Commissioner Proceedings 10/10/23

November 27, 2023

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.  
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Townsend at 8:32 a.m. 
Warrants # 30213-30313 in the amount of $108,290.96 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $ 118,019.38 for the working period of October 1, 2023 through October 14, 2023 were approved for payment. 
The KDOT meeting the commissioners attended October 10th was discussed. The meeting was very beneficial for Wallace County to attend. Chairman Townsend and Marshall were the two spokespersons for Wallace County. They were able to get the K-27 in the top 3 most important projects out of the 13 projects that were presented. The final list will be released sometime in November.
No new pool bids have been turned in to the Clerk’s Office. The bids will run in The Western Times until October 31st.
The contract for Wallace County Community Development was discussed. Clerk Colvin gave each commissioner questions that needed to be answered to create a contract. The commissioners will each provide answers at a later meeting and Clerk Colvin will get it to Charles Moser, County Attorney to write up a contract.
Duane Barber, Building and Grounds entered the meeting.
The commissioners would like to thank the City Crew workers for picking up the tree branches on the Courthouse lawn.
Lance Finley entered the meeting.
Lance discussed how the tree removal and trimming is going. The commissioners discussed trimming the tree on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn. Duane will start putting some water to it and see how it looks in the spring. Duane will also let Lance know that the two spruce trees can be trimmed up high enough that Duane can mow under them.
Duane would like to look at getting a water hydrant in the southeast corner of the courthouse so that he can eliminate running a water hose over the sidewalk to eliminate a tripping hazard.
Commissioner Cowles makes a motion to give Duane the okay to install a water hydrant on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
Anthony Garcia, Road and Bridge Supervisor, entered the meeting.
Anthony will have a truck at the courthouse for Lance and Marc to put the trees in. Anthony said the City Crew assisted picking the trees up at the courthouse and the county picked trees up at the fairgrounds. 
Anthony has his crew out mowing trying to get everything caught up and maintained. Anthony is going to prioritize the jobs that need to be done soon. The hydraulic door has been ordered and they are hoping for it to arrive early 2024. Purchasing receipts were discussed. 
Chairman Townsend makes motion for to delegate Chairman Townsend as primary and Commissioner Cowles as alternate for KCAMP and Commissioner Larson as primary and Chairman Townsend as alternate for KAC. Commissioner Cowles seconded. 
Clerk Colvin gave the commissioners Peggy Hennicks resignation letter from the fair board. The commissioners regretfully accept Peggy’s resignation as of December 31, 2023. The commissioners would like to thank her for many years of service and appreciate all of the hard work that she has put in for the fair board. 
Resolution 2023-14 is needed to make sure that court appointed counsel remains available to Wallace County cases. With as many cases that are being filed, some attorneys might avoid Wallace County due to low pricing. It is not something the county wants to do but they need to keep the justice court moving.
RESOLUTION 2023 - 14
A RESOLUTION REVISING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas have determined that an increase in the fees paid for court appointed counsel is necessary; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas:
Wallace County, Kansas will pay court appointed counsel according to the following fee schedule:
Criminal Misdemeanors: $110.00 per hour with a max of $1,200.00 beginning July 1, 2023; $120.00 per hour with a max of $1,500 beginning January 1, 2024.
Criminal Misdemeanor Parole Violations: $110.00 per hour with a max of $800.00 beginning July 1, 2023; $120.00 per hour with a max of $1,100 beginning January 1, 2024.
Traffic Violations (1st/2nd DUI’s): $110.00 per hour with a max of $1,000.00 beginning July 1, 2023; $120.00 per hour with a max of $1,400 beginning January 1, 2024.
CINC: $100.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2023; $110.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2024.
Juvenile Offender: $110.00 per hour with a max of $1,200.00 beginning July 1, 2023; $120.00 per hour with a max of $1,500 beginning January 1, 2024.
GAL: $100.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2023; $110.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2024. 
Exceptional findings may be made by the court to go beyond the maximums stated herein.
ADOPTED this 11th day of October, 2023
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: WALLACE COUNTY, KANSAS
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Micheal Cowles, Commissioner
Becky Larson, Commissioner
Attest:  Brionna Colvin, County Clerk

Chairman Townsend makes a motion to adopt resolution 2023-14. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
The commissioners would like Clerk Colvin to contact Trish Voth, Foulston Siefkan LLP and express appreciation to her and that Wallace County would like to maintain a relationship with her as the lesser prairie chicken issue gets resolved.
Charles Moser, County Attorney entered the meeting.
Charles wanted to discuss the resolution from his perspective. Wallace County is geographically challenged as it is, so having low rates does not help.
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the September 26, 2023, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
A bill from W&C Plumbing for Hope Springs was presented. The bill was approved for payment.
Recess at 12:07 pm.
Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development entered the meeting.
Reconvene at 1:02 pm.
Lissa updated that the Hansen Foundation granted the county $12,750.00 for the Whirlpool spa tub at Hope Springs. The storefront and signage grant is closed. All money for the storefront/signage grant has either been earmarked or reimbursed. The housing incentive is still open. The Sharon Springs music event that was hosted on October 7th went well.
Brad and Eileen Porubsky, Hope Springs owners entered the meeting.
Hope Springs bills were presented for payment. Point Click Care went live on October 1st. Everything on Point Click Care is electronic records. Eileen will talk to B & K Pumping and discuss a schedule that is needed. Currently they come once a quarter and Eileen does not think that is necessary.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:51 pm.
ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, County Clerk
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Becky Larson, Commissioner
Micheal Cowles, Commissioner