Neosho County Commission - Regular Meeting

It's 1:00. Call the board of county commissioners board regular meeting to order. January the 13th, 2026. We will start with the pledge of allegiance and the invocation by Pastor Griff. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If you join me in prayer, Lord of all creation, we we take a pause today to acknowledge your presence here with us and seek your guidance. [snorts] Bless these commissioners and all who are here as they discuss the business of the county. Give them clear minds, steady hearts, and and a resolve to act with justice and mercy. May the work done here today bring peace, prosperity, and hope to every corner of our county.

We ask this with gratitude for the opportunity to serve our county. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. God bless y'all. Thank you. Any changes? Yes. Uh, we need to add the the items. Okay.

Um, I'd like to have an executive session for non-elected. Um, maybe after Greg. Okay. Greg. Any public comment? All right. Do you have any questions on council pay order? Nope.

Okay, that I'll make a motion to accept payroll clearing in the amount of $187,37246 time off request presented and accounts payable in the amount of $185,474.90. I'll second it. All those in favor?

I motion pass three zero. All right. NRP extension Psyline or Pam Klein. Sorry.

You're dating yourself. [laughter] Yeah. You You sure am. I actually mean I took some pictures of progress we've made so far. Do you guys need this form? Yeah, we don't have any information as far as the forms. So, basically what I'm looking at is requesting an extension on the time. We kind of ran into some extra structural and unexpected uh things that once we opened it up and gutted and we need an extension. So what was the original?

It's on the first form on there. The original would have been 118 of 24. Then there was an extension 118 of 25 to be done.

Y is it? Y. So the original was to get the house. Is that We were Yeah, we were going to pull off everything we've got original pictures here. Yeah, I think she has them. I I included. Surely these are original. Yeah, I included a few of the original. Yes. [laughter] And we don't assume. And then [laughter] and then the empty with the studs. That's where we currently are.

But we have all of the electrical lines, brand new, run out, new water meter. Everything's run from outside in. The the barn's all run and done. The barn's in great shape. Um, so now we got inside, we opened it up and apparently a long long time ago the house had been had a gas explosion and it was lifted up off its foundation. So when we gutted and pulled all the plaster and drywall and insulation down, we're like, there's some things here that need to be taken care of first before we start, you know, just putting lipstick on a pig. Our goal is to do it right one time.

Well, I think this is what the NRP is for, you know, renovating. Um, so looks like a lot of work. [laughter] By the looks of this first picture, I guess. Uh, one-year extension. Okay. I'll make a motion to approve a one-year extension for NRP for Steve and Pam Klein. for repairs at 22125 Tger Road, Parsons, Kansas. I'll second it. All those in favor? I motion pass 3. Sign this one. Yep.

Thank you. Don't get rid of them. I think it says 6 months on there. We changed on that extension. All right.

Greg.

Good afternoon. I have the law enforcement contract for the city of St. Paul land there. They're the same as they've been for years. I'll make a motion to approve law enforcement contract with city of St. Paul and city of the

second renewal. Yes. I'll second the motion. All those in favor? I motion pass 30. I just need the chairman and the clerk to sign them and I'll make photo copies to send back to both town signature here.

And then the insurance company went ahead and totaled out that 2023 Ram truck that we had in the accident here a couple weeks ago. Um, so less of our $3,000 deductible on that truck. Um, they are willing to pay $25,940. I stripped it last week of all the law enforcement equipment and they came and picked it up this morning. Uh because we still have no estimated time of delivery on the Dodge Ram truck that we ordered last June. Um I had Trevor look around for other dealerships that do the Kansas State bid. There is a GMC dealer that's also in Witchah that does the Kansas bid pricing for law enforcement police package. Uh they had five 2026 Chevy 1500s with the police package in stock. Two of them are in two are silver in color and they sent a price bid on one of those at $49,8.98. I had Tyler look around for just our local dealerships in Shenoot to see if they had any V8 pickups. Um they didn't. Ford could get a V8. Um, it's not a police package for 46,921, but no delivery date guarantee. So, there's some sixcylinders, but I don't I know the highway patrol is using some sixcylinders for, but we're on gravel and I'm a little ler of how well they would hold up. So, I know we're getting short on vehicles and this one didn't help. Oh, I Yeah,

probably 3,000 more would cover that release package by four, wouldn't it, Greg? Yeah, probably. It's You wouldn't have to It's supposed to be a better suspension and braking and a larger alternator for the heavy electrical equipment stuff. So, so do they have that available? You said there was five of them available.

Yeah, there's five in which they're they're Chevys. They're not dodges, but um which I've got a welder and an iron maker. I can make anything fit. So, it's just a matter of time. So, but they want 49,898 for the one silver one. They said they had two silver ones in stock, but they sent a quote for one of them. I know your silver because the color scheme you want to say with

I try to keep the patrol fleet the same. Well, we have the money in the equipment reserve. So, um to get those two, I think get rid of you want two right now. Correct. Well, that would be great if you guys want through that. I think we do, too. Yeah. I mean, if they're new, you can't beat that deal. We've got at least one truck on the road with 82 or 5,000 miles on it. I mean, we still have Mike says he needs a new truck, so maybe

Well, so I I did take him the one that So, I stripped the other one out that they said needed a $10,000 engine. I drove it up and down the road. It's got the typical Dodge lifter tick, but it definitely will go over 55 mph. So, I took it over there for his mechanic to look at it and see if it does it really need an engine or is it just needs synthetic oil and a tuneup. So, but it's got 176,000 mi on it. It's It's rough, but it's still drivable. So, if we get these two, you'll still have the other one coming also eventually.

