Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Thomas Garcia
QCS Senior Writer
In a business-as-usual meeting, Franklin McCasland was retained as chair of the Quay County Commission in a unanimous vote Monday.
Highlighting the meeting was the acknowledgment by the public and commissioners for the work done during the winter storm Goliath on Dec. 26-27 by Quay County Emergency Manager Curtis Simpson, Quay County Road Superintendent Larry Moore and the road crew/staff.
“I want you all to know how much I appreciate you all for doing what you did during the storm,” said District 2 Commissioner Mike Cherry.
Residents expressed their appreciation for all that Simpson, Moore and the road crew did during the storm, said District 1 Commissioner Sue Dowell.
Moore said the crews have done what they can for the county roads affected by the snow and while the roads are wet from melting snow and ice, the crews cannot work on them.
Moore said the ruts created by the road-clearing equipment is going to be an ongoing problem throughout the county as the snow was pushed to the sides of the roads, resulting in drifts as high as 8 to 12 feet.
“There is nowhere for the snow to go when it melts but back out onto the road,” Moore said. “We will do our best to try and maintain the roads but for now we are asking residents to be patient.”
Simpson presented Resolution 19, a declaration of emergency/disaster, that was approved by the commission. Simpson said the resolution will allow the county to qualify for reimbursement from the state for the equipment use and overtime from personnel during the storm.
Quay County Treasurer Patsy Gresham presented the nominations for a newly formed finance board.
Gresham said the purpose of the board would include reviewing requests for proposals on banking services and manage the county’s investments. She said the board should include the treasurer, County Clerk Veronica Marez, two or more commissioners; McCasland (chair), Cherry (District 2) and Dowell (District 1) and County Manager Richard Primrose.
Cherry asked that the board include a member from the public who doesn't work for the county, but who has a strong financial background. Such an appointment, he said, would give the board more transparency.
McCasland and Dowell agreed with the benefits of adding a member from the public and the commission moved to look further into the matter for selection purposes.
In other business, commissioners:
• Approved Resolution No. 21, adopting procedures to be compliant with the state and public information act.
• Discussed the possibility of funding/sponsoring of the Rawhide Days to be held April 15-16.
• Approved the awarding of a construction bid for $80,000 to Western Plains Construction for the Bard/Endee garage construction.
• Approved EMS funding applications for: District 1, Quay, Forrest and Barde Endee Fire/EMS Departments.
• Approved fiscal year 2015-2016 budgetary increases to the General Fund, Quay County Sheriff’s Office, Quay County DWI Compliance Office and Quay County Fire Departments.