The Elk County Commission meets weekly on Mondays at 1 p.m. The following report was generated from the approved minutes of the Nov. 24 meeting, which were approved at a recent meeting.
Elk County Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. Commissioners approved the Nov. 10 regular meeting minutes and the Nov. 13 canvass minutes as presented.
Erica Cordell gave commissioners an update on meetings and trainings she attended during November. It was also noted that the SAMs were renewed until Nov. 13, 2026. The county must be current in the program to be eligible to receive grant funding.
Commissioners were presented with the county logo. Diane Cucar with Community Development stated if any department heads would like business cards with the logo, to let her know.
Undersheriff Kelly Young presented quotes on a new patrol vehicle that would replace a damaged vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department would like to lease a 2026 Toyota for $56,000. The department has been working with a dispatch center that is assisting with the updated dispatch equipment to make it more conducive for all the computers to run thoroughly. The cost will be paid for with 911 funds. Undersheriff Young also stated the department hired three new deputies and on new dispatcher.
Treasurer Rachel Ware stated that the Treasurer’s Office received 1st Place in their region with a 99% on the Quality Assurance Review (QAR) from the Kansas Department of Revenue that was conducted.
The QAR is an audit of documents that are scanned and sent to the State for all the title transactions done in the office. Ware also stated that tax statements were mailed out and the computer installation was started. It was noted that Ware is waiting for deeds for the tax sale.
Commissioners approve to transfer $200,000 to Employee Benefits and $10,000 to the Health Department with the funds to be transferred from the Windfarm Fund. Commissioners also approved a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment increase for 2026, effective on the January 2026 payroll.
A $100 bonus to full-time and $50 bonus to part-time employees was approved by commissioners. Warrants in the amount of $83,023.49 and Payroll in the amount of $288,584.02 were also approved.
Manny Coya with Amazon was present to explain how having a business account would save the county money and offer more vendors to purchase from. The commission agreed to open a business account with Amazon.
Commissioners approved to publish the Budget Amendment notice in the Prairie Star and hold the Budget Amendment Hearing on Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. in the Commission Room.
A four-minute Executive Session was held to discuss non-elected personnel regarding employee review to include County Treasurer Ware and County Counselor Paul Dean. After returning to open session, commissioners approved a merit wage increase for Jessica Kessler from $15.38 to $16.38 per hour.
Commissioners approved to recess into an informational 5-minute Executive Session to discuss a road with Public Works Supervisor Don Sanders and Dean. No decisions were made after returning to the open meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:13 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Elk County Commission will be held on Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.
