McPherson County commissioners appoint new county attorney and approve multiple resolutions, road plans and a NEMA grant match

Harold Arensdorf, chairman of the McPherson County Board of Commissioners, opened the board’s Nov. 8 and Dec. 8, 2017 regular meetings in Stapleton, where the board moved on personnel, financial and infrastructure business.

In personnel action, the board addressed the impending resignation of County Attorney Timothy Brouillette, effective Jan. 1, 2018, and appointed Whitney S. Lindstedt to succeed him. At the Nov. 8 meeting the board voted to appoint Lindstedt as county attorney for 2018 at a monthly salary of $1,100 under a contract to be drawn by the outgoing county attorney. At the Dec. 8 meeting the board moved to execute a contract appointing Lindstedt at an annual salary of $13,200 with no benefits; that motion passed unanimously. The board presented outgoing County Attorney Timothy Brouillette a plaque in recognition of 22 years of service.

The board handled two tax-list corrections while sitting as the Board of Equalization. On Nov. 8 it approved Tax List Correction #2017-2, adding parcel 600017494 back to the 2017 tax rolls after it had been erroneously deleted. On Dec. 8 it approved Tax List Correction #2017-3 to add unreported equipment purchased in 2016 to personal property parcel #600044191 for the 2017 tax list.

On finance and insurance matters, the County Treasurer reported a $2,217 NIRMA insurance dividend for 2017 and a $1,331 recommitment dividend. The board adopted Resolution #2017-15 committing McPherson County to participate in the NIRMA and NIRMA II county insurance programs for July 1, 2018–June 30, 2021, and noted the recommitment dividend amount.

The board also adopted Resolution #2017-16, which sets salaries for elected officials for the 2019–2022 term with a 2% annual increase and provides each official either a full single health-insurance policy or a monetary equivalent (up to $1,000) during the term. The board adopted Resolution #2017-17 to establish a General Assistance Program for the county.

On emergency management, the board approved accepting a NEMA grant to update the outdoor emergency siren system that can be activated by the regional 911 center. The sheriff informed the board the grant requires a 20% county match of $706; the board approved using the Emergency Management Fund to provide that match.

Roads and maintenance items drew routine approvals. The board approved the November road plan and discussed building a road into Lots 7 and 8 in Ward Estates when a residence is placed there. A driveway request from Dale and Heather White for access off North Mail Road was received and the road crew was assigned to perform the work. Highway Superintendent Tom Werblow reported safety concerns including tire maintenance and winter/fire safety. Resident Shawn Bellew publicly thanked the road crew for repairs near his home.

The board received a request from Barb Otto, representing an "In God We Trust America" organization, to display an "In God We Trust" banner in the courthouse; the board approved the display (Rundback and Arensdorf voted in favor; Bryant opposed). Visitor Lennis Sytsma volunteered funds to pay for the banner.

The board examined and approved routine county claims at both meetings and voted to continue a lawn-care contract with TruGreen for $750. The meetings adjourned at 12:05 p.m. on both days; the next regular meeting was scheduled for Jan. 10, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at the McPherson County Courthouse.

Notes: The transcript records both an "Emergency Manager McConnell" and, separately, a "Sheriff McConnell" reporting the NEMA grant; the article preserves the titles as recorded in the minutes.