Caspers reappointed chair of county commission

During its reorganizational meeting on Monday, the Cloud County board of commissioners reappointed Gary Caspers as chairman for 2019.
Commissioner Bill Czapanskiy took the oath of office during the meeting. He was elected to a second term in November.
The board approved designating all Cloud County banks as depositories for public money and designating The Concordia Blade-Empire as the official county newspaper.
Renewing the contract with Gerald Collins as county informational technology (IT) director at a rate of $16.72 per hour was approved by the board.
In other action taken during the meeting, the board approved the real property relief application for the 2018 tax year for Alan Johnson and Lesli Martin for property destroyed by fire at 428 East 11th St. in Concordia.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste director, presented the solid waste disposal interlocal agreement with Republic County to the board.
The board approved the agreement for 2019 at a cost of $66.02 per ton, plus Republic County's share of the fuel compensation cost.
Highway Department administrator Andy Asch, along with Ryan Weber and Ron Madison of Coughlin Company, discussed work done on Union Road with the commission, along with possible work to be done on the Ames/Miltonvale Road.
Asch also reported he will be sending out bids for a replacement low boy.
Eric Voss, Emergency Preparedness director, reported to the board that the state did not qualify for FEMA funds for last year's blizzard.
Voss also reported that employees can go to City Hall on January 22 to the LEPC meeting at noon to have employee badges printed. He said he is working on a state grant and discussed ideas on how the county can us Textcaster.
Henry Eilert, maintenance manager, presented a proposal for water treatment recommendations from ChemTreat to the board.
Brandi Bray, Health Department administrator, discussed beginning the process for a NCRPC grant with the board.
Also during the meeting, the board received a call from Greg Carter, Neosho County, regarding Meridian Way Wind Farm.
Carter asked if the commission would be willing to share the good and the bad of the wind farm in writing and send it to him. Caspers will prepare a letter.
The board met with department heads during the meeting.
Reports presented include:
Hake – Routine business, Transfer Station is muddy due to the weather, interlocal agreement with Republic County signed.
Collins – Fixing problem areas. Asked that everyone review the phone list so that it is up to date and contact immediately for new and departing employees so that they can be removed. Computers will be updated to a 30-day password change, and all seven Windows 7 computers will be changed this year.
Asch – Continuing work on roads, snow removal, getting price comparisons for Ames/Miltonvale road.
Bray – Roof issues from the snow, shoveled the roof clean on Sunday afternoon to decrease problems. Flu shots are still available. Working on grants that are due this week. Milk and Cookies group will meet on January 22.
Eilert – Servicing air handlers and routine business.
Czapanskiy – Food Bank is anticipating an influx if the government shutdown continues, and received permission to use Wind Farm funds to assist if needed.
Kristi Benyshek, District Court clerk – Introduced herself.
JoDee LeDuc, Treasurer – Tax distribution completed, just over $11 million distributed. Collected 60 percent of taxes to date.
Barry Porter, County Appraiser – Shared a spreadsheet showing the change in ag values, which will increase, but not by as much as the prior year. Approximately 30-35 payments under protest hearings to date.
Jana Roush, Register of Deeds – Fees will remain the same for 2019. Zero mortgage registration fees.
Shella Thoman, County Clerk – Biometric time clocks are planned to be installed in the Courthouse, Health Department and Law Enforcement Center this week. Discussed ideas of birthday cards or a catalog for employee appreciation. County offices will be closed on Monday for the final day of the food bank challenge. In the event an office needs to work, it will not be holiday pay and the time will be used at a later date.
The department heads expressed appreciation for the pay increases given to county employees.
The board approved payroll deductions and benefits totaling $68,462.87 and the following payroll expenses totaling $158,337.57:
General fund, $87,624.82; appraisal, $5,109.82; noxious weed, $1,676.46; solid waste, $4,636.64; road & bridge, $42,337.57; county health, $15,596.69; election, $1,461.92.