Commissioner Proceedings 8/29/23

September 19, 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 8:02 am.
Warrants 30073-30105 in the amount of $48,065.31 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $ 56,554.38 for the working period of August 20, 2023 through September 2, 2023 were approved for payment. 
JoAnna Basgall, Deputy Appraiser and Christine Smith, Treasurer entered the meeting.
JoAnna explained the 2 abatements that need to be abated. 2022-13 was a well that was plugged in 2020 and JoAnna was not notified of that. 2022-15 needs to be abated due to a clerical error by multiple departments.
Maggie Figurilli, Register of Deeds entered the meeting. 13 members of the community entered the room to attend the RNR hearing.
RNR hearing called to order at 8:31 am. 
Chairman Townsend opened the meeting for any members to ask questions. Chairman Townsend wanted to hear all of the questions so that the commissioners can try to answer them all in the beginning. Many community members wanted clarification as to why their values increased.
JoAnna re-entered the meeting.
JoAnna was able to explain how they value different classifications. JoAnna explained that houses are currently undervalued, so they are trying to slowly increase values to get them valued where they should be. 
Some of the community members would like to know why their taxes are increasing. Chairman Townsend explained that budgets are as low as they can be. The county has had many unexpected expenses and inflation within the last couple of years that have impacted budgets. Chairman Townsend asked the public what services they would cut if it had to come down to that, nobody had input due to the services being needed and appreciated.
RNR hearing closed at 9:54 am. 
Anthony Garcia, Road and Bridge Supervisor entered the meeting. 
Commissioner Larson moved to adopt Resolution 2023-11. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. 2023-11 was published in The Western Times on September 5, 2023)
The Board of County Commissioners took a vote to exceed the 2023 RNR rate for Wallace County.
Chairman Townsend YES, Commissioner Larson YES, Commissioner Cowles YES passed 3-0.
Chairman Townsend moved to adopt Resolution 2023-12. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion passed unanimously. (Resolution No. 2023-12 was published in The Western Times on September 5, 2023)
The Board of County Commissioners took a vote to exceed the 2023 RNR rate for Fire District #3.
Chairman Townsend YES, Commissioner Larson YES, Commissioner Cowles YES passed 3-0
Budget hearing opened at 10:00 am
Theresa Dasenbrock, Auditor with Lewis, Hooper, and Dick entered the meeting via phone call.
Theresa and the commissioners discussed multiple ways to try and lower the mill levy to help the tax burden for taxpayers. The commissioners tried to make more cuts to department budgets, but they could not find any more cuts. Wallace County department budgets are at a minimum.
Christine Smith re-entered the meeting.
The commissioners were inquiring with Christine about where local sales tax money is going. Christine informed the commissioners that all local sales tax revenue is going into general fund. The commissioners discussed with Theresa that instead of the local sales tax revenue going to general fund, split it up between different departments to help lower the mill levy.
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to levy for $4,208,433 at a proposed rate of 107.262 mills by increasing the estimated receipts in local sales tax to $189,184 in 2023 and 2024 to reduce the tax burden. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  2   NAY  1
Budget hearing closed at 11:51 am.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting.
Darren Booth, Freedom Claims Insurance/ Theel Insurance representative entered the meeting.
Darren handed each of the commissioners an informational packet on how Freedom Claims Insurance (FCI). Darren is only able to give sample numbers at this time. The commissioners would like for Darren to input Wallace County information and schedule another time to come discuss that with the commissioners. Clerk Colvin and Darren will work together to make that happen. 
Marshall received 6.5 hours of continuing education yesterday. High Plains Mental Health held training at The Wallace County Schools. Marshall was able to learn great information. Marshall appreciates High Plains Mental Health for holding this training and educating individuals.
Recess at 12:32 pm.
Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development entered the meeting.
Reconvene at 1:05 pm.
Lissa checked with Chairman Townsend to see if he has received the email from Office of Rural Prosperity, but he has not received anything. Lissa will reach out and have ORP send it again. The housing incentive currently has 2 pending applications, 13 approved applications, and of those 13, 2 have been reimbursed for completed jobs. 
Maggie Figurilli re-entered the meeting.
Lissa recently had a housing meeting with multiple different committees and groups. The storefront and signage grant currently has 3 pending applications, 12 approved applications and 3of the 12 have been reimbursed for completion. The hiring incentive has been approved for $60,000.00, that will be dispersed in two equal payments. 
Becky Chubb entered the meeting. 
Becky thanked the commissioners for the experience and the opportunity to work for the county. Becky is wanting to put the rumors to rest about her resigning because she did not know how to work the equipment at the health office. Several things over the last year had influenced her decision to resign. Becky does not think that a secretary at the health office is justified.
Commissioner Cowles reported the J&S Services has looked at the county jeep. J&S thinks the issues are initiating from the radiator. The jeep is not completed yet, but Chairman Townsend will check in with J&S on their findings.
Lance Finley, Undersheriff entered the meeting.
Clerk Colvin gave the commissioners an email Tonya Medina, Health Administrator/ Nurse had sent. Tonya would like to change the office hours for the health office. The commissioners would like to meet with Tonya at the next meeting to discuss this matter.
Wendy Dunagan, Appraiser entered the meeting.
Wendy told the commissioners that she has given every taxpayer the chance to appeal their appraised values. Wendy also said that values in Wallace County are undervalued, and she is trying to slowly get them back up to where they should be. She does not want to create a burden for any taxpayer by raising the values in one year. The commissioners discussed the tree trimming bid with Lance. Marc Finley will adjust the tree at the CAB building to read trim instead of removing. Lance said a tree on the courthouse lawn could be removed due to it dying. The commissioners do not want to add that tree to the bid.
The commissioners would like for Lance to get Wallace County on the schedule to complete the bid this fall. 
Commissioner Cowles moves to accept the G & R Tree Service bid from Marc and Lance Finley for $5,200.00 with the correction of removing a tree and changing to trimming the tree for a total of 18 trees trimmed. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
The abatements that were discussed earlier in the meeting are presented again. 
Commissioner Cowles makes a motion to abate 2022-13 and 2022-15 totaling $1,427.84. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
The commissioners asked Clerk Colvin if Glassman Corporation has fixed the walk-in freezer at Hope Springs. Clerk Colvin does not have an update, but she will get ahold of Tim and report back next meeting. 
Clerk Colvin presented bills from Hope Springs. In previous meetings, the commissioners approved Hope Springs to make these purchases. The bills were approved.
Clerk Colvin will email Charles Moser, County Attorney, to have him create a resolution to change landfill hours. Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor, would like to change the Landfill hours so that the employees have time to process the last dump of the day and reduce overtime.
Clerk Colvin presented a preventative maintenance quote from Glassman Corporation for HVAC maintenance for Hope Springs. The commissioners discussed the pros and cons of the quote. The commissioners are still accepting bids for preventative maintenance on HVAC units.
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the August 15, 2023 minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
Marc Finley with G & R Tree Service entered the meeting via phone call. 
The commissioners and Lance discussed with Marc the changes they made to the bid. Marc was agreeable to the changes. Marc and Lance will try to get started on this as soon as they can.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:31 pm.
ATTEST:

Brionna Colvin, County Clerk 
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Michael Cowles, Commissioner 
Becky Larson,Commissioner