By Terry Bailey
The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their weekly meeting at the Courthouse Monday morning, November 4. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present.
Five guests were scheduled to appear before the Commissioners to conduct business. However, three of the five guests requested closed executive sessions to discuss confidential topics. An executive session is time reserved for the Commissioners and their guests to speak confidentially and candidly during a time without the attendance of the press or other visitors.
Clerk of the District Court Pam Thiessen and Brian Streit, Courthouse Maintenance supervisor, were on hand to discuss carpeting for Thiessen's office. Several large file cabinets have been removed from her office leaving several bare spots that are unsightly and unsafe.
Streit said he had money in the Courthouse improvement budget to cover the cost. He was in possession of a bid from Ellenz Carpeting of Tipton for $4,255.56. The bid will be for carpet squares and Ellenz will install the carpeting.
The Commissioners voted to allow the purchase with Commissioner Jim Marshall abstaining.
Jessica Wiles appeared to discuss the demolition of an abandoned house next to her house. It is an "unsightly mess" and needs to be taken down. They have inquired about grants or special programs for the demolition of abandoned structures, but none are available any time soon.
In checking with demolition costs and charges at the Mitchell County Landfill for disposition of the material, they have discovered the landfill costs are almost equal to the demolition costs.
Wiles asked if a reduction in the landfill costs could be granted to lessen the expenses for the demolition. The Commissioners voted to forego $1,000 of the landfill costs.
Mitchell County Sheriff and his undersheriff Steve Martin requested an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. No decisions were made as a result of that closed session.
Missy McGinnis, Emergency Medical Services director, and her employee, Thomas Hawk, were report on the activities with her department.
McGinnis reported: In a recent State of Kansas Ambulance Inspection Review, the Mitchell Co. EMS "turned out fine."
In a Board of Pharmacy review, the Mitchell Co. EMS passed with flying colors.
In conversations with Kyle Kopsa and Eric Burks at the Technical College a tentative agreement has been reached for land usage to allow a second entryway to the Ambulance Barn off of Highway 14.
This agreement involves an easement and driveway from the northwest corner of the current ambulance barn property running north to the current driveway off of Highway 14. It appear the Technical College has made a very generous offer of land transfer to make this happen.
McGinnis then requested a ten-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.
When the regular session reassumed, it was announced that no decisions were made as a result of that closed session. However, a motion was immediately made to increase McGinnis's annual salary from $62,100 to $72,00 effective on November 1, 2024. The motion passed unanimously.
Next up was Clint Offutt, director of the Mitchell County EMS. He requested a ten-minute executive session for discussion of non-elected personnel.
When the regular session resumed, it was announced that no decisions were made as a result of that closed session.
However, as with McGinnis, a motion was immediately made for a salary increase. The Commissioners unanimously voted to increase Offutt's annual salary from $51,675 to $57,430.
The next meeting for the Commissioners will be Tuesday, November 12, because Monday, November 11, is the national observance of Veterans' Day.