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

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2003 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county with the exception of the voucher for dues to the League of Municipalities. Madison Traster seconded the motion. It was decided to hold payment to the League until it is determined what benefits the county receives from the membership. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Loyetta Skeen, District Court Clerk reported her server had gone down last week and she ordered a new computer to use as the server. The Judge has asked Loyetta to start looking into redoing the sound system in the courtroom. The Clerk of Court will budget for the new sound system in their 2005 budget. The Commissioners were informed after the first of the year the Clerk of the Court will get a new copier that will scan, copy and also be used as a printer. The maintenance agreement for $3,800 with Infinitec is expiring and the Clerk of the Court was given permission to renew it.

 

            Doug Campbell, County Attorney requested the commissioners consider appointing him as county counselor along with being county attorney. The first 88 hours worked will go through payroll and any additional time would go through accounts payable.  Gene Schwein made the motion to appoint Doug Campbell County Counselor along with being the County Attorney starting January 1, 2004 for a cost of $6,836 a month for both positions up to 88 hours worked a month.  Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Russell Child Development presented the commissioners with a box of cookies in gratitude for the support of their services in Grant County.

 

            Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, Tom Kramer, Road Foreman and Randy Grubbs presented bids for direct injection spray equipment. Wylie Sprayers of Kansas submitted a bid for a Raven system for $16,567.20 and a bid for a Mid-Tech system for $19,259. Ag-Liquid Systems submitted a bid for $20,251 for a Mid-Tech System. All systems bid meet the requirements of the bid specifications. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the low bid of $16,567.20 from Wylie Sprayers of Kansas. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Following discussion the decision was made to move dump truck #13 to budget year 2004 for replacement purposes and the belly dump trailer will be moved to the 2005 budget. Road crossing permits were approved for Pioneer Communications and Oxy, USA, Inc.

 

            Sherry Thompson, Health Department Administrator explained the 2004 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for $23,049 to be used for bio terrorism preparedness and response.  Madison Traster moved to accept the Local Contract for Bio Terrorism Preparedness and Response Budget. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Pete Woods, local citizen inquired about the lights at the baseball diamonds and when the money was asked for by the Grant County Recreation. The commissioners explained that the county had approved this cost split with the 5-year plan submitted over a year ago, and it has no relationship to the mill levy election that was held for the Grant County Recreation in October.

 

 

Discussion was held on the decision made at the first of the year to give employees a 1¾% pay increase with 1½% being given at the first of the year and the remaining ¼% to be considered at the end of the year after reviewing budgets. The budgets were reviewed and it was determined $7,500 could be allocated to giving a one time employee bonus. Madison Traster made the motion to approve a one time bonus to be allocated by giving 65% of the $7,500 to employees whose evaluations have the “exceeds job requirements” rating and 35% of the $7,500 to employees whose evaluations have the “meets job requirements” rating. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Madison Traster made the motion to transfer the unexpended balance of the various funds to special funds as allowed by statute. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The Commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on January 6, 2003.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Carl Higgs, Chairman