The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, November 2, 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 department’s month-end reports were reviewed and approved.

The commission met with Casey Chastain, Senior Professional Human Resources Director for Public Sector with Higginbotham. Mr. Chastain discussed the current insurance market and trends and went over the why, how and the impact of working with a public entity specialist for cyber risk assessment, property risk assessment, contract review risk assessment and law enforcement risk assessment and the full-service solutions offered by Higginbotham Public Sector.

Clerk Taylor presented a subaward agreement for a Department of Homeland Security grant she wrote and was awarded $12,923.47 to enhance election security in Atchison County. The agreement was signed by Presiding Commission Livengood.

The commission reviewed an online banking internet agreement and disclosure for business clients with Citizens Bank & Trust. After reviewing it was signed by Presiding Commissioner Livengood and Treasurer Debbie True.

The commission and Clerk Taylor began department budget meetings with the assessor, treasurer, collector, coroner, recorder and public administrator. They all presented their budget needs for 2024 and answered questions about their office.

The commission completed a final review of the RFQs for a health insurance broker. After much discussion, the commissioners voted to move to a new broker and accept the proposal from HIC Agency for a level funded plan.

The commission did a final review of the bids received for three new computers – one for the sheriff’s office and two for the 911 office to be purchased through the cyber security grant written by Director Wiley. Bids were received from Midwest Data Center, MTE, and Sourcewell. After reviewing all bids for specifications, Clerk Taylor recommended accepting the bid from Midwest Data Center as their bid included installation and ongoing service. The commissioners voted to accept the bid from Midwest Data Center.

The commission continued budget review.