Sandy Barton

The board approved vouchers, discussed road and bridge project cost estimates and maintenance planning, and approved the purchase and lease of a new fire department vehicle. They also reviewed a proposal for a new medical expense reimbursement plan to potentially reduce health insurance costs and authorized staff overtime for the appraiser's office. Finally, the board discussed placing a hospital sales tax on the ballot, adopted a resolution for a hospital tax levy, and reviewed various departmental reports and minutes.

The board approved financial vouchers and reviewed various department updates, including Road & Bridge projects, specifically the resurfacing of Road 12 and private dirt pit contracts. The Sheriff's department received approval for a 5-year lease for a new vehicle through Dream First Bank. The Hospital Board presented information regarding a mill levy for tax years 2027-2031 and proposed a 1.0% retailers' sales tax to support hospital operations, which will be considered for a future ballot. Additionally, the board signed a temporary ban on open burning, a hangar lease agreement, and a family planning grant application. A brief executive session was held to discuss non-elected personnel matters with no subsequent action taken.

The board discussed financial vouchers and various department updates. Key topics included a professional inspection of the county pool due to leakage, training and software management for the Road and Bridge department, and budget submissions for the Historical Society, Treasurer, and City on A Hill, Inc. The ambulance department received approval for a Wi-Fi gateway purchase and a powered stair chair, while the board also addressed equipment repair for the solid waste department and long-term replacement considerations for the landfill compactor. Finally, the board formally designated the county as a Purple Heart County and recognized annual observance of Purple Heart Day.

This document is a draft Hazard Mitigation Plan developed for Kansas Region C, aimed at addressing and reducing the impact of various hazards within the region by 2025.

The board reviewed and approved financial vouchers for various county funds. Key discussions involved Road & Bridge department updates regarding bridge inspections, grant applications for road repairs, and storm washout remediation. A tree planting project at the park was authorized. The Sheriff's department presented a vehicle purchase request, for which the commissioners requested the exploration of lease options. The board discussed the Senior Center, noting plans for a 30-day reorganization period to address public concerns regarding meal programs. Additionally, the County Appraiser provided property valuation updates and projected trends for oil and gas prices. The session concluded with the signing of the 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan and a review of the golf course water usage report.