The Greenwood County Commission held a relatively short business meeting on Monday, April 21; with the majority of the meeting being held for executive sessions.
A total of 55 minutes of the meeting was held in executive session, with no decisions coming from any of the six different sessions. The commission first met in executive session for legal reasons with the Greenwood County Health Department administrator, Jayme Lewis and RN Vicki Lindsey and County Counselor Paul Dean for a total of 10 minutes. The same group met for 10 minutes for personnel matters. The commission then held a 5 minute session for personnel matters with County Clerk Deann McCaffree and Dean. A total of 20 minutes was taken for legal matters, regarding roads with Dean and Levi Vinson with Greenwood County Emergency Management. Dean called a 5 minute session for legal matters regarding the personnel policy and the final session was for 5 minutes for legal matters with the commission and Dean.
During the Road and Bridge report, the commission approved the purchase of a 2023 round-bottom trailer at $55,250 from Berry Tractor; and the purchase of 12 culverts (various sizes) totaling $9,977.74. The commission also approved to hire Monti Hunter as a CDL driver at $17/hour.
As discussion continued regarding the crossing between HH and GG Roads on 50th Street, the commission discussed various options to correct the crossing. Ultimately, the commission approved a bid from Ramsey Concrete, totaling $37,000. This will allow for footing to be poured below the failed sides, form walls and extend the throat of the one tin whistle currently in place.
It was also noted that a project close-out would be held for the bridge located at U and 100th Street.
In new business, Greenwood County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent Ben Sims asked the county to once again split the fee of the water inflatables during the annual Greenwood County Fair.
Sims noted that he is on the agenda to discuss the topic with the Eureka City Council on Monday, April 28. The total for the inflatables is $2,000. The commission approved to pay for half of the fee. The inflatables will be at the Greenwood County Fair on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During the meeting, Greenwood County Health Department’s Lindsey noted that her last day would be on Wednesday, April 23. She expressed appreciation to the commission, her staff and several department heads for their support over the years. Lindsey also noted that as of Thursday, Lewis would be the sole administrator at the health department. She also requested a $1/ hour increase for Lewis as she had completed her 90day evaluation. The commission approved the request. Another motion was later made to switch Lewis from hourly to salary as she moves to the department head position.
Lindsey also brought up a concern regarding payroll, noting that it is the administrator’s and employees’ job to submit time sheets. She went on to note that changes shouldn’t be made to an employee’s time without talking to those specific department heads.
To conclude health department discussion, Lewis shared that employee Cami Cooper had also completed her 90-day evaluation and requested a $1/hour raise, moving her to $16/hour. The request was approved.
Greenwood County Commissioner Judd Everitt shared that a meeting was recently held with the Greenwood County Hospital and EMS. It was his understanding that both parties were happy with how things were going with transfers.
Commissioner Preston Evenson was absent from the meeting as he was attending the Kansas Association of Commissioners (KAC) meeting in Manhattan.
The April 14 meeting minutes and special payables for April 21, totaling $8,891.04, were approved as presented.
Greenwood County Commissioners signed an engagement letter with JGP, PA for this year’s audit.
The next Greenwood County Commission meeting is Monday, April 28, at 9 a.m.
