By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com
MOUND CITY – The lack of a county counselor continues to keep legal matters in limbo for Linn County. On Monday, Sept. 23, Linn County Commissioner Chair Danny McCullough asked Fire Chief Randy Hegwald how the paperwork for mutual aid agreements with cities was progressing. Hegwald brought up the need for an attorney to review the agreements.
The commission has been without a county counselor since attorney Mark Hagen hastily resigned that post in June. Hagen at that time said the reason for his resignation was that the commission failed to heed his advice.
At Monday’s meeting, Hegwald said he had two out of three ready for an attorney to review. He said when the county had an attorney they were ready to be handed over.
“With that being a contract, I don’t think we just want to approve them,” said Hegwald.
“What do we need to do on our end?” asked McCullough.
“Just have an attorney look at them and then discuss them and see what you guys want to change or if you want to approve them the way they are,” replied Hegwald.
McCullough asked, “So do we need to just retain a lawyer for this or do we need to ask Burton (County Attorney Burton Harding) to do it, or what do you guys want to do?”
Commissioner Jason Hightower asked if there had been any interest or applications for the county counselor position.
“I know of one person who will step in and do stuff that we need,” said McCullough. “Have you guys found anything?”
Both Hightower and Johnson said they had not found anyone. Johnson said he had one he was still talking to but nothing for sure.
How are we doing that right now, David, are we just turning small things over to Burton and he’s doing it?” McCullough asked County Clerk David Lamb.
Lamb answered, “He’s done two or three things. We’re just kind of in limbo on most of it.”
“Like I said I have one guy that’s interested in doing things that we need,” said McCullough. “But he’s not really interested in coming here I don’t believe to sit every Monday, but I don’t want to say his name right now because I haven’t clarified everything with him.”
McCullough said he thought the county probably needed to have somebody available.
Hightower said he thought that would be for the best.
Hegwald asked the commissioners if they wanted to advise him where they want him to put the mutual aid agreements, adding that he could get them out to wherever you want them.
“I guess on my attorney thing I will reach out to my contact and see if he’s OK with it. And then I will share with David this week if he is and his pricing and you can forward that on to the department heads and what not. Are you guys good with that?” asked McCullough.
Hightower said that he could see what they think.
“I’ll have David send you guys what his terms would be, and if you guys are okay with it. We can let David know and move forward,” said McCullough.
Hegwald gave the fire department report in the meeting reporting that there had been 13 calls the past week.
He also updated the commissioners that the truck the county was purchasing was going to be received a little later because the fire department they were buying it from had not received their new truck yet.
Hegwald also informed the commissioners that the department would be starting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) annual pump testing on 12 fire trucks today to get the trucks all certified. It will be conducted by Hays Fire and Equipment.
תגובות