County receives budget request

Rhonda Coffman, Cloud County Conservation District manager, presented a 2020 budget request to the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday.
The budget request is in the amount of $25,000, which is equal to the 2019 budget and funding. It will allow the Conservation District to receive $21,309 from the state of Kansas.
It was reported to the board that for every dollar invested in the county, there was a $19.16 economic return in Cloud County from Conservation District programs.
The budget request will be considered when the board is working on the budget.
The board also received a 2020 budget request from the Solid Waste Department in the amount of $1,012,328 compared to the 2019 budget of $1,478,155 and a budget request from the Recycling Center in the amount of $100,694 compared to the 2019 budget of $102,579. An additional $14,000 was requested to be budgeted for capital outlay.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, met with the board and presented a request and petition for Lee R. Smith, Smith Trenching, to replace defective AT&T buried service wire at 1151 West 11th Street, crossing 11th Street and then west for 123 feet next to the south right of way line.
The board approved the utility permit for Smith Trenching.
Asch also reported that Wagon Road is closed between 190th and 200th until they are able to make repairs to the road and that he is sending a bill to two trucking companies for the damage done on Quail Road between 200th and 210th.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste director, reported to the board that the dollar value for recyclables is down significantly and they will be storing items.
Hake also reported that summer hours will begin at the Recycling Center on June 3. The hours will be 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. He also reported that he is waiting on a return call on a quote for the cost to transport the county's refuse by Hamm's.
County Attorney Robert Walsh discussed repairs at the Law Enforcement Center with the board. He said he will get in touch with Wyatt Hoch, Foulston Siefken, LLP for a meeting next week.
Brandi Bray, Health Department administrator, presented a new hire to the board and reported that two employees will be taking board exams next wee. She also discussed moving forward with the grant process.
The board approved the hiring of Megan Williams as a temporary receptionist at a rate of $12.40 per hour effective, May 22.
County Clerk Shella Thoman reported that June 3 at noon is the deadline for anyone wanting to file for any city, school, college or Extension District officer. She said many positions currently do not have anyone running.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $151,348.80:
General Fund, $43,311.05; Employee Benefits, $207.68; Juvenile Justice, $3,516.48; Appraisal, $214.08; County Health, $6,737.36; Election, $200.21; Court Services, $1,442; Road & Bridge, $57,124.71; Juvenile Reinvestment, $59.24; Community Corrections, $532.42; County Tourism & Convention, $18,493.97; Noxious Weed, $89.17; Solid Waste, $19,400.43; VIN Inspection, $20.