The Greenwood County Commissioners held a lengthy, but routine, meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, where they discussed several items.
During new business, Greenwood County Fire Chief Glen Collinge shared two bids with the commission as the Greenwood County Central Division was looking at purchasing new gear, with the assistance of the county. The first bid was from Emergency Fire Equipment totaling $13,083.40; with the second being from Weis Fire & Safety Equipment, LLC for $13,422. Chief Collinge shared that both bids were comparable, although for different brands of gloves, boots jacket and pants, with Central Division paying $8,000 of the cost. The commission approved the bid from the local vendor, Emergency Fire Equipment.
Appraiser Shawna Grifftts asked for funds for goodies for the annual Trick/Trunk-Or-Treat Main Street event, slated for Thursday, Oct. 30. The commission approved to spend $150 on treats for the annual event.
With a special Zoom presentation, the commission heard from the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Property Valuation Division (PVD) regarding the county’s summary of substantial compliance results. This refers to the annual assessment by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s PVD to ensure that county appraisers are meeting the standards for mass appraisals. The “substantial compliance” rating is based on performance measures, procedural audits, and adherence to statutory mandates. During the presentation, it was noted that Greenwood County was outside of the substantial compliance marker, but scored highly on the procedural side. It was mentioned that smaller counties are struggling with the residential side, as they have to go back 4-6 years to get enough data to do the studies they need to do, with the goal of hitting the market value of the current year. County Appraiser Griffitts stated, “I know what the market is doing currently.” But further elaborated that she didn’t want to change a home from “average” to “very good” just because the cost of the sale was higher. “The numbers will eventually come up,” she said. It was also mentioned that changing the ranking of the home would also increase valuations in the county.
Discussion also continued regarding staffing where Griffitts shared that the department is currently full staffed, with the two newest employees being close to their annual mark. She did note that she would be looking for an employee at the end of the year as she will be losing a staff member.
To conclude the meeting, Greenwood County Commissioners held a conversation regarding the Eureka Township question that will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, which gives the residents in Eureka Township the option to vote to continue with the township or transfer duties to the commission (to serve as the township board). Discussion noted that the maintenance would continue; however, residents in that township would see an increase in their mil levy to afford the expenses. Vinson said, “I believe it is reasonable to expect that if this succeeds, there will be more.” Discussion was also held regarding the county/township populations decreasing.
Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant Kassie Lazar shared that the bridge on River Road was expected to be open and ready to go on Thursday of this week. Lazar also noted that Supervisor Allen Greenwood would be meeting with MMI this week to discuss asphalt options. County Commissioner Preston Evenson noted that he would like to see the bridge on F Road and 200th Street on the project list for replacement. Lazar and Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson shared that the bridge was on the project list, possibly a couple of years out.
The commission approved to hire Cameron Galvan as a full-time employee at the Road and Bridge Department, starting at $18.25/hour, effective Oct. 6.
The commission approved for Evenson to be the voting delegate at the KCAMP and KWORCC meetings, with Chair Mac Obourn being an alternate.
A road viewing was scheduled for an Otter Creek Township dead-end road on E25 Road (also referred to as County Road 434), south of 50th Street, as a road closing petition had been filed by Ron Mann. The commission scheduled the viewing for Nov. 3, at 11:30 a.m. A legal publication will be included in the next two issues of The Eureka Herald.
The commission also approved a CMB License (on premises) for Troll King/ Tri-Corner, as they are planning to open the café side for pool league; special payables, totaling $5,771.11; regular payables, totaling $185,111.38; regular payroll, totaling $156,703.27; and the Oct. 6 meeting minutes as presented.
County Counselor Paul Dean noted that it wasn’t the Attorney General’s office that hadn’t signed off on the tax sale information, it was the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The next Greenwood County Commission meeting is slated for Monday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.
