Saline County commissioners adopt new public-official bond minimums, approve ARPA MOU to hold funds for Fire District No. 3

Saline County commissioners met at 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 and approved a package of routine business and two key actions: a resolution adjusting public-official bond arrangements and an internal memorandum of understanding to safeguard American Rescue Plan Act funding for Fire District No. 3.

The board adopted Resolution 24-2419, which moves the county’s public-official bonds from Travelers to insurer K Camp, sets minimum bond amounts for elected and appointed offices (including a higher minimum for the county treasurer than the state statute minimum), and adds a bond requirement for the county appraiser. County staff told commissioners the total annual premium for all bonds with K Camp would be $386 and would be paid from the insurance line and the general fund. Staff said that under K Camp the bond is tied to the position rather than an individual, so there is no need to change bond names when officeholders change.

The resolution was presented by an unnamed county presenter and approved after a motion and second; the transcript records the vote as passing 5-0.

The board also approved an internal MOU intended to preserve ARPA obligations for Fire District No. 3 after the district’s building bids came in higher than anticipated. County staff said federal consultants prepared the MOU and that it is intended to protect the funding and allow the county to award the project next year. The MOU approval was moved, seconded and—per the meeting record—passed 4-0.

Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the consent agenda, which included tax roll adjustments, accounts payable, payroll, the reappointments of Nancy and Archie Riggs to the Department of Senior Services Advisory Board and Robert Exline to the Celina Community Economic Development Organization Board, a transfer of property agreement, and two malt beverage licenses: license 156520 to Charles Fairchild (DBA Salinas Speedway) and license 159296 to CNW Ranch LTD. The consent agenda was approved as recorded in the transcript (4-0).

In informational business the county administrator noted a Celina Grace steering committee to address homelessness will hold a first meeting Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Community Resource Center on Broadway and asked for commissioner volunteers to participate. The administrator also said it was time for the annual allocation of alcohol funds and that staff would convene volunteer commissioners to review those allocations after the new year.

The commission adjourned after taking the actions above. The transcript includes an anomalous final phrase, "That passes forward 0," at adjournment; recorded roll-call tallies earlier in the meeting are used above as they appear in the record.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (appointments, licenses, tax roll, payroll): Approved; transcript records vote as 4-0 (SEG 031–055). - Resolution 24-2419 (public-official bonds, change to K Camp; raises treasurer bond; adds appraiser bond): Approved; transcript records vote as 5-0 (SEG 058–116). - Internal MOU to protect ARPA funds for Fire District No. 3: Approved; transcript records vote as 4-0 (SEG 117–151).

What’s next: Staff will follow up on the alcohol fund allocations after the new year, and the administrator said he will coordinate with city staff and commissioners on homelessness efforts in late February or early March. The county also plans to return with any needed resolution changes if bond amounts are altered in the future.