County to Hire New Public Works Supervisor

The Grant County Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in the Commissioner’s Room of the courthouse. Commissioners Kevin Shapland and Mark McGaughey were present along with County Clerk Sheila Brown. Commissioner Janet Stewart was absent. Also present were Marty Long and John Martin, the newly elected commissioners who will take office in January. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman McGaughey and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The prayer was given by McGaughey.

First on the agenda was County Treasurer Terri Trotman. She presented the commissioners with the list of delinquent taxes. It was agreed to send letters to those taxpayers with unpaid taxes before proceeding to a tax sale. 

The commissioners then approved the twenty-five years of longevity and the earned vacation time of Randy McCauley, who is leaving the Public Works department on September 30th. McGaughey and Shapland agreed that it was important to have an interim in place at the road and bridge department on October 1st and that they would begin doing interviews in October for the permanent supervisor. 

In other business, county participation in the “touch a truck” event during Fall Fest was approved. The pay raise for an employee in the Clerk’s office was approved, along with the new hire of a bus driver and wage changes at the Senior Center.

Next on the agenda was Paula Shapland, secretary of the cemetery board. She told the commissioners that the cemetery was discussing expansion and she was making sure all the documents and paperwork are in order. The original resolution for the Cemetery board was created in 1947 and all of the pages of the original are not of record. She asked the commissioners to ratify and affirm that there was an original resolution which outlined the board’s powers and responsibilities. The commissioners approved Resolution 22-06 to ratify and affirm the original resolution.

Randy Dick of KAW Valley Insurance was next to touch base and visit with the commissioners. He told them that his company had partnered with the Bukaty Company and that would provide more options to his clients.

The commissioners then approved the new hires and proposed wages of the part-time EMTs. They also approved the minutes from the previous meeting as well as the claims against the county. Brown mentioned that there was a custom-made desk at the airport that was going to be thrown away. She asked if she could advertise it on Facebook for sale before it is disposed of. The commissioners gave permission.

Next up was Catherine Moyer to discuss KDOT infrastructure grants at the request of the commissioners. She said that there was going to be a lot of grant money available and that KDOT is encouraging regional participation. This means teaming with other counties to have a better chance at securing some of the funds. She said there was a lot of ways to use the money, including: railroad crossings and bridges. The commissioners asked her to keep them informed on the progress of this venture.

Civic Center Manager Mari Honstead came in with bids for the retainer wall for the south side of the park at the civic center. The bid from Anguiano Construction of $13,400 was approved with the funds coming out of the County Building fund. She also had bids for new chairs for the fair board meeting room. The commissioners accepted the low bid of $282 per chair from Southern Office Supply of Liberal for eight chairs at a cost not to exceed $2,256 to be paid from the Special Equipment fund. In another matter, Honstead reported that she had to replace one of the big speakers in the auditorium and that it would cost $400-500. The purchase was approved from Special Equipment.

After a discussion, Shapland called for an executive session to contact the person they would like to take the interim supervisor position at Road and Bridge. The session began at 10:50 a.m. After the session, McGaughey said they were unable to touch base with the candidate but that he (McGaughey) had talked with the person previously and was certain he would accept the position.   

McGaughey adjourned the meeting at 11:04 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Grant County Commission will be Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.