County commissioners review employee, ambulance issues

The Chase County Commissioners wrapped up February with a meeting Feb. 23.
Commissioners Jacci Brown, Dennis Kunnemann and Duane Dinnel are looking for a new road foreman after Ted Brewer turned in his resignation following a closed session during the meeting.
The commissioners opened their regular meeting and went into closed session immediately. Afterwards, the board could only say it had “identified certain deficiencies and errors in the informal bidding process and declaration of surplus goods,” leading to Brewer’s resignation.
Brewer was hired by the county as road foreman in January 2020.
Deb Hayes with Imperial EMS had several points of discussion for the board.
Hayes updated the board with an annual ambulance report. The group also talked about the Imperial facilities before Hayes requested help in funding new gear for the ambulance crew.
Hayes has purchased custom fitted bunker gear, 14 coats and 13 pairs of pants for her crew at a cost of over $20,000. The commissioners agreed to split the Cares Act funds between the Imperial and Wauneta ambulance crews, for around $3,400 each, then instructed Hayes to cover the rest of the costs out of a separate fund.
The board also received a visit from Wild Horses Building Champions, a 501c3 program for disadvantaged youths.
Owner Tom Reeves would like to hold a youth rodeo camp in the days leading up to the Chase County Fair.
Reeves has received permission from the Chase County Fair Board for the camp and a rodeo.
The commissioners encouraged Reeves to talk to Chase County Tourism and the Imperial Community Foundation, as well.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the courthouse.