The Superior Express -

The Jewell County commissioners met Nov. 29, with commissioners Brent Beck, Steve Greene and Keith Roe present. Carla J. Waugh, county clerk attended the meeting.

The following were present for office head meeting: Alexandria Carabajal, county attorney; Cindy Becker, health administrator; Chris Petet, custodian; Anna Porter, county appraiser; and Kevin Peroutek, noxious weed director, emergency preparedness director and 911 coordinator. Those absent; Amanda Davis, Register of Deeds; Nora Rhoades, Post Rock Extension district director; Shannon Meier, ambulance director; Travis Garst, solid waste director; Brenda Eakins, treasurer; Don Jacobs, sheriff; and Joel Elkins, general superintendent.

Anna Porter said they are waiting for the payment under protest. She is working on values for next year.

Cindy Becker reported Jewell County has 54 active COVID-19 cases with 14 new cases in the past week. She said that EMS is continuing to do the COVID testing. Cindy said the health department would have a mass vaccine clinic on Dec. 1, with EMS assistance. She said she hired someone for the part-time WIC position. She discussed selling the Jeep.

Kevin Peroutek reported for the noxious weed department. Jewell County sponsored the district meeting this month. He said the next district meeting is at Minneapolis. Kevin said they have completed spraying for the year. He reported for emergency preparedness. He has continued to join in the daily web meeting with the other emergency managers. Kevin said they had a table top disaster exercise at Abilene. He said a Regional Homeland Security meeting was at Beloit. The message board is providing vaccine awareness.

Alex Carabajal provided stats for October and November for services provided. She reported she attended a continuing education seminar and discussed the diversion funds. Alex explained the process for “Children in need of care” cases.

Carla Waugh said since the tax statements were mailed, her office has received several inquiries about solid waste fees, intangible tax and the homestead refund process. She said December is open enrollment month for BCBS of Kansas and a notice would be with the payroll.

Steve Greene said he attended detention center meeting.

Brent Beck said the commissioners met to canvass the Nov. 2 election and have been working on contracted employee evaluations.

Keith Roe said he is serving on the NCRPC committee to replace the executive director for the planning commission.

This concluded office head meeting.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, had the agreement for the bridge project on the Republic County line. The bid of L&M Contractors Inc. on Project Number 045 C-4949-01. (3 miles E & 2.5 miles S of Formoso) was approved.

Joel reviewed the bid from PEC for the bridge inspection. The bid from Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) for the bridge inspection contract for 148 bridges at $350 each for a total project fee of $51,800 was approved. The commissioners reported road concerns to Joel Elkins. Joel said the new motor grader is scheduled to be delivered.

Don Jacobs, sheriff, had the contract for the inmate phone from Combined Public Communications, LLC which was approved.

Carla Waugh was appointed as the voting delegate for the KAC Special Election on Jan. 5, 2022, with Brent Beck as first alternate voting delegate and Keith Roe as second alternate voting delegate.