Wednesday, March 19, 2025
UNOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
Regular session of the February meetings of the Cloud County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on February 21, 2025, in the Commissioners’ room at 811 Washington, Concordia, Kansas, with Chairman Michael Cleveland, Members Dannie Kearn and Ron Copple, and County Clerk Shella Thoman present.
County staff attending was: Rod Michaud, Highway / Weed Administrator; Mike Hake, Solid Waste Director; JoDee LeDuc, Treasurer; Ken Davis, Sheriff; Kim Winsett, County Appraiser; James Quillen, Emergency Preparedness Director; Jeff Thoman, Maintenance Manager.
Others attending: Ryan McMillan.
Ryan McMillan left information regarding Trail Road. The hearing for that Vacation of Trail Road is rescheduled from February 18, 2025 to March 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste Director, presented a new hire and discussed transportation of Solid Waste.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved hiring Rodney Hake as a Recycling Operator (G1) effective March 10, 2025.
Department head – 1:30 – 2:36 p.m.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste Director – Thanked the Highway Department for helping at the Recycling Center while they were short help.
James Quillen, Emergency Preparedness Director – Will be attending a Weather Service meeting on Monday. March 3rd – 7th is Severe Weather week. Wednesday, March 5th will be the statewide tornado drill. Additional information has been requested on the generator grant application. Took the Emergency trailer, lightbar and generator to the fire this past week; they were appreciative.
JoDee LeDuc, Treasurer – Delinquent personal property tax letters will be mailed. The foreclosure sale was postponed due to the weather; no date is set.
Ken Davis, Sheriff – Worked with the City on ambulance transportation for inmates at a decreased rate of $470 per trip.
Rod Michaud, Highway / Weed Administrator – Attended Noxious Weed school this week.
Jeff Thoman, Maintenance Manager – Received a $4,408.90 Community Foundation Grant to replace the current AED and to add a 2nd unit. Will receive $300 on trade of the current one. Painting is finished upstairs. Discussed looking into updating fuse panels, the Board approved getting quotes.
Kim Winsett, County Appraiser – March 14th evaluation notices will be mailed out. Values have increased.
Shella Thoman, County Clerk – Asked for opinions on what day of the week would be best for a County Employee families’ picnic. CloudCorp Annual meeting is this week, the County has chairs left at our table if someone is wanting to attend.
Dannie Kearn, Commissioner – Will start to work on budgets sooner than in years past and would like to see 3-year forecast and a Capital Outlay plan.
Mike Cleveland, Commissioner – Risk Management meeting on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Asked that prior to finishing paperwork for new hires and wage changes to confirm levels with Human Resources; on evaluations the letter should remain the same if not changing to a new position.
Rod Michaud, Highway / Weed Administrator, presented a Request and Petition, evaluations, classification changes and CDL agreement. Michaud discussed last week’s storm and the State Noxious Weed class he attended.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the Request and Petition for ONEOK North System LLC crossing 280th road south of Iron Road.
On a motion by Commissioner Kearn, second by Commissioner Copple, unanimous vote the Board approved the CDL Training Reimbursement Agreement with Devin Bilbrey effective February 12, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Kearn, second by Commissioner Copple, unanimous vote the Board approved the classification changes for Larry Sulanka from Equipment Operator I (H5) to Equipment Operator III (J5) effective February 23, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved hiring Scott Sheely as an Equipment Operator I at the Highway Department at a level H1 effective February 24, 2025, and Brett Thompson as an Equipment Operator I at the Highway Department at a level H1 effective February 24, 2025.
Ken Davis, Sheriff, discussed reclassifying the Jail Administrator from a Level M to a level O and adding an Investigator / Sergeant position at a level O. Davis will have a job description sent to the Clerk’s office. The Clerk’s office will make these changes.
The Board accepted the resignation of James Belden, Undersheriff, effective February 18, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the classification change for Nick Patterson from Patrol Sergeant (014) to Under Sheriff (R14) effective February 23, 2025. Ashley Tobald from Patrol Deputy (J9) to Patrol Sergeant (O9) effective February 23, 2025. Jim Wilson from Investigator (M6) to Investigator / Sergeant (O6) effective February 23, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the classification change for Matt Nevins from a level M7 to a Level O7.