Yeah, I hope so. Okay. That was June. I think we should I'll make the motion to go and get the two silvers from Park City. Okay, I'll second it. All those in favor? I I Motion pass three. That's all I need unless you guys know anything. What about your roof, Greg? How's that? It's there. It's still leaking. We've only had one rain that was bid and I don't know of any new leaks from that, but we're going to try to get some bids to

We had a couple different people come and look at it, see what it would need. And I don't think any of them were cheap. Yeah. Well, the sooner the better, you know. We've had more trouble this last year with the pipes inside the building breaking and causing a flood than Right. So, sorry. Back to the the trucks. Do you need some kind of payment when you pick them up? Do we need to I'm sure I'll need a check to pick those up. So, do we need to approve that or what? A special. Okay. Do you have an exact price?

Do you know if that's an exact or So, it's 49,8.98. So, Multiply it by two out of equipment reserves. Right. So make the motion to have a special AP for $99,796 for two new patrol trucks

made out to park. No, that's just location.

It's extremely fine print. My glasses here. I got a pair. [laughter] It's Don Hatton Chevrolet. Don Hatton. So, I'll second that. All those in favor? I I I I'll make a motion also that when we do receive the insurance, when we get the insurance back on the one that was wrecked, that that goes into equipment reserve. We did receive a check today.

Okay. For the one that was the deer of 6,000. Okay. So, let's put that in the equipment reserve, too. Okay. Yeah. If both of those checks So, I'll make a motion that both of the insurance checks for the wrecked sheriff's vehicles go into equipment reserve. I'll second. I'll second the motion. All those in favor? I motion passes. That'll help a lot. So, we should be able to do that. Good. I wanted to talk to you about this the last meeting like we just need to get it done and get some vehicles that we can use. So we need to rather not have to get them when they're wrecked [laughter]

cuz then Mike doesn't get anything if you just keep wrecking them. If we can pass them down the road bridge that wreck. Yes. Did you want to

Okay. All move to recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel for road and bridge for 10 minutes to include the commission council uh road and bridge director and assistant director. Come back at uh 126. I'll second the motion. All those in favor I I

All right, back in. No action taken. Okay, I'll make a motion to extend the executive session by 10 minutes with the same parties, same discussion. Second. Those in favor? I back. I'm sorry. Come back at 137.

We are back in section action taken. Miss Lori Good afternoon. Um, I got just got a few things. Um, last year when I submitted uh my budget, I put a capital outlay on there and I um am here to ask if that's a possibility. It was for hydraulic desk. I did go back to the company. We went back to the company and did get a new quote. I took out a lot of the excess stuff they were putting they had put on these desks cuz we don't need the frills of all of it. We just need um the basics. So, it did drop the the quote almost $17,000. So, um, which I was I was pleased with that. And I realize I I don't take this lightly that this is um a lot of money at all, but we have for just a little bit under what I'm asking for this time. It has those desks have lasted us 17 years. And that's that's pretty awesome. There's not too many things you guys buy here that will last 17 years. And so and

it's a great company. Same company I have now. And um if they still worked, I wouldn't, you know, be replacing them. But we've definitely got our money's worth out of those. The [snorts] only other thing is the gel if at all possible. would like to have my old ones cuz they don't care if they go up or down and you know anything. They just would like to have the uh my old ones. So, which with that said, we can take another I think it's 2600 or 2600 off of the $62,000 quote. I tried to get another quote today, but [snorts] uh they didn't get it to me in time. So where it says um miscellaneous charge removal and disposal that 2625 can come off that amount. So which drops it even more drops it another 2,000. So 2600. The reason I'm asking now about this is this is going to be quite a project um for dispatch. It'll be probably two days of non-stop tearing stuff down and and putting it all back together. Um, with that said, since I have done this a time or two and know the process while I'm still here, I'd like to uh if we can get this done and know we're ready to go. What was the original?

70 79,550. [snorts]

Got a tariff on these. I'm sorry. Tariff? Yeah. Were they made in China? The tariff? Oh, yeah. They're going to have a tariff on it. Yeah. Probably the parts, I'm guessing,

the hydraulics and everything. maintain 10% before the completion project 50% of the deposit install. They want all 90% as it's installed.

Install. Yeah. There's a lot to that, Nick. It's not just put the table together, stick it in. They have tracks and everything. Everything runs through. No, it's just one more thing they can bill you for. Yeah. Yes. But it's also one thing that I would not want to try to do either or else I would do it. [snorts] And this is just the hardware. No physical cabling or anything they're doing. Is there?

No. This is just the desk. David did go um above and beyond and he contacted Zyix also and um talked to a Denver represent representative than what I've been dealing with about just replacing the hydraulics and it was I think 28,000 just for the hydraulics I think is what it came up came up to. The problem is each one of these desk and I was all for that until I thought of this. Each one of these desk has what's called a data port in it which is a a a docking system at the front part and that's for like our our keyboards, our mouse, everything. Well, ours two of them's wore out. You don't even want to bump them or it shorts out and stuff. If we're just doing the hydraulics, that's not going to solve that problem. And since I got the price, I thought considerably down compared to the first quote, I just feel that it's we have a better warranty and we have a warranty on the desk for 10 years. And with just the hydraulics, it's limited just to the hydraulics and it was for 5 years. So, and they're real good about it. Like I of course the tables we have in between them and stuff. I called them 5 years ago and said they won't turn. Well, they brought me all new bearings and tore them apart and put all new bearings and everything in them and didn't charge a dime. So, it's definitely quality.

