Commissioners review 2023 transfer requests, set sealed-bid sale for Public Health building and hear advocacy funding plea

The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners spent a substantial portion of its March 28 meeting reviewing proposed 2023 year-end transfers, clarifying department requests and setting a public-bid process for the Public Health Department building.

Deputy County Clerk Renee Sagel summarized draft transfers and said County Auditor Randy Hofmeier advised that transfers from the General Fund to cover Appraiser, Election, Recycling and Communications should be made only if departments justify the need. Sagel reported the remaining 2023 budget available to transfer was $34,831.01; proposed transfers totaled approximately $77,000 (Appraiser $15,000; Election $34,000; Recycling $19,000; Communications $9,000), which would exceed available funds by $42,168.99. Sagel said department heads had provided their requested amounts and that officials would seek clarification from department heads (including Corey Castens and Public Health leadership) so a resolution could be drafted for the next meeting.

Rachel Finley (County Clerk) asked to transfer $10,000 from the Election Fund to the Election Capital Improvement Fund to cover annual software expenses and to begin rebuilding the equipment fund. Recycling staff requested $19,000 to move to a Recycling Equipment Fund to prepare for forklift replacement and a second cardboard baler; Sagel noted rough price ranges of $40,000–$60,000 for a forklift and over $100,000 for a baler when discussed previously. Appraiser Alicia Baumfalk asked to transfer $2,000 to help cover new computers, printers and GIS file-transfer software.

Separately, the board voted to advertise the Public Health Department building on Vine Street for sealed bids with a $100,000 minimum and the right to refuse bids, with sealed-bid responses due April 25 so bids can be opened April 30. Don Riviera of the Western Child Advocacy Center presented program information and asked the board to retain a $4,000 allocation for the organization in the county budget.

Commissioners set a special meeting April 3 to discuss the NW Kansas Small Solid Waste 5-Year Plan and listed other schedule items including the courthouse closure for Good Friday and a retirement celebration for Treasurer Jeri Rahe.

The minutes show the board repeatedly held executive sessions on personnel and legal matters and returned with no action on those sessions.