By BARBARA PROFFITT | March 8, 2023

The Linn County Commissioners began their meeting on March 6 with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of the weekly claims totaling $158,239.13.

County Counselor Gary Thompson noted he would need to leave soon due to other obligations and requested a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters with Shaun West and Randy Page prior to that. Commissioners voted to enter into executive session for 10 minutes with Thompson and upon returning to regular session noted that no action was taken.

Commissioners approved add and abates 2022-854-865 for a total change of $661.62.

Galen Anderson with AMR reported they had 11 transports for the month so far.

Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald reported they had responded to 11 incidents in the last week, most of them on Saturday. He added that the department would be holding severe weather preparedness week and siren testing would be done on Wednesday. Hegwald requested a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters.

Hegwald revisited a request made previously to replace the tanks on the Rangers which are currently aluminum and are corroding. Following a brief discussion, commissioners approved the purchase of five tanks at a cost of $10,600.

Linn County Health Department Director Missy Lancaster reported on February numbers for her department by activity.

Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend reported in his numbers for the week, adding they had opened 19 new cases last week.

Linn County Economic Development Director Jessica Hightower reported that hay leases are up in April and need to be bid out. Commissioners gave approval for her to publish the bid requests.

EDA Hightower reported she had received bids for fuel contracts with two coming in. 

The first one, from MFA, was for $3.318 plus tax per gallon for the clear diesel and the dyed diesel and $2.829 plus tax on unleaded.

The TNK Fuel bid was for $3.84 for clear diesel; $3.59 for dyed diesel; and $3.02 for unleaded.

Hightower noted there currently is no contract. The commissioners opted to go with the bid from MFA.

EDA Hightower reported she had received word from the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding the Safe Streets for All grant and they will cover the county’s portion of the Safe Streets grant.

Commissioners approved a resolution adopting a policy for the use of golf carts and side-by-sides at the Linn County Park and Marina with said policy requiring all operators to be 18 years or older, licensed and all units to be functional with lights, turn signals, etc.

Commissioners then held a 10-minute executive session with Hegwald for personnel matters and returned to regular session with no action taken.

Gabe Pfefferkorn presented the preliminary report on the landfill transfer station and reviewed that report with the commissioners (See related article in this edition)

Darin Wilson, Planning and Zoning Administrator, presented a zoning change at W. Nickell Road and Kansas Highway 7 from Ag to Ag-Residential and commissioners approved it.

Wilson then presented a CUP for revocation for RB Towing noting that the holder of the CUP did not meet the conditions of the original permit, did not provide the proper paperwork and did not start construction within the allotted time. Commissioners voted 3-0 to revoke as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Commissioners then visited by phone with County Attorney Burton Harding who explained to them what had transpired at the Republican convention last Thursday. (See related article in this edition.) Harding requested permission to use the funds they approved for the new salary range for a new full time county attorney to hire a second assistant attorney allowing him and Assistant County Attorney Justin Meeks the ability to lessen their case loads. Following several questions, the commissioners asked Harding to bring a new amended budget so they can make an informed decision. Harding noted he could have that by March 20 and hopefully with a candidate for hire.

Commissioner McCullough brought up the Pleasanton meal site again and Shaun West will review the building and bring a report in next week.