Commissioner Proceedings 2/13/24

March 19, 2024

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Larry Townsend, Chairman Michael Cowles, Commissioner, Becky Larson, Commissioner, and Brionna Colvin, County Clerk present. 
Danny Welsh entered the meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Townsend at 8:33 a.m.
Warrants # 30715-30770 in the amount of $ 53,243.39 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $92,112.45 for the working period of January 21, 2024 through February 3, 2024 were approved for payment.
Christine has offered to help arrange plans to pick up the county vehicle when it is ready. With her husband, Adam Smith, in session in Topeka, she can ride with him and bring the car back from Abilene. A few roads that the commissioners have received calls about were discussed. The commissioners discussed the bridge projects that will be starting in April.
Bob Bolen, Noxious Weed Supervisor entered the meeting. 
Bob was inquiring about Brad Koehn spraying the county property this year. Bob will have Brad give a quote to spray the North Park, Courthouse, Ambulance building and Hope Springs. 
Anthony Garcia, Road and Bridge Supervisor entered the meeting. 
Anthony reported that the road crew is hauling sand. The commissioners suggested a few roads for Anthony to have the crew work on. PENCO is going to be here today to view the old highway that will be used during the bridge replacements happening this year to give advice on correct signage and placement of signs. Anthony and Bob had discussion on what to do about spraying the county ditches this year. They will meet before the next commissioners meeting and report back to the commissioners. 
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting.
Marshall joined in on the conversation on the upcoming bridge project.
Matthew Welsh, Straightline Irrigation entered the meeting.
Matthew presented a road crossing permit.
Commissioner Larson makes a motion to approve the road crossing permit 2024-01. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Lance Finley, Undersheriff entered the meeting.
Marshall re-entered the meeting. 
Marshall does not know when the tax sale will happen. The sewer in the basement of the courthouse has started to have more problems more frequently. 
Clerk Colvin presented abatements 2023-00024 and 2023-00024 totaling $47.90 to be adjusted on the tax roll. 
Commissioner Cowles moves to approve abatements 2023-00024 and 2023-00024 totaling $47.90.  Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Clerk Colvin presented bills for approval. All bills were approved.
Maggie Figurilli, Register of Deeds entered the meeting.
Maggie is here to represent the Sick Bank Committee. Lance Finley was supposed to be removed last year and Christine Smith is supposed to be removed this year. Sherri Vincent and Ty See both showed interest in being on the committee. Sherri would like to be the primary member and Ty be the secondary.  Currently the sick bank has 944 hours. 
Lance Finley re-entered the meeting.
Commissioner Cowles makes a motion to approve the new committee members that were recommended. Commissioner Larson seconded.
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the January 30, 2024 minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to accept the agreement for Services with Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Recess at 12:10 pm.
Reconvene at 1:04 pm.
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to approve appropriations for Northwest Kansas Planning and Development. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development Director entered the meeting.
Lissa had no new updates to the housing incentive or the storefront/signage incentive. Currently Lissa has had 5 people apply and be approved for the workforce recruitment incentive. The first half of the money for the workforce recruitment incentive has either been earmarked or paid. 
Eileen Porubsky, Hope Springs Administrator, entered the meeting.
Lissa and Eileen discussed applying for a grant to help replace the dining room chairs. Hope Springs would like to donate money if Lissa can find a grant. Brad has been working on a washer the last couple of months. Currently Hope Springs has 28 and they have 2 coming on March 1st. They also have 1 person on the waiting list. The heater in the Assisted Living has been fixed. The bearings on the dishwasher are out so W&C Plumbing is working on this. Hope Springs purchased a call light system for residents to wear around their neck to help them feel safer while walking halls.
Commissioner Larson makes a motion to approve appropriations for Ft. Wallace Memorial Association. Chairman Townsend seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Commissioner Cowles makes a motion to approve appropriations for Wallace County Visitors Bureau. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to approve appropriations for Northwest Area Agency on Aging. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Wendy Dunagan, County Appraiser entered the meeting for updates and discussion.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.
ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, Clerk

Larry Townsend, Chairman
Michael Cowles, Commissioner
Rebecca Larson, Commissioner