County receives request for wind farm funds
Bill Wells with the Glasco VFW Post 7697 met with the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday and requested $3,750 in Meridian Way Wind Farm funds.
The Glasco VFW, which has hosted parties, wedding, dances, funerals and more for more than 60 years, is requesting the funds to help cover the costs of its kitchen ceiling and lighting renovations projects.
According to Wells, the Glasco VFW Post needs to replace the ceiling in the kitchen area as well as remove the old existing light fixtures and replace them with new wiring and modern LED lighting. The estimated total cost of the project is $9,900.
Cloud County is again expected to receive a gift of $300,000 in wind farm funds from EDP Renewables.
March 30 is the deadline for submitting applications for wind farm funds.
The funds are to be used to support innovative projects that enhance quality of life, prosperity and safety of the citizens of Cloud County by creating additional educational, recreational, social, health, community development and economic opportunities for them and for existing and new businesses in Cloud County.
Cloud County has currently received three requests for wind farm funds.
CloudCorp made a formal request last week to the board of commissioners for $150,000 to support the Get in the Cloud small business grant program.
Independent Connection, Inc. of Salina requested $1,000 to support its Impact Hangouts group for youth ages 14-24.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Mary Ballard from her position as treasurer of Cemetery District #17 effective December 10, 2018.
The board approved appointing Jessica Presler as treasurer of the cemetery district and Jason Martin as a member.
Presler and Martin join Randy Smith as representatives of District #17.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, met with the board and reported that several employees will be attending training with KS LTAP and that he has been in contact with Coughlin, Inc. about the cracking on Union Road.
County Attorney Rob Walsh discussed the county severe weather and emergency conditions policy with the board.
Walsh, Asch and County Clerk Shella Thoman will review the policy and recommend updates.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste director, reported to the board that he would be meeting with a representative from Waste Management about possible use of their facility on February 14.
Hake also informed the board that the Recycling Center is in need of a full-time or part-time temporary employee immediately. Interested individuals can contact him at the Recycling Center or Transfer Station.
Brandi Bray, Health Department administrator, met with the board and reported that she will be giving a diabetes program in Clyde on February 11, the new furniture has arrived and that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment MCH will be making a site visit on Thursday to help with grant funding.
Cloud County Health Center administrator David Garnas presented the board with an overview of the process underway of putting together a plan for the possible construction of a new hospital.
Garnas also reported that the walk-in clinic at the hospital has exceeded expectations and that overall utilization is on an upward trend.
Thoman reported to the board that she had ordered an additional credit card for the Law Enforcement Center with a credit limit of $7,500, and that the card should arrive this week.
Commissioner Bill Czapanskiy said that the card will be used for food purchases, and that accounts were opened at F&A Food Sales and Duis Meats.
Also during the meeting:
The board reviewed the Fund Status report as of January 31, 2019 totaling $10,937,819.32 and the Budget Status by Fund/Dept. Summary Report. The budget report can be found on the Clerk's page of the county website under public records. One request from the Clerk's office and two from IT for capital outlay funds were approved. The manual payroll adjustment request was reviewed, the report will be used with new time clocks when time is missed or employee is unable to use the machine. A check was received form KCAMP in the amount of $1,210.70 for a Road & Bridge vandalism claim. The board acknowledged the classification change for Chelsea K. Martin, Community Corrections/JV Services secretary from $13.00 to $13.32 per hour based on state pay plan Grade 12 Step B.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $137,840.45:
General Fund, $66,938.50; Field Services, $8.62; Juvenile Justice, $197.65; Appraisal, $460.17; County Health, $12,770.42; Election, $211.60; Auto Special, $237.21; Road & Bridge, $30,068.88; Juvenile Reinvestment, $22.51; Community Corrections, $887.12; Employee Benefits, $8,165.04 Noxious Weed, $401.55; Solid Waste, $17,220.95; County Tourism & Convention, $250.23.