MITCHELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Friday, December 29, 2023

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their final meeting of 2023 on Friday morning, December 29. All Commissioners were present for the meeting.
The first order of business was for the Commissioners to appoint Terence Silva as the new Mitchell County Director of Communications. Silva has worked in the Mitchell County Communications department for the past 19 years. Silva replaces Missy McGinnis who recently resigned.
Silva asked for a ten-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. When the regular meeting resumed, it was announced that no decisions had been made as a result of that closed session.
Next up was Mitchell County Sheriff, Tony Perez. Perez asked for a fifteen-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. When the regular meeting resumed it was announced that no decisions had been made as a result of the closed session.
Marty Hernandez, Superintendent of Public Works, dropped by to update the Commissioners on the status of the many ongoing projects with which his department is involved. Hernandez shared a little-known fact regarding roads in Mitchell County. There are 128 miles of paved roads for which the County is responsible. There are 128 miles of County gravel roads for which the County is responsible. Township roads are not included in this total.
The Commissioners approved the payment of $92,614 to K-CAMP for their regular insurance payment.
The Commissioners approved the payment of $100,423 for building and property insurance as is done each year.
The Commissioners were in receipt of a bill for $813.12 for yearly membership in the Kansas League of Municipalities. The Commissioners decided to NOT pay that bill and drop their membership in that organization, believing that it is more of a group devoted to cities rather than counties.
A bill of $3,500 for membership in the NCK Regional Planning Commission was approved. The Planning Commission administers the many grants that are received by the County.
Membership in the Kansas Association of Counties in the amount of $2,047.60 was approved.
The retirement of Bridget Gasper as a member to the Hospital Board of Directors was noted. The Commissioners extended their thanks to Gasper for her over twenty years of service on the Hospital Board.
Brandon Hake of Tipton was named as Gasper's replacement.
Next up were monetary transfers usually taken at the end of the calendar year.
$400,000 From the County Road and Bridge general fund to the Road and Bridge Special Machinery fund.
$150,000 From the County Road and Bridge Fund to the County Road and Bridge Special Highway Improvement fund.
$50,000 From the County Road and Bridge Fund to the County Road and Bridge Capital Outlay fund.
$50,000 From the County Health Department Regular fund to the County Health Department Capital Outlay Fund.
$27,800 From the Solomon Rapids Fire Department General fund to the Soloman Rapids Special Equipment fund.
$50,000 From the Mitchell County General fund to the Mitchell County Courthouse Renovation fund.
$100,000 From the Mitchell County General Fund to the Mitchell County Courthouse Technology Fund.
$100,000 From the Mitchell County General Fund to the Mitchell County Solid Waste fund.
$174,000 From the Mitchell County Ambulance Fund to the Mitchell County Ambulance Special Equipment fund.
$5,867 From the Mitchell County Rescue Fund to the Mitchell County Rescue Squad Capital Outlay fund.
$3,624.76 From the Mitchell County Water Rescue fund to the Mitchell County Rescue Squad Capital Outlay fund.
The County Clerk, Heather Weston, announced that there will be a change in voting locations for upcoming elections. Everyone who has voted AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING in the past will now go to the NEW BUILDING AT THE COUTNY FAIRGRONDS. To repeat - No voting will take place in the future at the Municipal Building. Those who previously voted at the Municipal Building will now vote at the new building at the Fairgrounds.

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