By Terry Bailey
The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regular weekly meeting at the Courthouse, Tuesday morning, November 12. The meeting was conducted on Tuesday this week because Monday, November 11, was the observation of Veteran's Day, a national holiday. All Commissioners and the County Clerk were present for the meeting.
Phillip Murrow, County Sanitary Engineer, was present to discuss an upcoming grant program. This new grant program, beginning July 1, will provide funds for testing of wells and repair of septic tanks. People may apply now for the grant money which will be available after July 1, 2025.
Murow believes there are three systems in Mitchell County that are failing. The grant money will provide $10,000-$12,000 to repair each failing system. If anyone in Mitchell County has a failing septic system, they are encouraged to contact Phillip Murrow. The Commissioners instructed Murrow to apply for $80,000 in grant money to assist County residents to repair failing systems.
The Commissioners approved Linda Riley of Glen Elder for a two-year term as a board member on the Kansas Department of Aging. She is completing her first term and would like be reapproved.
The Commissioners then canvassed the provisional ballots from the November 5th election. When there is an irregularity at the polls, a person is issued a provisional ballot so they can vote. The provisional ballots are reviewed by the Commissioners so they can or cannot, be tallied in the vote totals.
County Clerk Heather Weston provided the Commissioners with 79 provisional ballots. County wide the election percentage of registered voter who voted was 68%. Twenty-eight of the provisional ballots were rejected mostly for not being a registered voter or having a valid ID. Valid reasons of counting the provisional ballot were a name change since the last election or a change of address.
Superintendent of Public Works Marty Hernandaz discussed with the Commissioners his plans to have a set of tracks replaced on a piece of equipment. The cost to do this is $42,000. He has two pieces of equipment that need new tracks, but he plans to do on at a time to spread out the cost.
Sheriff Tony Perez requested a ten-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. No action was taken as a result of this closed session.
Emily Benedick, Economic Development director, was present to discuss the Viewpoint program. She believes the funding for Mitchell County's participation in the program is all lined out. She said they have a grant for $10,000, a contribution from the City of Beloit for $5,000, one from Mitchell County for $5.000, and contributions for Fort Hays Tech North Central Campus, Cunningham's, and the County Tourism Board.
The program hosted by well-known movie personality, Dennis Quaid, will air for one year and provide positive exposure of Mitchell County and North Central Kansas.
Jeff Roberg, Mitchell County IT director, was present to discuss the new camera system. He was accompanied by Toby Hayes and Jessy Bliss. They explained how the new system was working and how it was an improvement over the system it replaced. The idea of resuming the taping of Commissioners meeting and main streaming the meeting so the public could view the meetings. They will consider vote on this at a later date.
Having addressed all the items on the printed agenda, meeting was adjourned.