What is it? Marketing. What are they marketing? Says create marketing. Marketing videos and content. I know it's not a charge on it. Is that part of their They're they're knocking off their There's $14,000 just there. I check the first page. Was it on the first one? I don't know. Where are you looking at? Yeah, the second page of the bid. It says marketing videos. Create market create content videos. One was 8,000. One was Oh, here. I have no idea. We have zero on those.

Well, I know. That's part of their bid. They took that off. And so yeah. Is that the first one? Is that what they took off of the first invoice? No, I took off the heating, the air. Um I don't remember. There was several things that I took off that I didn't feel was necessary. I I just I don't think that was on either video. Can I do an ad? H do an ad.

Yeah, I know. We did. They're doing an ad to show the county got new desk or what? Here we go. They didn't have it on the original one either. The marketing stuff. It was not on there. I don't know what that is. had for $15,000.

Yeah. Probably go to the school districts and they could do the first project. Well, I think it's an investment in the future and an investment in 911, which we haven't. Also, you need to look at the $900. That will be added back in. That's going to say it's going to go back on. Yes, it is.

You won't be removing that. So, that'll be it. Yeah, that will be added back in. I did ask about that. So, by them not taking it back and turn around and sell them again. So,

Exactly. Yeah. So really you're dropping it up to what? $1,725. Get back. Where's your phone? They're really not they're not giving you the disposal fee completely.

I realize that I know. Okay. So that minus that I just plus the night plus that. So if you take off I deal with a lot dealt with a lot of vendors. Vendors. Yeah. You had to watch very closely. Yeah. Okay. If we take off the removal and disposal fee and add back in the 900 $61,9143. Sorry. We got 60,91443. Okay. Wait, hold it. Or 60. I'm sorry. Yeah. 60. Yeah. How much? 60 60,9143.

Okay. I've dropped it almost 20,000 now. I think you had too many bells and whistles in the first one. Well, no. when I asked for a quote. I asked for the quote and told her I didn't need all that stuff and really the quote come in last minute and I hadn't had a lot of time to look it over cuz of trying to get it on the budget and yeah, they had put everything on it. So, that's their job to sell as much as

Well, yeah, it is. doing that on the trucks for the sheriffs. That'll like wipe out our equipment reserve for the year. But you're the one that told me it needed to go in equipment reserve versus my budget. So,

well, last year's budget has no I'm still good on mine. Did you put some in 26? I'm sorry. Did you put some in 26 equipment or capital outlay in this budget? But you guys took it out. Okay. I look at this I understand just No, but if you think about it, it is expensive. I'm I'm just It is expensive. But 17 years worth. Well, I get it. I get it.

And it's equivalent to you getting in the car and your wife has drove it and for the next 12 hours you have to sit the same position that she does, you know, and can't get out of there but once or twice a shift. I've been going to the pharmacy. We pulled all the chairs out. You had to stand for your shift. We would love to. I've got I mean, now these desks will let us stand. Yeah, there's no chairs to sit in. These desks will let us stand. Yeah, I'd love to.

So, and I do have a few that would that did stand when they worked. So, you know, I don't hire all the same heights, same size, everything. It's nice when they can be comfortable for 12 hours. Okay, we need recliners. [laughter] Yes, recliners. That's what it is. No, seriously, if you think about it, Nate, tell me something else you've spent that money on that lasted 17 years. I spent a lot more than that. And it's lasted 17 years. Uhhuh. For the county.

33. For the county. No, I'm just I'll make a motion that we approve the quote from Zy Cybex Cybex for 911 to get new data do uh desk organizers. What time frame are we looking at to in the amount of wait 60,9143 to be taken out of equipment reserve? I'll second. All those in favor? I Thank you. Motion pass one.

Okay. Who did not vote for it? Nick have to ask. All right. You know me. I don't like being uncertain. Hey, in 193 days, I won't ever ask for nothing again. [laughter] I will. You're training. You're training. Yeah. Uh, tomorrow meeting or tomorrow, excuse me, at 1:00 at the sheriff's office, we will be having a 911 advisory board meeting. So, I was just letting you guys know and the public know. I did respond to your email. Did you say that? I got it. Okay.

Thank you. Okay. And I do need a uh five minute non-elected uh personnel executive session with the commission council and payroll and Tasha and I. I'll move to recess to executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel regarding 911 for 5 minutes to include commission counsel 911 director and assistant director and council and uh HR come back at 2:00. All those in favor? I I think including another

back in. I know I should check taken and that's all I have. Do you have anything for me? Thank you. Thanks, horse. send you're next.

I got a few things here. Apologize for my voice. All right. Um, first thing is I I know I talked about it at a couple commission meetings ago. It's probably been 2 months, but when um we switched from Superior Vision and Delta Dental and everything, they had to rewrite the um they called it the EDI file setup. Uh Benefits Advantage did. And I have their invoice. Um I think they originally said it was going to be like 2,000 to 2500. Um it came in at $1,200. So, I just wanted your permission to get this paid. um cuz they we need to pay them and this was to set up for the um IMED. So,

you have the invoice. I do. That's fine. We'll see it when it comes through for accounts payable. Yeah, give me I'll make a motion to approve American life I'm sorry life benefits invoice number 1232025 for setting up the EDI provision for $1,200. I'll second the motion. All those in favor I motion pass three zero. Thank you. Do you want that back? Um, actually Chassity can take it.

