County reviews traffic code

   On July 31, the Phillips County Board of Commissioners reported its activity from the month of July, including review of the Model Traffic Code.
    According to commissioners, many local entities have adopted the code, which puts money collected from traffic fines back to the County. Currently, traffic fines are remitted to the State.
    While commissioners are interested in moving forward with the process to consider adoption, a public hearing will not be scheduled until this fall when the updated 2017 version has been released.
    
Assessor gives annual report
    Phillips County Assessor Doug Kamery recently reviewed his annual report with the commissioners, discussing some of the land valuation protests he received this year.
    The very preliminary assessed value for 2017 is $92,759,250. The final preliminary is due Aug. 24.

Other business
    In other business during the month of July, the County:
    —Received a clean opinion on its 2016 audit review presented by Ronny Farmer of rfarmer LLC.
    —Was awarded a $30,000 capital grant from the Boettcher Foundation for the fairgrounds Pavilion and Education Center project.
    —Met with a concerned citizen regarding emergency response to recent 911 emergencies. The board agreed to research the issues and provide the information needed.
    —Approved a special request from Pheasants Forever to sell alcohol at its banquet at the Phillips County Event Center Nov. 11 from 5 p.m.-midnight, should they receive a special event permit from the City of Holyoke and meet all rental requirements.
    —Met with Centennial Mental Health Director Liz Hickman for her annual report.
    —Purchased a 38-horsepower Kohler EFI mower from Kurtzer’s LLC for $13,552 after receiving bids from Kurtzer’s and 21st Century Equipment.
    —Hired Kristina Anderson as a part-time secretary for the Phillips County Extension Office during the fair.