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CloudCorp requests funds for Get in Cloud

Kim Reynolds, CloudCorp executive director presented a formal request to the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting Monday for $150,000 in Meridian Way Wind Farm funds to support the Get in the Cloud Small Business Grant program.
Cloud County is expected to receive a gift of $300,000 in Meridian Way Wind Farm Funds from EDP Renewables.
Applications will be taken by the county for the wind farm funds until March 30.
The funds are used to support innovative projects that enhance quality of life, prosperity and safety of the citizens in the county by creating additional educational, recreational, social, health, community development and economic opportunities for them and for existing new businesses.
The Get in the Cloud Grant program is in its sixth year, and to date 35 projects have been awarded funds totaling $705,384.55. Of that $697,376.72 has been spending, including $566,400.22 with vendors and laborers in Cloud County.
Total costs for all 35 projects, year to date, is $4,799,613.70.
Get in the Cloud funds are intended to encourage economic development in Cloud County while increasing the property value of the existing structures and land.
The board of commissioners discussed what the grant funds can and can not be used for, and the possibility of adding language for recipients that sell or go out of business within a time frame discussed.
Also during the meeting, Cloud County Sheriff Brian Marks presented information on the 2018 collections for housing out of county inmates at the Law Enforcement Center totaling $877,395.
The collections include $486,595 from the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), $319,320 from Sedgwick County, $59,590 from Saline County and $1,890 from Nuckolls County (Neb.).
An additional $5,040 was collected from KDOC.
Marks presented a spreadsheet of the expected savings at the Law Enforcement Center for doing food service within the county.
The information noted that the cost savings was not buying in bulk, but using local items that were on hand.
Marks said that Walmart would be able to pre-order everything needed if given a list.
Other information provided by Marks on the Law Enforcement Center included: The new food director position is filling an already budgeted corrections officer position, so there will not be a new food director position budgeted; an adjustment in scheduling has also been made to stay in compliance with PREA; an estimated savings is $50,000-$90,000 annually depending on purchasing bulk or purchasing local items; the county has been paying $1.59 for meals for 90 inmates with an estimated meal cost to be $1.04.
The commission approved personnel matters pertaining to the Law Enforcement Center including a classification change for corrections officer Kyle Marks from full-time to part-time with a wage change from $14.62 to $12.50; hiring of Torin Fellows as food service director/corrections officers at a rate of $14.62, effective January 24; hiring of Brandon Ramburger as a corrections officer at a rate of $14.62, effective January 24; classification change for Kaizer Kussman from part-time corrections officer to full-time with a rate change from $12.50 to $14.62, effective January 24; adding the job description of food service director/corrections officer; and recognizing the resignations of corrections officers Corey Joyner and Frank McManus, effective January 17.
Janet Eubanks and Burl Maley, representing the Cloud County Chemical Dependency Committee, presented the 2018 annual report totaling $18,853 and the proposed funding agreement for 2019 to the board.
The board approved signing the funding agreement with the Chemical Dependency Committee for 2019 not to exceed $19,602.
Henry Eilert, county maintenance manager, met with the board and reported that he has spoken to several Chem Treat customers who are happy with the service, and said it believes it to be important to use a professional company before purchasing a new cooling tower for the Courthouse.
The board approved the recommendation.
Payroll deductions and benefits totaling $192,004.61 were approved by the board.
The board approved the following payroll expenses totaling $159,411.85:
General fund, $83,356.83; appraisal, $5,112.94; noxious weed, $1,676.46; solid waste, $4,752.53; road & bridge, $47,453.14; county health, $15,610.63; election, $1,449.32.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $413,297.81:
General fund, $83,418.71; special bridge, $286.44; court services, $468.50; juvenile justice, $7,919.43; appraisal, $1,014.40; county health, $6,656.56; election, $33.97; fair, $23,919.37; court services, $468.50; employee benefits, $451.19; soil conservation, $15,887.78; historical museum, $24,565.96; road & bridge, $32,163.98; special building, $839; juvenile reinvestment, $83.27; community corrections, $5,068.30; county tourism & convention, $2,615.99; noxious weed, $1,146.41; solid waste, $16,969.79; Pawnee Mental Health, $55,670.22; clerk tech fund, $1,283; services for the elderly, $62,902.35; OCCK, $69,933.19.

 

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