Okay.

Uh, then I have the 2026 calendar of payrolls. Um, just to show you that we do have two holidays this year that fall or two payrolls that fall on a holiday. So, we have to bump the pay date back to the Thursday. Um, this is the list of themies. Um Junth is on the 19th. So we have to do payroll on the 18th I believe. And then uniquely um the first payroll of 2027 falls on January 1st, which is a Friday. So we're actually going to have to pay it on the 20 or 31st of December, and then have the auditor help us move those numbers into 2027. But that's a year away.

It'll be here before we know it. I know. We're halfway through January almost. drops the wall. So, need a motion. No, it doesn't need a motion. I just wanted to show you unless you want a mo Well, actually, we probably should do a motion for moving those two payrolls since it Yeah, my apologies.

Proposed payroll. I think we just need to accept the payroll that was presented. Okay. Yeah. Motion to accept the payroll date calendar [sighs] for 2026 as presented. I'll second it. All those in favor? I I

And I can get a copy for the record for you, Chassity. So you have it. Um, so I'm just kind of an update on a few things. Um, W2s have been started the, um, I'm wrapping up year end stuff like the 941s and the federal for quarter 4, so all that can be done. Unemployment. Um, this payroll is where the, uh, wage study takes effect. So, all those wages, it took a minute, but I've got them entered in uh personnel and payroll and double checked. The only thing that isn't ready for this payroll yet is I have to go through the leave balances and do the math because there's two December days on or three December days on this last payroll. So, I have to see double check the use or lose and make sure that everybody used or loses um the leave balance per the county policy. So, I'll get that done today yet. And then payroll, the employees won't see it until tomorrow. Pay date still being on Friday. So, okay. Um, the Kwork work comp audit is coming up. So, I am going to be starting that here probably the next week or the week after. It's something we do annually. It's due um the 9th of February. Uh my goal with the W2s in addition is to have those done by next Friday. So that way we don't have to worry about those and those will be out along with the 1095C's. Um let's see. I still if employees are curious um I know I've had a lot about this uh IMED vision cards. I've been working with our contact to try and get that figured out because they haven't been mailed out yet and there's supposed to be a spot on the website where I can go and click and just print them for everybody. That is not there. So, they've got their programming team fixing that for me, but I've been

fighting this issue since probably last week, Wednesday, Tuesdayish. So, I don't have an update, but if employees need their vision information, they just need to call me. I can give them the group number and their policy number and it'll work just the same. Um, next thing I need is a 5-minute executive uh regarding non-elected personnel in the health department to include myself, commission, and council. I'll move to recess to executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel regarding the health department for five minutes to include commission counsel and HR and we'll come back

do a fivem minute break five minute break we'll come back at 217

second all those in favor I motion pass Are we doing that now? Break

Becky should take it. Okay. Then I need one more executive session um 15 minutes regarding non-elected personnel um of multiple departments to include myself commission and um legal or council. I move to recept into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel um regarding the county for 15 minutes and count it would be council commission and HR and we'll come back at two 32. I'll second the motion. All those favor I

I motion

back in session. Action taken. Um unlet lead a motion then to approve all action forms as presented with the exception of the county attorney's office or county attorney. I'll still move. I'll second it. All those in favor? I. Thank you. Um, do you guys have any questions for me?

Um, I think one of the only other thing I had is I'll be out of the office for a little bit on Thursday. I have my um, SKH meeting in that afternoon. So, if you're looking for me, I'll be busy. But send me a text and I'll answer. Thank you. Good afternoon everyone. Again, don't have too much on my list. I have a quarterly report from CFS showing the projects we have going on. um which is the bridge um down southwest of Gailsburg, the North Island Bridge, the 70th Road overlay that's coming up next year, and then the four uh bridge deck overlays that uh we need to have done. Yes, I think she did.

We're keeping him busy.

Yeah, it's progress everything that needs done. Also, I have a proposal from Vettice Asphalt to add that rock wedge along Elk Road. Um, it's just along the edge of the new pavement. Uh, this is the same thing we've done like on the Gailsburg Road. uh from Gailber east to just that way if you drop off the edge makes it easier.

Oops. You gave us some extra sheets. Oops. And then I have a motion. This is at the bottom of that stack.

That was at the bottom of that stack. I'll make the motion approve proposal from bed asphalt construction to do it rock edge on Elk Road to county line from city in the amount of $42,272. $50 out of tax account number 385. 385. I'll second the motion.

