The Elk County Commission meets weekly on Mondays at 1 p.m. The following reports were generated from the approved minutes of the Sept. 8 and 29 meetings, which were approved at a recent meeting.
Sept. 8
The Elk County Commissioners started the Sept. 8 meeting with the Rural Fire District #1 2026 Budget and the County Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and Budget hearings at 1 p.m.
Commissioners approved the Rural Fire District Budget as presented.
Discussion was held with the public regarding the Elk County RNR and Budget. After discussion, the commission approved Resolution 25-07, a resolution for Elk County to levy a property tax rate exceeding the RNR; Resolution 25-08, a roll-call vote of Elk County to levy a property tax exceeding the RNR; and adopted the 2026 Elk County Budget as presented.
Commissioners approved to close the Rural Fire Budget and the County RNR Budget hearing at 1:33 p.m. and to call the regular Elk County Commission meeting to order.
Commissioners approved the minutes of the Aug. 25 regular meeting, warrants in the amount of $177,091.64 and Payroll in the amount of $289,237.36.
Kandy Dowell with the Health Department reported on grant reductions and concerns with the possibility of the WIC program not getting renewed. Dowell also stated the Health Fair is scheduled for Oct. 18. Other department reports were heard from EMS, Appraiser, Public Works, Register of Deeds, Community Development, Sheriff, Rural Fire and County Clerk.
An update was received regarding the property at 1285 Evergreen in Moline. The demolition is finished however, the foundation is still needing hauled off.
Commissioners approved the EMPG Grant Application for 2025 and the Interlocal Safe Streets for All Cooperative Agreement between Chautauqua and Elk Counties which is a federal grant to be managed by Chautauqua County with no local funding.
An update was given in regards to the HVAC system. The system has been completed with the exception of covering exposed lines. A training will be held on how to operate the new system.
Commissioners held three Executive Sessions totaling 18 minutes for non-elected personnel to discuss wages to include Sheriff John Walker (5-minutes), Don Sanders with Public Works (3-minutes) and Dowell (10-minutes) with all sessions to include County Counselor Paul Dean. After returning to open meeting, the council approved to increase the hourly wages for Teely Signer from $16.38 to $18 per hour, Bryce Signer from $16 to $18 per hour, Rob Boutefur from $15.75 to $16.75 and Kristy Hanks from $24.44 to 25.44.
Commissioners also held a 10-minute Executive Session for legal counsel to include Dean. After returning to open meeting, the commissioners approved the Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) Agreement with the notation that the word “not” that is located on the second page in the second paragraph under work product be stricken from the agreement.
The meeting adjourned at 3 p.m.
Sept. 29
The regular meeting of the Elk County Commission was called to order on Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. The minutes from the Sept. 8 meeting will be approved at the next regular meeting. Warrants in the amount of $84,682.95 and Payroll in the amount of $291,159.86 were approved at presented.
Erica Cordell with Emergency Management reported that all county sirens passed the monthly test. Cordell also reported on meeting she attended in September.
Don Sanders with Public Works reported that the department has been working on sink holes in the county roads due to rain. Sanders also stated he is still working on getting FEMA to release funds that were supposed to be released in May.
Diane Cucar with Community Development stated the reception for the Library will be held on Nov. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the courthouse. It was also noted that plumbing work has been started at 300 N. Main in Moline. Reports were also heard from the following departments: Appraiser, Maintenance, Sheriff, Solid Waste and Public Information Officer.
Sanders informed the council that the Noxious Weed Department has outstanding chemical sales that need to be paid. Commissioners approved to collect money owed for chemical with 18% interest on accounts that are more than 30 days past due and on cash sales only after 90 days. Commissioners also approved motions to hold the General Election Canvass on Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. at the courthouse and to appoint Cordell to the canvass board in place of Commissioner Jake Liebau.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
The next meeting of the Elk County Commission will be held on Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.
