Commissioners meet with several department heads during regular meeting

Health Nurse Lori Eichman was at the Rooks County Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd to introduce the commissioners to new employee Jamie Martin. Eichman also presented the commissioners with the grant applications she will be sending out, which the commissioners signed as presented. Eichman also stated that she has been in contact with other health agencies and hospitals to stay updated on the Coronavirus.

Commissioner Corky Hagan stated that the week had been quiet with him talking to a few people about road conditions. Hagan also gave an update on the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development meeting he had attended the week before.

Commissioner Greg Balthazor said he did not receive any calls this week, but he traveled some of the county roads. He found them rough, but drivable for this time of year and the wet conditions. He also said he would report to road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey that 20 Road needed to be blocked for the time being. Another item Balthazor wanted to talk to Bouchey about was the department’s summer hours since the time change was set for the coming weekend.

Commissioner John Ruder said he had traveled some of the roads during the week in his section of the county. He noted that he had attended the motorcade for WWII veteran Donald Stratton.

After the commissioners accepted Township #12’s annual report as presented, they met with road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey. He reported that the bell dumps are in the Williams pit and are hauling material on 13 Road. Rock is being worked up at the Circle pit at this time. The bridge crew is working on repairing undermined culverts and then will go back to cutting down some trees within the week The concrete by the manhole located by the department office in the alley is broken. The City of Stockton will be doing some work on it and possibly the sewer line during the next few weeks. Bouchey said he had driven various county roads over the past few days and stated that the sanded roads are holding up well. Work needs to be done at X Road and a barricade has been put up by 20 Road. The commissioners talked about other roads and upcoming projects, as well as funding for some of the projects before Bouchey gave the commissioners the quote he had received from Venture for work on the Zurich Blacktop. Balthazor asked Bouchey about the change over to summer hours for the department with Bouchey stating they would make the change at the end of March to coincide with the next pay period. Before Bouchey left the meeting, Hagan requested a ten-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing job performance with the three commissioners and Bouchey in attendance. There was no further discussion when the commissioners came back to the open meeting. Before Bouchey left the meeting, he informed the commissioners that he is still working on purchasing sand for the roads.

County appraiser Heather Poore was at the meeting to present the commissioners with the 2019 home sales information within the county. She noted that the valuations have been sent out. She gave the commissioners information to explain the valuations for individuals who call them with questions. She also told the commissioners to send individuals to her office so she can answer their questions about their taxes.

Poore then asked permission to attend the Women’s Initiative Conference in Denver this August. Poore is working on scholarships to cover the costs for the conference.

Poore then asked permission to give one of her employees a merit raise since she has passed her continuing education training. The commissioners approved the raise as requested. Poore noted that the commercial workshop for her department is set for May 3rd through May 5th. She is also doing some online training for her department

After the commissioners called sheriff Gary Knight about the progress for the installation of the radio antennae in Plainville, they adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.