December 27, 2022
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners met in the courthouse commission meeting room Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Chairman Dennis Ray called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Darrell Oetting and Member Randy Lohmann present. County Clerk Dawn Harlow was in attendance as recording secretary.
Others present for portions of the meeting: James Weber, Debora Smith, James Gabelmann, Sarah Hageman, and John Paul Ellis.
Correspondence: the monthly newsletter from the North Central Regional Planning Commission; a letter from the North Central Regional Planning Commission containing the dues notice and annual report; a Christmas card from the North Central Regional Planning Commission; a letter from Forensic Medical notifying a price increase beginning January 1, 2023; the monthly board packet for the Lincoln County Hospital Board of Trustees; bills for Lincoln Park Manor; a contract for audit services from Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chartered; a bid to tear down the building at 132 W Lincoln Ave from Diehl Enterprises, Inc; and a calendar and popcorn from Campbell and Johnson PA. Commissioner Oetting objected to three billsfor Lincoln Park Manor. After discussion, the board agreed to disallow two Street Plumbing Heating & Electric bills and allow a bill from Alliance monitoring. Randy Lohmann moved to approve Lindburg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chartered, as the certified public accountants for Lincoln County to audit the year ended December 31, 2022, seconded by Darrell Oetting. Motion carried. Randy Lohmann moved to approve the contract with the North Central Regional Planning Commission and pay the fee of $3,500, seconded by Dennis Ray. Motion carried. Dennis Ray moved to award the bid to Diehl Enterprises Inc, in the amount of $29,500, to remove and backfill the property at 132 W Lincoln Ave, for $29,500, with the funds to be drawn out of the principal of the web fund, seconded by Randy Lohmann. Motion carried.
Commissioner Ray proposed that the board consider changing how the Post Rock Wind Farm PILOT agreement with Pattern Energy is handled. Ray suggested that they modify the current resolution that deposits all money received into the Windpower Economic Benefit Fund and place all future payments received for this wind farm into a separate account dedicated to renovating the courthouse and building new facilities for Lincoln County. Accumulating these funds can provide the funding needed and reduce taxpayers’ burden to pay for these projects.
Jim Weber recommended that David Gerstmann be reappointed to the Hospital Board of Trustees.
James Gabelmann offered to donate property west of the courthouse to build a new law enforcement center. In addition, Gabelmann commended Wally Loy for his work on the county roads.
Human Resource Officer Sarah Hageman inquired if there was a year of service requirement for retiring employees to receive a gift and retirement reception. The board said the employee should have at least five years of service and be retiring from KPERS. Hageman invited the board to a retirement party for Kerry Jackson on Thursday, December 29, at the Highway Department shop. The board requested that Clerk Harlow send a notice for a potential meeting so board members could attend. Hageman requested an executive session to discuss an employee leave request. Dennis Ray moved to recess into executive session for five minutes for the purpose of discussing employee leave health-related, pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(2)(b)(1) to reconvene in the courthouse commission meeting room, with the commission, Commissioner- elect Smith, and HR Sarah Hageman, seconded by Randy Lohmann. Motion carried. Time in: 9:16 a.m. Time out: 9:21 a.m. The chairman reconvened the meeting to regular session at 9:21 a.m. The board approved making an exception to the COVID policy regarding bringing a doctor’s note as long as the employee sought medical care. The board discussed the COVID policy and whether employees should continue to get paid for absences related to COVID. Darrell Oetting moved to end the COVID policy effective December 31, 2022, seconded by Randy Lohmann. Motion carried.
The board reviewed the Lincoln County Handbook and discussed potential changes. In addition, the group discussed the evaluation process and annual pay raises.
Darrell Oetting moved to accept the minutes of December 19, seconded by Randy Lohmann. Motion carried.
The chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:04 a.m. The next meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, in the courthouse commission meeting room.
