The Board of County Commissioners met in special
session at 12:00 noon at Park View Assisted Living with all members present.
The meeting was called to meet with the City
Council and consultants John Pinegar and Doug Smith. The consultants presented
the Heavy Rail Improvement Strategic Plan they did for Grant and Stanton County and the City of Ulysses. Following the presentation, the commissioners moved to
their meeting room at the courthouse.
Following further discussion with
John Pinegar and Doug Smith, Carl Higgs made the motion that Grant, Stanton, Morton and Stevens County initiate discussions to consider establishing a
regional economic development effort looking at a number of issues including
railroad infrastructure. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. Mr. Pinegar commended Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser, and Linda McHenry, County Clerk, for their prompt assistance when information was requested from them during
development of the plan.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, and Don Button, Emergency
Management Coordinator, presented vehicle quotes for the commissioners’
consideration. Marty Long made the motion to approve the purchase of a Ford
F150 truck for the Sheriff’s Department at a cost not to exceed $23,879.43 and
a Ford Expedition for Emergency Management at a cost not to exceed $22,441.19. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The vehicles are being purchased
through the State’s Partner Program.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, received
approval to purchase a new computer if he has adequate money in his budget. The
commissioners also approved an additional $400 charge for new Formica for the
splash board around the sink in the kitchen at the Civic Center.
The decision was made to go with a three-month
run-out period for health insurance claims incurred by county employees through
December 31, 2006.
The sheriff and county clerk met with the commissioners.
Compensation of elected officials was reviewed and wage adjustments were talked
about to bring elected officials closer to appointed department head wages and
to bring them more in line with other elected officials across the state. Wage
adjustments were not made in 2006 as was discussed so this will be a 2-year
adjustment. Marty Long made the motion to give the Sheriff a 9.29% increase,
the Clerk a 10.27% increase, and the Register of Deeds a 12.71% increase. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on January 2, 2007.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison
Traster, Chairman