Jewell County Commissioners agree to proceed with tax sale

The Jewell County Commissioners met, Feb. 28. Commissioners Steve Greene, Brent Beck and Keith Roe were present. Carla J. Waugh, county clerk, was also present.

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

Shannon Meier reported starting on the floor on their building project. He said EMS shifted COVID-19 testing back to the health department.

Cindy Becker reported seven positive COVID-19 cases. She said testing is down. She said the state health department said contact tracing in the schools needs to start back up.

Kevin Peroutek reported for the weed department. Bill Burgess has returned to working part-time. Burgess and Peroutek attended training. Peroutek will attend the annual noxious weed conference in Topeka. He reported for emergency preparedness saying he attended the disaster table top exercise in Salina. He has been fielding ARPA requests. Some have inquired about getting a decision before April 1. He will provide a presentation to the Boy Scouts for working toward their Eagle Scout badge.

Carla Waugh said they have been reorganizing the office.

Alex Carabajal reported ten traffic tickets, four investigations, one child in need of care and six criminal cases. Alex and the commissioners discussed services provided by Pawnee Mental Health Services.

Keith Roe said that the North Central Regional Planning Commission is searching for an executive director. Keith is on the search committee.

Brent Beck asked if any department heads discussed the proposed 2 percent increase for hourly employees with their employees.

Steve Greene said he attended the Juvenile Detention Center Board meeting, Pawnee Mental Health Services meeting and the hospital board meeting. He said the commissioners are going to the multi-county meeting hosted by Smith County.

The commissioners reviewed Cindy Becker’s completed grant application. It was signed and sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Brenda Eakins, treasurer, provided a list of delinquent taxes. Alex Carabajal said it can take up to 18 months for the actual tax sale with legal notices and statutory waiting periods. Commissions agreed to proceed with a tax sale.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, discussed maintenance projects. He said he had a new employee starting.

Peroutek discussed ARPA grant applications. He said he has a meeting in March with the fire chiefs and emergency responders.

The meeting was adjourned at 11 a.m. The commissioners and county clerk attended the multi-county meeting hosted by Smith County. Counties in attendance were Jewell, Mitchell, Osborne and Smith. Ashley Maxwell, Smith County clerk, provided a report on the fees paid by each county for the LEPG program. It was suggested to increase the fees 20 percent to cover the deficit. Anna Porter, county appraiser, discussed valuation notices that are being mailed soon. Dennis Odom, Team Lab, gave a presentation for Base One liquid base stabilizer. The next meeting will be hosted by Jewell County on May 23.