Lyon County Commissioners have officially approved a Local State of Disaster Emergency declaration following the extensive and at times destructive wildfire activity from a week ago.
During their regular action meeting Thursday, commissioners officially signed the declaration that was verbally issued by Commission Chairman Ken Duft this past Friday at a time when local fire and emergency crews were stretched extremely thin. The declaration allows counties to potentially access additional resources and grant funding, specifically a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), in the event of an emergency.
However; Lyon County Emergency Manager Jarrod Fell says no grant funding or other resources will be coming to the county as it did not meet certain threshold requirements.
Fell used the adage “better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” when it comes to the declaration.
That said, Fell notes it is not a tool you want to use simply to use it.
Friday’s wildfire activity led to two potential smoke-related medical transports to Newman Regional Health, damage to at least one home and several outbuildings and an extended emergency response from all county fire departments. Final details from the fire activity are under joint investigation by Emporia Fire and Lyon County deputies.
In other business Thursday, commissioners approved a request from Jamie Williams and County IT Director Jean Barnett for a better than $22,800 quote for the purchase of new hardware and software for up to 120 computers and 50 additional security badges from Kansas Security for just over $200. Meanwhile, Lyon County Engineer Chip Woods will be submitted a purchase request for a used 2021 Massey Ferguson 6713 tractor and new mower from Schaefer Equipment for $102,000 to be paid for out of the county’s multi-year fund and a quote from Central Nebraska Wood Preservers for guardrail posts and blocks totaling more than $5,000 from the County Road and Bridge Fund.
Both requests were approved unanimously. Finally, commissioners approved a payment of $5,700 to Hayden Tower for lighting repair work on the county’s North Allen radio tower.
Commissioners will reconvene for their weekly meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside of the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
