During the weekly Pratt County Commission meetings from April 26 to May 10, Heather Morgan, an economic development consultant, reported that the county had met all requirements for People Building and Revitalization Funding. Kansas (SPARK) and that no further report was required as of April 26. On May 3, she said she reached out to small towns in the county, with the exception of Sawyer, to help them with the federal funds they had. County Councilor Tyson Eisenhauer asked if she had any news from SB 286. She said it was again under discussion and could bring tax refunds to businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
She reported on May 10 that funds had been released for the US bailout, with 35% of the funding earmarked for small businesses. These businesses can claim lost revenue due to COVID. She contacted the relevant companies that might qualify to see if there was any interest in these funds. According to Morgan, there is also a rural revitalization tool available to first-time homeowners that is a tax-deferred account to save for a home.
As of April 26, 4,301 vaccines had been administered to residents of the county, according to Darcie Van der Vyver. The Department of Health received the ELC COVID grant in the amount of $ 145.611. Van der Vyver asked for a one-time bonus for employees, as well as the use of certain funds at the Community Center. On May 10, she reported that there were no cases of COVID in the county and that vaccines are available on Thursdays at the health department. It is part of a testing program that will be reimbursed by the state. County commissioners approved the health department shutdown on June 16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon for WIC training.
On May 3, county commissioners agreed to suspend until May 10 to attend a joint city / county meeting at the Pratt City Building. At this meeting, the LEC agreement was discussed. The county will turn over the 911 funds to the town of Pratt, according to Commissioner Shriver. There will be a 911 Advisory Council consisting of the Town Police Chief, Town Fire Chief, EMS Director, County Fire Chief, Township Fire Representative, Commissioner of city, a county commissioner and the 911 supervisor. County Councilor Eisenhauer and City Attorney Regina Goff will work on the LEC deal. They will meet on June 11 with the changes to the agreement and the resolution to finalize all arrangements before presenting it to the LEC board of directors, county commissioners and city commissioners. Other topics discussed at that meeting included the renovation of the evidence room, the progress of the training room, and the security of the city and county offices.
Kelly McMurphy, Landmark architect, explained on April 26 what was included in their bid and what was not in the bid. The erosion landscape was included in the offer. He said a decision on the exterior color of the building was needed as soon as possible.
Actions taken by the committee at the weekly meetings from April 26 to May 19 include:
· Catherine Rohrer, Director of SCKCCA, asking Commissioner Shriver to sigh her budget for the state. She also reported that the new Athena State Program was up and running, but not functioning properly.
· Commissioner Jones reported that the stools in the LEC basement need to be replaced.
· Susan Page, CEO and Alan Wait, CFO, PRMC, presented their quarterly financial report while Rich Sanders, hospital board member, addressed the subject of the PRRC building. A request has been made to turn off utilities to save money while a decision is made regarding the building.
Scott Harris, director of EMS, reported that on May 3 there was an opening for a paramedic. He also spoke about a $ 25,000 grant he requested to purchase AEDs for the community. A grant from Region 3 was received to purchase bulletproof vests, including four helmets which were purchased. He would like to promote one person every shift to lieutenant level so that he can supervise when the manager is not around. On May 10, Harris reported that the EMS Board of Directors conducted their inspection with a violation. Dr Clarkson signed the report to deal with the infraction. At that time, Harris also submitted a job description for Lt. EMS.
· Rich Sanders, Sanders Insurance, reported on the sheriff’s SRT team liability insurance.
Jodi Drake of the Pratt County Extension Office presented her 2022 budget at $ 295,641.
· Robert Torres, Environmental Services, reported on invasive weeds.
· County Councilor Eisenhauer presents IRS forms related to bond insurance for Jack Kennedy to sign.
· Thad Henry, Kent Goyen Paula Blasi and Charmaine Swanepoel of the Pratt Historical Society presented their budget request of $ 45,000 for 2022.
Stacy Hanson, Back to Pratt Jamboree, gave a presentation on the activities of October 8, 9 and 10, 2021.
· Chase Galle reported that the wash bay slab is PSB poured and all slabs are poured at the end of May. The metallic structure of the building is on site.
· The commissioners received a request from the Kingman County commissioners for a letter of support to re-establish their commercial driver’s license service in their courthouse. They agreed to do it.
· Mark Graber, IT Director, was asked about the status of the phone bill. There are several lines not used but included in the charges. Graber also reported that Microsoft will not support the county’s CIC system from January 2022, and will contact CIC to get pricing on a server.
The Commissioners adopted the following motions 3-0:
· Approval of payment to Kirkham Michael for services in the amount of $ 1,753.23.
· Approval of payment to Kansas Gas Service for the gas line to the PSB building for $ 4,381.09.
· To pay the Larrison Mortuary for coroner’s fees in the amount of $ 1,200.
· Approval of the Q11 strategic plan after Ryan Powell and Jalaa Miller made their recommendations for the renewal of the BCBS.
· Adopt plans presented by Tim Branscom, Director of Emergency Management and Zoning, to reduce Zoning Committee members in by-laws from nine to seven and the quorum from five to four. Branscom also presented an interlocal agreement with Pratt County and the towns of Coats and Iuka. The agreement will now go to the state for approval.
· Approval of payment to Landmark Architect for invoice # 12 of $ 3,491.25.
· Acceptance of the estimate of $ 212,790 from Foley Equipment for the rebuilding of the CAT 613C scraper.
· To hire Yuri Ibarra and Michael-Renee Busha to fill the two new navigator positions presented by Tiffany Ailstock, RSVP Director.
· Pay a $ 325 membership fee to KCCA.
· Approval of payment to Farha Construction for the prison door / window project in the amount of $ 12,769.03.
Meetings continue to stream online with Zoom on Mondays at 2 p.m. ET. To participate in meetings, information about Zoom is available on the county website (prattcounty.org).