The Elk County Commission meets weekly on Mondays at 1 p.m. The following report was generated from the approved minutes of the April 14 meeting minutes, which were approved at a recent meeting.
The Elk County Commission meeting was called to order on April 14 at 1 p.m. followed by reciting The Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the March 31 meeting were approved.
During Public Forum, Kaye Spooner presented changes within the election rules.
In Department Reports, EMS Director Gillian Beaumont presented the March report and informed the council that Elk County was awarded all items from the KRAFT grant in the amount of $19,148 with the County match being $6,382.
Erica Cordell, with Emergency Management, conducted a weather presentation for the West Elk 4th grade class on April 2. On April 3, Cordell attended the monthly KEMA meeting in Woodson County. It was noted that the new Emergency Management vehicle was picked up on April 11. Cordell stated the next LEPC meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 17 at the Cox Building. The Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was discussed. The board approved to adopt Resolution 25-04, which allows Elk County Rural Fire to be in the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Don Sanders with Public Works presented progress reports. Sanders stated he will be purchasing asphalt for $67 per ton from the Highway Project. The aprons have been poured on the Green Ranch Bridge, however, Elk County is still waiting on FEMA funds.
During the Recycling report, it was noted that the recycling trailer has been shut down at the Howard location due to trash being put in the bins. It was noted that the E-Waste and Hazardous Material cleanup is scheduled for June 28 at the Rodeo Grounds.
Other reports being presented were the Register of Deeds and Sheriff John Walker discussed employees attending the academy and Jake Circle being hired as a dispatcher.
The board approved the lease purchase agreement with Howard State Bank for a 2024 Dodge Durango in the amount of $37,125.74.
Discussion was held regarding clean-up of the property at 1285 Evergreen in Moline.
A separate call was made to each commissioner by County Clerk Kerry Harrod to get the Community Building Solutions contract approved. The outcome was 3-0 in favor of approving the contract. Chairman Doug Hendricks signed the contract and it was emailed to Jacob Hurla. Harrod stated a project tax exemption certificate was applied for through the State and was also sent to Hurla.
Brandi Mast with the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) stated the Foundation is a non-profit, funded through grants and fund raisers. ECCF’s goal is to improve the quality of life for residents of Elk County through a lot of different means. Mast said they have been fortunate the last 2 years to have received a matching grant through the Patterson Family Foundation. Last year, about thirty grants were given out to different organizations. Mast has been working with Community Development Director Diane Cucar on setting up food pantries throughout the county.
The board approved to enter into an agreement with AirMedCare for full and part-time employees at the rate of $75 per employee per year to be paid by the county.
The commissioners held an executive session for non-elected personnel to discuss wages with Sheriff Walker and County Counselor Paul Dean. After returning to open session, it was approved to increase Teely Signer’s hourly wage from $15.38 to $16.38 for completing training.
The board held 3 executive sessions with no action taken after returning to open meeting for attorney client privilege for legal issues with Sheriff Walker, Clerk Harrod and County Counselor Dean.
After discussion was held in regards to the Everon Alarm System for the courthouse, the commissioners approved to enter into a 36-month agreement with Everon in the amount of $4,726.72 with a recurring service charge of $33.20 per month for an alarm system in the courthouse.
The commissioned approved the warrants in the amount of $202,756.98.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:56 p.m. The next meeting of the Elk County Commission will be held on May 19 at 1 p.m.
