Commissioners Pledge Continued Support to SVT

Stephanie Simmons, President, of Solomon Valley Transportation, a General Public Transportation service spoke to the Mitchell County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning to ask for the county's continued support of their program. Commission Chairman Mike Cooper was absent but Commissioners Tom Claussen and Jim Marshall assured Simmons SVT would have a letter of support to send with their 2016-grant request for funds. This project is funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Public Transit Program and this is the third year SVT has received the grant.

"Solomon Valley Transportation's mission is to enhance access to transportation for the general public in our region. By fulfilling our mission we will connect our passengers to their daily needs and services through an efficient, courteous and reliable transit system, Simmons told the Commissioners.

From July 2011 through June 2013 SVT Vehicles traveled over 81,000 miles serving over 6,300 passengers. These trips range from daily work related needs, medical appointments and daily necessities such as shopping. In general the SVT vehicles only make out of county trips for medical needs only. Destinations include, to name a few places: Salina, Great Bend, Concordia, and Hays. Trips go to doctor's offices and hospitals including the Veteran's Hospitals depending on what the needs are, Simmons said.

The range of communities served has continued to serve and Osborne County, having no transit services has paid $14,000 on the grant match. A van will start services in that county this coming Monday. They are also working on getting Rooks County to join in this endeavor to provide transportation in getting people to Hays.
The stipulation is they create their own team to set up this plan and then meet with the Mitchell County Board. Their vision is looking at Mitchell County as the hub of the program. It is hoped this service will allow people to stay in their own homes longer. Simmons thanked the commissioners for the county's past and continuing support.

Commissioner Claussen thanked everyone who took part in the Veterans Day Parade Monday. They had 72 entries this year.

Fire Chief, Larry Heidrick, met with commissioners to ask for budget authority to make an equipment purchase. After discussion on available funds community approved the Simpson Fire District's purchase from the federal government surplus site of a 2005, 1 ton duly pickup with four-wheel drive and only 52,000 miles on it.

Ed Debesis, Emergency Medical Services, gave his October report. They charged out $43,499 and took in $27,843.93 with a total write off of $8,519.59. Debesis said they have charged out $78,682.11 and this is double for this time last year. They had 72 runs for the month of October and 538 runs for the year.
Debesis reported they are having the engine light on the new ambulance checked out at Beloit Motors. The cost of the repairs for the pressure oil pump on the 2009 Tipton ambulance would have been $5,200 but luckily it was still under warranty. They plan to send in their other 2009 ambulance to be checked out and it should still be under warranty as well. He received 1application on his add to replace the paramedic that quit but they are still in school right now. He is running an ad on KVSV Radio's Job Line at the present time. He has two other possible replacements but they are still in school as well so he has decided to wait to hire someone.

Melinda Latham, County Appraiser, brought in a proposal to purchase three new computers for her office. They have XP Programs and these are no longer going to be updated or maintained by the company. Their service runs out in April. Latham had bids from three companies including Computer Solutions and Jeff Roberg, RacerTech, both of Beloit, and Thomas Rudd of Hays. The bids were all very close and since Roberg is the County IT person and had the lowest bid, it was decided to award the bid to him. Commissioners approved the purchase of the three computers in the amount of $33,070 plus information transfer and instillation. Latham said she would like to get these purchased and taken out of this year's budget. Commissioners approved the purchase.

County Clerk, Chris Treaster reminded the commissioners they needed to approve Resolution 8-13 to adopt the K-Kamp Bylaws as written. This resolution was approved and the meeting adjourned.