The Regular Kiowa County Commissioner’s Meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Richard Scott on December 29, 2016. Scott opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were:

Richard Scott, Chairman

Cindy McLoud, Commissioner

Donald Oswald, Commissioner

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk

Tina Adamson, County Administrator

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to accept the minutes as presented. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Scott moved and McLoud seconded the motion to approve the agenda with 4 additions to New Business.  The additions were: Supplemental Appropriation for DSS, Bereavement, Interview Dates, and School Choice Week Proclamation. All Commissioners voted Affirmative

Old Business:

Teresa Witte, DEM Coordinator entered the meeting at 9:25 a.m. to request approval and signature on the 2017 EMPG Grant she has applied for. Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to sign the 2017 EMPG Grant. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Witte reported on the table top exercise she held on December 28, 2016. Witte said there were 16 people in attendance with several entities being represented. Chris Sorensen and Riley Frazee with the State were also present and provided much greater detail of what would be needed if there was an actual emergency in Kiowa County.

Community member, Jo Shoemaker entered the meeting at 09:55 a.m. to discuss the Coordinator position at the Eads Senior Citizens Center and the Ceramic Coordinator position which both employees had resigned from. Others members of the community in attendance were Honeybelle “Eunice” Dixon, Jackie Patterson, Shirley Watts and Katie Rittgers.  Shoemaker questioned why the Senior Citizen employees being Frazee and Pfingston had their salaries cut. Scott explained that every entity had to make cuts for the 2017 year. Shoemaker said everyone else had been given a raise and the commissioners cut Frazee and Pfingston.  Linda Watts the active Director for Prairie Pines and Tina Kraft (Upcoming Director) entered the meeting and voiced their concern in regards to the two resignations at the Senior Center. Watts reported there were residents at Prairie Pines who are very upset that they will not be able to do ceramics. She too commented she felt there could have been something else cut in order to keep Frazee and Pfingston. Commissioner Scott said one thing the Board had hoped for was to have volunteers step up and help with these positions and that the two would have remained employees. Shoemaker said she understood everyone working for the County had received a raise and Commissioner Oswald explained that the elected officials did not receive raises. Oswald explained to the members of the audience the elected officials were to receive a raise set by the State but the Commissioners elected not to allow any elected official in Kiowa County to receive that raise. Members of the audience questioned as to why there was such cuts to be made. The Commissioners explained due to the valuations being down and with V & S railroad in dispute over their taxes there had to be some cuts. There was continued discussion over the two resignations with the community members stating overall they would like to have Frazee and Pfingston still remain as employees. Scott suggested that these community members reach out to the recreation district to see if they have any funds to assist in the salaries for these two. Linda Watts said she would look into the different options available and would get in contact with the other community members present. Everyone exited the meeting at 10:50 a.m.  

Reports and Upcoming meetings were reviewed. The February and March meetings are set for the 14^th and the 28^th for these two months.

NEW BUSINESS: The landfill inspection report from the State was discussed. The State reported there were 13 deficiencies in Haswell and 12 in Eads. The State will be here on January 19, 2017 for a work session and the Commissioners will get a clearer understanding of what is required to get these landfills back in regulation.

Administrator Adamson advised the Board 2 volunteer board members had resigned from their positions. Nancy Walker had resigned from the Fair Board and Theresa Weber from the Sheridan Lake & Brandon Cemetery Board. Adamson will advertise these two volunteer positions.

Bereavement time was discussed. The Commissioners agreed in the policy book 3 days were allowed for this.

Job interviews will take place January 6, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. for the road and bridge position in the District 1 area.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to designate Tina Adamson and Cora Grandy as representatives to the County Health Pool. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to Sign the Division Order for Strachan Exploration for land exploration in Kiowa County, due to the change of ownership. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to sign the Adoption of Section 125 Plan Agreement. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and Scott seconded the motion not to sign the Proclamation for School Choice Program. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.    

Oswald moved and Scott seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11:56 a.m. All Commissioners voted Affirmative. The meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting at 1:00 p.m. to give a report for Social Services.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to sign the Certificate of Compliance with the Merit System for the Department of Social Services. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to have Don Steerman remain as legal council for the Department of Social Services for the same fee for the year of 2017. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Pearson reported that there are 424 people in Kiowa County on Medicaid. Pearson said Medicaid had paid $2,084,536 from June 2015-July 2016. These funds covered doctor visits, hospital stays, mental health, and medications.

Pearson asked if the Commissioners would consider moving Kailey Meardon to a case-worker. Discussion over salaries incurred. The conversation was tabled and discussion will follow at the January 26, 2017 meeting.

Scott Wilson with the Brownfields Contract entered the meeting to discuss the plan for the removal of asbestos on the Rialto Motel. Weecycle will be the Industrial Hygienist for the Rialto Project. An Industrial Hygienist studies and measures the air quality as the asbestos is being removed. Road Foreman Howard entered the meeting at 2:20 p.m. to discuss the plan and set a date for the Rialto project demolition.

Scott moved and McLoud seconded the motion to approve the agreement with Scott Wilson. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to adopt a Resolution for Supplemental Appropriation of $35,000.00 for the Department of Social Services. Pearson explained the supplemental would come from the State and Federal funds that were already available to be expended once the Commissioners approved the resolution. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:56 p.m. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.