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 June 3, 2003 meeting and the claims against the
various funds of the county. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Bobbie
Lewis, Director of Grant County Recreation Commission, presented an update on
the swimming pool and ball fields. Approval was given to put new lights at the
Legion field instead of the Babe Ruth field as was previously approved.
Darl
Henson, Extension Agent, Keri Liddeke, 4-H Agent and Mary Sullivan, Family and
Consumer Sciences Agent, and several Board Members presented their 2004 budget
request. It remains the same as this year at $153,000. The commissioners
explained that due to decreased valuation and demand transfer cuts from the
state, the county is asking all departments to cut as much as possible so taxes
won’t have to be increased.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented bids for
a new pick-up. Bids were received from Riley Ford and Riley Chevrolet. Gene
Schwein made the motion to approve the low bid not to exceed $27,376 from Riley
Ford. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The
commissioners reviewed and approved a road-crossing permit for Ulysses Feed
Yard.
Gene
Pflughoft, Economic Development Director, and Marieta Hauser, Board Member,
presented an overview of economic development. Mr. Pflughoft gave an update on
the new Entrepreneurship Club.
Verna
Webber, Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services Representative, met with the
commissioners. She explained that the offices that are being closed are based
on caseload. She said they plan to have a social worker come to Grant County
but that worker will be based elsewhere. She asked if the county had any office
space available that could be used by the social worker. She mentioned that
they are sharing space with Court Service Officers in some counties. The county
clerk will check to see what is available in Grant County and get the
information to Ms. Webber.
Asa Wilson,
Karla Nichols, Debbie Rundell, Rick Lane, Keric Sullivan, and Mike Brewer, Bob
Wilson Memorial Hospital, presented their 2004 budget request of $1,080,000.
They were able to reduce their request by 20 % as was requested by the
commissioners.
La-Vonne
Michael, Board on Aging Director, and Board Members, Jim Anderson, Mollie Beard
and Josephine Taul, presented their 2004 budget request. Mrs. Michael explained
that they have cut positions from their budget in order to help reduce costs.
Discussion was held on expanding the senior citizens’ center to include the
area currently housing the health department. The Senior Citizens’ Board said
they are still expecting the change in 2005.
Frances
Roberts, Librarian, and Library Board Members; Kelly Gindlesberger, Archie
DeBruce, Dee Longoria, and Galen Pelton, presented their 2004 budget request.
They requested $461,782 for their general budget and $66,465 for employee
benefits. Their general budget for this year is $498,340 and their employee
benefits budget is $66,465. The Library Board said they might be able to reduce
the request a little more pending final costs for the building project.
Becky Doerschlag,
Park View, and Larry Rumburg, Board Member, reported that they are planning to
build a storage building that can be used by the care home and assisted living.
They explained that they have the necessary funds to build the needed storage.
Ginger Anthony,
Museum Curator, and Board Members, Cheryl Deyoe, Judy Cornell, Marie Dowell and
Robin Graber presented their 2004 budget request of $115,240, which is a
decrease of 12.7%.
Ken Lawhon,
Terry Lawhon, and Ann Papay, Landmark Appraisal, met with the commissioners.
Ms. Papay gave an update on the county’s valuation. State assessed property has
not been received yet so a final estimated valuation is not available. She
asked the commissioners about contracting with Ron Cook, Petroleum Consultant,
to perform an evaluation of the Hugoton Gas Field and make a presentation to
the county. The cost for this will be $700 with that amount being divided
between the county’s involved. The commissioners approved contracting with Mr.
Cook for this purpose. Terry Lawhon presented Landmark Appraisal’s renewal
contract for real estate. The amount of the contract has not increased from
their current one. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the real estate
contract with Landmark Appraisal not to exceed $78,000. Madison Traster
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to nominate Madison Traster as voting delegate for the
mail ballot election for the Kansas representative to the governing board of
the National Association of Counties. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed.
The
commissioners made the unanimous decision to participate in the statewide
tree-planting event in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the
signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill that was signed by Congress in May 1854.
The
commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on July 1, 2003.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Carl
Higgs, Chairman