The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular budgeting session Thursday.

The Sheriff’s office has hired a new part-time civil clerk to handle the extensive paperwork that comes through the office. Before the hire, the Sheriff’s office only had one full-time clerk to handle several types of paperwork, including: booking information, payroll, permits, information changes, and evidence. The Board approved the hourly wage for the new employee. Then Weed Commissioner Steve Stringham presented his annual report. Stringham lists thistle weeds as a high priority and noted the increased presence of wild parsnip and chicory.

County Engineer Josh Sebern also made a presentation on county bridge and culvert projects funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The department used just over $1 million to complete four bridge and culvert projects this year. Between projects completed, projects in final design, and highway division projects, the department will have spent approximately $9 million of the $12 million advocated through TIF. Sebern talks about the productivity the department had this year. “It was a very big year for us. We started out the year strong and maintained that pace through the summer. We accomplished several box culvert projects and numerous bridges. Both with contractors and our own forces.”

The Board also approved the following action items: an agreement to end balding 340th Street within Stuart city limits, a letter for a 700 MegaHertz survey application, a subscription license and services agreement for an Eagle image recorder system through Tyler Technologies, and a conversion from the current image database provider, Imagetek Papervision Enterprise, which included a $10,000 conversion fee.