Commissioner Proceedings 2/14/23

March 27, 2023

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Larry Townsend, Chairman Michael Cowles, Commissioner, Becky Larson, Commissioner, and Jacalyn Mai, County Clerk were present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Townsend at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioner Cowles moved to approve the January 16, 2023 minutes. Commissioner Larson seconded.
AYE   3    NAY  0
Commissioner Cowles moved to approve the January 31, 2023 minutes. Commissioner Larson seconded.
AYE   3    NAY  0
Warrants # 29013-29079 in the amount of $ 63,005.38 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $ 56,393.92 for the working period of January 22, 2023 through February 4, 2023 were approved for payment. 
Christine Smith, Treasurer entered the meeting for Commissioner Townsend signature on the new CD’s. The board asked what the rate they were put it. Christine state that she would text Jacalyn with the rates.  The rate is 4.72 & 4.73.
Duane Barber entered the meeting to report on his department. 
Duane and Lance Finley had investigated the trailer at the Recycling Building. It looked to be bailed clothes in it. Commissioner Cowles informed them that it was a “project” that the Cornerstone was doing quit awhile back. They didn’t realize it was still full.
Rewiring will need to be done at the courthouse for the new generator for the Sheriff’s Office. Duane was thinking that the courthouse wiring or boxes may need to be replaced or taken out. The commissioners went to look at the wiring in the utility room. 
Doug Springsteel entered the meeting to report on the Landfill.
The compactor is still being worked on. Anthony had asked them to just get it done and bring it back home. 
Doug would like to get a cordless drill for out at the landfill. 
Tires will be picked up when they are in the area. 
He had calls from people that would like to pick up our iron. 
The board signed the Amended Solid Waste Landfill Permit.
Anthony Garcia, Road Supervisor entered the meeting to report on his department.
Bids from Murphy John Deere and Foley Caterpillar for a motor grader were reviewed. Foley bid is for a 2023 Caterpillar 140 for $ $ 420,635.10 less trade in of the 2008 JD 770D for $ 25,800.00. Murphy Tractor bids is for a JD 772G for $ 467,446.00 a JD 772GP for $ 483,016.00 a JD 672G for $ 431,405.00 and a JD672GP for $ 442,902.00 all less the trade in value of the 2008 JD 770D for $ 68,000.00.
Becky asked Anthony how many graders he has. He stated that they have 7 and with all the graders they have they will be working on the roads and ditches this summer. Fix problems in different places in the county.
Connie Harrison entered the meeting. 
Sand pits were discussed. They would be paying Jessie Welsh .50 per yard this year. 
Charles Moser entered the meeting. 
Wand Funk, Linda Tittle, Brian Gailey, and Lyle Hammer entered the meeting. 
Trish Voth, Attorney with Foulston Siefkin, LLP entered the meeting by Zoom.
Commissioner Larson moved to go into executive session at 10:00 am for Attorney-Client Privilege Exception for Local Development for 15 mins and return at 10:15 am. Invited in are the 3 commissioners, & Trish Voth.  Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE   3    NAY  0
No action taken at this time. 
Charles Moser, County Attorney
Charles visited the board about the Lease Agreement with the Care Center. After a discussion about the agreement Charles will look at updating it. 
Charles visited about the Tax Sale. He will be needing to work with a Title company and was looking at using Outback Title to do the title work. Outback Title will do the title work 100 per parcel. This cost can be recovered at the tax sale.  Commissioner Townsend to allow Charles to make a contract with Outback Title. Commissioner Cowles seconded the motion. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Charles presented Resolution # 2023-03 Authorizing Foreclosure Proceedings and the Sale of Real Property for Delinquent Taxes.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting to report on his department. 
Marshall would like to paint the hallway. The board agreed to pay for the paint out of the Special Building Fund.
For the accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office, they will be working with Logan County. 
Brionna Colvin, Deputy County Clerk & Deborah Welsh, 2nd Deputy Clerk entered the meeting.
Clerk Mai asked to go into executive session for NON-ELECTED personnel. Commissioner Larson moved to go into executive session at 11:10 am for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 30 mins and return at 11:40 am. Invited in are Clerk Mai, Brionna and Debbie and the 3 commissioners.  Commissioner Cowles seconded. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Commissioner Townsend moved to sign the updated Engagement Letter with Foulston Siefkin, LLP. Commissioner Larson seconded.  
AYE   3    NAY  0
Clerk Mai had forward an email the findings from KCAMP for the damage from the fire of the Sr. Center to the commissioners. Bids for Sr Center will be to be taken. 
Recessed for lunch. 
Reconvene at 1:00 pm. 
Lissa Sexson visited the board about opportunity for grants. 
ABODE is to build homes for the elderly that do not need medical care. 
Signage funds and the application process for business that would like to apply. The board would like the Signage funds to be used on their actual business front. Applications need to be turned by the end of the month and they will be reviewed by the board. 
There is a Housing advisory committee meeting March 1, 2023, 5:00-6:00 at the library. 
Housing incentives were talked about. With no cost to the County the Commissioners authorized Lissa to proceed with this plan. 
The meeting was moved to the Courtroom.
Brian Gailey and 2 other WCCCC Board members are present. 11 residents of the county and Brionna Colvin are present. 
Brian presented a proposal for the commissioners to consider. The Care Center board had looked into the Care Center becoming licensed as a Residential Care Facility. The board figured they would have to find places for 4 of their residents at the present time. The Dr that they have overseeing the Care Center is not in favor of the Residential Care Facility. 
