Emergency manager's roles: Two new hires?

Commissioner Alan Scanson was voted in as president of the commission at the Foster County Commission meeting last week, with David Utke as vice-president, following the same schedule as they have over the past few years.

During the meeting held on Thursday, December 8, end-of-year items were discussed and decided upon, including boards and committees as well as the meeting schedule for 2023.

On the agenda again was the emergency manager duties.

Commissioner Becky Hagel suggested they split the position into two with one person being the grant writer and the other tending to the rest of the duties.

She also suggested they contract out the grant writing portion of the position with a request for proposals.

The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

In other business:

• The board discussed giving the historical society the history book funds.

Auditor Ellen Roundy informed the board that the history book funds had been on the county’s balance sheet for many, many years.

Commissioner Scott Beumer suggested giving the historical society the $5,000 they requested from the election and leaving the rest in the general fund. There is a total of $11,000 in the account.

Motion passed.

• The board heard from Foster County Sheriff Justin Johnson who attended the meeting to discuss estimates to install siding on the sheriff’s garage.

The cost to side the building is estimated at $2,860.81 from Central City Lumber. That is for materials only, but Johnson said the courthouse custodian said he can probably do the job.

Motion passed.

• The board heard from Alex Stedman who is interested in a seat on the water board.

Hagel said she is waiting to hear back from others about the position.

The discussion was tabled.

• The board discussed estimates received on doors and flooring for the ambulance building.

A motion was passed to replace the doors, but Scanson asked if the courthouse custodian could look at the sub-flooring before they make a decision.

A motion to replace the doors at the ambulance bay was passed.

The discussion on replacing the flooring was tabled until they know what is underneath the flooring.