Commissioners reorganize for 2022
Phillips County commissioners have reorganized, and Tom Timm is now chairman of the board for 2022. At their reorganization meeting last month, commissioners passed resolutions for 2022 that:
— Organize county operations and establish official holidays and regional board appointments.
— Affirm employees and special appointments.
— Set salaries and wages for county employees.
— Designate official office hours.
— Authorize signers on behalf of the board.
— Authorize the Phillips County treasurer to deposit and invest funds.
— Authorize the board of county commissioner appointments to local and regional boards.
— Provide health and life insurance to qualifying county employees.
— Approve county fees and charges.
Commissioners also noted that elected officials and department heads must get approval from the board on purchases over $2,000, and the board must approve all repairs of $10,000 or more.
Purchasing from businesses within Phillips County is preferred for all county departments, but if the total of the local price is more than 20% above the total cost of shopping elsewhere, the purchase may be made from another source.
Additionally, the county auditor will be rfarmer LLC of Lamar for the yearly audit fee of $18,540.
Potential wind projects discussed
At their Jan. 18 meeting, commissioners met with Jesse Hopkins-Hoel, chief development officer for National Renewable Solutions. Two wind projects that would affect Phillips County were discussed, Overland Pass Energy East and Overland Pass Energy West.
Wind farm applications are not currently being accepted due to the moratorium on the processing of permits related to the construction of any wind farm system or facility within Phillips County. The moratorium is currently set to expire on April 19.
Commissioners emphasized that no formal request has been made, but that NRS is doing some research and preliminary groundwork for the possibility of these projects.
The county planning commission is still working on wind regulations and will present its findings to the public in the near future. Commissioners will then either accept the recommended regulations as presented or send them back to the planning commission for specific points to be reconsidered.
Other business
In other business last month, commissioners:
— Approved the purchase of a 2021 Caterpillar Model 903D compact wheel loader for the Phillips County Landfill in the amount of $69,710.23.
— Met with Stephanie Starkebaum, the new Phillips County family and consumer science agent.
— Renewed the CDL tester contract with Gerald Whipple.