Rooks County Courthouse closed to the public
(The following article is taken in part by the unapproved minutes of the March 23rd Rooks County Commission regular meeting.)
At the regular meeting of the Rooks County Commission, held on Tuesday, March 24th, the commissioners voted to close the Rooks County Courthouse to the public effective at 10:00 a.m. that same morning. Only essential employees were to work, and necessary transactions from the public were to be made by appointment by calling the offices needed. A dropbox is to be placed outside the courthouse for paper transactions from the public.
Before the decision was made, commissioners John Ruder, Corky Hagan and Greg Balthazor had met with the county department heads to discuss, and received an update from health nurse Lori Eichman on the coronavirus protocol. It was noted that each department should make the changes as discussed and follow their own plan specific to their services. Emergency management director Butch Post encouraged all departments to get their Continuity Of Operations Plans (COOP) finished, and these plans would need to be approved by the commissioners.
There was discussion about compensating employees if and when there may be a shutdown due to the virus or if a positive case is confirmed in-county and non-essential employees are sent home. No decision was made.
Kim Northup, Rooks County Treasurer, asked about purchasing a dropbox to put at the south entryway for the public to use. The ‘No Parking’ sign currently located near this area will be removed. The commissioners approved the treasurer’s request for a dropbox for public use.
After the meeting with the department heads, the commissioners moved to their chambers to continue the meeting. Representatives from the Township #11 Board were present to discuss their plans for some road work around the Plainville Lake. Neil Fischer and Alan Dinkel represented the township board, and Brandon Decker, with Penco Engineering was present as well. Rich Bouchey, road and bridge supervisor was also present. The township board has plans to do some curbing along the road to help with water drainage. They asked if the County would be interested in doing the chip and sealing on the road the length of the dam. These improvements would channel the water run-off and curb the erosion. After some discussion, the commissioners, with the approval from Bouchey, agreed to do the chip and seal on the south end of the road mentioned. The Township #11 Board plans to compensate the County for any work done.
Bids for the pasture rent at the Rooks County Landfill were then opened. Hagan made a motion to accept the bid from Steve and Ryan Hageman in the amount of $30.17 per acre for pasture rent. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed. With 59 acres, this comes to $1,780.00 a year. Bouchey will draw up the lease.
Ruder made a motion to sign for deposit the landfill check in the amount of $9,699.20 from the cash and receipts at the landfill. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed.
Hagan made a motion to accept the fee reports from both the road and bridge department, and the landfill department dated February 2020. Ruder seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed.
Bouchey presented some more truck quotes he had received, which were different quotes from those presented the previous week. Bouchey was very interested in the one from Cat. After reviewing the quotes, Ruder made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2013 Cat Truck for the amount of $29,900.00. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed.
Road maintenance and equipment repairs were discussed. Hagan shared concerned calls regarding the Red Line Road.
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes from March 16th and March 17th. Ruder made a motion to approve the minutes of March 16th as presented and the minutes of March 17th with a minor correction. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed. After the minutes were printed, Hagan made a motion to sign the minutes as corrected. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed.
A letter was received from the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission outlining the 2020 grant application deadlines.
The commissioners discussed compensation pay in regards to the different scenarios that may arise during the COVID-19 pandemic. No decisions were made.
With the Courthouse being closed to the public, it was decided to leave the west door unlocked for employees only as not all employees have an outside door key at this time. Kim Northup, treasurer, and Betty Hrabe, GIS, brought signage to the chambers to get approval from the commissioners. The signage was for the doors of the courthouse letting the public know it was closed to the public with phone numbers to all departments. The signage was approved.
The commissioners then reviewed and signed the weekly vouchers as presented with the exception of the voucher for special event insurance (Spring Livestock Show) until it is known if the event will be held as scheduled on Memorial Weekend.
Heather Poore, appraiser, was at the meeting to let the commissioners know that the 2021 oil valuations were dropping 50-70%. Poore is expecting higher than normal oil exemptions with low production. Also, with the increase of residential homes in Plainville, she will be holding a large amount of Payment Under Protest hearings. Poore reiterated that the economy in Rooks County will be taking a hit.
The commissioners looked at and discussed the various departments’ COOP plans. The plans were approved with each department head using their discretionary judgments.
The next regular meeting of the Rooks County Commission will be held at the Rooks County 4-H building located at the fairgrounds at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31st.
