As the Nov. 4 General Election is quickly approaching, Greenwood County Commissioners revisited the discussion during their routine monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, regarding the Eureka Township question that will appear for those residents to vote on. The Eureka Township recently approved a resolution, putting the following on the Nov. 4 ballot: “Shall all powers, duties and functions of the Eureka Township Board be transferred to the Greenwood County Board of County Commissioners and the township board hereby be abolished following the transfer of all assets and property to the board of county commissioners?”
During this week’s meeting, Commissioner Judd Everitt asked for clarification regarding the mill levy and budget moving forward. Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood stated that with Eureka Township’s mill levy, the county would be able to absorb the workload without increasing the mill levy. However, he further elaborated that this will be to continue to maintain township roads; not if they were to maintain them as county roads.
It was further noted that the Eureka Township gained six miles of roads during the realignment earlier this year, giving them 55.57 miles overall. However, with agreements with neighboring townships, it was shared that they currently maintain closer to 50 miles.
If voters were to approve the question, the county commissioners would then become the acting board for the Eureka Township; C. o.n. t i.
n u.e.d.F. r o.m. P. a.g. e .1 ).
however, they would continue to operate it as its own area, utilizing the Eureka Township budget. County officials shared that Eureka Township has budgeted well for road maintenance, but there are several townships that don’t budget adequately for road maintenance.
If voters were to disapprove of the question, Eureka Township will continue to function as normal. Regardless of the vote, county funds will not be utilized to maintain the Eureka Township, as the township budget will continue to be utilized As the road and bridge report continued, Michael Marris provided the bridge inspection report. He shared that there are 192 bridges in Greenwood County, with 84 being on the Rural Secondary (RS) system. Marris noted that Greenwood County didn’t do much work between 1985-2010, which has resulted in many needing maintenance today. He shared that he will continue to work to locate grants to assist the county in replacing/ repairing county bridges.
Greenwood County Clerk Deann McCaffree shared that several members on the board needed to be reappointed or replacements appointed to serve in those districts. The commission planned to gather interest from their districts and discuss at a future meeting.
The commission was invited by K-State Extension and Research
Agent Alisha Fisher to attend the 4-H Achievement Banquet on Nov. 12 and the annual meeting on Dec. 4.
In the calendar, it was noted that the Register of Deeds office servers would be down on Oct. 23 and that early voting begins in the clerk’s office on Monday, Oct. 27.
The commission held a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters (no subject provided) with Greenwood, Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant Kassie Lazar, County Counselor Paul Dean and Clerk McCaffree. No action was taken.
The commission also held a 15-minute executive session with Dean, Greenwood and Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson for legal matters (attorney/ client priviledge). No action was taken.
The commission approved the Oct. 20 special payables, totaling $1,233.85; and the Oct. 13 meeting minutes, as presented.
Commissioner Preston Evenson was absent from the weekly meeting.
The next scheduled meeting of the Greenwood County Commission is Monday, Oct. 27, at 9 a.m.
