By BARBARA PROFFITT | June 6, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, June 5, and after opening the meeting approved the minutes of the last meeting followed by approval of claims in the amount of $478,627.92.

Commissioners then approved three abatements, 2022-909 and 911-912 with a total reduction of $2,299.57.

Commissioners voted 2-1, with Commissioner Jim Johnson voting against, to allow the chair, Commissioner Danny McCullough, to sign the employment contract for assistant county attorney Justin Meeks. County Clerk David Lamb noted the contract has already been signed and approved by Linn County Attorney Burton Harding and Meeks.

Galen Anderson with AMR noted that they are at nine transports so far this month and will have a report with numbers for May next week.

Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend gave his report noting they had billed another month of housing and transportation and that for May they billed $76,650 bringing the year-to-date total to $371,700.

Lamb noted valuations are in and the county is up almost $13 million with the increase being local because state utilities were actually down this year.

Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower requested permission to contract with the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission to write the housing grant they are working on applying for. EDA Hightower noted that because it’s a larger grant than they normally do for the county the fee will be higher, at $5,000 which can be paid out of ARPA funds. EDA Hightower stated she feels the county will have a better chance of receiving the moderate income housing grant if they go through SEKRPC. EDA Hightower will send a copy of the contract to County Counselor Gary Thompson for review and a decision will be made next week. Johnson noted he would prefer to have a heads-up as early as possible on items of this nature.

Public Works Administrator Shaun West introduced Jason Webber, city of Parker council president, who requested county assistance with grading the roads around their city lake, as well as some mowing. The city of Parker will pay for fuel and the rock. West noted it should take no more than a week, all together, for grading, rock hauling and mowing. Commissioners agreed for the work to be done with the city paying for fuel and materials. Webber stated their work could be done around county road grading and mowing as they are in the area.

West stated he had bids in on the guttering and flooring for the Pleasanton senior meals new building. The bid for the guttering from J.C. Howell is $1,080 and the flooring bid came in at $3,156.08 from Integrity Outfit Flooring. West noted there is still some cleaning to be done inside before flooring is installed. Commissioners approved both bids as submitted on a vote of 3-0.

West then reported work has begun on the transfer station and the tipping floor is shut down for household trash this week. He further noted a second meeting with the cities and lake communities on compactor sites.  West noted a power issue at the Pleasanton site had prompted a need to go over the operational manual and guidelines. Commissioners agreed there is a need to follow up.

West then requested a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel matters.

County Treasurer Janet Kleweno presented her budget for 2024 and noted she needs to replace a staff member and her publication costs have gone up.  Kleweno then asked if plans are in the works to move her department out of the courthouse and stated she preferred to stay in the space she’s in. Commissioners said they had not made any decisions as to what is being done where. Commissioners gave tentative approval of the budget as presented.

Tanglewood Lakes Homeowners Association president Tate West asked for an update on the incident of May 18 at Tanglewood, and asked for clarification of traffic laws inside the lake. Thompson stated that would be up to the sheriff. Thompson noted they are in communication with the outside agency investigating any possible conflicts.

Joey McLiney, of McLiney and Company, then presented the bond refinance options as previously requested by commissioners earlier this year. (See related article in this edition.)

Commissioners heard from Thompson on the revised zoning and subdivision regulations as were presented the previous week. Thompson noted that if it is sent back and they do nothing at their next meeting after it’s sent back, the commissioners are free to make changes as they see fit. Thompson then outlined where he felt the commissioners needed more detailed findings, in particular on commercial wind energy; setbacks on solar energy farms; the 50 percent limitation finding; the four thousand acre limit for solar projects; and the wildlife corridors. Members of the Planning commission asked for guidelines on how to put this together and Thompson stated simply detail how and why the finding was made.

Darin Wilson then requested a 15-minute executive session for legal matters.

Commissioners entered into a 25-minute executive session with 10 set aside for personnel with West and then with Wilson for a 15-minute legal session. 

Following the executive session, West stated the foreman of the south shop, Harry Wisdom, has decided to retire effective July 6. West asked permission to advertise the position and to hold a reception in his honor.  Wisdom has been an employee since April of 1987. Commissioners gave permission to advertise and to hold the reception. 

Commissioner Jason Hightower moved to send the regulations back to the Planning commission with the six requirements Thompson had highlighted.

McCullough asked his fellow commissioners their thoughts on discussing buildings and future plans next week and commissioners Johnson and Hightower agreed. Lamb noted he needed to have an idea on future plans for budgeting purposes, as well.