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            The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the July 5 and July 6, 2006 meetings and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion. Following clarification of one voucher motion passed unanimously.

 

            Henry Smith and Armando Sandoval, Waste Connections, Inc., asked the commissioners to consider leasing the Transfer Station to their company. Mr. Smith said if the county would consider doing this, the division Vice-President would come and talk to commissioners at a later meeting. Later in the day the commissioners made the decision to investigate the proposal.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, discussed media coverage of commissioner meetings. Ms. Hathaway explained the following: 1) Commissioners do not have to allow cameras in their meeting room. They can choose to grant interviews when the meeting is over. 2) The media can be limited to a designated area in the commissioners’ room. 3) Media persons should not be talking while the commissioners are in session. They are at the meeting to observe.  4) Media has a 1st Amendment right but citizens also have the right to meet with commissioners without being intimidated by the media.

 

            Rhonda Fernandez, Profession Insurance Consultants (PIC) of Dodge City, presented a proposal for consulting services regarding health insurance needs of the county. The commissioners decided not to contract with PIC at this time.

 

            Henry Helmke, Southwest Kansas Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Foundation, Inc. (SKADAF), presented his 2007 budget request. Marty Long made the motion to accept the request from SKADAF for $3,000.00 for the 2007 budget year. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            LaVonne Michael, Board on Aging Director, and Board Members, Betty Warner, Pam Menzie, Mollie Beard, and Larry Bortz, presented their 2007 budget request of $436,662.83. Ms. Michael asked if it would be possible for the health department to order flu vaccine for the senior center, but let the Board on Aging nurses administer the vaccine. The commissioners asked Ms. Michael to talk to the health department regarding this.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to accept the bid from Big R for paint for the airport in the amount of $2,249.50. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve clearance of the project for Grant County Organics LLC to apply for a loan through Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners recessed to Park View for lunch with the City of Ulysses. Those attending from the city were: Ed Wiltse, Mayor; Bud Newberry, City Manager; and City Council Members, Thadd Kistler, Rod Kreie, John Duran, and Scott Malone. Discussion was held on the proposed expansion of the Law Enforcement Center. Commissioner Long asked the city if they would consider paying 1/3 of the cost of the addition. Commissioner Higgs stated that whatever amount the city would like to contribute would be appreciated. City Council Members were not in agreement concerning how much money, if any, they wanted to contribute to the project. It was decided that a special meeting would be held at a later date to review plans for expansion. Some discussion was held on the softball fields at Frazier Park. Mr. Newberry said he would schedule a time at the next Recreation Commission meeting to discuss the matter.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, and Randy McCauley, Road Foreman, presented quotes for asphalt inspection. Quotes were received from Kirkham Michael and Pete Earles. Marty Long made the motion to accept the low quote from Kirkham Michael for $1320.28 per day. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Kramer submitted his 5-year plans for Road and Bridge and Noxious Weed. In other business, Mr. Kramer presented information on a used dozer and a new one. Renting a dozer was also discussed. Based on normal usage hours, it was estimated that dozer rental would cost the county about $22,000/year. Since the county plans to use a new dozer for at least 25 years the decision was made to purchase a Caterpillar and not take bids. Marty Long made the motion to purchase a 2006 D6R XL Series III Caterpillar Dozer for an amount not to exceed $217,767 with trade in of the 1982 D7G dozer from Foley Equipment Company. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Eyman, KWORCC, presented the county’s experience rating. Mr. Eyman explained that the county’s loss ratio is 44%, which is good.

 

            John Crosby, Fire Chief, presented his 2007 budget request of $220,000.00, which is an increase of $27,610.00. Most of the increase will be used to replace 15 sets of bunker gear in 2007 and the remaining in 2008. Mr. Crosby requested approval to put together specs for a new tanker truck with pumping capability. He explained that they will dispose of Unit 221, which is a 1968 pumper truck, and they also need to get rid of Unit 222. The new truck is estimated to cost around $230,000. The commissioners authorized Mr. Crosby to develop specifications for a new pumper/tanker truck.

 

            Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, presented quotes for a new repeater. Madison Traster made the motion to accept the low quote of $10,505.00, which will replace a 1979 model repeater that was given to the county by the state a few years ago and needs to be replaced. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Deckert asked if it would be possible for individual employees to give up some of their earned leave time to another employee who is facing major surgery and might be off work for an extended period.

 

            Dennis Deyoe and Kevin Shapland, Fair Board, presented their 2007 budget request of $62,325.00 which is an increase of $200.00. The commissioners will consider their request. In other business, the commissioners informed the Fair Board that the insurance company’s estimate to repair the cover that blew off at the fair grounds is $3,873.86.

 

            Lee Wright, Interim Transfer Station Manager, requested approval to increase David Graber’s wages to $10.72/hour. Marty Long made the motion that during the interim time until a new manager is hired to increase the part time truck driver’s wage to $10.72/hour. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The commissioners will meet again in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on August 1, 2006.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                          Madison Traster, Chairman