Finances are unclear at this time for future revenue and costs. The agreed upon procedures that Lewis Hooper and Dick have completed stated that there was not enough documentation attached to bills paid out to tell if things were paid out correctly. A lot of inconclusive documentation was found.
The Care Center is looking at contracting with FMI to do their finances and payroll. This will possibly cost $ 2,500.00 a month. In reviewing the lease agreement signed in 2011 there is a clause that the county will provide no less than $ 80,000.00 for cost of building upkeep and operating expenses. 
They are no longer a skilled facility, so funds are not coming in anymore for that service. 
Bryan is requesting that bills that pertain to the building be paid, and the board give the Care Center the $ 80,000.00 for operating expenses to help pay the costs for the FMI services. 
No decision was made.
The meeting moved back to the commissioner’s room.
Tonya Medina County Health Nurse entered the meeting to report on her the Health Department. She presented a Grant Application from KDHE for Immunization Action Plan for $ 1,645.00, Public Health Emergency Preparedness for $ 8,810.00 and State Formula for $ 12,000.00. She can also apply for any grant COVID money if any is available. 
Tonya would like the commissioners to consider hiring a PT Nurse 3 days a work. She will need to be gone. 
She will be increasing the cost of foot care from $ 10.00 to $ 15.00. 
Tonya also updated them on several programs that she will be implementing soon.
The Board agreed to taking applications for a PT Nurse. The deadline will be the 22nd February and Interviews on the 23rd at 1:00 pm
Raises were discussed raises elected officials. Commissioner Townsend moved that all elected officials will receive $ 2,000.00 a year increase. Hourly employees were dealt with all through out 2022. Commissioner Larson second. Effective 2-19-23. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Jennie Kuhlman, Deputy Register of Deeds was not given a raise in 2022. Commissioner Townsend moved to allow a raise of $ 0.86. Commissioner Larson seconded.
AYE   3    NAY  0
Bob Bolen, Noxious Weed Supervisor was not given a raise in 2022. Commissioner Townsend moved to give a $ 1.00 per hr effective 2-19-23 to Bob Bolen. Commissioners Larson seconded.
AYE   3    NAY  0
RESOLUTION 2023-03
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS AND THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
WHEREAS, Wallace County is a duly organized and empowered municipal government having home rule powers under K.S.A. 19-191; and
WHEREAS, K.S.A. 79-1801, et seq., controls the procedure by which a county must levy real property taxes, and K.S.A. 79-2001, et seq., controls the collections of said taxes; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to K.S.A. 79-2301 et seq., if real property taxes are not timely paid after they are levied by a county and proper notice has been provided, the county will acquire the real property for which the taxes are unpaid in a delinquent tax sale for the amount of the taxes owed; and
WHEREAS, certain tracts remain unredeemed by the owner after the expiration of the prescribed period; and 
WHEREAS, Wallace County has complied with all of the rules and procedures outlined in K.S.A. 79-1801 et seq., and K.S.A. 79-2001 et seq., in levying and collecting taxes on real property in Unified Greeley County.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WALLACE COUNTY, KANSAS, as follows:
That, pursuant to K.S.A. 79-2801 et seq., the Board of County Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas, hereby employs and authorizes outside legal counsel Moser & Mangan Law Office to initiate foreclosure proceedings on all eligible real property sold and bid in by Wallace County for delinquent ad valorem property taxes and which remain unredeemed as of the date of this Resolution, and further authorizes the County Treasurer to assess a fee of $225 on each parcel that is eligible for foreclosure.
This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and publication once in the official County newspaper.
IT IS SO RESOLVED by a majority vote of all members of the Board of County Commissioners of Wallace County, State of Kansas, on this 14th  day of February, 2023.
Commissioner Cowles moved to adopt Resolution 2023-03 for the Tax Sale. Commissioner Larson seconded. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Commissioner Larson moved to purchase the 772G $ 399,446.00 with trade in of $ 68,000.00 for the 2008 JD 770 Motor grader. Commissioner Cowles seconded. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Commissioner Larson moved to pay the bills totaling $ 37,567.52 for the Care Center and give the remainder of the totaling $ 42, 432.48 to the Care Center to make the total required by the Lease Agreement. Commissioner Townsend seconded. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
Wendy Dungan, County Appraiser asked to go into executive session for HIPPA for her for a NON-ELECTED personnel. Commissioner Cowles moved to go into executive session at 5:28 pm for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 20 mins and return at 5:48 pm. Invited in are the 3 commissioners and Wendy.  Commissioner Larson seconded.  
AYE   3    NAY  0
No action taken.
Brionna Colvin, Deputy County Clerk asked to go into executive session for NON-ELECTED personnel. Commissioner Townsend moved to go into executive session at 5:48 pm for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 10 mins and return at 5:58 pm. Invited in are the 3 commissioners, Brionna & Clerk Mai.  Commissioner Larson seconded. 
AYE   3    NAY  0
No action taken. 
Clerk Mai presented the Sharon Springs Township 2022 Annual Report for review. 
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 pm.
ATTEST:

Jacalyn Mai, County Clerk
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Becky Larson, Commissioner       
Michael Cowles, Commissioner