The Jewell County Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 27. Commissioners Brent Beck, Keith Roe and Ed Duskie, were present. Carla Waugh, county clerk was present for the meeting.

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

Shannon Meier said calls have slowed down.

Anna Porter discussed the shift in values. She is preparing the change of value notices and received an extension to send them out by March 17.

Kevin Peroutek reported for emergency preparedness. He said Don Jacobs, assistant EMP, hosted the fire chief meeting last month where they provided maps to each department. Kevin said they are organizing a recovery exercise that includes a group of community members. For the noxious weed department, Peroutek said he would attend the annual weed conference. He placed an advertisement to hire a sprayer operator.

Chris Petet said Glassman Corp., was working on the heating system in the courthouse.

Alex Pierce reported the following cases: seven fish and game; two child in need of care; one juvenile; 55 traffic tickets and some felony cases. She discussed the tax sale.

Carla Waugh said the auditor would visit the week of April 3. She said some department’s need to submit their inventory listings.

Cindy Becker said she submitted grant applications and is working on the emergency preparedness plan for her department.

Keith Roe said he attended the JCDDA meeting and the regional planning meeting. He said he looked at a lot of roads.

Ed Duskie said he attended the soil conservation meeting and has been looking at roads.

Brent Beck said he attended the juvenile detention center meeting, the hospital board meeting and also has been looking at roads. Beck said the commissioners would be going to Smith Center for the four county meeting. This concluded office head meeting.

Shannon Meier requested an executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. The regular session resumed with Brent Beck moving to return to executive session for 5 more minutes to discuss non-elected personnel with Shannon Meier present. Regular session resumed with no action taken.

Cindy Becker requested a 5 minute executive session to discuss financial affairs with her present. Regular session resumed with no action taken. Cindy Becker reported the COVID-19 grants will reimburse for the wages of the COVID-19 nurse. She said they were able to purchase a new HVAC system for the south end of the building. She talked to City of Mankato about leveling the alley for access to the shed. The health department established a website using grant funding.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, had a right of way agreement for the commissioners’ approval. They approved the agreement between Jewell County and Cunningham Telephone Company to bury fiber optic cable from Highway 28 and 270 Road going to North 3400.

The commissioners approved the IBM maintenance renewal contract with Sirius.

The commissioners discussed the courthouse hours change and approved them: Monday through Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. effective March 20, 2023.

Chris Petet, custodian, discussed heating and cooling for the courtroom.

The commissioners and the county clerk left to attend the multi-county meeting hosted by Smith County with Mitchell and Osborne counties in attendance. Murphy Tractor representatives reviewed the services they provide and the location of their service centers. The group discussed the pay for Phil Murrow, sanitarian. It was agreed that a voting ballot should be sent to each county in the sanitation district to vote on the pay. Keith Roe discussed Jewell County Courthouse hours change. The group discussed weight limits on county roads. The next meeting will be hosted by Jewell County on June 12.