Seward County Commissioners Hear Report on ARPA Funding

The Seward County Commission met Monday evening and to start the meeting heard a report on the Final Ruling on the ARPA Funding from Jeff Stevens with Iparametrics.

EpicTouch was awarded a Broadband Acceleration Grant for year 1 and are now applying for year 2. The grant application is due on February 11, 2022, the Commission approved to partner with Seward County to use consider a portion of the ARPA funds toward a match for this grant. This would provide approximately 1,000 structures with high speed fiber internet. The area covered would be from 15th to 8th Streets, and from Western to Kansas and south to the Depot. This includes residences and businesses.

Approved was a facility waiver for the Seward County Activity Center for the Liberal Cultural Festival Committee which would bring back the Cultural Festival to educate and celebrate the diversity in our community.

The Seward County Annual Agreement to Control Noxious Weeds on KDOT ROW was approved as was Encumbrances for District Court & Court Services.

The truck engine rebuild was approved with Ekkels Diesel Repair with warranties presented. Cost is $21,819.52, and Landfill and Waste Haul Profit Margins were discussed by the Commission.

The Commission approved the Final Plat for the Prairie Acres Subdivision. Commissioners also approved The Emergency Operations Plan as presented by Greg Standard.

Approved was the bid from Midwest Connect in the amount of $391.20 or
$4694.40 p/year for the postage machine/mailing system for the Administration building.

The Commission also voted to Amend a typo in Resolution 2022-02 which authorizes participation in Rural Opportunity Zone Student Loan Repayment Program for the calendar year 2022, and Commissioners also discussed options for employee wage increases.