Notes: If you live in Sheridan, Graham, Logan or Gove Counties and are interested in running for a board position, contact the district office and request a nominating petition, or use the web form provided just below. This insures that you will be placed on the pre-printed ballots. There are, however, provisions to be nominated from the floor of the annual meeting. Every eligible voter may vote for every position up for election.

Any additional information needed regarding this meeting should be directed to the district office at 1175 S Range, in Colby, Ks 67701. (785) 462-3915.

Click here for a copy of the 38th Annual Meeting (Hoxie, KS) nominating petition

Provisional Minutes - (These minutes will NOT become official until adopted at the 38th Annual Meeting):

37th ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES............Colby, KS, February 15, 2012

The 37th annual meeting was opened at 1:20 P.M. CST, February 15, 2012 in the City Limits Convention Center, Colby, Kansas. Board members present were:

Scott Maurath, Dave Rietcheck, Jeff Deeds, Roger Zweygardt, Monty Biggs, Doug David, Mitch Baalman, Brent Rogers, Lon Frahm and Shane Mann.

Board members absent were: Jon Friesen.

Others present were: Staff: Wayne Bossert, Ray Luhman, Dan Simmering, Rita Wade and Jeff Mason; DWR Scott Ross and Shannon Cain.

There were 50 total persons in attendance. The attendance roster is available from the district office.

President Scott Maurath opened the meeting with a welcome and introductions of the board, staff, state agency staff, and former board members present.

President Maurath then turned over the meeting to Mitch Baalman for presentation of the 36th annual meeting minutes, Goodland, KS, February 16, 2011. Mitch directed attention to the annual meeting minutes printed in the annual meeting packet and gave everyone a chance to review them. There being no questions, it was moved by Allen Quenzer and seconded by Dave Mann that the 36th annual meeting minutes be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Brent Rogers next presented the 2013 proposed operating budget. Brent reported that the 2013 budget included $50,000 for the Foundation and that what ever budget was approved today would be subject to a final public hearing later in the year. Brent then asked the membership reaction to the district seeking a facility to own rather than continuing to rent. The first question was concerned what we were looking for. Brent responded that the current facility was too small and the rent was continuing to climb. The board has also discussed in the past having a larger meeting/education room to better serve the district - possibly even having the capability to hold its annual meetings on site. Another question was the current facility square footage. Manager responded that to his recollection it was approximately 1,975 square feet. Brent indicated that the current options were limited, but several were being looked at - which could range between $300,000 and $500,000 when all was said and done. With no further questions or comments, the proposed 2013 budget of $459,480.00 was approved on a motion by Dick Sterrett and a second from Harold Murphy and a unanimous voice vote.

Jeff Deeds next presented the 2011 calendar year audit. Jeff directed attention to the audit report contained in the annual meeting packet at page 8 and asked everyone to review the report. He summarized by reporting that the district had brought in $641,574.64; spent $496,164.56; leaving $145,410.08 that was carried over into the 2012 budget. Moreover, with a few other small cash accounts and the Foundation funds, the district’s total cash worth was $652,446.12. Following review and with no questions or comments, Robin Deeds moved for approval of the 2011 Audit Report. Allen Quenzer seconded the motion which passed unanimously by voice vote.

Roger Zweygardt next conducted the board elections. He gave the background rules and indicated each position election would be held separately. Roger opened Position 2 (Rawlins/Decatur County) announcing that Monty Biggs was the single candidate that had pre-filed. Roger opened the floor for additional nominations for Position 2. With no additional nominations, Ken Palmgren moved that nominations for Position 2 cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Monty Biggs. Howard Baalman seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Roger opened Position 3 (Sherman/Wallace County) announcing that Jeff Deeds was the single candidate that had pre-filed. Roger opened the floor for additional nominations for Position 3. With no additional nominations, Robin Deeds moved that nominations for Position 3 cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jeff Deeds. Steve Zieglemeier seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Roger opened Position 5 (Thomas County) announcing that Justin Sloan was the single candidate that had pre-filed. Roger opened the floor for additional nominations for Position 5. With no additional nominations, Tom Sloan moved that nominations for Position 5 cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Justin Sloan. Bill Miller seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Roger opened Position 7 (Sheridan County) announcing that Brent Rogers was the single candidate that had pre-filed. Roger opened the floor for additional nominations for Position 7. With no additional nominations, Steve Zieglemeier moved that nominations for Position 7 cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Brent Rogers. Harold Murphy seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously by voice vote. With no contested positions, there was no need to mark ballots.

Rex Buchanan and Dave Newell from the Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas were introduced and provided the keynote presentation on Hydraulic Fracturing in Kansas. It was an excellent session with many questions regarding technical issues, state regulation, water use, wastewater disposal and geology.

Scott Maurath opened the floor for any “open session” comments, questions or statements. No other comments or questions were offered. Jeff Mason was recognized to make an award presentation to Lon Frahm for 17 years of service to district members by virtue of his Thomas County GMD 4 Board seat.

Before adjournment, President Maurath announced that the board will be reconvening its February meeting on site in the City Limits Convention Center, and anyone wishing to attend was welcome. With no objections, President Maurath declared the 37th annual meeting of the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 adjourned at 3:10 P.M., February 15, 2012.

Respectfully submitted
Jeff Deeds, Secretary

Past Annual Meeting Reports/Packets:

37th Annual Meeting:  Colby, KS   February 15, 2012

36th Annual Meeting:  Goodland, KS   February 16, 2011

35th Annual Meeting:  Hoxie, KS   February 17, 2010 (w/ page 2 corrections to board listing)

34th Annual Meeting:  Colby, KS   February 18, 2009

33rd Annual Meeting:  Goodland, KS   February 20, 2008

32nd Annual Meeting:  Hoxie, KS   February 21, 2007

31st Annual Meeting:  Colby, KS   February 15, 2006

As of 2002, the district's annual meeting date is the third Wednesday of February. They continue to be rotated between the towns of Colby, Goodland and Hoxie each year. The district is always open to public input from any district member.