County officials working on plans for reopening

Vanessa Tutos, EDP Renewables, met with the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting to discuss the possibility of using Meridian Way Wind Farm Grant funds to help cover the sales tax shortfall in the county's budget because of the statewide shutdown and to assist local businesses impacted.
Tutos informed the commission that she believed both of those ideas were acceptable options due to the circumstances.
Wanda Backstrom, JJA/Community Corrections director and Dawn Snyder, JJA/Community Corrections assistant director met with the board and discussed the Community Corrections fiscal year 2021 Behavioral Health Programming Grant, the Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan Grant application, the 2021 KDOC Juvenile Services Comprehensive Plan and the 2020 KDOC Reinvestment Grant budget summary and budget narrative.
The board approved signing the grant application for the Adult and Youth programming for the fiscal year 2021.
County Treasurer JoDee LeDuc shared quotes with the board for a drop box to be located at the Courthouse.
The cost for a model 810 from American Security Cabinets is $3,346 and includes rush delivery.
The box will be used as a drive-thru drop-off.
LeDuc said she would talk to maintenance about pouring a cement slab before the cabinet arrives.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste director, discussed building repairs and a quote from John Deere for a backhoe loader. No decision was made.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, reported to the board that his department had started sealing on the Miltonvale/Ames road and chemical sales are lower than this time a year ago.
The board approved a wage change for Ronald Bergstrom, shop foreman, from $18.00 to $19.26 per hour, effective April 13, due to it being the end of the introductory period.
The termination of Erica Denham, Corrections Officer, effective April 22, and the resignations of Tyler Stupka, Corrections Officer, effective April 23, and David Empson, equipment operator, effective April 6, were accepted by the board.
Proclaiming May as Motorcycle Awareness Month was approved by the board.
It was reported to the board that the April 24 sales tax collection totaled $55,838.63 compared to the prior year totaling $60,529.33.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $261,356.56:
General Fund, $42,452.83; Road & Bridge, $176,200.99; Special Bridge, $167.76; Juvenile Reinvestment, $28.46; Juvenile Justice, $2,317.65; Community Corrections, $660.87; Appraisal, $445.79; County Health, $3,111.36; Noxious Weed, $8,950.47; Election, $4; Solid Waste, $21,403.90; County Tourism & Convention, $3,538.84; Employee Benefits, $233.64; Special Alcohol & Drug $1,850.