MITCHELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Tuesday, January 16, 2024

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their weekly meeting at the Courthouse on Tuesday, January 16, due to Monday being the observation of Martin Luther King's birthday. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present for the meeting.
Marty Hernandez, Superintendent of Public Works, was on hand to discuss the possibility of purchasing a used dump trunk from the Kansas DOT surplus inventory in Topeka. Hernandez said he has identified two possible vehicles to replace a current County vehicle that is out of service. He said both are 2006 International trucks with dump beds, snow plows, and salt/sand spreaders. Hernandez said one was listed for $40,000 and the other for $50,000. He said a new vehicle similarly equipped would cost in the neighborhood of $300,000.
After discussing the pros and cons of different courses of action, the Commissioners voted to empower Hernandez to go to Topeka, examine the trucks, and to purchase the one of his choosing for not more than $50,000.
Michelle Langham and Yvonne Melton requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. This session was extended for an additional five minutes. No action was taken as a result of this closed session.
Steve Melnick representing Columbia Colonial Life, made a presentation to the Commissioners regarding Employee Benefits. His company offers programs for workers such as Disability Insurance, Accident Insurance, Life Insurance, Cancer Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Confinement Insurance and Dental Insurance. These are very price-competitive programs that employees can choose to purchase on their own.
The Commissioners decided to allow Melnick's people to come to Beloit and make their selves available to Mitchell County employees to discuss possible purchase of one or more of these programs. There would be no pressure on the employees to participate if they choose not to. The Commissioners simply decided to make this program available to those employees who might be interested.
County Clerk Heather Weston told the Commissioners she had been contacted by Cloud County regarding an area-wide meeting to see if Mitchell County would be interested. At this time, there is no set agenda. This would depend on how many Counties might be interested in attending. Invited Counties would be: Cloud, Mitchell, Washington, Ottawa, Lincoln, Jewell and Clay. The Commissioners decided to indicate interest in such a meeting, depending upon the final agenda.
The Commissioners were in receipt of a letter from Cunningham Communications in reference to a ADOTT Grant. Cunninghams are applying for the grant and asked the Commissioners to provide a letter of support. The Commissioners agreed to do so.
At this point the Commissioners adjourned to an executive session to discuss county-employee wages. The goal of this session was to discuss possible wages and wage enhancements.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA