By JACKIE TAYLOR | August 3, 2022

The commissioners met for their weekly meeting and approved bills in the amount of $371,889.70. They also approved a tax abatement that decreased taxes in the amount of $601.12.

Sheriff Kevin Friend sent his weekly report in that showed 15 prisoners total with 15 in-house.

AMR Operations Manager Galen Anderson reported a very busy July with 91 transports, higher than normal. He said they are still down by two paramedics on staff, but did hire one EMT full-time.

Linn County Health Nurse Missy Lancaster was approved to seek bids for an awning on the front of the Health Department to keep staff out of the weather for curbside covid tests and assist patients during weather events.

The first bid she requested was to cover two parking spots with a stand-alone awning; the second was for the full front of the Health Department, including the handicap parking spot.

Lancaster said the awning price would be covered by a grant they received, up to $131,000 that has to be used by Dec. 1. The commissioners gave a consensus to her to go out for bids.

Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported five incidents last week and 320 year-to-date.

He was approved to purchase 10 sets of fire turnout gear from Feld Fire for $29,317.70 with Jerry Ingram Fire bidding $30,180.70 and MES bidding $33,419.30.

Hegwald reported annual pump testing is completed with all trucks passing.

Chris Martin, IT Director, was approved to take a tree down near Food Fair in Mound City to improve reception between the tower on the hill east of Mound City and the road shop at Kansas 7 and 52 Hwy.

After Public Works Director Shaun West reported that District Court was moving to the Justice Center Wednesday, County Counselor Gary Thompson told him they could not move as another VFD (variable frequency drive) in the exhaust system fan blew out. Thompson said one was just changed and replaced, but another blew out forcing contractors to figure out why they are losing VFD fans.

The commissioners then discussed what renovation needs are for the old court building as the County Appraiser and Mapping are moving in there.

Commissioner Rick James suggested they also look at two other projects including what to do with the current Sheriff’s Office and upgrading the Commissioner’s Annex to more closely match the Justice Center.

West reported fuel was delivered to the airport last Friday and will cost $6.25 per gallon.

He said that the Noxious Weed Department sprayed the Fairgrounds for ticks and mosquitoes last week.

A discussion was held that had Thompson clarify that statute prohibits the depositing of anything in county right-of-ways that didn’t originate there. West said ditching was progressing but gates, fencing, trees, etc. that were in the right-of-ways was inhibiting quick movement of county personnel.

The commissioners approved a one-time payment to Chris Martin of $5,000 for “work well done.”

James said Martin saved the county $132,000 from the time he took on the Justice Center project, plus other work he does for the elections, etc.

“He has done a great service to the county,” said James.