Board approves purchase of Health Dept. building

The Cloud County board of commissioners approved the purchase of the Health Department building form Casselrock, Inc. during its regular meeting on Monday.
Brandi Bray, Health Department administrator, met with the board during the meeting and discussed the purchase of the health department building and the plaque that will be displayed recognizing the gift from the Meridian Way Wind Farm, through EDP Renewables, for the purchase.
The board approved chairman Gary Caspers to sign the contract of sale of real estate exercising their right to purchase the Medical Arts Building (Health Department) for $86,531.85 using the Wind Farm funds.
In 2016, $50,000 in Wind Farm funds were awarded to the Health Department for the purchase of the building. The remaining $36,531.85 will be used from funds that have been received from Meridian Way, but have not been distributed.
Bray also discussed: the grant usage regarding the generator. She reported that November 21 is the Great American Smokeout and encouraged all county residents to give up something else if they are not a tobacco user; the Health Department participated in Crock Pots for Charity on Saturday night at The Resource Council; will be receiving 60 baby bundles from the Methodist Church; are looking into changing Wednesday hours; flu shots are available, and through October, 1,081 shots were given.
County Attorney Robert Walsh met with the board and discussed the purchase agreement for the Health Department building and the building repairs at the Law Enforcement Center.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, and Casey Fraser, Foley Equipment, discussed purchasing a 2013 120M motor grader.
Asch and Fraser will look at the machine later in the week.
Asch also reported that striping center and edge lines on the Fort Kearney Road, 11th Street and Old 81 North, started on Monday. He also discussed the Ames/Miltonvale Road and said he will be publishing notices in the paper.
In personnel matters, the board approved the resignation of Loyd Rice as Corrections Officer, effective October 26; approved hiring James Belden as full-time Deputy Sheriff at an hourly rate of $17.25 to fill an open position, effective November 3; and approved hiring Timothy Wogomon Jr. as a full-time Corrections Officer at an hourly rate of $14.62, effective November 4, to fill an open position.
The board approved the Real Property Tax Relief for Odella Yaksich for 715 Archer St., Concordia, due to a fire.
Matching funds collected in the pumpkin decorating contest for The Resource Council using Wind Farm funds in the amount of $536.18 was approved by the board.
Payroll deductions of $70,112.57 were approved.
The board approved the following payroll expenses totaling $162,419.14:
General fund, $88,442.94; Appraisal, $5,041.70; Noxious Weed, $1,676.46; Solid Waste, $4,971.30; Road & Bridge, $44,021.88; County Health, $16,914.53; Election, $1,350.33.