Emergency Management Coordinator search begins

The search process for a full-time Cloud County Emergency Management Coordinator has begun.
The Cloud County board of commissioners voted to approve the job description and to begin advertising for the Emergency Management Coordinator position during its regular meeting this week.
Concordia Fire Chief Eric Voss has been serving as the part-time Emergency Preparedness Director since February, 2016.
The county commission, in June, voted 2-1 to change the Emergency Preparedness Director position from part-time to full-time.
Each county in Kansas is required by statute to have a Emergency Preparedness Director.
The county commission approved setting aside $15,000 of the Meridian Way Wind Farm funds, provided by EDP Renewables, to help cover the cost of hiring a full-time director.
The job description for the full-time position states: the Emergency Management Coordinator would work under the direct supervision of the Cloud County commission and will be responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, organizing, carrying out emergency planning preparedness, mitigation and recovery activities for Cloud County. This includes budgeting, complying with federal, state and local regulations, policies and procedures, planning for short-term and long-term objectives, and community cooperation within the county while delivering the highest level of customer service. The Emergency Management Coordinator must be available to work a variety of hours and be physically able to respond to disaster emergencies, coordinate the county’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance activities, develop and manage the work of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, represent Cloud County on regional emergency planning and response activities and forums, develop and maintain an Emergency Operations Plan in accordance with Kansas Emergency Management requirements, and maintain open communications and coordinate with the Public Health Department, citizens of Cloud County, Cloud County Department Heads, County Personnel, other agencies and surrounding county emergency management departments. The new coordinator will be required to become a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager within 24 months as required by law. Certification by an approved National Emergency Management Association will also fulfill this requirement.
Also during the regular meeting, Eric Johnson, Campbell & Johnson Engineers, PA, and Charles Johnson, Public Building Committee, met with the commission and discussed the repairs at the Law Enforcement Center and reviewed the Orazem & Scalora Engineering agreement.
Charles Johnson inquired about the payment of the bond process and the funds available.
County Clerk Shella Thoman reported that she initiates the payment, and that there is currently $1,729,136.65 in the Law Enforcement Center fund. The funds are received from out-of-county inmate fees that are used to make the bond payments.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste director, met with the commission and reported that he had visited the Saline County landfill. The tonnage fees are higher, travel time would be less and a different type of trailer would be necessary. The estimates on walk-in trailers were $85,000-$90,000 each.
Andy Ash, Highway Department administrator, reported that requests have been sent out for project 15c496601, work is being done on 120th Road and the county line project is nearly completed and open to traffic.
Maintenance manager Henry Eilert discussed wages for the maintenance department.
The commission agreed to increase wages for Eilert to $16 per hour.
Other action taken by the commission included:
• approved allowing the chairman to sign the Community Corrections comprehensive plan quarterly and year end outcome report.
• Approved the revised 2020 Behavioral Health budget.
• Approved allowing the chairman to sign the Community Corrections 2019 quarterly budget adjustment report totaling $13,748.97.
• Approved allowing the chairman to sign the Juvenile Services 2019 quarterly budget adjustment totaling $15,969.19.
• Approved allowing the chairman to sign the Juvenile Services 2019 quarterly budget adjustment report in the amount of $5,069.19 to purchase cognitive journals to use with programing.
• Approved allowing the chairman to sign the 12th Judicial District Community Corrections carryover reimbursement summary in the amount of $11,391.63.
• Approved allowing the chairman to sign the Community Corrections/Juvenile Services reimbursement summary totaling $3,059.
• Approved the engagement letter with Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris Chartered to prepare the 2020 budget.
The commission approved the following payroll expenses totaling $158,159.25:
General Fund, $81,265.63; Road & Bridge, $48,712.42; Appraisal, $4,056.19; Noxious Weed, $1,676.46; Solid Waste, $4,477.62; County Health, $15,496.41; Election, $1,474.52.
Payroll deductions and benefits totaling $181,816.95 were approved.