All those in favor? I motion pass. Thank you for that. The last I heard was about a week ago, they said they would be back in about uh 3 weeks to wrap up the project. Um they they have most of the asphalt down. There's a couple of little bit more work to do at a couple of the intersections. Um they did do the patch over the top of the half tank culvert on the country club road which that oh

that turned out nice. So you've been I've been over it. Um, it should be in good shape there for a very long time. U I'm not going to do it today, but um I did email Brett uh last week regarding the upcoming 59 highway railroad over overpass just north of Parsons. Um, I'm going to ask for uh a speed limit reduction on some of the gravel roads in that area. Um, I don't I would rather hold off on Queens Road we know is going to get a lot more traffic also, but I think I would rather hold off and just kind of see how things looks before we lower that speed limit. If if we do, we may leave it alone. It's 55. So, we may or may not need to have to worry about any indust. Well, I don't know. I need to get back with Jared and see if how much they're going to help us on that. Uh because I look for a lot of the traffic to go on Pratt Road just north of that tank connection. There's a road where they can go by tag connection, jump on the county line road, 10th road, go east about 8 and mile, and then go north on Pratt

or go up Queens. Okay. Or go Queens. Yeah. I mean, if you're coming in from the east and go Queens and then kind of over. It just kind of depends on where they're coming from. Well, it depends if there's a train there,

right? But if they go north on Pratt, they'll be able to look to the west and see if there's a train across the tracks. And if there is, they'll just go to the next one and then they can cut back to the west and then jump back on 59 highway. So I don't this won't be near as painful as this river bridge was. But uh there's still going to be a lot of traffic on on some of the gravel roads. And then we also have to consider, you know, there's going to be people driving on gravel roads that really aren't used to driving on gravel roads. And so I think the lowering the speed limit uh is is important and we've done this on all of these projects since I've been here and and it's been effective. So and we have a map of the houses where the houses are on there. You're going to be able

No, but I can I can get you one. You know what I'm saying? Cuz they're going to be our main Yeah, I'll probably going down 20th also. Yeah. meet and and jumping on 20th and coming back. We don't anticipate as much traffic, but there will be an increase and we've got that in fairly good shape. I know they had a train there. It was across 10th and 20th last time, right? Yeah. Yeah. They're usually over a mile long. Yeah. So, do we know if Leette is going to decrease their speed limits? Do they have gravel roads in there? Is Pratt going to I don't know if they will or not. it. Even though the project is in Lebec County, it's really not going to affect them as much as it is Neoso County.

We're going to get the product. Yeah, I don't I doubt that they will reduce the speed limit, but I don't know. But it just all depends on what routes people take, you know, because sometimes they take routes that you don't anticipate. Uh just like on this river bridge project south of Erie, uh there was a way more traffic on the gravel roads than I thought there would be. GPS, they can go another two miles and be on pavement, but they were taking gravel roads. A lot of them were. So, have we used our counter yet? Not yet, but it's getting ready to happen. Okay. Yeah. So, when are they closing?

It'll be the end of February. And the pre-work meeting is this Thursday at 1:00 in KOT in Pittsburgh. I do plan to attend that. So, it's at the KOD office over there on West Fourth Street. If you want to if you want to attend that, I'll send you the I'll try to get the the location. I'll Yeah. Okay. So, I checked my schedule and I'm going to be working. So, that's what you say about everything.

I know. you retired the solid waste management plan. I'll get that to you next week. I forgot to bring the plan itself. It'll it'll have to be signed, but we can there's really and I'll go over it again next week, but very few changes other than the the days and hours of operation. Other than that, it's pretty much the same, but we're required to do it. So, but I'll bring that with me next week. So, that's all I have on my list.

So, this morning I came back from Iola over the North River Bridge and there was a train. So, I was impatient. So, I went back and then went down 240th to come back around. So, I noticed that the speed limits on Elk is 55. On 240th, they still have signs that are 30 and on Plumber, what's that county road? Douglas. Douglas. On Douglas, it's still 45, right?

So, um I was just questioning whether that's what because the project's basically over. I mean, the work's being done on Elk, but yet we've let that go back to 55. Um, so I don't think we've ever talked about it. It's your district as to I don't think we want to keep those signs, do we? No. I don't think I might wait till the Rock Edge is done. Well, it's already 55. They've taken the We'll see. We didn't We didn't change the speed limit on Elk Road. We just closed the road down. So, yeah. Oh, gotcha. That was from 69 that I remember. Okay. So, it is 55 there. Yeah.

Um 45 on Douglas. The only problem there is is need some help. It needs overlay. It's not as bad as it has been. I mean, fairly rough in that area, but I wanted to think that was the only conversation I had is I've had a lot of complaints on it really. Oh, that was You mean, huh? Just being rough. It is rough. It needs It needs overlaid and I hope we can get that on the in the works at some point. I know we've got a lot of projects, but it took a meeting at 160. Oh, yeah. We thought the state was going to be with it, but they never did.

Okay. Well, city want to keep it at 45. The signs are still up. I don't know if any of the I don't know if the land owners or all the houses in there how they're feeling if it went back to 55 or used to see a lot faster cars on that road. When they used to drag up and down, but they did. Chuck knows. He's not that [laughter] rough. used to be a drag race. Okay. So, what about 240th? You want to We can take those down. I mean, it's a country road.

Yeah. I'm I'm fine. If we want to go back to 55, that's fine. I mean, I don't think we have many signs on that road, right? So, it's Oh, it's already 240th normally. 240th is not marked, I don't think. No, it's not usually marked. So, we need to We'll just take them down. Yeah. And then what about Douglas? You want to leave it at 45 for now or you want to think about it? You know, we can talk about it again next week if you want. Yeah. I had some of them that like it because they're coming off on 230th off that gravel and they come up

and they're coming pretty good coming down 55 right there. When they slow down pretty fast, it goes to 30 to right to that bridge that you close to the bridge. I just pretty quick on that road. And I think it's different if you go off the highway. I was just coming off 240th where you're not really going to speed up for that mile or whatever. Maybe we could keep it 55 off the highway and then once you get to 240 if we can make it 45 45 it's an option. It's a speed of a mile.

