The Greenwood County Commission approved to create a shared signage position and addressed a range of county business during its weekly meeting on Monday, March 30, including employee wages, updates, community concerns and routine business.
After amending a prior motion to hire a full-time employee at Noxious Weed for signage projects, the commission approved a shared position between the Road & Bridge and Noxious Weed departments. The new position will offer a wage ranging between $15.45 - $18.35, depending on the qualifications of the applicant.
In other personnel matters, commissioners approved wage increases for two Noxious Weed employees following the completion of testing. Interim Director Deborah Selfridge was moved to $23.87/hour and Technician Devin Harris was moved to $19.38/hour.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood provided a weekly report to the commission. It was noted that the county is purchasing land (north and south rightof- ways) on 250th and H Road for a bridge project through KDOT. Greenwood also noted the county hasn’t yet received a payment from the City of Eureka for LEPP violations.
The commission reappointed Linda Snyder to serve a four-year term as a delegate with the SCKAA Ten County Aging Board of Directors.
A flood risk review meeting for Greenwood County is planned for April 7, at 2 p.m. at the Eureka Public Library.
The treasurer’s report was reviewed.
The March 23 meeting minutes, along with the special payables, totaling $5,500.65; regular payables, totaling $156,383.72; and regular payroll, totaling $157,861.40; were approved as presented.
Greenwood County Extension Agent Alisha Fisher asked the commission to consider donating $1,000 to the 4-H Foundation again this year for the purpose of renting inflatables during the annual fair. In previous years, both the county and the City of Eureka have assisted with this cost. The annual fair is slated for July 24-27, with the inflatables being available for free to area youth on Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The commission approved the request.
During public comment, Greenwood County resident Frank McCollum expressed concerns about rising taxes and county spending. He questioned employee raises and the proposed pay scale, suggesting the county reassign existing workers rather than hire new staff. “You can’t keep raising taxes,” McCollum said.
Commissioners responded by noting ongoing challenges in retaining qualified employees and the need to remain competitive in wages. Emergency Manager Levi Vinson added that the proposed pay scale could result in long-term savings by reducing the need for annual cost-of-living adjustments, noting that most positions are already aligned with the recent market study.
Vinson also raised concerns about the condition of a roadway shared between Greenwood and Elk counties, particularly between K and L Road, after receiving complaints from a constituent. County Counselor Paul Dean, who also serves as the County Counselor in Elk County, planned to bring up the topic during the Elk County weekly commission meeting.
The commission approved continuing to pay county employees who also serve as volunteer firefighters their regular ahourly wage when they are dispatched to fire calls during work hours.
The next meeting for the Greenwood County Commission is slated for Monday, April 6, at 9 a.m.
