By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Work is still underway to repair damage at the Ellis County Fairgrounds from an August windstorm.
Interim County Administrator Darin Myers told the Ellis County Commission on Monday the total cost of damages is $650,000.
"It almost seemed like every single building was damaged in one way or another," Myers said, "from roof tin being pulled up on edges to vinyl siding being pelted with hail to light poles taking out fences to buildings being completely blown away, utility poles breaking off and landing on other buildings."
The county will only be responsible for its $500 insurance deductible.
"Almost every single building is getting a new roof or a whole new building or being resided or retinned," Myers said.
Myers questioned why the county had such a low deductible. He said the county is working with its insurer to see if it needs to have a higher deductible to reduce premium costs.
Myers said KCAMP, the county's insurer, has already notified the county its premiums will likely increase in 2021. Those rates will be released this summer.
The county had problems with KCAMP under paying, overpaying or not paying for repairs, Myers said. County staff finally sat down with representatives of the insurer, and Myers said service has improved.
Much of the work that is left to be completed will be done in the next month or two, Myers said.
The fair board is using some of its own funds to reconstruct the chicken barn, and insurance funds will be used to put the roof on the barn.
Food service contract
Commissioners approved an extension and addendum of a food service contract with Consolidated Correctional Foodservice for the jail. The contract changes will save the county $10,400 per year. The contract has been extended through 2024.
Juvenile Justice
There will be $177, 598 in grant funds available to the 15th, 17th and 23rd judicial districts. Peggy Pratt, director of the Northwest Kansas Juvenile Services, said she would like those applying for grant funds to focus on mentoring, education and addiction treatment.
Grant applications need to be returned to Pratt by email by April 10.
NWKSP&DC
The commission has decided to wait on any decision to pay dues to the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission until after a county sales tax vote later this month.
The county is proposing a bylaw change to the commission that would limit the amount of dues paid by any county to $25,000.
The county was paying $40,000 in dues. It cut funding for dues completely this year due to a budget shortfall.
Road tour
The commission has set its annual road tour for April 22. Commissioners and staff will be traveling to locations throughout the county.