So we drop the speed further out than just going from 55 to 30. Okay. So and I don't know if there's still a sign from the highway. I because I wasn't I didn't come off the highway. Sign's been crooked ever since they put it up. They may have fallen by now. So, we just take there's a sign off of uh 39 that says 45. I think we just have the two signs

on that road. Maybe just taking the first sign off. So, the question also is did we have a resolution for this? And I'm sorry I didn't look back in 24 resolutions. We need to but we it went till I think most of we went till the project is completed and okay but I think that might be a good idea just have coming off of the highway it's 55 and then decrease it before then reduce it to 45 at 240th is that is that right 240th or yeah past that intersection or 230th Yeah, I think the sign right about halfway. You want to go to 230th?

That's awful close to that overbridgeidge, isn't it? I almost think 240th. That looks fine with me. Is it? I'll write something up and get it to you guys and Brett and you can take a look at if we can get the distance from like 39 to 240. Is that one mile? And then from it's pretty close to 240 to city limits. Is that That must be a mile and a half. It's a little over a mile cuz you got 230th farther south. It only goes to the west. Yeah. Yeah. So, we wouldn't do I think we want to decrease before then. Okay. Cuz the road kind of narrows and then there's that overpass for Ash Grove.

I'll write something up and get it to you. Take a look at it and then we'll look to see if we need to. Did it have all three of those roads or just the two the two roads for on that resolution? I can't remember which roads we had on there. Well, it was 240. Okay. Cuz Elk was closed. Okay. We may have done 240th on a separate. Yeah, I think we did that a little bit later

because it was getting way more traffic than we expected and we got some complaints and I think we did it later. Think so. You know that that curve in there might be something we need to look at too now that we fix that like on Elk Road. Yeah, cuz the T's on 240. Yeah. You know, [clears throat] curving around like a curve are going to be coming faster. Seeing how it's not gravel no more. I'll have to uh You see what I'm saying?

Yeah. You get what I'm saying? As you go north, you're going come around that curve and somebody could be coming pretty hot straight. So, I'll have to look at the signage up there again because we had those chevron signs and then we had the the suggested 45 mph curve sign there. Um, but now it's going a straight shot right across 240. cross 240. I'm just I'm just thinking that might be a dangerous little corner if we don't stop that traffic coming north.

And do we have the signs up for the curves? Because I think maybe they were taken down when we cleared things out. We used to have those chevron signs up there. They're still there, aren't they, Cody? I think when they cleared out the land on the side. Okay, we may have to. Yeah, there I'm not for sure there's any signage on the curves, but that was one thing I was thinking about cuz Yeah, I think either direction if they don't take the curve and come in. Yeah, they might they might meet there pretty fast. [clears throat] Anyway, we need to look at those that area. I just was thinking about that today when I was trying to

we can meet up there and take a look at it and then whatever we think needs done just do it. It's okay I just think of that curve not and now it's connected fully hard surface you probably get rid of the curve and just put a hard stop. Yeah, you get what I'm saying? Mhm. stop going north and get rid of that curve. Yeah, that curve would

Oh, I know what you're saying. Oh, you I didn't take it today cuz I was like I wanted to see the pavement, but you're right. Other traffic took it. Yeah. Why don't we meet up there and look at it and then we'll come up when you're not working. No, he catch me early in the morning. Early morning. 4 in the morning when you're I just want to fully understand. I think I know exactly what you're talking about, but I want to make sure. Yeah. On the same page. Yeah. There's really no need for it. I mean, like a Y there. Yeah. Yeah. With the pavement, it makes a big difference. Yeah. Usually two ways. So, really one of those few that are left in the

come into that curve or because I know people going both direction on that curve. They meet head on pretty good. So Okay, I don't have anything else. But that's a nice improvement having that little It was stretch of gravel there that was we fought that thing forever and now it should be good for a long long time. So anyway, that's all still holding together, Mike. Pressure is still holding together. Yeah. Good. Yeah, we're making rock. Uh

going to need some bro. We Yeah, we're going to need some. This good weather is not going to last forever. But yeah, we've got a guy out there. It's going to hold. We're going to cross our fingers. It's going to hold out. This will be the winter. We're having no snow. That would be if we had weather like we've been having till March or April. I would be okay with that, but it's probably not going to happen. But yeah, we've got a guy out there that's got a little bit of a background in the quarry operations and he's been running the crusher and getting along fine. So, okay. Is that it? Okay. Thank you.

Here's some paperwork that was left on one of our desks that I think you might need to get back to Jim Chapel. Oh, okay. Thank you. We have bid items there.

Yes. Um, so I know in our last meeting that we agreed that we're going to go do a bid process for all of the county items that we're getting rid of. David and I have talked about this because we moved our meeting as well. It's not going to work on the dates that we have planned out. So, we put our heads together. He's come up with button auction and doing it just a one-day deal. Get it done with out of the way. We've got a few dates um that he is available be January 24th, February 7th, or February 21st. We think our best bet is probably going to be on the 7th due to advertising it the newspaper, the website, getting it out there. It's going to cost um from the made uh from the amount of 300 if they have the cashier or 250 if we provide a cashier to touch money.

