Jewell County Commissioners and county canvassers meet

The Jewell County Commissioners met March 25. Commissioners Keith Roe, Ed Duskie and Brent Beck were present. Carla J. Waugh, county clerk, was present for the meeting.

The following were present for the office head meeting and provided an update for their department: Shannon Meier, ambulance director; Chris Petet, custodian; Anna Porter, county appraiser; James A. Vaughan IV, solid waste director; Carla J Waugh, county clerk, and Kevin Peroutek, noxious weed director, emergency preparedness director and 911 coordinator. Those absent: Amanda Davis, register of deeds, Scott Wright, county attorney, Cindy Becker, health administrator, Don Jacobs, sheriff, Joel Elkins, general superintendent, Nora Rhoades, Post Rock Extension district director, and Brenda Eakins, treasurer.

Kevin Peroutek reported for emergency preparedness that the LEPC meeting is March 27 at Bob’s beginning at 6:30 p.m. He said Sheriff Jacobs, Deputy Luedke, Anthony Roy, City of Mankato administrator, and Kevin Peroutek attended the disaster exercise in Beloit. Kevin said the roads in Jewell County were inspected for damage from the snow storm. He said they continue to have their daily zoom meetings within the region. He reported for the noxious weed department that he attended the 3-I Show to work in the noxious weed booth. They are starting to have a few chemical sales and he is working on the annual report. Kevin said Shane McCutcheon is the part-time employee for weed spraying.

Anna Porter said change of value notices were mailed out and they are getting some hearings scheduled. She said the personal property notices are about done.

Shannon Meier said he is finishing the revalidation for Medicare and Medicaid.

James Vaughan reported he worked on the baler control board and it is working for now. He will continue to work on finding a trailer. He discussed the Hamm billing.

Chris Petet said that Glassman will look at the boilers.

Carla Waugh reported that 220 people voted in the Presidential Preference Primary in Jewell County. She said the ballot audit was completed. The auditors would audit the books for 2023. She said the new IBM server will be installed April 4 and 5. Carla would provide a list of registered Jewell County voters that reside in USD 273 to the Mitchell County Clerk on Friday, March 29. Mitchell County Clerk is the home county for the USD 273 Bond Election and will mail ballots out to all registered voters in USD 273. Carla said she has been working with Shannon Rothchild, Nex-Tech Business, to confirm the number of computers and email addresses for the county.

Brent Beck said he attended the juvenile detention center meeting and the hospital board meeting. He said the commissioners have been working on a road closing. Brent said 50 Road north of Esbon is being rocked.

Ed Duskie said he attended the Golden Years meeting, and he has been checking on roads. He also attended the legislative meeting.

Keith Roe said all the commissioners attended the multi-county meeting. Keith also attended the legislative meeting.

Shannon Meier had a quote for roof repairs on the ambulance building - Bill’s Roofing - $58,597.77. The commissioners approved the quote unanimously. Shannon discussed purchasing two used X series defibrillators from Republic County. He will make them an offer.

The Jewell County Commissioners, Keith Roe, Ed Duskie and Brent Beck met on March 25 as the Board of County Canvassers. The meeting was opened to canvass the ballots from the March 19, 2024, Presidential Preference Primary Election. Waugh, Jewell County clerk and election officer, and Myka Zadina were also present.

Waugh reviewed the election night tabulation and that no advance ballots were received after election night. Waugh then reported there were no provisional ballots. The canvassing was completed, and the board adjourned.

Lora Ost said she had submitted her resignation. She discussed retention of employees and pay for new hires. Lora said the yard expense could have been used on wages. She discussed her concerns about vacation and sick leave. Lora also said she doesn’t feel like the commissioners appreciate them in the appraiser’s office. It’s always about the road and bridge department. She said the appraiser’s office receives a lot of disparaging remarks.

Scott Wright, county attorney, discussed employment contracts, tax sale and Cottonwood Restoration.

Joel Elkins, general superintendent, had two bids for culverts: Ace Eaton Metals - $136,011.40 and J&J Drainage Products - $192,272.34. The Ace Eaton Metals’ bid was approved unanimously. He discussed maintenance on the Randall Road.

Shannon Rothchild, Nex-Tech Business, reviewed the updated number of computers and email addresses. He reviewed the recommendations for data back-up; end user cyber security training, consistent cyber protection, and an email address domain across all departments.