Commissioner Proceedings 12/13/22

January 15, 2023

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Larry Townsend, Chairman, Michael Cowles, Commissioner, Ronnie Hill, Commissioner, and Jacalyn Mai, County Clerk present.
Rebecca Larson entered the meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Townsend at 8:30 am.
Warrants 28739-28799 in the amount of $ 66,709.62 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $ 57,954.43 for the working period of November 27, 2022, through December 10, 2022, were approved for payment.
Commissioner Hill moved to approve the November 29, 2022, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Vernon Akers entered the meeting.
Connie Harrison entered the meeting.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting.
Brad and Eileen Porubsky with Home Health Plus 2 entered the meeting by Zoom. Wanda Funk, Linda Tittel, Carol Martin, Becky Larson & Lace David. Brad and Eileen presented information on what they see the WCCCC could look like.
Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor entered the meeting. 21st Century called and need to bring rotten beans to the landfill. 32 loads have been brought out so far.
Anthony Garcia, Road Supervisor entered the meeting to report on his department.
Anthony has visited with a company about a portable cattle guard shipping to Kansas. Payment has to be made before the cattle guard will be shipped.
The road crew will be attending a DOT safety training for Truck safety.
Anthony presented a 3 month evaluation for Jenna See.
Commissioner Townsend called for a 15 min break at 9:30 am.
Clerk Mai presented the application for a Cereal Malt beverage license for Dollar General. Commissioner Cowles moved to accept the Cereal Malt Beverage application for Dollar General. Commissioner Hill seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Clerk Mai presented the application for a Cereal Malt beverage license for Sharon Springs Golf Course. Commissioner Cowles moved to accept the Cereal Malt Beverage application for Sharon Springs Golf Course. Commissioner Hill seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Jennie Klinge WCCCC Supervisor and Kara Peter, Director of Nursing entered the meeting. Melinda Daily, Elizbeth Janitell entered the meeting.
Jennie Klinge presented a letter of request for funds of $ 53,501.98.
Brian Gailey and Lyle Hammer are new WCCCC board members.
There was discussion on the future of the WCCCCC.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff visited the board about happenings in his office.
An Emergency Management tabletop training for a recovery plan is set for March 23, 2022 in Oakley. Aften Gardner, Marshall Unruh, a commissioner, Lissa Sexson, a mayor possibly are people to be added to the plan. KDOT is going to rebuild their building and CHS is going to rebuild. He has the 400 page emergency plan completed for Wallace County.
They presently have 2 inmates here and 1in Syracuse.
The Sheriff’s Tahoe transmission is having problems and is in at Herl’s getting serviced.
Marshall stated the if the commissioners are considering raises raises he offers $ 12.00 to 14.00 for FT and $ 15.00 for PT. Marshall has offered a job for a new Sheriff Deputy and he will be starting at $ 20.00 per hr. No raise will be given to this employee if raises are given to all county employees.
Jeremy McGuire-BCBS Representative presented the 2023 rates. Increase of 21.22% for 2023 if the county stays as a Grandfathered plan.
Employee $ 1,042.47 Employee/Spouse $ 2,239.79
Employee/Child $ 2,095.12 Family $ 3,292.43
Sheryl Budke with Nex-Tech presented the TAAS contract of the Courthouse computers. The bid is for $ 5,896.14 a month.
Commissioner Hill moved to sign the contract. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Sheryl presented a contract for the 9 computers that the county still owns for $ 270.00 per month. If the board wanted to add $ 35.00 per month per access point.
JoAnna visited with the board about the Kimble Mapping, Inc. contract for 2023 for $ 8,000.00. Commissioner Hill moved to accept the contract with Kimble Mapping, Inc for 2023 for $ 8,000.00. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Recess for lunch at 12:10 pm.
Return to meeting at 1:10 pm.
Maggie Figurilli, Register of Deeds entered the meeting.
Aften Gardner, Health Administrator entered the meeting to report on the Health Department.
Aften presented her letter of resignation for her position as Health Administrator. Aften has taken a job with KDHE. Aften’s last day is 1-6-2023. Commissioner Townsend moved to accept Aften’s letter of resignation. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
There was a discussion of the possibility of a PT nurse.
Tonya text Aften and stated that she would like to be the administrator. She would be the Administrator and Health Nurse. Becky Chubb would work 5 hrs a day for 5 days a week. The Commissioners would like to visit with Tonya at a future date.
They may need another refrigerator for vaccinations.
Wallace County Website can go live anytime.
ARPA funds, $ 22,800.00. Repeater for FD #2 SH Office needs another radio for $ 4,200.00. 800 radios are going to Fire District #2. More active shooter supplies are needed. EMS monitor. $ 5,900.00. Rec board wish list for around $ 5,000.00. The board agreed that the emergency services need to be considered first. Funds for a copier approved for the courthouse would not be available now.
Lissa Sexson, Rural Champion Grant coordinator.
Lissa presented many opportunities for the county for grants.
Lissa visited with the board about the Valley Falls Retreat where she has met many contacts. Lissa would like the commissioners to consider the registration costs of $125.00-$ 150.00 and use of County Car for the Valley Falls Retreat in January 2023. The board agreed to pay the registration fee of $ 125.00 and the use of the county car.
