County rescinds mask mandate
The Cloud County board of commissioners, by a 3-0 vote, approved a health order, during its regular meeting on Monday, that rescinds the county mask mandate, effective at 1 a.m. Thursday.
By a 2-1 vote, the county commission approved an ordinance on November 16 that mandated the wearing of masks or face coverings in public spaces and the enforcement of isolation and quarantine orders in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the county.
If the COVID-19 positivity rate climbs above five percent the commission may revisit the mask mandate.
Cloud County Health Department administrator Brandi Bray met with the board during the meeting and stated that she preferred to wait until the end of the month to lift the mask mandate. She encourages citizens to continue to wear masks when in public.
The Concordia city commission will discuss its ordinance that mandates the wearing of masks in public spaces during its regular meeting tonight.
Bray reported to the board that the health department had administered 745 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and that there are 767 people on the Phase 2 waiting list.
It was reported by Bray that by March 15 there should be 1,700 people, or 20 percent of the county population, that have been vaccinated. She said that pharmacies in Concordia were also receiving and administering the vaccine.
Cloud County is receiving about 100 doses of the vaccine from the state each week.
Bray also informed the commission that there had been a COVID-19 exposure at the Class 4A state wrestling tournament that took place last Saturday at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.
KNCK News reported that Bray highly recommended anyone who had attended the state tournament to be diligent about mask wearing.
Bray also reported to the board that the health department is expected to receive about $140,000 from the State of Kansas for additional COVID-19 relief and that the funds can be used for staffing, desks, internet system upgrades, key card system, cameras, bonuses or phone system upgrades.
Bray said that she talked to NexTech about a phone system that could be used by anyone needing to work from home.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, presented a report to the commission.
Asch reported that he would be attending the annual weed conference this week and is working on the annual report; there are two open positions at the Highway Department; received all of the supplies for the Glasco bridge repair but the crane is not working correctly so they are unable to get started; discussed replacing the bridge on 240th Road themselves using a state program or closing the bridge, and that he will talk to the landowners; Midway Motors is bringing a truck for the Weed Department to look at this week.
The commission reviewed a request for Meridian Way Wind Farm Funds, provided by EDP Renewables, from multiple agencies in Cloud County, in the amount of $211,234.84 to upgrade the communications system for first responders.
The upgrade to a digital emergency communication system uses a two-tier approach. The current system has parts of the county on an analog system and other parts on a digital system.
Henry Eilert, maintenance manager, discussed charges for wiring, being paid out of his budget, with the commission.
County Clerk Shella Thoman will look into transferring those expenses to the special building budget.
It was reported to the board that sales tax received February 23 totaled $71,010.56, compared to the prior year totaling $66,227.92.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $82,054.66:
General Fund, $33,946.91; Road & Bridge, 20,284.40; Special Bridge, $32.91; County Tourism & Convention, $249.12; Employee Benefits, $240.13; Juvenile Reinvestment, $730.30; Juvenile Justice, $2,557.79; Special Alcohol & Drug, $1,000; Community Corrections, $259.86; Appraisal, $405.27; County Health, $5,927.23; Noxious Weed, $375.91; Election, $98.01; Solid Waste, $15,946.82.