Submitted by Nicole Lee

County Clerk

The Board of Brown County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 14, with the following members present: Chairman Lucas Heinen, Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and Commissioner William Pollock. Also present was Brown County Clerk Nicole Lee. County Counselor Austin Parker was present for a portion of the meeting. Chairman Heinen opened the meeting at 1 p.m. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Commissioner Heinen.

Department Reports

Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Roberts updated the commission on the Request for Public Assistance Briefing meeting with state officials and FEMA representatives for the June 3-4 storms.

Treasurer Betty Spiker updated the commission on the previous tax foreclosure sale process. All deeds have been returned and are currently in the District Court Office awaiting Sheriff Merchant’s signature. Once signed, the deeds will be delivered to the Register of Deeds Office.

Treasurer Spiker requested a 10-minute executive session on non-elected personnel matters. The board agreed to recess into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the duties and performance of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employee. Spiker and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

Superintendent Jerry Hisle was present to discuss the two week look-ahead form, FEMA documentation for reimbursements, road repairs and battery cost.

The commission was presented a KDOT Request to Exchange Federal Funds document for signature. Federal Funds to be exchanged are $137,740.37. The board agreed to sign the Federal Exchange Fund document.

Also at the meeting:

The commissioners discussed the following topics: Noxious Weed chemical sales and Commission Pollock attending a KDOT meeting regarding the project on Highway 246.

County Counselor Parker discussed filing a petition with the District Court to have the impounded vehicles treated as surplus property for disposal, employee health insurance, EEOC dismissal notice, drafting an agreement for dispatch services between Brown County and the City of Hiawatha, identifying main haul roads and taxation of real property in Kansas.

The board approved the Sept. 8 meeting minutes with one correction.

The commission was presented with 2027 contracts for attorney services from Michael Riley, Judd Herbster and Elizabeth Olson. Tabled. No action taken.

The commissioners approved the Outside Agency Appropriation Request & Expenditure Report and accompanying letter for distribution to entities receiving appropriations from Brown County.

The commission was presented with results of the Brown County mid-year real estate appraisal/sales ratio study from Kansas Division of Property Valuation.

The Sept. 14 claims were approved as follows: General, $46,761.15; Road and Bridge, $53,979.86; Appraiser, $132.10; Noxious Weed, $5,884.82; Diversion, $866.75; 911 SB50, $108.08; ACC, $2,516.94; JJCR, $2,292.22; Services for Elderly, $1,448.32; and Solid Waste, $67,372.69. After Employee Benefits of $97.95 were taken out, the total was $181,264.98.

The commission discussed a letter received from Connie Ingwerson regarding drainage issues on personal property near the intersection of 300th Street and Kestrel Road.

Parker requested an attorney-client executive session. The commissioners recessed into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing potential legal liability with legal counsel, pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception. Parker and Lee remained. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

The board agreed to approve signing Application No. QR2136 for Qualification/Participation for the Brown County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

The next regular meeting was held Monday, Sept. 21. These minutes were not available at The Herald’s press time.

Work Session

The Brown County Commissioners convened at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Bruning Barn for an informal work session with Chairman Heinen, Commissioner Tesoriero and Commissioner Pollock present, along with County Clerk Lee. Also present were county residents. Topics discussed included June disaster damage, FEMA reimbursements, use of local contractors, road maintenance plan, flock cameras, Historical Society, sharing resources with townships and school districts, possible bond issue for roads, Services for the Elderly services, NEKAAA future services, and ongoing discussions with representatives of affected entities regarding the possible Hiawatha RHID. No action was taken. The work session adjourned at 6:49 p.m.