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

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2003 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Ron Lofland, Transfer Station Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Mr. Lofland proposed new rates for the transfer station that will be effective January 1, 2004. The landfill charges at Seward County are increasing at that time. No decision was made.

 

            The budget hearing was held at 10:00 a.m. No one from the public attended the meeting. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the 2004 budget as presented. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Rita Gee, Treasurer, presented a quote for a new printer. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of an IBM printer from Nex-Tech at a cost not to exceed $2,858. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Gee presented information on paying property taxes on line. The application is supported by Nex-Tech and requires a one-year commitment and a monthly fee of $89. Official Payments is the company that maintains the payment procedure. Customers are able to pay by American Express, MasterCard, Discover, or VISA. A convenience fee is charged to the customer based on the amount of the transaction. Madison Traster made the motion to implement the on line procedure for paying property taxes. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. At the treasurer’s request Gene Schwein made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Later in the day the commissioners made the decision to increase the chief deputy treasurer’s wages to the median rate for that position.

 

            Sean Gooding, Emergency Medical Service Director, requested approval to purchase seven cabinet lockers for the crew quarters. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of the cabinet lockers at a cost not to exceed $1,711.50. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Gooding presented information on Medicare reimbursements. He explained that the county’s rate for ALS emergency calls is below the amount Medicare will pay so we need to increase the rate. Madison Traster made the motion to increase the rate to comply with the reimbursement amount allowed by Medicare for ALS emergency calls effective immediately. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of a refrigerator for the crew quarters and a DVD player for training from Sears for a total cost of $858.88. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Frances Roberts, Librarian, Dee Longoria and Galen Pelton, Library Board Members, reported that the open house for the library would be September 16. They are now working on the landscaping for the library. They explained that since there is only a small section of grass where the big elm tree is they would like to have that portion connected to the courthouse sprinkler system. Mr. Pelton reported that Gray’s Yard Service said there would be no problem doing that. The library will pay the cost for adding the sprinklers and putting in the grass. They asked if the county would put the small area of grass on their mowing schedule too. The commissioners approved their request.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Mrs. Ramski reported that Joe Monson is retiring, and there will be a reception for him on August 26. She asked permission to advertise for someone to replace him. An updated job description for the shop foreman position was reviewed and approved by the commissioners. Approval was given to advertise for the position.

 

            Grant County Farm Bureau Association sent a letter requesting the commissioners waive the $80 usage fees for the Lawson Room/Kitchen for their annual meeting. Following discussion, the commissioners denied the request. Mrs. Ramski will send them a letter regarding this.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the board. Mr. Kramer requested approval to hire a new truck driver to fill a vacancy in his department. Approval was given to advertise for the position. Mr. Goldsby presented final information on the Moscow bridge project. Bids for the project will be let September 10. The commissioners gave their final endorsement of the project. Mr. Goldsby requested approval to get bids for crushing stockpiled concrete. The commissioners approved his request. Approval was given to rent a shouldering machine for a month. Discussion was held on the progress of noxious weed treatment.

 

            Justin Huslig, Grant County Recreation Commission Aquatics Facilitator, reported that they are beginning to lose water in the indoor pool. He said they think they have the leak located and his board has authorized him to have some concrete cut out so it can be determined where the problem is.

 

            The commissioners approved a utility easement for the City of Ulysses for their new water well.

 

            Scott Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Manager, requested that usage fees at the civic center be waived for the Home Products Dinner. Since the dinner is a countywide function that benefits a scholarship fund and since there has never been a charge for this, the commissioners approved waiving the fees.

 

            Sheriff Lance Babcock provided information on his proposed exercise yard for inmates. Sheriff Babcock presented quotes for an ice machine. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of an ice machine from Weber’s at a cost not to exceed $1,895. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was then held on using vacation time. It was decided that this would be a good discussion for the next department head meeting.

 

            The commissioners reviewed and approved the encumbrance of funds for scanning old deed books to CD as presented by written request from Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds. The total amount for this is $3,895.01 and will be paid through the Register of Deeds Technology Fund.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on September 2, 2003.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Carl Higgs, Chairman