Phillips County commissioners give September recap report

Phillips County Board of Commissioners held a press briefing Friday, Sept. 30, to highlight several things that happened in the past month.

Commissioner Garold Roberts reported that the county decided to opt out of the Family Medical Leave Insurance Program. County employees will still be able to participate in the program individually if they choose, and the details of the program will be outlined at the annual employee meeting.

A draft of an intergovernmental agreement for the funding of the Phillips County Communications Center was approved by the commissioners and was shared with representatives of the other entities that have been involved with the communications center for their review. No feedback has been received from those entities as of Sept. 30.

Roberts said the county is continuing to review zoning regulations with county attorney Tammy Kelley and Sullivan Green Seavy LLC.

The commissioners clarified that there will be a hiring bonus of $3,000 for a two-year commitment for employees hired in all county departments from July 11-Dec. 31. The bonus will be reevaluated after Dec. 31.

Maryse Schafer and Olivia Olivas O’Dea were hired as full-time dispatchers at the communications center.

The board recently met with Norb Badding and Billy Andersen to discuss Central Plains Equipment’s tractor rental program.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2001 flatbed trailer for the landfill from Danny Andrews for $2,500.

The board tabled a decision on the planning commission’s recommendation to approve a subdivision exemption request submitted by Vern P. Rafert Trust and Timothy P. Rafert to sell 4.81 acres in the SE1/4 of Section 6 T7N-R44W to Diesel Supply LLC until zoning requirements have been reviewed. The planning commission recommended rezoning the land from A1 to C1. A public hearing is scheduled for the Oct. 7 commissioner meeting at 11 a.m.