COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDING
October 4, 2022
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members, Greg Balthazor and Tim Berland. 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.
Kayla Hilbrink was in to ask the commissioners to waive the landfill fees for the Stockton Pride Community as part of the Main Street Development to clean up the old Cindy Lou bldg. Stockton City is providing the dumpsters. Ruder made a motion to waive the landfill fees for Main Street Development on the cleanup of the old Cindy Lou Building. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed.
Denise Murchie & Gina Muir talked to the commissioners about the VFW memorial walls needing the lettering redone. They had Ron Galloway looked at the VFW Memorial and give an estimate on the cost. The estimate cost is $4800.00. They are going to apply for a grant and are asking the commissioners for their support. The County may need to come up with some “in-kind” funds for the grant. Plainville VFW put the memorial up but they don’t have the funds now to maintain the walls. Commissioners want the committee to move forward on the project because it will take some time to complete and they would like to see it finished before the 100-year celebration next spring. Ruder made a motion to move forward on getting the lettering on the VFW Memorial redone. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed. If the committee can’t get a grant, then the commissioners are willing to find a way to pay for it. Ruder made a motion to sign the agreement for Smith Monuments to complete the work. Balthazor second the motion and Berland agreed.
The commissioners reviewed the minutes from September 27th and 30th as presented. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Berland second the motion and Balthazor agreed.
Craig and Barbara Brumbaugh were in about 3 Road. The road was bladed on Friday after the rain. There was an inch of rain in that area. The road has already dried out and is again broken up and nothing but dust. The dust is so bad that it is hard to see when you drive on it and it is doing damage to vehicles. Mrs. Brumbaugh had visited with the Commissioners in the spring and nothing has been done to fix the road. She is wanting to know what the plan is to fix the road. The Brumbaugh’s want to have the road rocked. Bouchey said there is rock out there on the road. From the Brown school house north the base of the road is sand. Brumbaugh discussed with Bouchey about the dust and holes in the road. They don’t understand why nothing is being done. Ruder said the plan is to hopefully make the road drivable.
Butch Post was in to have the commissioners sign a MEPG grant. Ruder made a motion to sign the MEPG Grant. Balthazor second the motion and Berland agreed. This grant helps with payroll.
Rich Bouchey weekly road report: He presented the commissioners with the monthly fuel bid. Berland accepted the bid from Midland Marketing in the amount of $30,410.25.
There was continued discussion on the Logan Road. Ruder received a call from the Logan Postmaster about how bad it is. Bouchey told Ruder that AA Road and 10 Rd to 12 Rd are the worst. Logan Road is heavily traveled with oil rigs and pumpers. Bouchey feels Mr. and Mrs. Brumbaugh expectations are too high. Ruder said we need to do something with the road because of the complaints from the postal service and the Brumbaugh’s. Bouchey will bring up the sides of the road and take the road down to dirt and rebuild it. The road has held up better on the south end.
Bouchey had another employee give his two-week notice.
Bouchey would like to chip seal around Codell, Plainville, and the shop.
Ruder asked about the money from the State on 10RD North of Zurich. Bouchey said he has already put in the application for the second half of the funding from KDOT, cost share.
Ruder asked about 22 Road north from K18. This is the Rooks County Feeders Road.
The commissioners and Bouchey discussed having a road maintenance system.
Berland wanted to know why there was no one out working last Thursday because he received a call about 9 Rd. Bouchey said Odle bladed it on Friday. Balthazor got a call from Niblock. Bouchey has already talked to him and is working with him on his request.
The commissioners and Bouchey discuss road and equipment. The Cat mechanic was by for maintenance on equipment.
Bouchey and the commissioners discussed the wages and benefits from other counties that Sadie Look had brought in last week. Ruder said the commissioners would like to suggest this might be a good opportunity of downsizing the number of employees as he is already down five employees and there hasn’t been applications.
Balthazor made a motion to sign minutes. Ruder second the motion and Berland agreed.
Ed Harvey and David Luke Administrator with K-Camp and Jes Pffannenstiel, with K-Works were in at the Commissioner request. Gary Knight, Sheriff was also in attendance. They had a presentation on the insurance they have for Kansas Counties. They provide risk management services to its members. Under Kansas statute, the public entities are self-insured for their property and casualty risks. They are regulated by the state. K-Camp has 75 counties in Kansas. Members provide oversight of funds. Counties can purchase addition protection. Discussed the insured amounts and liability limits. The limit is based on value plus 20% and the members are appraised every four years. Some of the things also covered are embezzlement up to a million dollars, law enforcement crisis response equipment breakdown, public officials (linebacker) and cyber insurance. On vehicles there is a $1,000 deductible per occurrence. The county decides if the county clerk will manage or departments. Berland asked about lease vehicles, Luke recommended some caution and they ask to look at the contract. Advantages: rate stability cost and services that include: attorney assist, HR consultant, employee handbook, education & training programs and law enforcement resources & policies. They offer $2,000 per year for prevention.
K-Work is worker’s comp self-funded pool specializing in workers comp. They have 80 Counties in Kansas. They save the counties money and coverage is better. Loss prevention will teach defense driving, have safety meetings, and will do a walk-through of buildings to look for things to prevent accidents. They have safety training as well as other training both in person and on line.
The commissioners asked about at time frame: two weeks after getting the data from the county.
Ruder said there is a couple who is interested in starting a restaurant at the golf course. Knight and the commissioners discussed what would be needed. The County Attorney would need to draft and agreement between county and couple. Knight said the county needs to fix the roof where it is leaking and the septic system and other repairs inside the building.
With no further business to transact Ruder made a motion to adjourn. Berland second the motion and Balthazor.
Adopted this 11th 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