.
The commissioners reviewed October 10th minutes. Ruder made a motion to approve October 10th minutes with corrections. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
The commissioners discussed the e-mail between the County Appraiser and a taxpayer. The commissioners replied to his comments with an explanation as to why the commissioners denied his request.
Tim Colburn, Road Interim Supervisor, was in with his weekly report.
The Zurich Black Top project is being put off another week.
Bow Creek has changed its course around B & 15RD and is eroding the road. Colburn has started the application process and has contacted Jerold DeBoer at Penco to get plans drawn.
Ruder made a motion to endorse a check received from Purple Wave in the amount of $500 for a truck. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Colburn and the commissioners discussed road projects.
Colburn had an employee request being reimbursed for the CDL test. The commissioners agreed to reimburse the employee out of the road fund.
Colburn said he moved the grader in Plainville to the grader man’s house since he now has the space and cover for it.
Hilbrink said she was asked by a chamber board member if the road department has an extra cardboard trailer they can borrow. The commissioners approved letting the Stockton Chamber of Commerce borrow a trailer.
Berland said he received a call about roads in the north part of the county. There is so much dust, the caller was concerned about the bus driver being able to see. Colburn said he put water on the road but it had dried out by the next day.
Colburn said he plans on chip sealing in Damar next Tuesday.
Danny Knoll, Sanitation Crew Chief, presented a letter from KDHE about pit renewal.
Knoll presented bids to crush and bale the metal at the landfill.
Steve Martin, with SJM Recycling: 132.50 per ton.
Pfiefer Recycling: 155 per ton.
Ruder made a motion to accept Pfeifer Recycling bid in the amount of $155 per ton. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Knoll and the commissioners discussed landfill concerns.
Ruder visited with Mike Thomas with Secure Energy about the county’s contract for gas. The county has lock in 100% of the price of gas at 6.16 for 2023/2024. This will be for all of the county owned facilities.
Montgomery requested the commissioners pay Stockton Sentinel for Twp #6 budget publication for last year and this year so she can levy funds for the township. The township will reimburse the commissioners. The commissioners agreed.
Hilbrink weekly report: She has an Economic Development meeting on Monday. She attended Roger Hrabe’s presentation on 13 Ways To Kill Your Community.
Berland weekly report: He visited with Palco City Mayor, Johnni Keller. She inquired about the county’s delinquent tax sale.
Ruder weekly report: He talked with the County Attorney about the property in Stockton that is being purchased to house the ambulances. The County Attorney hasn’t done anything as she thought they would do both properties, Plainville and Stockton, at the same time.
Shannon Rothchild and Jason Dempsey with Nex-Tech was in to present bids to the commissioners about IT Services Bids.
Kim Northup, County Treasurer would like to address the misinformation on Facebook. She wants it clarified that the Airport and Golf Course are not being funded by tax dollars. The airport is being funded by Federal Grants and fuel fees. The Golf Course was purchased by the county but is being operated by green fees and membership dues. There are also comments there is $900,000 surplus funds the county isn’t using. Northup said the county has idle funds for things such as the sales tax collected for the jail bond and ARPA funds. We collect current taxes that are distributed five (5) times a year. Northup said we earn interest on idle funds.
Butch Post, EMD, said he is still working on the County’s Emergency Operating Plan.
Ruder made a motion to sign the Local Emergency Operations Plans. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Post presented his job description and Emergency Manager Recommended Training. A new manager has two years to complete the training.
Zac Brown, custodian, said he only needs to replace about eight (8) feet of cast iron sewer pipe on the northside of the courthouse. From there it’s clay tile that doesn’t need replacing.
Brown and the commissioners discussed the pigeons on the courthouse.
Berland made a motion to sign and review the weekly vouchers as follows. Ruder second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
OCTOBER 17, 2023
FUND VOUCHERS AMOUNT
General 81555-81585 15,353.54
Road & Bridge 81586-81602 53,231.73
Health Depart 81603-81616 9,752.50
Sanitation 81617-81619 1,691.65
Golf Course 81620 277.04
Insurance Claims 81621 22,218.58
GRAND TOTAL 102,525.04
With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Adopted this 24th Day of October, 2023
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
______________________________________ ATTEST:
John Ruder, Chairman __________________________________
Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk
______________________________________
Kayla Hilbrink, Member
______________________________________
Tim Berland, Member