By Terry Bailey
The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their weekly meeting at the Courthouse Monday morning, September 12, 2022. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present.
David Dohe, Emergency Management Coordinator, was present to discuss several current topics of interest. He said the Homeland Security Department has a new inventory system available to counties at no cost. He is suggesting Mitchell County participate in the project.
The new Flood Plain mapping system should be completed by September 28.
Dohe suggested that the Commissioners develop a fund to reimburse First Responders when they attend meetings or trainings. Tom Claussen commented, "We should not expect volunteer workers to have to pay out of pocket when they attend meetings for County business." He suggested Dohe develop a system to reimburse volunteers when they attend necessary trainings.
Dohe said an emergency plan needs to be developed regarding the use of helicopters using dip buckets when doing firefighting duties. The dip sites must be at least seven feet deep, at least 100 feet from a road, and a mile away from any construction site.
Dohe will be attending a training in Mulvane, Kansas, on September 14-16 and will be out of the office those days.
Cortney Murrow, County Health Director, reported on various projects of interest at the County Health Department.
Barb Wise and Kathy Webster, representing Pawnee Mental Health, appeared to ask the Commissioners to sign a declaration naming September Mental Health Recovery Month in Mitchell County. This declaration was first adopted in 1989. Wise said 21 million people in the United States deal with mental health issues but only ten percent seek help for those issues. Pawnee Mental Health offers assistance to anyone seeking help regardless of their ability to pay. They will have a booth at Millapalooza and encouraged anyone to stop by.
Emily Benedick, Economic Development Director, informed the Commissioners that she is applying for a TEFFI Seed grant offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The grant amounts to $50,000 for Child Care Assistance. She believes there is great possibility for receiving the money.
Havin addressed all the items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned.