The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.

Sheriff Marty Arganbright informed the Board that the County Jail’s meal service provider, The New Homestead, plans to terminate their contract in less than two months. Arganbright is in negotiations with Homestead to see if they can work out a new contract but is also working with Guthrie County Hospital to create an alternate solution. Arganbright summed up the situation with Homestead’s services. “When The Homestead wouldn’t send a lot of food I would have to continue to call and say ‘Make the portions bigger.’ When the inmates are hungry, then they get irritated, and they’re hard to work with.”

County Engineer Josh Sebern then informed the Board that the Secondary Roads Department is suddenly short staffed due to three employees on paid leave and one upcoming retirement. Sebern is short one plow driver and two patrol drivers with winter on the way. Sebern recommended hiring three full time employees to fill in the open positions. Sebern also believes they would eventually replace some employees as seven of 27 in the department are either eligible for or nearing retirement. The Board approved hiring two additional employees, with interior candidates preferred.

Elderbridge Agency on Aging Nutrition Director Robert Ammann then addressed the Board on the annual report. Ammann requested a matching fund request of $8,171, which the Board approved. The agency helps elderly stay in their homes and provides meal services to home-bound individuals. The agency had to recently lay off 18 full time equivalents due to cuts in Medicaid and other funding sources.

The Board concluded the meeting by setting a public hearing for the upcoming fiscal budget amendment for Tuesday, November 21st at 10 am. The Board will also begin Thursday budget meetings tomorrow.