Pratt County commissioners on Monday approved a slate of administrative contracts and personnel actions and held two short executive sessions during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The board first approved a 10‑minute executive session for attorney–client discussion about an appraisal contract and later certified that no action was taken. After returning to open session, the commission voted to hire Watson Milliken for an appraisal project not to exceed $35,000. Speaker 1 introduced the motion and members approved it.

The board also approved hiring Hornsby & Company/Frasier's Consultants for up to $45,000 following a motion by Speaker 1.

For public‑works work, the commission approved a tree‑removal contract along West First Street, hiring Ethan Richland for up to $16,600 to clear trees obstructing a bridge.

Personnel actions included approval of the sheriff's request to hire Dusty Roberts full time in detention at $17.25 per hour; the motion carried. The board also approved the minutes from Dec. 16, authorized payment of vouchers and reviewed the register of payables and county property items such as desks and vending machines.

Later in the meeting the board held a separate 10‑minute executive session for non‑elected personnel; the commission again returned to open session and certified no action was taken.

Votes at a glance

- Executive session (attorney–client) for appraisal contract: motion approved; entered 10‑minute executive session with no action taken (SEG 142–154; SEG 156–163).

- Hire Watson Milliken for appraisal, not to exceed $35,000: motion approved (SEG 168–184).

- Hire Hornsby & Company/Frasier's Consultants, not to exceed $45,000: motion approved (SEG 191–204).

- Approve tree removal along West First Street (Ethan Richland), not to exceed $16,600: motion approved (SEG 282–294).

- Executive session (non‑elected personnel): motion approved; 10‑minute executive session with no action taken (SEG 313–323).

- Hire Dusty Roberts full time (detention) at $17.25/hour: motion approved (SEG 421–443).

- Approve minutes (Dec. 16) and payment of vouchers: motions approved (SEG 408–416; SEG 589–594).

The meeting included additional operational items — rock and hauling quotes for upcoming asphalt work, LED lighting considerations at the county shop, and discussion of surplus county property — but no further formal votes were recorded during this session. The meeting adjourned after approval of vouchers.