The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, October 19, 2023. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.

The collector’s month-end report was reviewed and approved.

Clerk Taylor presented a notice from the County Employees’ Retirement Fund to make the 2024 annual contribution election. A county can only change its election once per year, with the new election becoming effective on January 1. After discussion, the commissioners voted to leave the county’s current election in effect for 2024 with the employee paying the required 4% in CERF.

Clerk Taylor reviewed a request from the Missouri Association of Counties stating that the National Association of Counties, in conjunction with Western Interstate Region Board of Directors, has moved to form the National Center for Public Lands Counties (The Center).

The Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) has a unique opportunity to invest in The Center which aims to ensure Payment-In-Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and other federal revenue sharing programs continue to flow to our counties with public lands. MAC is asking that Atchison County set aside one percent of the total Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds in the 2024 budget, which is $1,000.00 for MAC to use towards the Center. Clerk Taylor reported on the reduction of PILT money coming to the county and how a voice is needed to make sure these federal funds are sent to rural counties. The commissioners voted to approve the $1,000.00 allocation in the 2024 budget.

Assistant 911 Director Mark Manchester was in for Presiding Commissioner Livengood to sign the FY 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant. The total award is $73,463.28 with $36,731.64 being the federal award and $36,731.64 being the local cost share. This is a large reduction from prior years.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Kamron Woodring met with the commission to review three state bids through Sourcewell – Contract #092922 for a 48’ hydraulic trailer. One bid was for a triple axle and the other two were for single axle. Supervisor Woodring recommended the single axle 10,400 lb. weight with heavier springs over the 9,880 lb. with lighter springs. The commissioners voted to purchase the new trailer as recommended. Woodring stated that if the order is placed now, it would not be in until March or April of 2024.

Supervisor Woodring reported that items that were sold on the Purple Wave Auction site brought in a total of $272,560.00.

Woodring then reported that the head gasket was out of the small 10-ton dump truck, and he is waiting on an estimate of the cost of repairs from St. Joseph.

The commission went out and inspected the new retaining wall being built along the south side of the courthouse and requested a change order from Hale Construction to alter the wall and run it the length of the south side so a sidewalk can be added between the wall and the street. The commission will put a bid out for pouring the sidewalk.

Clerk Taylor reported that the deadline for submitting an RFQ for the county’s health insurance needs was yesterday at 4:30 p.m. Five RFQ’s were received with one coming in at 4:41 p.m. just after the required deadline. The commission stated that the specifications are the requirements and any received after the deadline would not be considered.

Clerk Taylor reported that Human Resource Specialists Amy Meinecke and Deanna Beck were currently reviewing the RFQs and would have an overall report at the next meeting.

There being no further business, the commission adjourned.