MONDAY OCT 12 2020 MITCHELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Mitchell County Commissioners

Monday, October 12, 2020

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners met at the Courthouse Monday morning. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present.

Jeremy McGuire, Blue Cross representative, stopped by to review the 2021 Blue Cross health insurance policy with the Commissioners. He started by telling them he had good news to pass on. McGuire announced that the premium increase on the County employee’s health insurance for 2021 was .65%. The Commissioners agreed that indeed that was good news. They had budgeted for a ten percent increase in the premiums. Commissioner Tom Claussen commented, “We believe health insurance is a strong benefit we can offer our employees. It gives everyone peace of mind.”

McGuire also said that there were no changes in the contract and everything would be just like the 2020 contract.

Superintendent of Public Works Dale Housh reported on the river bank erosion situation south of Asherville. The plan is to move the road further away from its current location while work is done to stabiliz3e the river bank. Tom Hull who owns the ground adjacent to the current road told House, “I will just give you the ground.” This would allow moving of the road much easier. The Commissioners were very appreciative of Hull’s offer and agreed to accept it.

Housh said that K-DOT had tested 40 of the County’s bridges. Sixteen of those will need to be load rated with signs posted at the bridge with load limits posted. He said there were 117 more bridges to be tested.

Housh said a few weeks back 18 signs on the black top road south of Glen Elder were run over an broken off. They will need to be totally replaced.

Three members of the Road and Bridge crew were sent to S&S Sales in Lincoln to check out a bucket truck that was for sale. Their current 1987 model truck is at the end of its serviceable life. The three inspectors felt the truck was in good condition and it would improve the work they were able to do. The Commissioners told Housh to proceed with the purchase.

Housh reported the company that does the road striping is ready to start work whenever they are given the okay. He said there were about 16 miles to stripe. Putting a yellow stripe down the middle costs about $400 per mile. Putting while stripes on the road’s edge would add another $750 per mile.

David Dohe, Emergency Management Director, reported to the Commissioners on the status of a grant he recently applied for. He was awarded $15,000.

Neighborhood Revitalization Grants were approved as follows:

Ackerman Supply - $92,257 for a 30’ x 72’ x 10 addition

Ron Tice - $89,392 for a 48’ x 90’ building

Prairie Ridge Barns (Russel Fincham) - $54,393 building

Other News

Beloit, KS 67420, USA