The Superior Express -

The Jewell County commissioners met Feb. 26. Commissioners Keith Roe, Ed Duskie and Brent Beck were present. Carla J. Waugh, county clerk, and Myka Zadina were present for the meeting.

The following were present for the office head meeting and provided an update for their department: Shannon Meier, ambulance director; Chris Petet, custodian; Scott Wright, county attorney; Cindy Becker, health administrator; and Carla J Waugh, county clerk. Those absent: Amanda Davis, register of deeds; Don Jacobs, sheriff; Joel Elkins, general superintendent; Nora Rhoades, Post Rock extension district director; Brenda Eakins, treasurer; Anna Porter, county appraiser; James A. Vaughan IV, acting solid waste director; and Kevin Peroutek, noxious weed director, emergency preparedness director and 911 coordinator.

Shannon Meier reported an average month for February with several transfers.

Cindy Becker discussed the Health 365 Glow Night at the basketball game. She has the state grant application prepared to submit. She would attend the State Governor’s Conference March 4 through 6. They are providing COVID-19 testing.

Scott Wright reported 36 traffic cases and two criminal cases for 2024. He attended the crime victim presentation in Salina.

Carla Waugh said they are ready to mail advance ballots for the Presidential Preference Primary. She discussed clearly marking areas for authorized employees only.

Brent Beck said he attended the juvenile detention center meeting, and the community development meeting. He said the county hired a part-time employee to work in the weed department and road and bridge. Brent also has been following up on road concerns.

Ed Duskie said he attended the meeting hosted by the soil conservation district and the special LEPG meeting.

Keith Roe said he and Brent Beck also attended one of the sessions hosted by soil conservation.

Cindy Becker, health administrator, requested the commissioners’ signature approval on the state grant application. Commissioners approved for the appropriate officer to sign the State of Kansas Department of Health and Environment Grant application for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Wayne Frost requested the north portion of the road in the NE1/4 of Section 16 of Whitemound Township be closed. He would like to be able to do some conservation work on the property. The commissioners said they would review the request. They have to ensure that it does not land lock any other owner.

James Art Vaughan IV, acting solid waste director, discussed operations. He discussed selling the 1994 Dodge pickup left at the transfer station by the sheriff’s office. The commissioners advised him to pursue looking at used trailers to purchase. He discussed the need for a new C&D pit dug next year.

Don Jacobs, sheriff, discussed personnel and vehicle repairs. He provided the February stats for his department.

Commissioners approved the IBM upgrade.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, discussed personnel and equipment repairs. The commissioners discussed Wayne Frost’s request for road closing. Elkins attended a meeting with the State of Kansas on the bridge construction project by Jack Dean’s property.

The commissioners went into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Regular session resumed with no action taken.

Scott Wright joined the meeting.

Kirby Fox, Lock IT, reviewed the IT security quote provided last fall.

Don Jacobs, sheriff, joined the meeting.

Shannon Rothchild, and Jesse Roth, Nex-Tech, provided an IT Quote. The mid-level management plan was reviewed which included data back-up, end user cyber security training, Consistent Cyber Security protections and email address domains across all departments.

The commissioners and the county clerk attended the multi-county meeting hosted by Smith County at the Wellness Center. Mitchell and Osborne counties also joined the meeting. Smith County welcomed Travis Story, Smith County assistant road supervisor, Keith Wangerin, Smith County EMS director and Missy McGinnis, Mitchell County EMS director, to the meeting. Smith County discussed purchasing loader mount snow blowers. The group discussed wages, retaining employees, and out sourcing mechanical work. Mithcell County asked the other counties of their experience with Freedom Claims. They said the health insurance cost was not sustainable.

Missy McGinnis discussed concerns of calls coming directly from Osborne County residents to the Mitchell County EMS Station or to the 9-1-1 Dispatch. Osborne County discussed bundling quotes to get better prices for bridge projects.

Ed Duskie reported on the LEPG special meeting held in Jewell County. The next multi-county meeting will be hosted by Jewell County in June.