Bid opening for Phone systems and Network systems. iNetVisions were the only bidders. Shane Balk with iNetVisions came in to go over the bids. The first bid for the Courthouse network systems is for $21,460.00 (1893), this will mirror what the administration building is running. Replacing the network and installing firewalls and power protection. There won’t be a central location due to the logistics they have being an old building. All the excessive cables will need to be identified and determined what is needed. This will make things easier for changes or repairs by cutting out the need to loop Lumen into the work order. Something that would take them 30 minutes takes days to get Lumen to do their part of the processes.
Trent made the motion to accept the Courthouse bid (1893) for $21,460.00. John seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Second bid is the Phone systems for the Administration building, Courthouse and EMA building. $48,905.00 (1892) This should bring the phone bill down by eliminating all the rented and leased equipment. This will take some time to learn how each office utilizes their phone systems. Determining what equipment suits those needs more efficiently. This system should pay for itself in 18 months with monthly reoccurring payment savings.
John made the motion to accept iNetVisions proposal for the County’s phone systems for $48,905.00 (1892)
With the phone system moved to iNetVisions the monthly recurring charges will be $435.00 (1903) down from $3,222.26. This is mostly monitoring the system and making changes or repairs as needed.
John made the motion to accept the iNetVisions proposal for monthly reoccurring services for the Phone system of $435.00 (1903). Trent seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
The final proposal is for the internet service point-to-point with the county buildings. $42,465.00 (1900) after some discussion it was decided to drop the EMA building from point-to-point and go with fiber or Starlink. The total drops to $27,925.00 with just the Courthouse and Administration building.
Trent made the motion to accept the point-to-point internet connection with the Courthouse and the Administration Building for $27,925.00. John seconded the motion. All vote yes. Motion carried. No opposition.
Shane will check into putting fiber and Starlink into EMA. He will start on the project and suspects to have it completed by November 1.
During the wrap up of the meeting with iNetVisions an upset citizen later identified as Meredith Yarick barged in spouting his discontent with how the Senior Tax Credit was done. He stated that “the state deadline is the 30th of June, and I’m told now to sign up for the tax deal for senior citizens on your Property Assessment, Bates County’s got a different date. Is that true?” After calling the Commissioners’ names and stating his opinion of the elected officials he was told that the Ordinance was put into effect in January and the application period was from the first Monday in February to the last Monday in April. Official announcements were made in the Mid-America Shopper Paper, on the County Clerks Website and Facebook page. Next year at the same time he can apply then. He feels that it should have been left open till the 30 of June like Vernon County. He threw the pen down on the table which bounced off and hit one of the people sitting at the table and stated Trent would never get a vote “outta me again”.
Charles Rush with Cooks Insurance came in at this scheduled meeting to discuss the county's insurance policies, focusing on property and casualty and health insurance. Cooks have been serving the County’s insurance needs for 35 years. He states no other insurance broker in the county has all the coverage the county needs. Key points included the need for a comprehensive inspection before quoting new policies and the importance of choosing the right broker. The health insurance concerns highlighted were deductibles, out-of-network costs, and specific coverage issues like weight loss shots. The discussion also touched on the brokers’ financial contributions to local community projects and the importance of local representation in insurance services. Jim stated that with the upcoming policy renewal he would like to see all the elected officials sit in on the health insurance renewal. Charles stated he would like to have a health insurance representative there as well to better answer their questions.
Sheriff Chad Anderson, Chief Justin Corbin and Captain Shaffer came in to get the answer from the Commission on the Rodeo Invoice as stated last Wednesday. Chad started out by going over other the US Marshalls contract and how that progresses. He has talked to them about how he spends the money their reply was as long as he is following the contracted care, delivery and confinement of the inmates they have no interest in how it is spent. Chad stresses the importance of positive interaction with the community. Events like the Rodeo allow that to take place. Jim asked if with the funding that the Posse gets could they potentially pay part of this funding? Chad stated, “I don’t know that they would disagree with it.” Jim added, “We get the whole entity, everybody working together.” Chad offered if he could get the Posse to pick up $2500.00 (note in a later post from the Sheriff's Office it was determined to be $3,000.00 to make the full total of the Invoice which is $10,500.00) the County would pick up the rest? John stated “that blows a hole in the you can’t do this with federal money out of the water. Your still doing half of it” Jim asked if the Posse could come up with $5,000.00. Chad came back with how about $2,500.00 this year and next year doing more. Trent personally offered to put a donation into the Posse for $1,000.00. After some more discussion the motion was made.
John made the motion the County will pay $7,500.00 towards the Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo with the Posse paying $2500.00 ($3000.00) this year and next year paying 50% and the County 50%. Trent seconded the motion. Trent and John voted yes. Jim voted no. Motion carried. One opposition.