I'll move that you be cashier. I move they have a cashier. 50 bucks. 50 bucks. Yeah. They're used to doing that. Sounds good. All the proceeds go back in the equipment. Equipment reserve. Yeah, we need more money in there. Yeah, that sounds good. Yeah, I'll make a motion. Go away. I'll make a motion that we hire button auction button auction to auction off our surplus office office equipment reserves or supplies you say February and that we will set the date for February 7th I'll second it

which I'm assuming is a Saturday all those in favor I motion pass 30 for a price of $300 Sorry.

How did uh I don't know anything carried over. Isn't one cyber. It wasn't. What do you mean by carry over? It's the same company. Yeah. So, we just need to approve. It's on the agenda. Okay. Yes, that's what I Yeah, I think it was from last time. That's what I was saying. Yeah, that's what I was. Okay. [clears throat] Gotcha. Remember, but did you write me asking? On here.

Well, we carried over from last time. Yeah. We hadn't got their quote and the sheets yet. And they sent all that and they sent the new policy with the new deck sheet. That's what dude sent me over this morning. Okay. So, I actually put the commission reorganization on the agenda. Um, our clerk was not here last year at this time, but I kind of helped her with a list and things that we've done the last couple year years I pulled. So, did they get a list? Nope. Yep. I got one. No.

Okay. Everything that needs to be done uh on my list at least was accounts payable schedule which we've gotten and the holiday schedule which we've also done.

We've done payroll. So we need to do the committees which I think you have a list here. We need to do banks. We need to do a chair and vice chairman and a commission meeting schedule and then newspapers. And then we always have to do a resolution stating cash bases per the state. So we at least need to do those. So if you guys remember anything else be quick about it and we're just sure rotation be chair. So true.

Paul gets to be vice chair. I just be a little old commissioner then. I'll make that motion. [laughter] I'll second it. All those in favor? I thank you.

I guess I was going to do that first thing this morning. First part of this meeting. I wasn't going to mention it. [laughter] Okay. So then our meeting dates and frequency, we're still going to meet on Tuesday every other week and we're going to change the time to 1:00. Yes. So I'll make that a motion for commission meetings. All those in favor? I you're chairman of the house. So 2026. Okay. And I think the official newspapers and financial institutions can stay the same. Does that sound okay? Yes, that's fine.

So, we want to do those separate probably. Someone want to I will make the motion to approve county newspaper tribune and the area record and the financial institutions as bank of commerce, commercial bank, community national bank of trust, Empire Bank, Exchange State Bank, Farmers National Bank, and Home Savings Bank. I'll second the motion. All those in favor? I. Motion passed three to zero. Would they consider our municipal investment pool as a financial institution? Yeah. Do we need to have that?

Let's have that. I didn't talk about that before. Yeah. I'm just I'm just I don't think it's ever been done. We have funds in that. Let's go ahead and designate that. That's a good point. What is it called again? What's the official name? Municipal Investment Pool. So, you want to amend your motion? I will amend my motion with the addition of the municipal investment pool added as one of the financial institutions. You probably need to put Kansas in there. Yeah, Kansas. State of Kansas.

I'll second it. All those in favor? I sorry. Okay, that gets us down to the committees. So, we have a list. We've added Southeast Kansas Mental Health. I can't think of anything else that we've added. I can't see anything that I've on that I've actually done anything in the last six years, but um I think they got an opening to the CR.

Is CRDA going to continue? There's an opening. I was thinking about you. Are they going to allow us on the board? I are they going to continue? I think there's still some question. They didn't Oh, really? They didn't get the sales tax to fund Yeah. CRDA. Yep. So, it didn't pass. Oh, really? Okay. Well, last regional planning committee, you know, we got people that's, you know, uh committee people out of county. I need to get her on it and maybe Gabby because three or four of her are gone. you know, Sydney,

you know, Carla Rush was on their employee. You got to have an employee on there. You know, Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Committee, just just a committee, you know, I sure didn't know that about them not getting it running and closing down. I haven't heard anything. I think we should just I'll make a motion that we appoint commissioners to the list of committees as presented. I'll second the motion. All those in favor?

I I motion carries. Did I say I? I to be quiet. You got to get back in that groove of it, you know. All right. Well, thanks, Paul, for the ones that you do. I think probably keep the busiest and you do two of them, so they're pretty important. Yes, we've uh got a kid from Pittsburgh over there in juvenile detention now. I saw that shooting

17year-old. So, something I watching other counties in the area is that they're on a few more boards and I think maybe previous commissioners didn't want to be on the boards, but when we go through the budget and we have outside entities come, I think it's important as we saw in Southeast Kansas Mental Health to have a presence in these organizations that we are giving money to so that we know what's going on. So I would like to look at that as part of our budget as maybe we can. CRDA is my understanding we were taken off the board and so um there was talk about putting someone back on but we never did. Um so I think it's just a matter of presence. I've been on the Tri Valley board before but that's another one that it'd be good to keep an eye on things. Um, so that's just a thought that I think other counties if they give money to that organization, they're on the board.

It's a good idea, especially what's going on across the country, you know. Yeah. So, oversight. Yes. Okay. So, did you get that resolution? Yes. I got my email. Okay. So, we'll get the resolution for the uh cash basis. Yeah, that we always have to do at the beginning. Um, so there's been some talk on the resolution on the ROZ student loan. I think maybe we should just table that the rural opportunity zone.

