The Greenwood County Commission met Monday, Aug. 3, for its regular weekly meeting, receiving departmental updates, discussing personnel matters and approving routine county business.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood reported that work on the bridge south of U.S. Highway 400 on H Road is expected to begin early this week. Once construction starts, the road is anticipated to be closed for approximately three days. Commissioners also discussed upcoming bridge work at 210th Street and FF Road.
Commissioner Preston Evenson brought up a concern regarding the solid waste management plan, noting he had heard that they may be switching companies. Evenson stated that the current provider, Clean Harbor, is the only company approved for the service within the county.
Commissioners reviewed the treasurer’s report.
County Appraiser Shawna Griffitts presented an employment verification for Susanna Baxter, who was hired as an appraisal clerk at $15.45 per hour, effective Monday. The wage follows the county’s pending entry-level pay scale.
Commissioner Judd Everitt expressed concern about employees beginning work before receiving formal commission approval. Commissioners discussed incorporating procedures into the county’s pay scale policy to ensure new hires receive commission approval before starting employment.
Griffitts said the appraisal office is now fully staffed and she hopes to cross-train employees. She also reported that she expects the office to remain in compliance with state requirements this year.
Griffitts also presented a proposal to replace one of the appraisal office’s vehicles. She said the department currently operates a 2015 or 2016 Jeep with approximately 41,000 miles and a 2020 Jeep with nearly 15,000 miles. Her proposal would move the newer Jeep into the county fleet while purchasing a new vehicle for appraisal work and training travel. She submitted a quote of $33,791 for a Mazda CX-5. Commissioner Roy Ballard asked Griffitts to explore vehicle options that could later be reassigned to other county departments.
Paige Neighbors of the Register of Deeds Office presented a new informational pamphlet highlighting county departments and services. The commission asked her to print the pamphlets and distribute them with various offices within the county.
Commissioners also approved Register of Deeds Sheila Smith’s request to transition from Tyler Technologies software to Fidlar Technologies, a land records management and online records search system currently used by 25 Kansas counties. Smith said the transition will take several months and noted that the county’s current Tyler Technologies contract expires in May 2027. She also informed the commission that she recently earned her certification.
The commission approved the audit management letter with Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, P.A., for the coming year.
Emergency Manager Levi Vinson presented revisions to the county’s proposed pay scale policy, saying additional language was added to address questions. Among the revisions, employees currently earning above market rates would not receive pay reductions but instead would have future raises frozen until market rates align. Vinson also noted that state law prohibits elected officials from receiving pay scale adjustments beyond any cost-of-living increase granted to all employees, prior to being re-elected.
Vinson said a resolution outlining the policy has been drafted, but commissioners plan to consider it after consulting with County Counselor Paul Dean, who was absent from Monday’s meeting.
He also reported that projected payroll costs associated with the proposed pay scale have been reduced from approximately $132,000 to about $107,000, representing a 2.88% increase in payroll.
Commissioners entered a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters related to the proposed pay scale. No action was taken following the session.
The July 27 meeting minutes were approved as presented, along with the following presentation of claims: special payables, $1,613.93; regular payables, $194,299.63; and regular payroll, $157,878.49.
Commissioners will meet next Monday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m., for their next scheduled weekly meeting. The commission will canvass the August primary on Aug. 17 and host their RNR budget hearing on Aug. 24.
