Greenwood County commissioners discussed routine business during their weekly meeting on Monday, March 16.
Arlene Edwards noted she attended the "Politics & Pastries" event hosted by Greenwood County Farm Bureau on Saturday, March 14, with Senator Michael Fagg and Representative Duane Droge. Edwards said that not one commissioner was in attendance and stated that "we should be
proactive, not reactive."
Commissioners noted that they weren’t aware of the event being held and asked for details shared at the event. Edwards was going to gather additional details on specifics before sharing.
Greenwood County Health Department Direc tor Jayme Lewis presented several grants, totaling $32,308, for signatures. The commissioners approved the grants for signature.
Commissioners also asked Lewis about the Eu reka Senior Center “Adopt A Senior Program." Lewis noted that the center has been collecting donations to ensure seniors continue to have access to lunches or frozen meals. The sug- gested contribution is $4 per meal for individuals age 60 and older and $7.08 for those under 60. However, donations from the community help keep the program strong and ensure no one is turned away due to an in- ability to contribute. Those wishing to pay for meals or make a donation by check should make checks pay- able to SCKAAA Nutrition and send in care of the Eu- reka Senior Center, 209 N. Oak St., Eureka, KS 67045.
The commission held two executive sessions for per sonnel matters and each were for five minutes. The first was with Lewis and County Counselor Paul Dean and the second was with Clerk Deann McCaf - free and Dean. No action was taken after returning to open session. The commission failed to provide a subject matter for either session. Under the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), a public body must include both a specific justification and the subject(s) to be discussed when making a formal motion to recess into an executive session. These two components are not the same and both are legally required for the motion to be valid.
Greenwood County Treasurer Stacie Pearse presented a quote from Advantage Computers for six computers, one laptop and a backup, totaling $13,620.50. The commissioners approved the purchase as presented.
It was noted that a tornado occurred in the Madison/Virgil area last week and leveled a barn at Larry and Mary Fankhauser's property. No injuries were reported; however, one cow was killed as a result of the severe weather last week.
(Editor’s note: The National Weather Service visited the area and reported that the cause of the destruction was from a downburst. A downburst is a powerful, localized column of sinking air within a thunderstorm that crashes to the ground, creating straight-line winds, sometimes exceeding 150 mph (240 km/h). Often lasting 5 to 30 minutes, they cause damage similar to tornadoes but with outward, radiating patterns rather than rotation).
Other discussions included: the growing Amish community near Neal (including building permits and property being added to tax rolls the following year); a bridge located on 110 th and Q or
Q50 that may need review (a county employee will be directed to review the bridge); the new equipment lease (noting the skid steer should be available no later than May 5); Commissioner Judd Everitt asking for a percentage breakdown of taxes paid by Eureka Lake residents to Eureka Township vs. other residents within the township; and discussion regarding county workers working remotely and/or working a four-day week instead of a five-day week. In calendar events, it was noted that the commission was invited to the KDA "Coffee & Conversations" event on Wednesday, March 18, from 8:30-10 a.m., at the Greenwood Hotel.
The commission approved the March 9 meeting minutes; special payable for March 16, totaling $2,358.24; regular payables for March 20, totaling $204,629.76; and regular payroll for March 20, totaling $160,877.26; as presented.
The pay scale and policy approval work session was tabled until next week's meeting.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commission is slated for Monday, March 23, at 9 a.m.
