By BARBARA PROFFITT | April 12, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met on April 10 and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $487,261.35.

County Clerk David Lamb presented adds and abates 2022-890-894 and 896 for a total tax change of -$1,713.61 and commissioners accepted.

Lamb reported that Maggie Griffith has resigned her position as Sheridan Township Treasurer and stated Karen Springer is willing to step into the role. Commissioners appointed Springer as Treasurer. Lamb noted that the appointment leaves Springer’s former position with the township vacant.

Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend reported there are currently 53 inmates at the jail, 32 of which are farm-ins and noted that Wyandotte County inmates are currently low due to their court schedule. 

Galen Anderson with AMR reported on transports for the month of March noting a total of 98 calls with 56 transports. 

Commissioners then entered into a 15-minute executive session with Anderson for trade secrets with no action taken afterward.

Linn County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald reported that rural fire had responded to 22 incidents in the last week. Hegwald then requested permission to hire Chris Wharton for Station 910, and noted that Wharton is currently a county employee so Lamb already has all of his information and Commissioners approved.

Hegwald and Renea Marshall, sister of fallen firefighter Josh Haynes, then spoke to commissioners about an upcoming opportunity the family has to attend the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service in May. (See related article in this edition.)

Marshall then requested permission to adopt a highway on Tucker Road from 1150 Road south to 850 Road in memory of her brother. Commissioners and County Counselor Gary Thompson will look into it.

Public Works Administrator Shaun West reported the county’s new hire in the CDL program will test on Tuesday, April 11. 

West noted some issues with drainage around the courthouse to aid with the landscaping project there. West further noted timbers holding the stone in are currently rotting so he will gather pricing for replacements.

West stated the road foreman had requested the county look at smaller rubber track hoes with various equipment attachments. West noted the forestry head attachment would save time in mowing as they would not have to go back to pick up brush. These would replace two of the three backhoes currently in use and two boom mowers, effectively reducing the numbers of equipment and allowing more use. Following a brief discussion among commissioners and West, the commission gave West permission to price.

West then requested a 1 minute executive session for legal matters.

Linn County Economic Development Administrator Jessica Hightower reported the county did not get the moderate income housing grant this round but she and Darcy Wilson are looking at options.

EDA Hightower reported she received 19 youth employment grant applications turned in and will score them and bring them to commissioners next week.

Scarecrow Lawn care has asked if the county would like them to seed more grass or add sod around new construction. Commissioners asked her to find prices on both.

Commissioners then took a four minute recess until 10:30.

Following the recess commissioners opened a public hearing on the application for the CDBG grant for STARS Academy. With no one to speak in regard to the matter in attendance, Commissioners closed the hearing. A representative of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC) then spoke regarding the grant and explained to the commissioners that a CDBG grant must be applied for by a municipality and since the academy encompasses students from all three school districts they opted to ask the county to apply for the grant, however, USD 344 will supply the matching funds. Commissioners approved and authorized McCullough as chair to sign all pertinent documents. 

Don George, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks then requested permission to place a trailer at the Linn County Marina that will aid anglers in making sure that no zebra mussels are brought into the lake. (See related article in this edition)

Commissioners then entered into a 30-minute executive session for legal matters, 10 of which was set to be with West. 

Following the executive session, Commissioner Jim Johnson moved that due to liability to prohibit all employees from bringing their children to work and add it to the handbook. The motion died for lack of a second, though Commissioner Jason Hightower noted he is in favor of making the revision to the handbook. Hightower then moved to update the handbook at the next revision to add a provision effective June 1, 2023, prohibiting employees from bringing their children to work with them. The motion carried on a 2-1 vote with Johnson voting against.

Discussion then turned to issues at the airport, such as replacing the air conditioning unit in the pilots lounge. EDA Hightower stated the unit has been destroyed by mice. Hightower then reported that the fuel pump is broken and the credit card account has been closed. Hightower stated he is not in favor of putting any more money into the airport. A brief discussion followed and Thompson and EDA Hightower will look into the county’s options and the process.

Lamb noted the commissioners are set to meet at the landfill next week and asked if a specific time was needed or just whenever commissioners are done. Commissioners opted to not set a time to recess from the meeting room at the end of the meeting and reconvene at the landfill.