September 25, 2023 The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners met in the courthouse commission meeting room on Monday, September 25, 2023. Chairman Dennis Ray called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Debora Smith and Member Ryley Hembry present. County Clerk Dawn Harlow was in attendance as recording secretary.
Others present for portions of the meeting: John Paul Ellis, Steven McReynolds, Kelly Gourley, Felicia Strahm, Jesse Knight, Dale Hlad, Dustin Florence, and Luke Sanders.
Correspondence: a letter from FEMA providing additional information on the floodplain map and county requirements; a proclamation requesting the board proclaims October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month; and the Hospital Board of Trustees monthly meeting packet.
Courthouse Maintenance John Paul Ellis provided a cost to purchase an air conditioner/heater unit in the Human Resource Office. Before deciding, the board suggested that Ellis investigate the costs of installing an additional radiator or a split system.
Debora Smith moved to recognize October as Downs Syndrome Awareness Month, seconded by Ryley Hembry. Motion carried.
Commissioner Ray related that Deputy Coroners in Mitchell County have agreed to serve Lincoln County. Law Enforcement and EMS have been notified of the procedure to contact a coroner.
Dennis Ray moved to approve the September 18th minutes as presented, seconded by Ryley Hembry. Motion carried.
Economic Development Director Kelly Gourley inquired whether the board had decided to install restrooms at McReynolds Park. The board chose not to install bathrooms, suggesting the grant funds be used to improve the driveway, install a gazebo, and purchase picnic tables.
Commissioner Hembry suggested a fish cleaning station, and Commissioner Ray suggested a handicapped- accessible trail to access the water.
Dennis Ray moved to recess into executive session for fifteen minutes for the purpose of discussing employee evaluation, pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(2) (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel, to reconvene in the courthouse commission meeting room with the commission, HR Felicia Strahm, and Health Department Elizabeth Sheldon, seconded by Debora Smith. Motion carried. Time in: 9:16 a.m. Time out: 9:31 a.m.
The chairman reconvened the meeting to regular session at 9:31 a.m. with no action taken.
Emergency Manager Jesse Knight requested approval to purchase a 2017 Ford F250 XLT 4x4 Super Cab from Elite Construction in the amount of $33,000. Knight related that the Highway Department is willing to buy the current vehicle and that Health Nurse/Administrator Elizabeth Sheldon has agreed to advance the money from the Health Department Capital Outlay Fund to pay for the truck. No action was taken on this date.
Director of Highway Department Dale Hlad presented an agreement for the board’s approval.
Dennis Ray moved to approve the agreement between Kirkham Michael and Lincoln County for construction engineering inspection services on the road striping project, seconded by Ryley Hembry. Motion carried.
Emergency Manager Jesse Knight related that the Sheriff ’s Department grant application for the radios is included in the final selection by the review committee. The county should know soon whether or not they were awarded the grant.
The board inquired with Sheriff Dustin Florence and Undersheriff Luke Sanders about the building’s plumbing leak post- See “COMMISSION” page 5 ed on Facebook. The board encouraged Florence to have the repairs made as soon as possible, and if a local contractor can not adequately complete the project, then Sheriff Florence should seek bids from contractors outside the county.
Human Resource Officer Felicia Strahm inquired whether the board had authorized an additional parttime employee for the Transportation Bus now that the new van has arrived.
The board indicated that they had not agreed to employ an additional employee. Strahm updated the board on comments from staff and other counties when inquiring about bi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll.
The board set the September 29 end-of-month meeting time at 8:30 a.m.
The chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:33 a.m. The next meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 29, 2023, in the courthouse commission meeting room.
September 29, 2023 The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners met in the courthouse commission meeting room on Friday, September 29, 2023. Chairman Dennis Ray called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Debora Smith and Member Ryley Hembry present. County Clerk Dawn Harlow was in attendance as recording secretary.
Others present for portions of the meeting: Felicia Strahm.
The board appointed Commissioner Hembry as the point of contact for Nursing Home issues.
The board discussed the overtime being scheduled for and paid in the Sheriff ’s Department and the Ambulance Service. Debora Smith moved to approve payroll in the amount of $234,707.04, seconded by Ryley Hembry. Motion carried. Dennis Ray moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $401,106.18, seconded by Debora Smith. Motion carried.
The board reviewed plans for the October 9 Employee Training Day.
The chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:24 a.m. The next meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2023, in the courthouse commission meeting room.
