The Elk County Commission meets weekly on Mondays at 1 p.m. The following report was generated from the approved minutes of the March 10 regular meeting minutes and the March 17 special meeting minutes, which were approved at a recent meeting.
The regular meeting of the Elk County Commission was called to order on March 10 at 1 p.m. The commission approved the Feb. 24 meeting minutes.
Duringdepartmentreports, EMS Director Gillian Beaumont presented the monthly reports for December 2024 in the amount of $1,768.58 and January 2025 in the amount of $1,286.37. EMS is still waiting on some insurance returns. Deputy Appraiser Chris Miller presented a new Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Emergency Management Erica Cordell attended the Healthcare Coalition Meeting in Chanute on Feb. 25. She also reported the Jeep was picked up, however it was still having issues and it had to be taken back and fixed again. It is now running better. Elk County participated in the state-wide siren test and all sirens passed. On March 5, Cordell held the Annual Storm Spotters Workshop. She also hosted the KEMA meeting on March 6. Cordell reported that Longton is under a boil water advisory through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) due to the water tower being emptied during a house fire. Cordell also reported that she became a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager on March 8.
Don Sanders with Public Works presented the Annual Noxious Weed Ratification Progress Report from 2024 with a total of $268,000 in revenue and $251,000 in expenditures. Sanders also presented the 2025 Weed Management Plan. Commissioners approved the 2025 Weed Management Plan and the Annual Noxious Weed Ratification Progress Report.
Todd Winscher with Rural Fire asked the commission to place a Burn Ban for Elk County starting March 12 due to the National Weather Service advising not to burn. Cordell stated the week of March 12 is Red Flag Warning Week. The commission approve to place a burn ban starting on March 12 until further notice.
The commission approved the Advantage Contract to be renewed as presented by Treasurer Rachel Ware. Ware also stated the computers in the courthouse need to be replaced due to the software being outdated. After discussion, the topic of new computers was tabled. Ware also discussed the importance of turning in detailed receipts to the clerk’s office for conferences and classes, with the dates, meeting names, and location, on the receipts.
Diane Cucar with Community Development stated the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge was held on March 5.
The winners will go to K-State. Cucar stated she will be attending a Rural Prosperity Workshop with the Elk County Community Foundation. Cucar also stated there is a quarterly report for the Industrial Park coming up, that she will have Shari Kaminska with Community Development help with.
Kandy Dowell with the Health Department presented her annual KDHE Grant Application for signatures for the State Formula, IAP, and PHEP grants in the amount of $22,896.48, which was approved by the board.
Greg Hennen with Four County Mental Health stated that they checked into the Family Dollar building on the highway instead of building a new building, however the owners of that property had no interest in selling at this time. Four County Mental Health would be interested in the Community Development Block Grant to help build a building by the Health Department. Hennen stated they would need information on the demographics for the population of the area they are serving and how the community would be impacted. That study would have to be done within the next 3 or 4 months. SKCEDD will be the contact for Four County Mental Health to get help with the grant.
Tammy Taylor with Twin Valley presented a proposal for a new phone system for the county. The system is a Voice Over Internet phone system in the amount of $946 per month, for 43 phones with warranties. The proposed system would save the county around $500 per month. After discussion, no decisions were made.
Commissioners held five Executive Sessions (10 minutes for EMS with Beaumont and County Counselor Paul Dean; 5 minutes for Courthouse Security with Dean; 5 minutes to discuss Non-elected Personnel for Public Works with Dean, Sanders, and Payroll Clerk Malarie Chamberlain; 5 minutes and 10 minutes for Legal with Dean) with no decisions being made. The council also held an Executive Session for 20 minutes to discuss Non-elected personnel with Dean. After returning to open meeting, the wage scale was reviewed. Commissioner Russell will present a professional wage scale for approval at the next meeting.
Jacob Hurla and Tyler Garst from Community Building Solutions were present to discuss the Courthouse improvements. They presented the final project summary with pricing, and need approval to move forward with the project. They have been working with the Kansas State Preservation office to be able to transfer 40% tax credit to the county for the project, after it is completed. Upgrades will include: a new HVAC system with customer training, with 1-year workmanship for the HVAC units and a 10 year compressor warranty included and major electrical upgrades including new LED lighting installation with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. VUE Engineering with provide the professional design services. After discussion, the commission approved to move forward with using Community Building Solutions for the project and to find financing for the electric, lighting and HVAC units in the amount of $772,526, contingent on final review of the Construction Agreement.
During commissioner discussion, it was stated that Bank of Commerce will be using the Neighborhood Revitalization Program to build on the highway. Cucar will check into the tax credits on the building improvements on how to sell them.
The commission approved Warrants in the amount of $128,388.35; Payroll in the amount of $281,388.35 and Added Payroll in the amount of $430.60. The commissioners also approved Resolution 25-03, authorizing the Lease Purchase and Finance through Howard State Bank for a 2024 Dodge Durango for Emergency Management in the amount of $49,349.64; with Elk County paying a down payment of $12,223.90, leaving a lease amount of $37,125.75.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:41 p.m.
Special Meeting
The Elk County Commissioners held a Special Meeting on March 17 at 10 a.m.
Discussion was held regarding Resolution 21-02 the Revised Elk County Burning Regulations. The commission approved to revise Resolution 21-02, Section 6 to remove the words agricultural needs and add when the wind speed exceeds 25 mph or the humidity is below 20% no burning will be allowed.
The commission recessed for 10 minutes. After returning to open session, the commission approved to adopt Resolution 21-02 Section 6 to read as follows: That no open burn shall be conducted on a day that the National Weather Service’s forecast indicates that “extreme fire danger” or red flag day conditions will exist during any portion of the day as determined by 8:00 o’clock a.m. of said day. Further, the Elk County Sheriff’s dispatch will recommend all callers not to conduct open burns during forecasts indicating a “high fire danger” when wind speed exceeds 25 MPH or the humidity is below 20% no burning will be allowed.
The Special Meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
