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MITCHELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, April 21, 2025

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regular weekly meeting at the Courthouse Monday morning, April 21. All Commissioners were present as well as the County Clerk.
Two Mitchell County citizens attended the meeting to familiarize their selves with the activities of the Commissioners. Jackie Roderick and her son Xavier believed it was important that they know what happens at the County Commissioners meetings and they took this opportunity to find out.
Cortney Murrow, County Health Nurse, was present to discuss Pawnee Mental Health's Telehealth project to offer Mitchell County residents an opportunity to access mental health services right here in Beloit. Due to internet technology, people can arrange to access counseling services with a professional mental health consultant from Pawnee at the County Health Department. This program must be arranged beforehand but can be done easily by contacting Mitchell County Health Department at 785-738-5175. People are encouraged to call and find out more information about this new program.
Missy McGinnis, Director of the Mitchell County Emergency Medical Services, told the Commissioners that the ambulance, MC2, is back on the road after undergoing difficult-to-fix problems. They are using it within the City of Beloit to ensure that it is ready to go back on the road within the County.
McGinnis has promoted Amber Peters, one of her EMT's, to the position of Assistant Director and Office Bookkeeper. The Commissioner approved a raise for Peters from $18.50 per hour to $20.50 per hour.
Brian Streit reported that the sewer improvement project for the Courthouse will cost more than originally planned. It is estimated that the final cost of the project will be $64,000 to repair and or/replace the sewer line from the basement of the Courthouse to the sewer line in the street.
Streit told the Commissioners that a fund known as the Local Tribal Assistance and Constituency Fund managed by the Regional Planning Commission will pay for all repairs to the sewer system as well as Streit's salary while he is working on the project. It is expected that the work will be completed this week. It will take two days to implement the new system. During this two day period all bathrooms in the Courthouse will be closed.
David May, representing Civic Plus, made a presentation to the Commissioners for building a new website for the County. The Commissioners told Mr. May that Greg German is currently working on a new website for the County so they would not be interested in his proposal.
County Clerk Heather Weston presented the Commissioners with the proposed budgets for 2026 for the Commissioner's budget, the County Clerk's budget, and the Mitchell County election budget.
Commission Chairperson Tom Claussen announced the retirement of Dale Lewis. Lewis has worked the past 40 years for the Mitchell County Road and Bridge crew. A reception will be held for Lewis at the new County Shop Building on Friday, April 25, from 2 pm until 4 pm.
Claussen also read from a letter from the Kansas Department and Health and Environment. They have approved the final plan for work to be done on the City of Beloit's Wastewater Treatment Plant.
David Dohe, Mitchell County Emergency Preparedness Director, reported on the Fire Chief's meeting last week. Dohe took time to remind everyone that Mitchell County is still in a designated drought area. Anyone wanting to conduct any outside burning is required to call the Mitchell County Communication Center and request a burn permit. The appropriate Fire Chief will be consulted and either give or deny the permit based on the current weather and moisture conditions. If a permit is not granted and a fire gets away from someone and Fire Trucks are required to respond, a $500 fine will be assessed. Additionally, a fee of $300 per truck dispatched per hour will be charged.
Having addressed all the items on the printed agenda, the meeting was adjourned.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA