Government

Stafford County Commission

The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Wycoff called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

Present: Todd Wycoff, Bryce Garner, and Clayton Grimmett.

At 8:30 a.m. the Revenue Neutral Rate hearing commenced for the 2023 Stafford County and Stafford County Fire District No. 1 budgets.

There were no citizens present. Commissioner Garner moved and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to adopt Resolution 2022-21, A resolution of Stafford County, Kansas to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate and 2022-22, A resolution of Stafford County Fire District No. 1, Kansas to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate.

Motion carried 3-0. The regular budget hearing was then held. Again, there were no citizens present. Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Wycoff seconded, to approve the 2023 budget as presented. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to approve the minutes from the September 7th session.

Motion carried 3-0.

Misty Rudy, EMS Director, and Dr. Fritz Farmer joined the meeting. A debriefing discussion was held regarding the major vehicle accident that occurred last week on Hwy 50. It was decided that Misty would put together first responder kits to equip fire trucks and patrol cars with emergency medical supplies.

Carl Miller joined the meeting. He advised that he had been approached by Wichita County to help them train a replacement appraiser. He explained that most of his time spent there would be on weekends. He wanted to make the commissioners aware that he would be doing this and how it would work as to not disrupt his time in Stafford County.

September accounts payable vouchers and checks were approved and signed from the following funds:
General 1,420.69
Road & Bridge 643.91
Health 70.86
Nox Weed 34.72
EMS 73.20
Motor Vehicle 118.94
Sp Cap Improv 5,000.00

TOTAL $ 7,362.32
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

August 31, 2022 Stafford County Commission meeting minutes

The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Wycoff called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Todd Wycoff, Bryce Garner, and Clayton Grimmett.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, Vanessa Cornwell, and Lisa Milton from the Treasurer’s office advised the commissioners that they were going over outstanding items regarding delinquent taxes. They presented information regarding oil leases that had delinquent taxes and have been sold at sheriff sales. They wanted to verify that since those were sold at a sheriff sale that the delinquent taxes can be abated off the tax roll. Mike Robinson, County Attorney, approved the abatement of those taxes. They also discussed oil & gas warrants for delinquent taxes that are over 5 years delinquent. Some of these have changed ownership and they are researching current owners for those leases and want to verify that the taxes follow to the new owner. County Attorney Robinson advised the treasurer department to follow the process to revive the warrants and pursue collection of those taxes. Also presented was an uncollectable 2016 personal property tax warrant for a business that has dissolved leaving no recourse for collection which will be abated.

Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to approve the minutes from the August 24th session. Motion carried 3-0.

Phillip Nusser, Road Dept, presented information regarding a bridge grant program. The program will run for a period of 4 years. There are 2 locations that will be submitted now and a third that could be submitted later. Kirkham Michael will handle the grant submission paperwork.

Private utility road crossing permit 2022-831 from Thomas Garner, Inc. to lay an oil line across NW 10th Street 1 mile north and 1 ½ mile west of 50-281 intersection was presented. Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to approve county road crossing Permit #2022-831. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to appoint Jake Meyer as treasurer for Feldhut Cemetery to fulfill the unexpired term of Julie Rewerts. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to approve the landfill permit waivers for Kansas Dirt, Inc. to demolish two properties in St. John and haul the refuse to the Stafford County Landfill. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to increase Phillip Nusser’s salary an amount of $6,000.00 per year effective September 1, 2022. Motion carried 3-0.

Rob Murrow, Sheriff, advised the commissioners that since they have been unable to hire another dispatcher the department will be going to 12-hour dispatch shifts.

August payroll and accounts payable vouchers and checks were approved and signed from the following funds:
General 193,960.43
Road & Bridge 55,711.00
Health 10,824.39
Rural Fire 4,520.00
Nox Weed 4,140.00
Appraiser 12,058.80
Solid Waste 4,989.62
EMS 17,525.05
Motor Vehicle 250.00
PHEP Grant 100.00

TOTAL $ 304.079.29
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

Minutes from the latest Stafford County Commission meeting

The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, July 13th, 2022, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Wycoff called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Todd Wycoff, Bryce Garner, and Clayton Grimmett.

Mark Soria, Stafford City Council, gave the commissioners an update on the housing project in Stafford City and inquired as to the commissioner’s interest in contributing. It was stated that the grant application on behalf of the Stafford County Fair Board for a new fair building had been written. The commissioners indicated that they are waiting to see what happens with that grant which will determine how they make their final decisions regarding how ARPA funds will be allocated.

Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to approve the minutes from the July 6th session. Motion carried 3-0.

Chairman Wycoff recessed the meeting at 8:49 a.m. Meeting was reconvened at 8:54 a.m.

Darren Reed, Solid Waste, joined the meeting to discuss proposed fees associated with closing and maintaining a landfill site. Darren has consulted with Terracon and has been advised that a permit modification can be done which would allow him to go above grade which would allow another possible 3-5 years for the current site. This would allow additional time to locate another site for a new landfill as well as time to budget the expense as well as the associated costs of closing the current site. Darren will contact KDHE and get the necessary information for beginning the permit process.

Commissioner Wycoff moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to recess to executive session for 5 minutes pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception to discuss property acquisition. Motion carried 3-0. In at 9:18 a.m. Out at 9:23 a.m. Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, Darren Reed, Mike Robinson.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to recess to executive session for another 15 minutes pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception to continue to discuss property acquisition. Motion carried 3-0. In at 9:23 a.m. Out at 9:38 a.m. Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, Darren Reed, Mike Robinson.

Phillip Nusser, Road & Bridge, joined the meeting to present a 5-year schedule of equipment replacement needs. Discussion was held regarding the equipment needs and future budgeting to replace that equipment.

Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to accept the presented tax roll corrections. Motion Carried 3-0.

An employee evaluation for Mandy Sanders was presented for the commissioners to review and sign. Resolution 2022-16, authorizing the commencement of a judicial tax foreclosure sale was also presented to the commissioners. Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to approve the tax sale resolution. Motion carried 3-0.

A fee waiver form was presented from Grant Frink to allow him to haul debris from a property demolition into the landfill with no fees.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to approve the fee waiver. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to recess to executive session for 10 minutes pursuant to the nonelected personnel exemption to discuss non-elected personnel with no action to be taken and adjournment to follow. Motion carried 3-0.

Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, Phillip Nusser. In at 10:15 a.m. Out at 10:25 a.m.

July accounts payable vouchers and checks were approved and signed from the following funds:
General 17,699.87
Road & Bridge 70,004.02
Health 7,502.07
Rural Fire 4,476.40
Nox Weed 937.52
Appraiser 205.54
Solid Waste 5,847.21
EMS 1,505.14
Motor Vehicle 564.60
E911 7,625.00
Equip Reserve 9,125.00
TOTAL $ 125,492.37

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m

Minutes from the latest Stafford County Commission meeting

The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, July 6th, 2022, in the Commission Room in the Annex. Chairman Wycoff called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Present: Todd Wycoff, Bryce Garner, and Clayton Grimmett.

At the request of Vanessa Cornwell and Lisa Milton, Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to recess to executive session for 15 minutes pursuant to the attorney/client privilege exception to discuss a sensitive matter. Motion carried 3-0.

Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, Vanessa Cornwell, Lisa Milton, and Mike Robinson.

In at 8:32 a.m. Out 8:47 a.m.

Phillip Nusser, Road & Bridge, joined the meeting to discuss operations in St. John and Rose Valley townships. Mike Christie, and Rick Hunley with Rose Valley were also present.

Discussion was held regarding the cost / benefit of the county maintaining the two townships. At this point the county is stretched for time, especially during the summer months, to get to the townships timely and is losing money at this point trying to maintain these two townships suitably. Concern for the service provided to the taxpayers was expressed. Discussion continued regarding how the townships could alleviate the issues, particularly in the summer. It was suggested that they try to find a way to cover their roads during those times possibly by reaching out to neighboring townships. Rose Valley agreed to try this as a solution for this year and look at the situation next year and see if they need to plan to go back to having their own maintainer and grader and take the township maintenance back.

Commissioner Grimmett moved, and Commissioner Garner seconded, to approve the minutes from the June 29th session. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Garner moved, and Commissioner Grimmett seconded, to recess to executive session for 5 minutes pursuant to the nonelected personnel exception to discuss non-elected personnel and then adjourn with no action taken. Motion carried 3-0.

In at 10:20 a.m. Out at 10:25 a.m.

Those present: Commissioners, County Clerk, Phillip Nusser.

Following adjournment, the commissioners held a budget workshop to go over the preliminary budget for 2023.

July accounts payable vouchers and checks were approved and signed from the following funds:

General $ 31,195.00

TOTAL $ 31,195.00

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.