Cloud County commissioners approve expenditures, authorize tax-foreclosure action and several personnel moves

CONCORDIA, Kan. — The Cloud County Board of Commissioners met May 20 and handled routine county business, approving expenses and several personnel and grant items while recording a petition to advance a tax foreclosure sale.

Chairman Gary Caspers and Commissioners Michael Cleveland and Ron Copple convened the regular May meeting at 9:00 a.m. in the commissioners’ room at 811 Washington. County Clerk Shella Thoman and department heads were present for a series of departmental updates.

Treasurer JoDee LeDuc told the board that 44 parcels are listed for tax foreclosure with a total redemption cost of more than $564,500. The board voted unanimously to approve filing the court petition to continue moving forward with the tax foreclosure sale.

The board approved expenses across multiple funds totaling $245,467.37, with the clerk noting fund-level line items and directing that full detail be available from the County Clerk’s office.

Juvenile Justice and community corrections matters included approval of the 2025 Adult & Juvenile Comprehensive Plan Grant documents after a presentation by Dawn Synder. The board also received budget requests from Juvenile Detention ($6,450.44) and the Sanitarian ($18,462.66).

Personnel actions recorded during the meeting included recognition of a wage classification change for Kaetlin Hyman, raising an hourly wage from $21.18 to $26.74; acknowledgment of the resignation of Corrections Officer Damian Regnier effective May 14, 2024; and approval to hire Denise Vignery as a corrections officer at $17.50 per hour (motion by Commissioner Copple, second by Commissioner Cleveland; unanimous vote).

Representatives from OCCK, Inc. — Sheila Nelson-Stout, Patrick Wallerius, Kendra Krier and Susan Sprague — presented a 2025 budget request asking that the organization’s 2023 funding level be restored to $107,686; the transcript notes the organization’s funding was reduced by $30,000 for 2024. The board recorded the request for consideration.

Interim Highway Administrator Rod Michaud reported crews will finish the first portion of Noble Road this week and perform hand patching. Emergency Preparedness Director James Quillen said about 80 people are enrolled for a tabletop exercise scheduled for June 5. Health Department Administrator Tonya Sulanka reported that the Aurora Bike Rodeo had 19 participants and that staff distributed 65 bicycle helmets at a Touch & Truck event; she also said the department applied for a Maternal and Child Health program grant and plans mental-health training for staff.

The board reviewed Kansas statute KSA 25-4169a, concerning the use of public funds, vehicles or equipment to influence voters, and placed the statute on the record for guidance. The board approved abatements 2024-99 (net change of $-24.24 and a $24.24 refund), approved the May 13, 2024 minutes as presented, and adjourned at 11:25 a.m.; the next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

Notes: The County Clerk’s office holds the full expense detail. The transcript records actions as motions with unanimous votes where indicated; no roll-call tallies were provided in the record.