Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
August 24, 2004

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. with Chairperson Kent Thompson, Commissioner Walt Regehr Jr., Commissioner Dick Works, and Sherrie L. Riebel, County Clerk.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the August 17, 2004 meeting.

Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds Director, discussed open house for the new Law Enforcement Center. He is planning to buff the floors in the jail before Saturday.

Ron discussed a second handicap sign in the official’s parking lot. There is already a handicap-parking place in the Sheriff’s new parking.

Ron discussed the Sheriff’s old office space. He wants to strip the floor and paint the walls in the old Sheriff’s office. Commissioners inspected the office. Commissioners discussed the three requests for the office space. One was for the county counselor, one for CASA (court) and one for Ron Holman to use as an office.

Commissioner Regehr moved to approve Resolution 200412.

A resolution expressing the property taxation policy of the Board of Allen County Commissioners with respect to financing the 2005 annual budget for Allen County.

WHEREAS, KSA 79-2925b provides that a resolution be adopted if property taxes levied to finance the 2005 Allen County budget exceed the amount levied to finance the 2005 Allen County budget, except with regard to revenue produced and attributable to the taxation of 1) new improvements to real property; 2) increased personal property valuation, other than increased valuation of oil and gas leaseholds and mobile homes; and 3) property which has changed in use during the past year, or with regard to revenue produced for the purpose of repaying the principal of and interest upon bonded indebtedness, temporary notes, or no-fund warrants; and

WHEREAS, budgeting, taxing and service level decisions for all county services are the responsibility of the board of county commissioners; and

WHEREAS, Allen County provides the essential services to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of the county; and

WHEREAS, the cost of provision of these services continue to increase; and

WHEREAS, the 2004 Kansas State Legislature failed to fulfill its obligations in regard to the statutory funding of transfers from the state designed to lower property taxes and, by significantly limiting state revenue sharing payments to counties, has contributed to higher county property tax levies to finance the 2005 Allen County budget.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Allen County Commissioners that is our desire to notify the public of the possibility of increased property taxes to finance the 2005 Allen County budget due to the above mentioned constraints, and that all persons are invited and encouraged to attend the budget meeting conducted by the Board of Allen County Commissioners. The date and time of budget hearings with the Board of Allen County Commissioners will be published in the Iola Register. Interested persons can also address questions concerning the budget to The Allen County Clerk’s Office by calling 620-365-1407 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Fridays, excluding holidays.

Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Adopted this 24^th day of August 2004 by the Board of Allen County Commissioners.

Bill King, Public Works Director, stated he was not interested in the Sheriff’s office space.

Bill discussed the bill for damages on 1400-2200 Street. The total cost at this time is $1,178.98. This doesn’t include chip seal just crack seal. The bill will be forwarded to Jack McFadden.

Bill discussed the demolition on a house the county purchased from the tax foreclosure sale. He is waiting for a permit from the City of Iola before starting on the demolition.

Bill reported the crew is about finished with two miles of chip seal on Minnesota Road.

Bill discussed replacing the bed on one of his trucks. He requested to bid out for a new bed for a truck. Pros and cons on the difference of a square back or rounded beds were discussed. Bill will check into costs.

Bill discussed training sessions. He would like to be able to show slides. He would like to purchase a laptop, power point computer. He stated cost would be around $3000 to $4000 dollars. This would be used courthouse wide. Commissioners approved Bill to pursue the costs.

Bill discussed striping old 169 Hwy within Allen County, from county line to county line. The cost would be $1,000 per mile. Discussion followed on the fact that the road previously had been striped before the chip seal. Chip seal is harder to stripe. Commissioners requested Bill to get bids from contractors to stripe chip seal and overlay.

Etta Stanley, Humboldt Training Inspector, discussed the need to have an EMS Director to sign the training certificate. The training request has to be signed 15 days prior to the training; then this request would be sent to state for approved. Discussion followed.

Michelle Wille, Humboldt EMS, requested to apply for a grant for ambulance schooling. Commissioners ask Michelle to pursue the grant.

Commissioners discussed the Ambulance EMS and each city’s subsidy.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, requested to carry over 21 hours of vacation. She requested Roger Fogleman to carry over 31 hours vacation. Commissioners approve the carry over and requested it to be used within 6 months.

Commissioner Thompson called the budget hearing to order at 10:00 a.m. Bruce Symes, Iola Register reporter, Bill King, Public Works Director, Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, Jerry Hathaway, Assistant County Attorney, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk were present for the hearing. Discussion followed on assessed value for Allen County. Commissioner Works moved to adopt the 2005 budget as published. Commissioner Regehr second, motion passed 3-0-0.

Jerry discussed the attorney’s office occupying space in the Sheriff’s office. Discussion followed.

