Sheriff to phase out mobile command center
Phillips County Sheriff’s Office will be phasing out its command bus and rolling its functions into the MRAP vehicle that was acquired earlier this year, the Phillips County Board of Commissioners reported at their Aug. 29 meeting.
Phillips County Sheriff Thom Elliott met with the board to discuss disposal of the old vehicle. Once it is stripped of usable equipment, the bus will be offered for sale to the public.
The bus was added to the force several years ago to serve as a mobile command center in rural areas. It was deployed on just three occasions. The communication equipment installed in the bus has since become dated and would require a significant investment to replace.
Sedgwick County was originally a partner in the operation of the bus. Commissioners said their neighbor county raised no objections to the proposed removal of the bus from service.
Pavilion improvements continue
Commissioners also reported on improvements slated for the pavilion at the Phillips County Fairgrounds, which was opened for public use in July.
During a conference call with project manager Matt Brasby, commissioners reviewed in-progress developments, including:
— Insulation of rooms in the northeast corner.
— Finishing carpentry, HVAC and wiring in the rooms.
— Installing a hood and grill in the kitchen, as well as a grease trap.
— Setting up telephone and internet services.
— Installing natural gas and sewer lines.
Several contractors are still working on a number of these projects.
Victim assistance pursues additional funding
Victim Assistance Coordinator Kelley Sullivan met with the board to talk about alternative sources of funding for her position.
Currently, Sullivan’s position is partially funded by a State Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement grant. Because the VALE board has reported a significant shortage in funds, she is now applying for a grant through the Victims of Crime Act program, which is funded by the federal government.
Coal bin, roofs to be replaced
The board provided an update on the replacement of the coal bin and vestibule roofs lying underground and northeast of Phillips County Courthouse.
Phillips County had previously received a state grant to replace the bin and vestibule roofs, which were in a state of disrepair. Last summer, maintenance staff removed the old roof, and Haxtun contractor Warren Edwards prepared the forms and poured the concrete to replace it.
A similar procedure will take place this year, re-enlisting the help of Edwards.
County gets boost in CDOT funds
Commissioners announced that the County will be receiving additional funds from the Colorado Department of Transportation, due to a 2018 bill that moved a chunk of the state general fund over to CDOT.
The additional funds add up to $217,826.09, which is significantly more than the County usually receives through the Highway Users Tax Fund.
The state estimated that next year’s payment will be about one-third of this year’s payment.
Other business
In other August business, commissioners:
— Approved a Roadway Occupancy Agreement with PC Telcom for burial of about 4,800 feet of underground fiber optic cable on County Road 43 between county roads 30 and 32.
— Met with Kayla Kafka about the Kafka family offering livestock panels for rent at the pavilion. The board will pursue an agreement for renting portable corrals.
— Accepted the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved a subdivision exemption for Wilco Farms for the sale of about seven acres in the NE 1/4 of Section 9, T7N, R44W.
— Approved a donation to the Phillips County Fair Royalty Program.
— Reviewed the current expired terms on county boards.