Commissioner Proceedings 1/14/25

February 13, 2025

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Larry Townsend, Chairman Michael Cowles, Commissioner, Becky Larson, Commissioner, and Micaila Lock, County Clerk present.  
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Larson and opened for any old business at 8:30 a.m.
Brian Gailey, New Commissioner District 2, entered the meeting. 
Will Walker, New Commissioners District 3, entered the meeting.
Maggie Figurilli, Registers of Deeds entered the meeting.
Commissioner Townsend moved to approve December 31, 2024, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE  3 NAY  0
Warrants # 32210-3269 in the amount of $ 79,845.93 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $75,221.01 for the working period of December 22, 2024, through January 4, 2025 were approved for payment. 
Maggie Figurilli, Registers of Deeds entered the meeting.
Mike Cox, Chief of Fire Dist. 3 entered the meeting
Mike discussed the new truck to make sure he had the money in his equipment reserve for the purchase of the new fire truck. This had been in the works for two or three years and the company finally has the truck ready for pick up.
Commissioner Larson moved to close the meeting for the year. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
 AYE  3 NAY  0
At 8:45 am, Wallace County Clerk, Micaila Lock, opened the meeting up for nominations for Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners for 2025. 
Commissioner Walker nominated Becky Larson as Chairperson of the Board for 2025. Commissioner Gailey seconded the motion.
AYE  3  NAY  0
Clerk, Micaila Lock, asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2025.  Chair Larson nominated William Walker as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Gailey seconded the motion.  
 AYE  3  NAY 0
Clerk Lock presented a consent agenda for the board to review all the first of the year actions. The board reviewed the information on the consent agenda. 
Official Newspaper of Wallace County: The Western Times
Official Facebook of Wallace County: Wallace County, KS Government
Official Website of Wallace County: Wallace County, KS
Official Bank of Wallace County: The Eastern Colorado Bank of Sharon Springs 
Personnel Officer, Equal Opportunity Officer, Open Records Officer: Micaila Lock, County Clerk
Grievance Officer: Connie Harrison
Designated agent for KPERS: Micaila Lock, County Clerk
Regional Solid Waste Board Representative: Commissioner Will Walker
High Plains Mental Health Board Representative: Chrysanne Grund and Mike Cowles as an alternate
Northwest Kansas Planning & Development: Commissioner Brian Gailey 
Northwest Kansas Community Corrections: Commissioner Becky Larson
Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) Delegate: Chairperson Becky Larson
Kansas Workers Resk Cooperative for Counties (KWORC) Delegate: Chairperson Becky Larson 
KCAMP: Commissioner Will Walker 
Kansas County Commissioner Association (KCCA) Delegate: Chairperson Becky Larson
Kansas Legislative Policy Group (KLPG) Delegate: Commissioner Brian Gailey 
Western Prairie RC & D Council: Commissioner Becky Larson 
Northwest Area Local Environmental Protection Group: Commissioner Brian Gailey 
KNRC: Chairperson Becky Larson 
Fair Board: Chairperson Becky Larson
Recreation Board: Commissioner Becky Larson
Northwest Kansas Juvenile Detention: Commissioner Brian Gailey 
Commissioner Walker approved the consent agenda after updated appointments were made. Commissioner Gailey seconded.
AYE  3 NAY  0
Duane Barber, Building and Grounds supervisor, entered the meeting 
Duane discussed the county vehicles. The jeep was dead, the battery had frozen up and maybe having water in the fuel system and Buick needs a service job and Clerk Lock has made an appointment with Rains Auto repairs to have worked one. Duane also talked to Lissa about a grant for a new building for a shop. 
Anthony Garcia Road Department Supervisor entered the meeting.
Anthony discussed having equipment rebuilt for a grader.
Commissioner Walker made a motion to approve the repairs for a grader. Commissioner Gailey Seconded 
AYE  3 NAY  0
Anthony discussed having a CDL class that makes sure all employees have the correct CDL and having an agreement for the county to pay for the classes. 
Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor, entered the meeting
Doug discussed that the loader was down over Christmas and getting the recycling bins ready to be used for the public.
Maggie Figurilli Registers of Deeds re-entered the meeting.
Sherri Vincent entered the meeting 
Maggie discussed that Tonya was going off sick bank and Bob Bolen being on the committee and Jason Manning being an alternate for the committee. She gave updates on the amount in the sick bank with 854 hours. The commissioners have talked about the policy book and having the changes made in the future.  
Marshall Unruh entered the meeting.
Marshall gave updates on his employees in the Sheriff’s Department. Marshall brought up the emergency management meeting with Larry Montgomery to get measurements for the low water crossing. 
Maggie Figurilli, Registers of Deeds re-entered the meeting 
Maggie discussed with the commissioners about the handbook policies and have the changes. Having a hearing to discuss what changes the think for the department heads she discussed a list of topics from past years that might be a big topic. 
Kim Frodin County Appraiser entered the meeting 
Kim discussed getting eagle view to help get measurements without having to go into people’s back yards to get measurements and the rough quote was $30,000 for software and fly overview. She would like to make a post on Facebook and in the new paper, so people know why someone is driving around slowly, checking the buildings and making sure the values are fair to everyone throughout the whole county. 
Maggie Figurilli Registers of Deeds re-entered the meeting.
Maggie discussed leadership Wallace County having applicants for 2026-2027 the program is coming back. 
Commissioner Gailey made a motion to accept the abatements as presented. Chairperson Larson seconded the motion.
AYE  3 NAY  0 
Recess 12:06 P.M
Reconvene 1:02 P.M.
 Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development Director entered the meeting.
Lissa gave an update on the tire waste grant for the match form the county and discussed what she had figured for the grant to get the to do replace the mulch in the north park. She gave updates on the KDOT safe route to school planning and program. KDOT Cost share for Smoky Hill River low water crossing. Childcare is making sure the project is coming along. Housing incentive projects are all finished. Having an informal meeting with one commissioner, city council member, community members from all the communities in the county. Tourism has a board, but one person has been over both community development and tourism. 
There being no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 1:58 pm.

Micaila Lock, County Clerk

Becky Larson, Chairman                                                                                               
Will Walker, Commissioner                                                                                      
Brian Gailey, Commissioner