Commissioners hold first meeting of the new year

Emergency Preparedness Director Butch Post was at the Rooks County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, January 7th to have the commissioners sign his appointment to the Northwest Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council for the County. Post also informed the commissioners that he had been asked to help teach the NIMS 300 class in Hays this coming March. The commissioners gave their permission for Post to help teach the class.

After the December 31st, 2019 regular minutes were approved after corrections, the commissioners gave their weekly reports.

Commissioner Corky Hagan stated that it had been a quiet week. He had traveled some of the roads in his part of the county. He noted that some culverts had been marked with red flags.

Commissioner Greg Balthazor said he had also driven the roads in his area of the county during the week. He noted that discussions had been held about re-routing a creek, but no decisions have been made at this time.

Commissioner John Ruder informed the other two commissioners that Redbud Village had another water leak in the north end of the facility. Since the lines are encased in concrete, the replacement of them will probably be a big project. The administrator is working to see if there are grants available for this. The facility had received a grant for new tables and chairs for the dining room. As for the water leaks, the commissioners talked about possibly repairing the lines in stages. Balthazor asked about getting a water analysis done.

Appraiser Heather Poore met with the commissioners to show them the article she would like to have printed in the county newspapers about tax increases. She also noted that she would have a completed list of the houses for sale in the county to give them at the next meeting.

Road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey was at the meeting and gave the commissioners an update on the equipment and repairs being done. He noted that the water line on the County’s lot in Woodston has been shut off. The department will be hauling in rocks and millings on the property for a chat pile. One of the graders is in the shop. The radiator is being repaired in Hays. At this time material is being hauled on W Road between 12 and 13 Roads. When that is completed the next project will be X Road between 26 and 28 Roads.

A representative from Proseal was at the meeting to present his product to use on the Damar Blacktop. After the presentation, the commissioners asked Bouchey to get more information and costs, as they are very interested in the possibility of using the company’s product which helps preserve roads.

Mark Lowry and Michelle Stithem from Heritage Insurance Group, Inc. were at the meeting to have the commissioners renew the annual insurance policies for the County. They also signed the airport liability insurance coverage as presented.

Treasurer Kim Northup was in to have the commissioners sign the small fund vouchers as presented. They also approved her quarterly statement ending December 31st, 2019.

Before adjourning the meeting at 11:30 p.m., the commissioners signed Resolution 2020-R1 approving the annual GAP resolution. They also approved the 2020 county appointments, which are printed elsewhere in this issue.