Debra Fischer presented a bid for a bathroom in the Wallace Park. Estimate of $ 17,612.23. $ 15,500.00 from A&D Concrete, LLC, for the building, $ 1,112.23 from Stateline electrical & $ 1,000.00 from Matt Charles Construction for trenching. She will try and find grants and was wondering if the commissioners would be willing to donate funds towards the bathroom.
Clerk Mai presented Resolution 2022-20 for consideration.
Resolution No. 2022-20
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF WALLACE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONE STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM CALENDAR YEAR 2023
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF WALLACE COUNTY, KANSAS,
Section 1. Pursuant to K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 74-50,223, the Board of County Commissioners expressed its intent to participate in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) student loan repayment program.
Section 2. Wallace County has been designated a Rural Opportunity Zone pursuant to K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 74-50, 222. As of July 1, 2022, the County population was Wallace as certified by the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Section 3. Wallace County Commissioners hereby obligate Wallace County to participate in the ROZ student loan repayment program as provided by K.S.A. 2021 Supp. 74-50,223 for a period of five years, which shall be irrevocable.
Section 4. Wallace County agrees to pay in equal shares with the State of Kansas the outstanding student loan balance of any resident individual for five years if the resident individual meets the terms of qualification provided by the State of Kansas in K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 74-50,223, and the appropriate rules and regulations. The number of qualified resident individuals receiving such payments will be subject to the availability of funds.
Section 5. Wallace County intends to enter into partnerships with Cities, Employers, and Foundations for the direct sponsorship of Rural Opportunity Zone Applicants. Sponsored Applicants must meet all qualifications of the ROZ program. All sponsorships will be subject to ROZ student loan repayment rules and regulations.
Section 6. The maximum student loan balance for each qualified resident individual to be repaid jointly by Wallace County and the State of Kansas shall be $15,000.00 over a term of five years.
Section 7. Wallace County shall allocate $15,000.00 a year for the purpose of matching payments from the State of Kansas to qualified resident individuals. Wallace County shall revise its ROZ budget on an annual basis submitting a new Resolution to the State of Kansas by January 30th each year. Wallace County shall submit their obligation in full to the Department of Commerce before the first day of October each year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be published once in the official county newspaper and shall be in effect from and after its date of publication.
Adopted this 13th day of December 2022 by the Board of Wallace County Commissioners, Wallace County, Kansas.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WALLACE COUNTY, KANSAS
Larry Townsend, Chairman Ronnie Hill, Commissioner
Michael Cowles, Commissioner ATTEST: Jacalyn Mai, County Clerk
Commissioner Hill moved to adopt Resolution 2022-20. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Commissioner Townsend visited with the board about the Wildlife Lesser Prairie Chicken. A lawsuit has been filed.
Duane Barber, Building and Grounds Supervisor entered the meeting to report on his department.
Larry likes the Nativity Scene out front. Hay is from Darrell & Debbie Welsh.
Duane would like all his budget authority funds for 2022 that have not been spent to go to his Equipment Reserve. The board feels that would be a good option to build up his EQR. Clerk Mai will visit with the Auditors and let them know.
Another light has fallen down at the ballfield.
JoAnna Basgall, Deputy Appraiser entered the meeting.
Commissioner Hill moved to sign the contract with Nex-Tech presented the TAAS contract of the Courthouse computers. The bid is for $ 5,896.14 a month. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
Commissioner Hill moved to sign the contract for the 9 laptops for $ 270.00 per month. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
JoAnna Basgall stated that she has a printer that she could use with Wifi but it also could be hard wired also. Commissioner Townsend and Commissioner Hill stated that they think it would be better to be hardwired.
Commissioner Cowles asked Maggie Figurilli what her thoughts were about the Wifi. She stated that it makes no difference to her because she is going to get a router and use another office’s wifi.
After a discussion the board agreed to not have wifi added to the courthouse.
The letter from the Care Center was discussed. Commissioner Cowles moved to give $ 30,000.00 to the WCCCC. Motion died from lack of second.
Commissioner Hill moved to go into executive session at 3:43 pm for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 5 mins and return at 3:47 pm. Invited in are the 3 commissioners and Clerk Mai. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
AYE 3 NAY 0
No action taken.
The board feels that the benefits that the County offers is one of the reasons that we have good employees.
Commissioner Hill moved to accept the BCBS rates for 2023 effective March 2023. Commissioner Cowles seconded.
Employee $ 1,042.47 Employee/Spouse $ 2,239.79
Employee/Child $ 2,095.12 Family $ 3,292.43
AYE 3 NAY 0
2023 raises were discussed. The 2023 raises will wait until the 1st meeting of year when the new commissioners can help decide.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 pm.

ATTEST:
Jacalyn Mai, County Clerk 
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Michael Cowles, Commissioner
Ronnie Hill, Commissioner