Commissioner Proceedings 9/30/25

November 29, 2025

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Becky Larson, Chairperson, Will Walker, Commissioner, Brian Gailey, Commissioner, and Micaila Lock, County Clerk present.   

Warrants # 33357-33430 in the amount of $210,559.51 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $ 149,128.08 for the working period of August 31, 2025, through September 13, 2025, were approved for payment.

Mike Colwes entered the meeting.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Larson for business at 8:30 a.m.

Mike discussed moving some signage from the old recycling center building to be move them to the current location.

He also asked about the old step machine at Hope Springs and whether it would be for sale. He also had some questions about the upcoming tax sale.

Christine Smith, County Treasurer, entered the meeting.

Christine discussed motor vehicle funding from the state. She discussed the fees charge to help cover the cost to recoup a little bit of income. She was thinking just to do it on titles at $2.50 fee which wouldn’t bring much into the county to cover the cost. She is not for charging our taxpayers more to provide state-mandated services. She wants to work with the commissioners to draft a testimony to provide to the state. And possibly travel to Topeka to discuss this matter directly with legislators.

Paulette Unruh, Ambulance Director, entered the meeting.

Chair Larson moved to go into an executive session at 9:00am for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 15 minutes and return at 9:15am. Invited are the 3 commissioners, County Clerk Lock and Ambulance Director.  Commissioner Walker seconded.

   AYE 3 NYA 0

Return to regular session at 9:15 am. No decision made.

Paulette discussed the bid she got to replace the carpet at the ambulance barn.

Commissioner Walker made a motion to approve the Purchase of John Deere for 100,000.00. Commissioner Gailey Seconded.

AYE 3 NYA 0

Anthony Garcia, Road supervisor, entered the meeting.

Commissioner Walker made a motion to approve September 9th, 2025, minutes. Commissioner Gailey Seconded

AYE 3   NAY 0

Chair Larson moved to go into an executive session at 9:30 am for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 5 minutes and return at 9:35am. Invited are the 3 commissioners, County Clerk Lock and Anthony Garcia.  Commissioner Walker seconded.                                     

AYE 3   NYA 0

Return to regular session at 9:35 am. No decision made.

Commissioner Gailey made a motion to terminate an employee. Commissioner Walker seconded.

AYE 3   NYA 0

Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor, entered the meeting

Anthony gave updates on the road department and roads that they are maintaining.

Doug discussed that the landfill inspection went well and gave updates on everything that is going on at the landfill.

The commissioners, Anthony and Doug, discussed the pipeline that is coming through.

Marshall Unruh, Sherriff, entered the meeting.  

Marshall discussed the Northwest Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council and that he would need to be nominated by the commissioners.

Commissioner Gailey made a nomination to have Marshall Unruh remain on the Northwest Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council. Commissioner Walker seconded.

AYE 3   NYA 0

Clerk Lock presented an abatement 2024-89 totaling $19.20.

Commissioner Gailey made a motion to accept abatement 2024-89 totaling $19.20. Chair Larson seconded. AYE 3 NAY 0

Brenda Cress, Representing S&T Phone, entered the meeting.

Brenda gave updates about the phone deployment and getting the correct authorization for the billing. Discussion on what they found with the sheriff recording line. Natalia entered the meeting via phone. Natalia, Brenda and the commissioners discussed what will need to be done with the voice recording equipment currently being used by the Sheriff’s office.

Ryan Ownes, Chambless Roofing, entered the meeting

Ryan discussed doing an inspection of the roofs of county buildings to make sure the roofs are still in good shape or if they need repaired.

Recess for lunch 11:46 am

Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development entered the meeting.

Reconvene 1:00 pm

Lissa gave updates about KDOT Cost Share program to redo the black tops south of Wallace and the Weskan Black top. She also discussed the KDOT safe route to school. She discussed a waterline grant that is a collaborative group with the city of Sharon Springs, Horace and Tribune she has her part of the grant done just waiting for the other grant writer to finish so they can get it submitted today by the end day. She gave updates on the grant she applied for to get the funding from Patterson Foundation to fund storefront and signage, recruitment and housing for the next 3 years. She also talked about an expo that is going on at Fort Hays Tech Northwest November 3rd.  She talked about housing development and where the county is on this project.

Ryan Owens, Chambless Roofing re-entered the meeting.

Ryan discussed the roof over at Hope Springs might need to be replaced with the damage from hail and that insurance might cover the cost from the damage caused.

There being no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 PM.

ATTEST:

Micaila Lock, County Clerk

 

Rebecca Larson, Chair

Will Walker, Commissioner

Brian Gailey, Commissioner