The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes from the December 3 and December 13, 2002 meetings.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Mark Skiles, Economic Development Director, discussed incentives for Alco with the commissioners.

 

            Sherry Thompson, Health Department Administrator, presented an update on her department.  Mrs. Thompson requested approval to purchase a file server.  Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a file server from Schroeder’s of Hugoton at a cost of $5807.04 with the stipulation that grant money pay for the networking system.  This amount includes an approximate amount for installation of $330.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Discussion was held on a regionalization grant for bioterrorism and communicable disease surveillance.  Adjacent counties will work together utilizing the grant money so all counties will be able to adequately prepare for bioterrorism and communicable disease surveillance.  No local money will be required for this project.  Stanton, Grant, Stevens, Morton and Seward Counties will be involved in the grant.  Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the formal agreement between area county commissioners for bioterrorism preparedness and response and communicable disease surveillance and follow up pending the approval of the county attorney.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  In other business, Ms. Thompson said she still sees no need to hire additional full time nurses.  However, she would like to change one of her part time office staff to full time status.  She would also like to add the job description of Administrative Assistant to her department.  Later in the day, the commissioners made the decision not to allow another full time position in the health department for the present.  They referred the request for the job description of Administrative Assistant to the department head pay plan committee.  Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for five minutes for the purpose of discussing contract personnel.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  After five minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Sean Gooding, EMS Director, reported that he is pleased with the facility but he said the heating bill has increased substantially from last month.  The commissioners asked Mr. Gooding to see if the thermostat can be set lower.  They said something might have to be done to the building if the problem continues.  Discussion was held on Kevin Barbo’s position and rate of pay.  Mr. Gooding recommended leaving Mr. Barbo at the same rate of pay and changing his job title to supervisor.  Later in the day, Gene Schwein made the motion to change Kevin Barbo’s title to supervisor and keep his rate of pay the same as he received as interim director.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            John Crosby, Fire Chief, requested approval to purchase a lap top computer and a regular computer.  He explained that both items were budgeted for this year.  Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the Dell laptop and the Dell 8250 Series computer at a cost not to exceed $2,021.22 plus freight for the laptop and $1,990.11 plus freight for the regular computer.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Crosby reported that he is applying for a FEMA grant to purchase a new tanker.  If he receives the grant, the county will be responsible for 10% of the cost or about $20,000.  Mr. Crosby requested approval to advertise in the newspaper to recruit firefighters.  The commissioners approved his request.  Mr. Crosby reported that he has appointed Rodney Wilson as assistant fire chief. 

 

            Brad Welch, Appraiser, requested approval to purchase the software to enable his personal property and oil and gas records to be spooled for viewing by the public.  The cost for this will be around $1,000.  A decision on this was tabled.

 

            Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, and Tom Kramer, Road Supervisor, proposed renting a rock-crushing machine for one month.  Gene Schwein made the motion to lease the rock crusher for 30 days at a cost of $21,000.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Kramer presented information on mining regulations that the federal government has started enforcing.  He advised that we are in compliance with some of the rules and are working toward total compliance.

 

            Ric Dalke and Don McLendon, Area Mental Health Center, presented resignation letters from Rachel Applegate and Norma Strickland as Area Mental Health Board Members.  Two names suggested as replacements are Larry Rumburg and Art Trevino.  New appointments will be made in January. 

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve Resolution 02-08 relating to refunding over payment of fees to the Register of Deed’s office.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of a computer for Rita Gee, Treasurer, from Nex-Tech at a cost not to exceed $1,345.43.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the claims against the various funds of the county.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                            Madison Traster, Chairman