On a motion by Commissioner Kearn, second by Commissioner Copple, unanimous vote the Board approved hiring Stacia Whitesell as a Corrections Officer I (E1).
Shella Thoman, County Clerk, presented the Board with a Supervisory Skills for Success workshop. The Board would like Department heads and Supervisors to attend. Discussed preparing training courses for days that we are closed to the public. Discussed increasing the credit card limit and a time frame for advertising positions. Positions should be open for 2 weeks from the first posting on Facebook, the newspaper or radio advertisement.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved hiring Gavin Thomas as Courthouse Maintenance (G1) effective February 20, 2025.
The Board received a Wind Farm request in the amount of $41,113, total project $105,519 from the City of Glasco. The project will assist the City of Glasco in purchasing a skid apparatus and fire body box for the new fire truck. The Project will ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas. City of Glasco Fire Truck Apparatus
The Board received a Wind Farm request in the amount of $9,000, total project $9,977 from the National Orphan Train Museum. The project will assist in installing an irrigation system in the main section of the museum courtyard and reseed that area with Kansas premium fescue and clean off and landscape areas around three statues using weed barrier covered with rock.
The Board accepted the resignation of Roger Warren, District Coroner, effective February 28, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the contract appointing Dr. David Dupy as the District Coroner for the 12th Judicial District effective March 1, 2025.
On a motion by Commissioner Kearn, second by Commissioner Copple, unanimous vote the Board approved Resolution 2025-10 appointing Ervin Underwood, Jewell County Commissioner, as a member of the 12th Judicial District Community Corrections/Juvenile Services Advisory Board representing Jewell County for the remainder of the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
The Board approved the following payroll expenses totaling $187,205.76
General Fund – $97,514.07 Road & Bridge - $49,976.31
Appraiser - $5,853.36 County Health - $20,172.57
Noxious Weed - $1,445.04 Election - $2,176.35
Solid Waste - $10,068.06
Payroll Deductions & Benefits - $230,141.09
The Board approved the following expenses totaling $109,977.43
General Fund – $36,646.44 Road & Bridge – $17,524.92
Special Alcohol & Drug - $1,623.49 Juvenile Justice - $3,182.07
Appraisal - $720.86 Juvenile Reinvestment - $40.01
Community Correc - $1,765.47 County Health - $6,318.20
Noxious Weed - $53.94 Election - $7,980.49
Foreclosure Sale - $2,323.80 Court Services - $650.10
Solid Waste - $1,017.84Employee Benefits - $201.19
Co Tourism & Convention - $25,948.77 Grants - $3,979.84
The above expense detail is available at the County Clerk’s office and the Clerk’s Public Records webpage.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved abatements 2025-40 thru 2025-44 with a net change of ($321.12) and refund of $310.62.
Commissioner Copple attended the Jamestown City Council meeting.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the February 10, 2025, minutes as presented.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board adjourned at 4:15 p.m., until Monday, February 24, 2025.
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
Regular session of the February meetings of the Cloud County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on February 24, 2025, in the Commissioners’ room at 811 Washington, Concordia, Kansas, with Chairman Michael Cleveland, Members Dannie Kearn and Ron Copple, and Deputy County Clerk Cathy Davis present.
County staff attending: Rod Michaud, Highway / Weed Administrator
Others attending: Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham Michael & Larry LeDuc
Rod Michaud, Highway / Weed Administrator & Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham Michael, discussed the Noble Road Pavement Preservation Project. Three bids were received. Further discussion is needed, the bid will be decided during the March 3 Commission meeting.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the Routine & Inventory Bridge Inspections, presented by Kirkham Michael, for 263 Bridges at $125.00 each; $32,875.00 total, to be performed in April 2025.
Larry LeDuc discussed road conditions of 40th Road.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved a 10-minute executive session for personnel exception to discuss non-elected personnel, resuming open session at 10:42 a.m.
On a motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Kearn, unanimous vote the Board approved the February employee evaluations as submitted.
Commissioner Cleveland attended the CloudCorp Task Force meeting on Friday, February 21.
On a motion by Commissioner Kearn, second by Commissioner Copple, unanimous vote the Board adjourned at 10:46 a.m., until Monday, March 3, 2025.
