By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19, County Auditor Dani Fink discussed the Fiscal Year 2023 State Audit report that was recently received. She and the supervisors discussed that some recommendations are “repeats” from previous audits, as well as recommendations related to segregation of duties, which Fink says is a challenge in small departments. Fink suggested the supervisors and departments “think outside of the box” to find ways to address recommendations.

The supervisors chose to put the matter onto their Nov. 26 meeting agenda for further discussion.

A member of the public asked about the next steps regarding EMS services. In the Nov. 5 election, a slight majority of voters voted in favor of the countywide plan, but the measure did not attain the 60% needed for approval.

Supervisor Steve Smith said he’s been asked that question often since the election.

“My reply to those folks has been, ‘Let’s get past a couple of things here, rethink and see what we need to realign,’ ” Smith said.

Supervisor Brian Johnson shared his opinion.

“My reply would be that I don’t want to wait too long. We got behind the eight ball last time. I want to make sure we’re out in front of it this time,” Johnson said.

“Almost 54% of the public showed on that vote that it’s a need, and that people want it,” Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

Special to the Times Vedette

A festive group of proactive holiday celebraters decorated their golf carts, ATVs and anything else with wheels and helped spread holiday cheer while cruising the roads of Lake Panorama on Saturday, Nov. 16. Contests were held for Best Decorated Vehicle and Best Ugly Sweater.

Free will donations were encouraged for A Giving Christmas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports families and children during the holiday season. Last year, A Giving Christmas was able to adopt 42 children in Guthrie County. This effort began in Panora in 2017, though the program’s roots go back 11 years when first launched in Perry. The goal is to expand countywide within the next five years, ensuring every child in need has a magical Christmas.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

At the Nov. 18 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, the bulk of the discussion was on the possibility of consolidating the two districts into one. Currently, the districts have a “Whole Grade Sharing” agreement. Board members, principals and Superintendent Josh Rasmussen shared their thoughts.

Rasmussen said if the districts were to pursue consolidation, several basic steps would be involved. First, each district would need to submit a petition with signatures (400 or 20% of registered voters, whichever is fewer). Then the matter would be put to voters. If passed, the soonest that the boards would look to have the potential consolidation go into effect is July 1, 2026.

Several in the room pointed out that there seems to be a fairly common belief in the county that the two districts have already consolidated. They said that seems to indicate that a possible consolidation would likely be well received by the public.

Rasmussen pointed out that the continuing trend of declining enrollment creates long-term challenges for both districts. Guthrie Center board chair Matt Van Meter said the only solutions are to increase enrollment and/or to cut expenses.

“Next year is the last year of the Whole Grade Sharing agreement between Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center,” Rasmussen said. “A lot of great things. I think our communities really do well together. Our students do well together. And I think it’s also a chance to take a look at whether we either continue that whole grade sharing, or we talk about reorganization and consolidation.”

Rasmussen also said the most challenging factors have already been handled through whole grade sharing, and that students, staff and the public have largely embraced the partnership.

Adair-Casey board chair Randy Carney shared his feelings on the issue, and he stressed that the focus needs to be on what’s best for the students.

“I believe we’ll both be stronger together,” Randy Carney said.

Each board member had an opportunity to share thoughts on the topic.

“I was on the fence, but I think now is a good opportunity. If not now, when?” Lindsay Dinkla asked.

The consensus of the board members was to look further into the possibility of consolidation. A work session on the issue was set for Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

In discussing enrollment numbers, Rasmussen said both districts are seeing a downward trend.

“I wouldn’t call it a worst-case scenario, but it’s not rosy,” Rasmussen said.

In other matters, the boards formally approved partnering with Panorama for girls wrestling.

The next regular meetings of the school boards will include the annual organizational meeting. The meetings are both set for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. (for Adair-Casey) and at 7 p.m. (for Guthrie Center). The meetings will be at the junior high school. In Adair The public is welcome.

The Kelly Nielsen mural will show many of Guthrie Center’s iconic landmarks.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Artist Kelly Nielsen of Bayard announced she has finished a Guthrie Center mural to be displayed in the city in the near future. The finished work measures 9 feet by 11 feet. The location and date of unveiling have not yet been announced.

Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee of the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on Nov. 16 at 6:16 p.m. on 180^th Trail. Connie Marie Daggett, 48, of Guthrie Center was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade SUV west on 180^th Trail and struck a deer on the right side of the vehicle, causing an estimated $3,000 in damage. No injuries were reported.