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

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 4 and November 17, 2003 meetings. Madison Traster seconded the motion. Following clarification of two vouchers the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Douglas Campbell, County Attorney, requested permission to purchase 2 multifunction printers. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of 2 Hewlett Packard LaserJet 3300 multi function printers at a cost of $708each plus shipping with money to come from the diversion fund. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, requested approval to purchase a new voice recorder for the phone system with the cost to be paid with Emergency 911 funds. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of a recorder at a cost of $12,571 from Nice Systems, Inc. with money to come from the Emergency 911 Fund. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the board. Mrs. Ramski reported that the motor for the John Deere 1145 had to be rebuilt at a cost of $1,901.00. An update on activities at the Civic Center was given.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the county health insurance renewal proposed by EPOCH with the self-funded portion to remain at $30,000. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the audit proposal from Hay Rice and Associates for audit years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to adopt Resolution 03-05 causing the financial statements and financial reports of Grant County to be prepared on the basis of cash and disbursements as adjusted to show compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of the State. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Tom Fuhrmann and Terry Lawhon, Landmark Appraisal, and Ann Papay, Appraiser, gave an update on the appraiser’s department. Mr. Fuhrmann presented renewal contracts for 2004. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the contracts for appraiser and oil and gas with Landmark Appraisal at a cost of $400 per month for the appraiser and a total cost of $20,220 for the appraisal of gas and oil. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ann Papay presented a consulting contract for the commissioners’ consideration. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the consulting contract with Ann Papay at a cost of $5,000. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, presented an update on her department.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the 2004 calendar for the county as presented. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Frances Roberts, Librarian, and Library Board of Trustees Members, Kelly Gindlesberger, Dee Longoria, Archie DeBruce, and Eddi Porter, reported that they have $300,000 to return to the county since they were under budget on their construction project. The money will be deposited in the bond and interest fund.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of two IBM ThinkCenter computers and a wand for the treasurer’s office at a total cost of $2,425 to be paid through the Treasurer Special Auto fund, and to approve the upgrade of two computers at a cost of $996 plus part of the travel expenses for the installation of the upgrade. The computers and upgrade will be purchased from Nex-Tech. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the proposal from Nex-Tech to upgrade the computers in the clerk’s office at a cost of $1,505 plus installation and travel expense. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to adopt the revisions to the Grant County Solid Waste Management Plan. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners reviewed and approved two road-crossing permits for OXY USA, Inc.

 

            Faye Trent, Great Plains Development and Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director, discussed the micro loan program with the commissioners. Greg Wartman, banker, also attended this portion of the meeting. Madison Traster made the motion to proceed with the application process for the micro loan program. Gene Pflughoft will work with Great Plains Development to relieve county staff of the extra work. Gene Schwein seconded the motion. Following discussion on the program, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Bob Moore, Insurance Agent, asked if the commissioners want him to see if he can get better rates for employee dental and eye coverage. The commissioners gave their approval for him to pursue this.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to renew the annual support contract with Nex-Tech at a cost of $11,146 for 2004. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Bobbie Lewis, Grant County Recreation Commission Director, discussed the need for replacing the ball field lights at the Legion Field. Madison Traster made the motion to encumber $70,000 from this year’s budget for the replacement of the lights and poles that will be done after the first of the year. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Lewis asked the commissioners what the county could do toward helping with costs for operating the swimming pool and ball fields next year since their funding has changed. The commissioners explained that the county’s budget has already been set and nothing was allocated for this.

 

            Jim Ferguson, Pitney-Bowes, and Rita Gee, Treasurer, met with the commissioners regarding the county’s postage machine. The county is currently paying $233/month for its machine. The new machine he proposed meets all the requirements of the United States Postal Service. Madison Traster made the motion to rent the new postage machine with a printer at an additional cost of $25 per month. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The commissioners authorized Mrs. Gee to sign the rental agreement with Pitney-Bowes.

 

            Discussion was held on county department heads, elected officials and commissioners being allowed to purchase business cards with the county’s logo. The decision was made that business cards could be purchased from the various department budgets.

 

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

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Carl Higgs, Chairman