The Superior Express -

The Jewell County Commissioners met last Monday morning. Commissioners Keith Roe, and Ed Duskie, were present. Carla J. Waugh, county clerk, was also present for the meeting.

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

Anna Porter said was the deadline to call for a hearing appeal appointment had passed. They had less than 50 hearings scheduled.

Cindy Becker said they attended the governor’s conferences and plan to attend the infectious disease symposium. They have investigated one animal rabies case. Cindy said she signed up the health department for the set-off program for collections. She said the health department would be at the hospital’s health fair on Wednesday.

Kevin Peroutek reported for the Emergency Preparedness department. A person has offered his services on a volunteer basis. Kevin said he will have an information table at the Health Fair to encourage residents to sign up for Everbridge alerts. Kevin was notified that some of the fire department radios had been delivered. For the weed department, he said they haven’t received any applications for the part-time position. He discussed chemical sales and spraying. He said the monthly weed director’s meeting was in Belleville for April. Drones were the topic discussed as they will be used for spraying in the future.

Don Jacobs reported they have one person in jail, Deputy Manual Lucero graduated on April 7 and had started. He discussed the testing of the Everbridge system.

Carla Waugh said she would be sending out 2024 budget requests.

Ed Duskie joined the online meeting for the JJA reported having checked on county roads.

Keith Roe attended the NCRPC meeting at Beloit.

Don Jacobs, sheriff, discussed an agreement with Deputy Rogers and requested the commissioners’ approval. The commissioners approved the agreement with the sheriff’s office and Leonard Rogers.

Kevin Peroutek and Don Jacobs discussed updating the Burn Ban Resolution stating it needed to add verbal permission.

The commissioners approved the cereal malt beverage licenses for Aaron Coil D.B.A. Lovewell Marina.

The commissioners approved to award the Jewell County Rural Water District No. 1, $15,000 of the ARPA Funding with the intent to provide the additional funding in 2025 contingent on a plan from the Jewell County Rural Water District No. 1 for meter hook-ups.

Don Riveria reported Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center provides mobile services and physical offices to 34 counties. He discussed the four core services they provide for children. They are requesting $2,000 for budget request this year.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, discussed road and bridge maintenance. Ed Duskie discussed a bridge on K Road in Limestone township.

Chairman Roe opened the bids for excavator:

Berry Tractor – 2023 Komatsu PC240 - $217,329.19

Berry Tractor – 2023 Komatsu PC210 - $175,388.95

Murphy Tractor – 2023 John Deere 250 - $275,387.85

Murphy Tractor – 2023 John Deere 210P - $223,450.46

Foley Equipment – 2023 Caterpillar 326 - $282,766.25

Foley Equipment – 2023 Caterpillar 323 - $229, 509.10

The following were present for the bid opening: Larry Briand, Berry Tractor; Casey Frasier, Foley Equipment; Phillip Pennington, and Bob Jordan, Murphy Tractor. The board and Joel Elkins requested that Berry Tractor provide bids that include full warranty and service for 72 months 700 hours as requested in bid specifications. Casey Frasier, Foley Tractor, agreed the PM contract is included in Foley Equipment’s bid as well as Murphy Tractor’s bid. Joel Elkins requested to table bids so he can review the bids.