Cloud County commissioners approve multiple hires, set budget hearing and approve $453,911.35 in expenses

The Cloud County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple personnel actions, set its budget hearing and approved county expenditures during its regular meeting July 14 in Concordia.

On motions moved by Commissioner Ron Copple and seconded by Commissioner Dannie Kearn, the board approved hiring Logan Esparza and Michael Vanhousen as Road Maintenance (F1) effective July 28, 2025; hiring Brady Sorell as Maintenance I (G1) effective July 15; and reclassifying Teryn Buss from CNA/Home Health Aide to Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coordinator (D10) effective July 14, 2025. All motions passed by unanimous vote.

The board also set the Revenue Neutral Rate and scheduled the county’s budget hearing for Sept. 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., listing an estimated levy of 69.999. Clerk Shella Thoman told commissioners that any budget changes must be finalized the same day and reiterated administrative deadlines for new hires and paperwork.

Commissioner Michael Cleveland reminded staff that “all employees are required to wear seatbelts while using County vehicles.” The board voted to follow federal guidelines for mileage reimbursement going forward.

The commissioners approved county expenditures totaling $453,911.35, with the larger allocations including Road & Bridge ($248,456.73), Special Bridge ($71,147.77) and Solid Waste ($40,706.72). Thoman said the full expense detail is available at the County Clerk’s office and on the clerk’s public records webpage.

The board approved the July 7 minutes as presented and adjourned the session at 11:56 a.m.; the next regular meeting was scheduled for July 21, 2025.