Commissioner Proceedings 1/9/24

March 5, 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.  
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Townsend and opened up for any old business at 10:30 a.m.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting.
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the December 26, 2023 minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0.
Warrants # 30548-30590 in the amount of $ 203,335.65 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $57,654.54 for the working period of December 10, 2023 through December 23, 2023 were approved for payment. 
There being no more old business, the meeting was adjourned for the year. 
Chairman Townsend moved to close the meeting for the year. Commissioner Cowles seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0.

Bob Bolen, Noxious Weed Supervisor entered the meeting. 

At 10:54 am, Wallace County Clerk, Brionna Colvin, opened the meeting up for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2024. 
Commissioner Cowles nominated Becky Larson for Chairman of the Board for 2024. Commissioner Larson did not feel she was ready for the chair position. 
Commissioner Larson nominated Larry Townsend for Chairman of the Board for 2024. Commissioner Cowles seconded the motion. AYE 3/Nay 0.
Clerk, Brionna Colvin, asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2024.  Chairman Townsend nominated Rebecca Larson as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Cowles seconded the motion. AYE 3/Nay 0.
Clerk Colvin presented a consent agenda for the board to review for 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: Brionna Colvin, County Clerk
Grievance Officer: Connie Harrison 
Designated agent for KPERS: Brionna Colvin, County Clerk
Regional Solid Waste Board Representative: Commissioner Michael Cowles
High Plains Mental Health Board Representative: Commissioner Michael Cowles 
Northwest Kansas Planning & Development: Chairman Larry Townsend
Northwest Kansas Community Corrections: Commissioner Becky Larson
Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) Delegate: Commissioner Becky Larson
Kansas Workers Rick Cooperative for Counties (KWORC) Delegate: Chairman Larry Townsend
Kansas County Commissioner Association (KCCA) Delegate: Commissioner Becky Larson
Kansas Legislative Policy Group (KLPG) Delegate: Commissioner Michael Cowles
Western Prairie RC & D Council: Commissioner Becky Larson 
Northwest Area Local Environmental Protection Group: Commissioner Michael Cowles
KNRC: Chairman Larry Townsend
Fair Board: Commissioner Becky Larson
Recreation Board: Commissioner Becky Larson
Northwest Kansas Juvenile Detention: Chairman Larry Townsend
Commissioner Larson approved the consent agenda after updated appointments were made. Chairman Townsend seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0.
Darren Booth, Freedom Claims Management representative, entered the meeting. 
Lance Finley, Undersheriff entered the meeting. 
Darren provided the commissioners with a packet with all of the information regarding Freedom Claims. The health plan that Darren explained is a high deductible plan. Darren went over the packet and answered any questions the commissioners had. The commissioners opened it up to questions and comments from other county employees in the room.
Clerk Colvin presented courthouse cleaning bids. 
Marshall Unruh re-entered the meeting.
Marshall gave updates on his employees in the Sheriff’s Department. 
Chairman Townsend met with a Sherman County Economic Development Board Member. He likes the idea of keeping Wallace County’s Economic Development Board tied to several elected officials and many different areas/organizations in the county.
Debbie Welsh entered the meeting. 
The commissioners discussed the cleaning bid with Debbie. Debbie gave a more thorough breakdown of the work she would do.
Commissioner Larson made a motion to accept Debbie Welsh’s contract for courthouse cleaning service. Commissioner Cowles seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0.
Anthony Garcia, Road Supervisor, entered the meeting.
Muddy Road had about a 6-foot drift. The road department is out busy clearing roads.
Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development Director entered the meeting.
Lissa gave an update on the Housing Incentive. Lissa has only 3 projects earmarked and 12 completed. Money is still remaining for the housing incentive. Lissa also gave an update on the Storefront and Signage grant. Lissa only has 3 projects earmarked and 13 projects completed. The first hiring incentive applications were reviewed on December 11th and the first payment for applications has been issued. Lissa applied to the local foundation for a grant to help purchase lots for child care. The every door direct mailer has been sent to The Western Times for printing, on it includes information about the housing incentive, hiring incentive, and links to view available housing and business directory.
Bills were presented for approval and payment.
Steve Unruh, District Magistrate Judge entered the meeting.
Steve informed the commissioners that the upgrades that were recently done to the courtroom included a new tv. A few months back, a commissioners meeting was held in the courtroom and one of the commissioners accidentally knocked the TV over and had to replace it. Steve would like to purchase the TV in exchange for the monitor that he purchased for the courtroom. The commissioners would like Clerk Colvin to reach out to Charles to see what the legality of this situation would be. 
Eileen Porubsky, Hope Springs Administrator, entered the meeting.
The heater in the assisted living is not working. They only have 1 resident in the assisted living side, so Eileen has just plugged in a couple of space heaters. The hot water heater for the dishwasher does not stay lite during windy days.
Christine Smith, County Treasurer entered the meeting.
Brad and Eileen have been staying in contact with McClure’s Heating and Cooling to try and get the heater fixed. Eileen will give Will Walker a call to check out the hot water heater for the dishwasher. Hope Springs has gotten new phone numbers. Eileen would like to get 6 lift chairs. 
Christine presented the commissioners with a list of records she is asking to destroy. Christine also inquired about contacting Stericycle to come to Wallace County to shred old records that are no longer needed.
Katy Reynolds, Greely County Health Services Operating Manager, entered the meeting.
Greely County Health Services hosts a health fair in Greely County and also at the Clinic in Wallace County. During this health fair, Greely County offers discounted lab rates. Sharon Springs has had less than 50 residents attend this health fair. Greely county is able to offer lower rates because they can run the tests in-house. 
Tonya Medina entered the meeting via phone.
The commissioners explained to Tonya the easement documents they are discussing with Charles Moser, County Attorney. The commissioners also relayed some revisions that Charles suggested in the proposed document from Tonya. 
The commissioners would like to have a special meeting on Tuesday January 16th at 9:30 am to discuss the employee handbook. 
Duane Barber entered the meeting to report on his department.
Duane gave a brief update on the work he is doing. The commissioners appreciate him shoveling snow in these severe weather conditions.
Clerk Colvin presented Resolution 2024-01 for review.

 RESOLUTION 2024-01

WHEREAS Wallace County, Kansas has determined that the financial statements and financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2023, to be prepared in conformity with the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a (a) are not relevant to the requirements of the cash basis and budget laws of this State and are of no significant value to the Board of County Commissioners or the members of the general public of Wallace County, Kansas and;

WHEREAS there are no revenue bond ordinances or other ordinances or resolutions of the municipality which require financial statements and financial reports to be prepared in conformity with K.S.A. 75-1120a(a) for the year ended December 31, 2023. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas in regular meeting duly assembled this 9th day of January, 2024 that the Board of County Commissioners requests the Director of Accounts and Reports to waive the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a (a) as they apply to Wallace County, Kansas for the year ended December 31, 2023. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners shall cause the financial statements and financial reports of Wallace County, Kansas to be prepared on the basis of cash receipts and disbursements as adjusted to show compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of this State. 

ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, Clerk

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

Commissioner Cowles moved to approve Resolution 2024-01. Chairman Townsend seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0. 
Clerk Colvin presented abatements 2023-00017 through 2023-00020 totaling $1,526.16 to be adjusted on the tax roll. 
Commissioner Cowles moves to approve abatements 2023-00017 through 2023-00020 totaling $1,526.16.  Commissioner Larson seconded. AYE 3/Nay 0.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:41 pm.

ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, Clerk

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