Commissioners make decisions, provide productive discussion

The Chase County Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 8 a.m. Several issues were brought before the Commissioners. Assistant Highway Superintendent Dick DeWester asked for clarification regarding working during a paid holiday. He wanted to know if they were paid double, time and a half, or just straight pay. Currently, employees are paid for a regular 8-hour day and then they receive their straight pay for any hours worked during that holiday. Chairman Jacci Brown expressed that this was something that the Handbook Committee reviews. County employees are given a handbook and always have access to one, should they need it.
Jeni Lotspeich, the Zoning Administrator, introduced a Building Permit Fee increase from $25 to $100. This fee has not been increased for several years but the Commissioners denied increasing the fee. They did not feel that this was necessary and would ultimately deter the community from applying for building permits.
Representatives for the Village of Wauneta were present to discuss their Police Service Contract with the Chase County Sheriff’s Office. The Village of Wauneta Board received an updated contract with a rate increase from the current rate of $22,000 to $36,480. This rate was in the contract signed in 2018. The increase is due to the rising cost of living. The Sheriff’s Office is currently contracted for 80 hours a month. Logs are kept to keep track of these hours. The Village Board representatives were concerned about lack of patrol presence during the day and wondered if that could be changed. They also wanted to see a representative for the Sheriff’s Office at some board meetings. Sheriff Mueller noted that most patrols were done in the evenings and that he had been unaware that there was not a representative attending any board meetings. He has amended this and will have a representative attend meetings. The Village of Wauneta Board representatives concluded that they would discuss the contract and possible changes that they would like to see at their next meeting.