Cloud County commissioners approve multiple hires, classification change and routine expenses

The Cloud County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 11, 2025, in Concordia and unanimously approved a series of personnel actions, authorized a private waterline crossing and reviewed the county's finances.

Chairman Michael Cleveland and Commissioners Dannie Kearn and Ron Copple presided over the meeting. The Board approved hiring Zoie Emerson as Corrections I (E1), effective Aug. 11, 2025; Elsie Feight-Tobald as Corrections II (H1), effective Aug. 12, 2025; and confirmed the earlier hire of Jason McCollough as Deputy I (J1), effective Aug. 4, 2025. The Board also approved hiring Shaan Doebek as Maintenance I (G1), effective Aug. 12, 2025. Each personnel motion was made by Commissioner Ron Copple, seconded by Commissioner Dannie Kearn, and carried by unanimous vote.

The Board approved a classification change reassigning Kendra Annon from Home Health Director to Home Health Administrator (NS10), effective Aug. 11, 2025. The reclassification was approved by unanimous motion.

Sheriff Ken Davis and Sergeant John Primeaux presented vehicle lease options for the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners indicated support for pursuing the leases and for contributing additional downpayment funds if available; no formal dollar amount was established at the meeting.

Infrastructure items included a report from Rod Michaud, Highway/Weed Administrator, and Kim Winsett, County Appraiser, on a proposed 911 addressing process. The office will develop a form, route requests through the Highway Department, consult the Mapping agency, and require approval by Michaud and Winsett before Dispatch is notified. Michaud also said new power poles had been set at the Ross Doyen Memorial Bridge site and that crews should receive cold mix this week for repair work.

The Board unanimously approved a Request and Petition from Alvin Borntregor for a waterline crossing on Camp Road east of 80th Road; the motion was made by Commissioner Copple and seconded by Commissioner Kearn.

Shane and Derek Champlin spoke about a landlocked parcel north of Trail Road on 110th; the Board advised it intends to classify the nearby road as minimum maintenance rather than close it, a decision that affects access but does not formally abandon the right of way.

County Emergency Management Coordinator Kent Otott reported he is continuing training toward certification. The Board held multiple executive sessions under the personnel exception to discuss non-elected personnel; sessions and resumptions were recorded by motion and included County Clerk Shella Thoman and, at times, staff joining by phone.

On finance, County Clerk Shella Thoman presented Budget Status and Fund Status reports as of July 31, 2025, showing an ending cash balance of $14,756,404.49. The Board approved expenses totaling $260,770.31 across funds including General ($62,460.64), Road & Bridge ($75,515.65), Special Bridge ($75,269.54), County Health ($14,281.43) and Solid Waste ($26,517.07). The clerk’s office maintains the full expense detail and the public record.

Commissioners reported recent regional and local meeting attendance. The Board approved the Aug. 4, 2025 minutes and adjourned at 11:44 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Waterline crossing for Alvin Borntregor (Camp Road east of 80th Road): motion by Commissioner Ron Copple; second Commissioner Dannie Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Hire: Zoie Emerson, Corrections I (E1), effective Aug. 11, 2025: motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Hire: Elsie Feight-Tobald, Corrections II (H1), effective Aug. 12, 2025: motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Hire: Jason McCollough, Deputy I (J1), effective Aug. 4, 2025: motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Hire: Shaan Doebek, Maintenance I (G1), effective Aug. 12, 2025: motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Classification change: Kendra Annon from Home Health Director to Home Health Administrator (NS10), effective Aug. 11, 2025: motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Approved expenses totaling $260,770.31 (breakdowns noted in clerk’s report): motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0). - Approved minutes (Aug. 4, 2025): motion Copple; second Kearn; unanimous approval (3–0).

All vote counts reflect the three commissioners present: Michael Cleveland, Dannie Kearn and Ron Copple.