The Greenwood County Commissioners held a short 46-minute meeting on Monday, March 9, where they handled routine business and approved two new township officers.
Greenwood County Commission Chair Preston Evenson shared that a resignation letter had been received from the Salt Springs Township Treasurer Joan Penner. The commission approved the resignation. The resignation was accompanied by a letter from the township noting that the board clerk would move to the position and had found a replacement for the clerk if the county approved the shift in offices. However, Tami Vancil was in attendance on Monday and shared her interest in the treasurer’s position. The commission approved the appointment of Vancil to the vacant treasurer’s position.
The commission also received a letter from Twin Grove Township noting interest from Hal Coble to fill the vacancy on the board following the passing of one of their members, Dana Taliaferro. The commission approved the appointment.
In other new business, Sheriff Heath Samuels asked for support from the commissioners in replacing the 20’x140’ structure at Road and Bridge.
The facility is used by both the road and bridge department and the sheriff’s office. The structure is located on the northeast side of the county lot and also serves as the boundary line for the impound lot. Samuels shared pictures of the structure, noting that it was dilapidated. “The current structure has exceeded its useful life and no longer provides the protection or security required for the equipment stored,” he stated. Samuels wants to gather quotes for a 40’x140’ structure, giving both departments a lean-to option. The new structure will provide a reliable covered storage space for impounded property and county equipment; improved security as part of the impound lot perimeter; protection from weather, reducing damage, depreciation, and county liability; and a longterm, structurally sound replacement for a building that is no longer safe or functional. The commission were in support of updating the structure, which will be funded with impound and road and bridge funds. Commissioners also recommended that Samuels gather quotes for a 50’x140’ structure.
Register of Deeds Sheila Smith shared that Greenwood County will be hosts for Southeast Kansas Spring meeting on Thursday, April 16, at Memorial Hall and asked the commissioners to attend. Seventeen counties are invited to attend the meeting.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson noted that department heads are now working on a policy to coincide with the pay scale. He asked the commission to postpone approval one week to allow for the policy to be approved at the same time. The topic was tabled until the next meeting.
The March 2 meeting minutes and the special payables for March 9, totaling $19,125.43, were approved as presented.
The commissioners held two executive sessions. The first was for five-minutes for a personnel complaint with Appraiser Shawna Griffitts and County Counselor Paul Dean. The second was for 10-minutes with Dean for legal matters about township roads. No action was taken following either executive session.
The commission’s next meeting is slated for Monday, March 16, at 9 a.m.
Following adjournment, the commission held the monthly meeting of the Eureka Township.