And that's confusing because there's really a couple programs under that. One is somebody moves back, but then also within this uh college, do they not? someone's words investment or retention investment bringing local business they call them both roses but the I know the one that commissioner Bedau usually was was to get a professional back into the

and you donate to it or the uh what is it 1% or something you get a professional doctor lawyer or something to come back into there, they get some of their uh student debt offset. They have a student debt program and then they Well, so it's a state program. With that resolution, it kind of puts us on the hook if the student doesn't pay them off. And so I think we need to look at that because I don't think that's something that we really

want to know what how we've accessed the program. I mean, who's used it? We had I don't even know if we had done it for a few years, but we had a young gentleman come to a few meetings and he was interested in applying and so he got us then reconnected. I forgot his name. And so I'm pretty sure that he got a loan, but that's all I've ever heard of that. Me too. So let's table that for now. There are some others in there that we're supposed to have it for five years and it's supposed to be irrevocable. Well, there's nothing that we can do that a next commission can't revoke. I mean, true.

So, there's some wording in there that I kind of questioned that um I think that we can take out or something. Um, so one other thing since we did a lot some equipment reserve, the only funds that we had transferred this year for our adopted budget was $150,000 from the general fund into the equipment reserve. So, I'll make a motion to approve the transfer of $150,000 per the adopted budget 26 adopted budget from the general fund account number 001 I believe to equipment reserve account number 146.

I'll second the motion. All those in favor? I did. I got to get out of his chair. I think I think I did the same [laughter] to you.

Okay. Um, so one other thing I guess if I'm going to be chairman, um, I think there's a lot of things that have we've just kind of put on the back burner the last few years. And I think when we meet every other week, it's hard to keep up on everything, but I would like to set some goals of things that we want to do for this coming year. And let's just try to get those things done. So, if you guys since we're meeting next week, if we want to come back, if you guys have, you know, three or four things that you think should be a priority in the next year, um I would like to discuss those and let's make some some plans to do that because I think there's some things that by statue that we should be doing that we're not doing. Um and just some financial things we need to look to the future and and plan. Um, I am going next week. Is it next week to Topeka? Week after somewhere. They're having a local government day up in Topeka and you're going and anyway, I'm going to go also. Um, but I think it's very important to talk to our state representatives and state senators because I'm it's a little scary what they're talking about. You know, even the president of the United States now is talking about, oh, let's do away with property tax. Well, I mean, and sometimes I think that's reasonable. You know, it is a crazy tax, but you know, how are we going to fund counties if we don't have property tax? I think there needs to be a plan. If you're going to do this, then let's have a plan. And you know, what is that plan? No one's really talked about, well, how will you fund counties? You know, if it's sales tax, what if our citizens turn that sales tax down? the state still requires us to have all of these provisions, but yet we've got to have some way to fund them. So anyway, I would like to sit down at

least with our senator and maybe representative and just say, "Hey, we do have some concerns. We understand, you know, but I think they really are going to do something this year." Well, I think and I think there should be what what's the true responsibility of government, right? that I think that comes into consideration is to protect make everybody safe and when we get into these outside NOS's or nonprofits the tax dollars are it's nice to go and help these programs but it government really isn't a benevolent society

and that's where we've kind of moved away from the actual directive of government I and protect everybody. And I think that this what the citizens are tired of funding all of those other projects through property tax or you know but I mean so I think about okay if we don't have property tax there's either a local sales tax or there's a state income tax. Well then the county all the county money would be controlled by the state if you think about it that way. So that's not really a good solution. I don't think the state usually has counties best favor, you know, in Well, they control their decisions, too, though,

and they just do it back to us. Yeah. Well, anyway, so it's going to be an interesting year. They started this week, so um yeah, I think I'm going to make a trip up there. They're um Canons for Life is also having their March for Life. same day that it's like at 1:00 and at or at 12:00 and 1:00 is the KAC uh presence at the capital. So, it'll be an interesting day. So, some goals and stuff and I myself I've talked to Brad several times on some different policy things that we need to think of that we should be respons more responsible to address. So,

well, I think we need to set some time aside next week. So since we're coming back in just a week and so I think the 1:00 is working. So um but then we have 3-week break too. So that'll give us a lot to talk about and then we can maybe talk and get some things in order for the year. So, um, also next week, can you give us a report on where the 24 audit is? So, we basically paid for the work that he's done at the the AP at the end of the year. So, he did bill us, but yet we're really wanting to get the 25 done as soon as possible, but if he doesn't have the 24 done, so what's holding him up, I guess, is the question. Is there something that we can do on our end? Um, but I would really like to There's a lot of loose ends in 24, so that's all I have.

I got nothing else. No, I'm sorry. Sorry. public executive session on litigation. I didn't want to leave him out there. I'll make the motion. Uh we'll come back at 318. I'll second it. Sorry. All those in favor? I motion. Ocean carried. That's what

that. All right, we're back in session and no action was taken. Do we have any public comment? When's the next meeting? Next. Next. This coming to next Tuesday. Next Tuesday. The 20th at 1:00. And that'll set the then it'll be every two weeks. Nope. We won't meet for three weeks. Okay. Next week. Excuse me. Do you want to know when the next meeting is after that? No. Well, I'm having to go I've had to start doing this myself cuz Yeah. And that's okay. My calendar's loading up.

I'll make a motion to journ. I'll second it. All those in favor? I. Motion carried. See you next week. Yes.