Monday Nov 28 Mitchell County Commissioners Meeting

Mitchell County Commissioners

November 28, 2016

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regularly weekly meeting at the Courthouse on Monday, November 28^th. All Commissioners were present. Kristi Hillman sat in for County Clerk Chris Treaster.

What began as a meeting with a short agenda turned into a wide ranging discussion of several important topics. Jason Rabe, Beloit City Administrator, who has been attending all County Commissioner meetings, gave the Commissioners an update on the preliminary study of purification of water from the Waconda Lake. Currently a study of the quality of water before and after treatment is being conducted. At this point, the trial run has shown successful water treatment that would indicate water from the Lake could prove to be a high quality source of water in the future for the City of Beloit. Access to quality water is becoming a topic of greater concern to communities all across the United States. Everyone in attendance agreed that quality water is a highly important concern to the citizen of Beloit and Mitchell County.

In a related note, the Commissioners extended their appreciation to Rabe for his regular attendance at their weekly meeting. His being at the meetings facilitates prompt and accurate exchange of thoughts and ideas between the City and the County.

Rabe also told the Commissioners that the K-14 project on North Independence Street is almost completed. The road was closed on Monday to allow the contractors an opportunity to grind down high spots in the pavement to allow for a smoother driving surface. Also, with the completion of the K-14 project the East Main Street modernization project should be ready to start when the contractors finish current projects nearing their end.

The Commissioners exchanged ideas with Economic Development Specialist, Heather Hartman, regarding her area wide website that in undergoing construction. Everyone believed that all stakeholders should be involved in the website. As the initial project as expanded, so has the cost. The Commissioners agreed to increase their initial investment in the project from $800 to $1,500. Hartman told the Commissioner that their recent fundraising drive was very successful and will allow for funding of important community projects.

Larry Emerson, Public Works Superintendent, updated the Commissioners on the progress in his department. He will be able to exchange $203,700 in Federal road funds for State Road money. This will allow greater flexibility in spending of the money.

Emerson anticipates work to begin on the bridge replacement project on 340 Road between Roads A and B to start soon. Road crews are rocking the Victor Road and have completed the graveling work on the Landfill Road.

Cortney Murrow, Mitchell County Health Nurse, requested a ten minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the Commissioners. No action was taken as a result of this close session.

Murrow told the Commissioners that the Health Department was attempting to hire a new fulltime Home Health Aide. They will be taking applications until the position is filled. All interested parties are encouraged to apply for the position.

Murrow and the Commissioners discussed the outbreak of hand-foot and mouth disease that has affected mostly young children in the area. This affliction is very, very contagious and children are often infected before any symptoms are displayed. She also said if one child in a family has the disease it is almost certain that other children in the family will also become infected. She believes the number of cases is decreasing but it is very hard to gage the level of infection of children.

The Quad County meeting will take place next Monday in Smith Center. It was announced the County Christmas Party would take place on Saturday December 3^rd. A Department head meeting has been scheduled for Monday December 12^th.

Having successfully addressed all the items on agenda and several others, the meeting was adjourned.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA