COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDING
October 18, 2022
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Member, Tim Berland. Member Greg Balthazor was absent. Laura Montgomery, County Clerk, was present to write the minutes. Virgie Laska was present to write a report for the 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.
The commissioners reviewed the minutes from October 11th. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections and Berland second the motion.
Montgomery said county employees haven’t received their anniversary plaque for two years. There have been multiple attempts to get them completed. Commissioners suggested contacting Stockton High School and Cardinal Creations at the Plainville High School.
Berland weekly report: Received a text from John Grieble about the road by his farm. Berland hasn’t talked to Bouchey to know if he has gotten started on Logan Road.
Ruder weekly report: He talked to Bouchey and Casey Frasier with CAT. Frasier has a loader available. The equipment from the old loader will hook up with it. It is a use CAT and is in Concordia.
Ruder made a motion to endorse the check from the State of Kansas for the water resource rent in the amount of $1,000. Berland second the motion.
Berland made a motion to sign the letter to Bouchey on the wage increase. Ruder second the motion.
Commissioners reviewed the monthly statement from Card Services.
Commissioners reviewed and initial the added and abatements for the year.
Ruder made a motion to approve the purchase of a refurbished copier for the county attorney’s office in the amount of 5,499.00. Berland second the motion.
Bouchey weekly report: The commissioners and Bouchey discuss the voucher for CAT.
Ruder made a motion to accept the reimbursement check for fuel from the state in the amount of $7,311.46. Berland second the motion.
Bouchey presented the landfill check in the amount of $22,444.90. Ruder made a motion to sign the landfill check in the amount of $22,444.90. Berland second the motion. The commissioners accepted the Sanitation and Road & Bridge fee report for the month of September.
The commissioners presented Bouchey a letter for wage increases in the Road & Bridge Departments and Landfill. The new starting base wage will be $14.00 per hour.
Bouchey and the commissioners discussed the plans for Logan Road. Bouchey has been moving equipment to the area and has cleaned up the area around the bridge. He is waiting on the motor grader that has a leak to be repaired.
Bouchey presented information for a 2018 Wheel Loader from CAT. The price is $213,000. Bouchey said he doesn’t need to finance for more than 3 years. Bouchey called Casey and he visited with the commissioners. A new loader is about $400,000 and it will be next year before he can get a new one. Concordia had one last month for $260,000 with a 1000 less hours on it.
Ruder made a motion to accept the bid from Farmers National Bank for a loan at 3.94%. Berland second the motion.
Ruder asked if Bouchey had a price for a new toolbox. Bouchey said Strutt is looking for one.
Kathleen Fabrizius, from Trego County and current KEMA President, presented Butch Post, Emergency Management Director, the Presential Plaque for service over the last three years and a Lifetime KEMA Award for membership and achievement over the course of his career. Toby Prine, State EMD, Lois Post, and Micki Helberg with Graham County were present to watch Post accept the awards.
Berland made a motion to sign the Oct. 11th minutes. Ruder second the motion.
Ruder made a motion to reviewed and approve the weekly vouchers as follows. Berland second the motion.
FUND WARRANTS AMOUNT
General 79059 – 79093 35,847.20
Road & Bridge 79094 – 79117 83,427.13
R&B Spec Equip 79118 140,134.85
Attorney Equip 79119 5,499.00
Sheriff Equip 79120 23,475.00
Health Dept 79121 – 79126 568.46
Sanitation 79127 – 79130 814.76
Golf Course 79131 – 79133 1,367.04
John Mapes with Mapes & Miller and Kim Northup was in to discuss budgets and transfer of funds to County General.
Ruder made a motion to transfer funds from Equipment Reserve Funds for a total of $200,000 to County General as follows. Berland second motion.
Treasurer Equipment Reserve $30,000
Custodian Equipment Reserve $20,000
GIS Equipment Reserve $40,000
Attorney Equipment Reserve $40,000
Clerk Equipment Reserve $10,000
Register of Deeds Equip Res $20,000
EMD Equipment Reserve $40,000
Ruder made a motion to transfer $245,000 from Capital Improvements to County General. Berland second the motion.
Berland made a motion to transfer $122,000 from Commissioner Equipment Reserve to County General. Ruder second the motion.
With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn. Berland second the motion.
Adopted this 25th day of October, 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