County okays plan to hire survey takers

Donley County Commissioners on Monday approved a plan to employ survey takers in an effort to expand local eligibility for several grants.

As reported last week, federal agencies currently operate with a survey that says 42 percent of Donley County households are of low to moderate income. However, some grants are only available to communities with 51 percent or more households are of low to moderate income. Local officials believe the number is under reported and are pursuing doing an independent survey.

Commissioners approved a measure authorizing $4,000 to employ high school students this summer to conduct the survey.

Donley County Judge John Howard said the cities of Clarendon and Hedley are also participating and will help fund the effort.

Commissioners also discussed rising health insurance costs and the ongoing effect of that on the county budget. The court moved forward with a plan to make employee health benefits an 80/20 split with the employee covering 20 percent of their own health insurance. That will amount to about $200 in the coming budget yet, and Howard said the county would be increasing the employees’ pay by that amount this year to cover the cost with the understanding that a portion of future health insurance increases would be borne by the employee.

County officials discussed payroll in their budget workshop and noted that county employees have seen progress in their salaries over the last several years. However, inflation is eroding those gains, Howard said. Commissioners are grappling with how to protect those gains.

County fuel costs were also a topic of commissioners’ budget discussions as were upcoming maintenance projects on the courthouse that are expected in the coming fiscal year.

The court heard a report from Tax Assessor/Collector Kristy Christopher on the ongoing effort to process voter registrations, and the court approved trainings for the county clerk. New furniture for the clerk’s office in the amount of $2,604 was also approved. That office has recently received new paint and new carpet.

The clerk’s office was also authorized to hire help to organize records in storage.

The county’s mileage reimbursement rate was increased from 51 cents per mile to the state rate of 5.8.5 cents and the trailer rate was increased to 62.5 cents, up from 54.5.

The court voted to advertise for bids for the county’s bank depository.

Commissioners approved the audit for Fiscal year 2020-2021 as presented by Tracy Lambert.

Judge Howard was authorized to apply for unclaimed capital credits through the state, which he says usually amounts to the county receiving “a couple of hundred dollars.”