The Atchison County Commission met Tuesday, February 9. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Additions and abatements to the tax books were approved as follows:
PERSONAL PROPERTY December 2020
Additions to the tax books: 2017, $16.19; 2018, $705.17; 2019, $2,109.66; 2020, $52,921.50.
Abatements from the personal tax books: 2020, $1,379.55
REAL PROPERTY
December 2020
Additions to the tax books: 2020, $288,383.34
Abatements from the tax books: 2002, $331.48; 2003, $331.95; 2004, $390.45; 2005, $411.88; 2006, $405.84; 2007, $406.16; 2008, $548.43; 2009, $537.28; 2010, $562.73; 2011, $566.14; 2012, $622.88; 2013, $621.04; 2014, $595.92; 2015, $600.10; 2016, $596.83; 2017, $600.20; 2018, $607.13; 2019, $614.05; 2020, $31,822.20
The commission and Clerk Taylor met with Louis Feldman with Invenergy and Ethen Piveral, David Meiners and Jeff Moore, all with Ameren, to discuss construction progress on the Outlaw Wind Project. They reported that 39 turbines were transferred to Ameren on January 14 and an additional seven were transferred on January 24. Some of blades have a defect from the manufacturer which has slowed the construction. This resulted in 25-30 turbines not completed at this point and should be finished between now and mid-June. Fagen will complete the work they can and then Vestas will complete additional crane work as needed. North District Commissioner Quimby shared concerns he has heard from the landowners about crop damage for this year. They stated that a letter would be going out this week to landowners to address the concerns. Mr. Feldman stated that the workforce would be decreasing over the next few months as Fagen begins to demobilize.
Rhonda Wiley, Emergency Management Director, was in to address concerns about the number of vaccinations being allocated to the county. Director Wiley, Health Department Administrator Julie Livengood, and Presiding Commissioner Livengood will hold a conference call with Representative Andrews later today to discuss the concerns.
The commission was notified by MoDOT about all the projects scheduled for Atchison County to begin in 2021.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The commission met Thursday, February 11, 2021. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and North District Commissioner Jim Quimby. Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission, was attending the virtual meeting hosted by the National Association of Counties for all state association presidents and executive directors.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Additional month-end department reports were reviewed and approved by the commission.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The Commission met Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Additional month-end department reports were reviewed and approved by the commission.
Assessor Lori Jones was in to discuss additional questions that Ameren has presented about taxation. Clerk Taylor forwarded questions to Attorney Ivan Schraeder.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The commission met Thursday, February 18, 2021. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Additional month-end department reports were reviewed and approved by the commission.
Jason Garst, with the Atchison County Levee District, was in to update the commission on the status of the levee repairs. He reported work is finished on L-561, but the board has not signed off on the project at this time. Mr. Garst further stated that the major work on L-550 is complete, with the last big project being on the Nishnabotna from the Watson boat landing north. Work is still ongoing on L-536.
Emergency Management Director Wiley was in to update the commission on the governor’s conference call with the Northwest region.
Circuit Clerk Lorie Hall notified the commission that once again the state will not have any special assistance funds available for supplemental pay for staff during 2021. She inquired if it was possible for the county to assist with 10 hours per week for staff in her office. Clerk Taylor reviewed the budget and felt they would be able to use approved budget funds for the request. The commission stated that as long as they remain within their approved budgeted amount, they would approve the request. Clerk Taylor notified Circuit Clerk Hall and said that their budget would need to be monitored to allow the expense.
Crystal Woodring, Director and Stephanie Brannen, office manager of the Northwest Missouri Living Center, Inc., were in for their annual update. Mrs. Woodring reported that the living center currently employs 25 local individuals. Twenty are direct support staff working in the homes and five are administrative and nursing staff. They currently provide residential placement for 10 developmentally disabled with one approved on the wait list and provide personal assistance for two local individuals in their homes. She reported that the turnover rate has decreased in the last year due to being able to offer benefits, some pay increases and more training. The contract on the Maple Street home has been extended to allow for more residential services and will now be able to assist five consumers. SB-40 tax funds are very appreciated and helpful and will be used for home maintenance. Mrs. Woodring reported that they are excited about working with Cindy Sons, the new manager at Northwest Missouri Industries, Inc., and continue to look for employment opportunities for their individuals. Mrs. Woodring shared letters that have been sent to local legislators and the House Budget Committee stressing the importance of the Vocational Rehabilitation State Match and how critical it is to fund so that employment services are not cut off for these individuals.
The commission thanked Mrs. Woodring for the update and commended her on an outstanding job.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
