C20111101                                                                                                      November 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:  Kristy Frazee, Health Department Administrator; Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; David Graber, Transfer Station Manager; JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; John Crosby, Fire Chief; DeDe Lane, Purchasing Agent; and Richard Banes, City/County Inspector.  Pastor Bill Harold provided prayer and Linda McHenry led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director asked the commissioners to sign a grant application to the State Board of EMS, which was reviewed and signed.  If the grant is approved, the funds would help with the expense of retraining the EMS personnel due to the new law requirements. The commissioners reviewed the bad debt write-offs from the ambulance department.  Marty Long made the motion to allow the ambulance department write-offs in the amount of $14,724.87.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

   Linda McHenry, Chairman presented service awards to the following: Sheriff's Department, Lance Babcock, 30 years; Loy Henderson, 15 years; and Kathy Schwarzer, 15 years; Road and Bridge Department, Richard Bowen, 25 years; Juan Luna, 10 years; and Robert Russell, 25 years; Emergency Management, Donald Button, 10 years; Treasurer's Office, Teresa Ochoa, 10 years; Ambulance Department, part time employees, Robert Berry, 20 years; Rosalinda Rivas, 10 years; and Billie Branch, 22 years.

 

Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2011 meeting 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 accept Resolution 11-09, a Resolution waiving the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120(a) as they apply to Grant County, and resolving that the financial statements and reports of the county be prepared on the basis of cash receipts and disbursements as adjusted to show compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of the state.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Carl Higgs made the motion to contribute $5,000 to New Chance, Inc., an alcohol and drug treatment center located in Dodge City, and for the appropriation to be taken out of the alcoholic treatment fund.  Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Marty Long made the motion to continue the county's current BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas plan for 2012.  The monthly premium rates for health and drug coverage will be going up 2.3% from this year, due in part to four major claims.  The new rates will be: employee only $494.61; employee/children $1002.29; employee/spouse $1062.50; and employee/dependents $1570.19.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented bids for a motor grader.  Kirby Garrison, Salesman for Foley Equipment, bid $199,964.61 for a Caterpillar 140MZ with trade in and a 5 year or 6000 hours warranty; Ron McFarland, Salesman for Murphy Tractor and Equipment, bid $169,355 for a John Deere 770GP with trade in and a 5 year or 6000 hours warranty; Chauncey Graham, Salesman for GW Van Keppel Company, respectfully declined to bid their Volvo motor grader due to not meeting specification requirements.  Marty Long made the motion to approve the bid from Murphy Tractor and Equipment for the John Deere 770GP motor grader at a cost not to exceed $169,355 with trade in.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator and Mark Rude, Executive Director of Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District #3, met with commissioners.  Mr. Rude shared a map and explained the need for improved elevation data in Kearny and Grant County.  The Kansas Department of Administration is offering a cost-share purchase for aerial LiDAR imagery data and Grant County's share would be $2,500.  Marty Long made the motion to pay the Kansas Department of Administration $2,500, to be used towards the purchase of aerial LiDAR imagery data for Grant County and for the purchase to be taken out of the other appropriations fund. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

Leslie Mangels, Economic Development Director, discussed the Economic Development board and appointments for next year.  To fix the problem of having three up at once they will make one position a four year term to get the board appointments staggered.  Ms. Mangels also informed the commissioners of a potential business touring Grant County last week.

 

Steve Spade, Salesman for A-Lert Roofing, informed the commissioners of the underestimated footage on the roof project at the Grant County Recreation Building.  The roof was under measured by 20' and Mr. Spade requested a change order for the materials only.  It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow A-Lert the change order for $6,000.  Mr. Spade updated the commissioners on the Museum roof leak.  The inspector discovered a rusted area on the side of the roof which is causing the roof to continue to leak.  Mr. Spade told commissioners he will have a crew out and fix the area, and it would be covered under warranty.

 

Robert Moore, Agent for Moore Agency, reviewed rates for AFLAC and Principal Insurance.  Mr. Moore reported the rates on dental have increased 4.9% because of high usage.  It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow Mr. Moore to offer the plans to employees again in 2012.

 

Tom Fuhrmann, County Appraiser, Terry Lawhon, from Landmark Appraisal and Ann Papay, Consultant to Landmark Appraisal, updated the commissioners on the method used by Landmark Appraisal to figure royalty interests.  The letter received by commissioners from a taxpayer in Stevens County challenging the methodology used by Landmark was discussed.  Commissioner McHenry affirmed she has only witnessed the Landmark Appraisal team process their values with long hours and fairness to the taxpayer.  The commissioners gave Landmark Appraisal their full support and praised Mr. Fuhrmann for his dedication to Grant County taxpayers. 

 

   Marty Long made the motion for adjournment at 2:10 pm, to meet again in regular session November 15, 2011 at 9:00 am.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

 

 

___________________________                              ____________________________

Sheila Brown, County Clerk                                        Linda McHenry, Chairman