County moving forward with installation of radio antenna tower

At the regular weekly meeting of the Rooks County Commission on Tuesday, March 10, sheriff Gary Knight and emergency management director Butch Post were at the session to give the commissioners an update about the radio tower project. Knight presented the commissioners with the quotes for the installation of the antenna, noting the entire project would come in under the estimated $20,000.00. The road and bridge department will pay half the costs with the City of Plainville to pay in $5,000.00 for the project. The commissioners voted to move forward with the installation of the radio antenna tower project in Plainville as outlined by Knight. Knight said he would get the paper signed soon so the installation could begin.

Post then updated the commissioners on the weekend fires before he left. He also noted that he is meeting weekly with the county nurse and the Rooks County Health Center staff dealing with updates on the coronavirus.

Commissioner Corky Hagan reported that he had driven some roads during the weekend and feels that they are in fair shape for this time of year, giving credit to the work of the road and bridge department. He also noted that some Phillips County residents were impressed with the condition of the Rooks County roads. He said he would relay to road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey that he has had calls about the first two miles on E Road located just west of the highway.

Commissioner Greg Balthazor said he had traveled some of the roads during the week, stating they are rough, but in good condition for this time of year and due to the wet weather conditions. He said he had just received calls about the rough conditions. He said he would pass on road concerns dealing with S Road and 28 Road that he had received calls on. He also noted that people in the north section have told him that they are pleased with the new grader operator in that area. Balthazor ended his report stating he would be attending two meetings later in the week in Hays and at Great Bend.

Commissioner John Ruder said someone had expressed interest in an old golf cart that Rick McLaughlin had donated to the Rooks County Golf Course a few years ago. It is inoperable, but the individual asked about purchasing it. The commissioners made a motion to make the old golf cart excess property and to sell it for the amount of $100.00. Ruder also noted that Al Plante has been repairing some of the equipment and mowers at the golf course over the past few months. Ruder ended his report by stating that Redbud Village has 27 residents at this time and there have been no new water leaks at the facility.

Road and bridge supervisor Rich Bouchey was at the meeting and presented the monthly fuel bid from Bosselman in the amount of $12,567.20. He also reminded the commissioners that deadline for the pasture rental bid located by the landfill is March 20th.

Bouchey then presented the commissioners with two bids for a new copy machine for the road and bridge department office. The commissioners voted to have Bouchey move ahead with the purchase of a new copier from Northwest Office Supply. The Dusan loader had a new depth sensor installed and a new pump put on. The crew is almost done cleaning up the trees at the Maddy corner and will be working on 20 Road next. Bouchey is gearing up to get the hydro seeder ready to spray by the hospital and other areas.

Before Bouchey left the meeting, the commissioners went over the list of roads they had received calls on including a culvert needing attention on P Road and 30 Road going west.

Next, High Plains Mental Health representatives Walt Hill and Kaley Conner were at the meeting to give the commissioners the 2019 annual report for the county. Board member for Rooks County Gary Knight was also at the meeting. They also went over the services the organization provides to the area.

The commissioners received the grant request from appraiser Heather Poore for the scholarships she is applying for so she can attend the IAAO meeting in Denver later this year.

After the commissioners accepted Township #6’s annual report and bond check in the amount of $37.59, they spent the remainder of the morning reviewing and signing vouchers as presented.