C20110301                                                                                                          March 1, 2011

 

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

The monthly department head meeting was held with the following in attendance:  Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Kristy Frazee, Health Department Administrator; Lynette Metcalf, Health Department Director of Nursing; JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; David Graber, Transfer Station Manager; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator;  Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Richard Banes, City/County Inspector; and Tom Fuhrmann, County Appraiser.  Dale Lumley, St. John's Episcopal Church, led with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  The commissioners spoke of the declining valuation and the tough times ahead for Grant County.  They expressed their disappointment in not being able to give employee raises this year.  The commissioners challenged each department head to find ways in their department to cut expense so raises could be given in 2012.  Linda McHenry asked each department to prepare a long range plan for building maintenance for their facility.

 

Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the regular February 15 meeting, and the special February 22 and 23, 2011 meetings, along with the claims against the various funds of the county.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

                Marty Long made the motion to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss financial matters.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  After 15 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.

 

Kevin Shapland, Fair Board Member and Mari Honstead, Civic Center Office Manager, reviewed the Grant County Spending Policy, number 6 with commissioners.  Mr. Shapland said the fair board felt the policy was no longer applicable since they were purchasing needed items for the fair year round and they would like the commissioners to consider removing it from the policy.  Marty Long made the motion to strike item number 6, "The activity fund for the fair will be used only for awards and judging.  It will close on October 31 and reopen the following April 1 for fair time." from the Grant County Spending Policy.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Tom Fuhrmann informed the commissioners of a possible appeal that if filed will affect all royalty owners in Grant County.  If the appeal is filed Mr. Fuhrmann would like to hire legal counsel.  It was the consensus of the commissioners to hire counsel if the need arises.

 

JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager presented the commissioners with the only bid received for lawn care.  Marty Long made the motion to accept the bid from K&K Lawn Care for $3,470. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  The commissioners asked Mr. Neufeld not to spray the community garden area; the area is staked off and will be taken care of by the Community Garden Committee.

 

Tom Hauser, Airport Board Member, presented consultant bids from Lochner, Kirkham Michael, and EBH, for a five year airport project contract.  The airport board reviewed each bid prior to the meeting and made the recommendation to accept Lochner as the airport consultant.   It was the consensus of the commissioner to agree with the choice of the airport board.  Mr. Hauser also informed the commissioners the cement has separated at the north end of runway 1 and 2.  The FAA has looked into the matter and will be repairing the runways this summer.

 

The commissioners adjourned at 12:05 pm to meet again in regular session on March 15, 2011.

 

 

___________________________                                        ____________________________

Sheila Brown, County Clerk                                                         Linda McHenry, Chairman