Commissioners discussed the old jail space. Discussion followed on ideas for use.

Ron Conaway, discussed meeting with Dr. Atkins on protocol and medicine. He discussed three specialized medicines (epic pins, clotting medicine and a fast one system). He discussed items the EMT’s are authorized to use. Discussion followed. Initial start up costs $2,000.00 for all ambulances to have the drugs and equipment. Ron stated Dr. Atkins suggested each ambulance carry these items. Ron is in the process of writing protocol. Commissioner Works moved to approve the purchase of these items but to keep under $2,000.00. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Phil Young, DOC & JJA Administrator, and Mary Tucker, JJA Assistant Administrator, discussed carry over reimbursement plan. Monies for 2004 totaled $2105.40, which was drug testing. This is the line item he budgeted the carry-over back into. Phil explained the transfers from JIAS into Intake and Assessment. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works moved to authorize the Chairman’s signature. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Commissioner Thompson signed the request.

Commissioners reviewed and discussed the Solid Waste Management Plan Resolution.

WHEREAS, The Southeast Kansas Solid Waste Authority (SEKSWA) Solid Waste Management Plan, and the Solid Waste Management Plans of Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties contained therein, were approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on March 28, 1996, and;

WHEREAS, K.A.R. 28-29-82 requires that Solid Waste Management Plans must be reviewed one year after their approval, or one year after the completion and distribution of the Kansas Solid Waste Management Plan, whichever is later, and;

WHEREAS, the State Plan was completed on December 2, 1996, the SEKSWA Solid Waste Management Plan, and the Solid Waste Management Plans of Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties contained therein, must be reviewed no later than December 2, 1997 and annually thereafter, and;

WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Southeast Kansas Solid Waste Operating Authority (SEKSWOA) has previously submitted to the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDH&E) a NOTICE OF REVIEW AND REVISION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS, as adopted by the Governing Bodies of Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson Counties, in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Plan review requirements of K.A.R. 28-29-82 to be effective December 2, 1997, and;

WHEREAS, ALLEN COUNTY has subsequently reviewed the Solid Waste Management Plan that was in effect for the county and SEKSWOA on December 2, 1997 and submits the following revisions:

NONE

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Governing Body of Allen County is in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Plan review requirements of K.A.R. 28-29-82 until October of 2005.

Commissioner Regehr moved to approve and sign Resolution #200413. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, and Roy Smith, Undersheriff, discussed the leaking kitchen door. Robbie stated the concern is the odors from the walk in freezer. He discussed a couple of items in the new facility on the schedule to be fixed. He also reported four offices do not have airflow; it was questioned if they are hooked up to the cooling system.

Commissioners approved open house to be held this weekend, August 28, 2004, from 1- 5 p.m. with the last tour starting at 4:30 p.m. Sheriff’s employees will be the tour guides.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed the open house. The architect mentioned a concern for damage to the building during the tours. Discussion followed.

Alan discussed the request for "Substantial Completion". No action was taken.

Commissioners discussed the request from the City of Iola for ambulance subsidy for $60,000. Commissioners discussed paying $60,000 in 2006 but had budgeted only $45,000 for 2005. Discussion followed. Commissioners question the City of Iola’s budget for 2005. The budget shows prior year actual figures, which are not in the red. Discussion followed. Commissioners wanted to ask the City of Iola some questions before a decision is made.

Commissioners adjourned to meet with the City of Iola at 1:00 p.m.

Commissioners met with Mayor John McRae, Commissioner Bill Shirley, and Commissioner Lee Gumfory to discuss the City of Iola ambulance subsidy. Mayor McRae stated the city appreciates the cooperative spirit of Allen County and looks forward to continuing working together to benefit the citizens of Allen County. He acknowledged the county offering to raise the 2004 ambulance subsidy an extra $5,000. The City of Iola proposed the city continue to operate the Rescue Vehicle and the county raise a .1 mill levy for the service. The city appreciates the county reducing the administrative fee to 8% but request it to be lowered to 5% and they would lower their request to $55,000 instead of the original $60,000 request. After much discussion both commissions stated they would like to work something out that would be suitable for both the City and the County. No action was taken at this time.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's Journal Entries # 66 and C0020

b) Clerk’s Vouchers totaling $109,379.55 for 8-19-2004

c) Clerk’s Vouchers totaling $7,307.14 for 8-24-2004

d) Pay Changes

e) Abatements RE Value 2783, $441.38, Year 2002

f) Abatements RE Value 10818, $1692.44, Year 2003

g) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $539.99, Year 1996

h) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $2710.63, Year 1997

i) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $5008.54, Year 1998

j) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $4724.94, Year 1999

k) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $3511.82, Year 2000

l) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $16,698.34, Year 2001

m) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $6484.36, Year 2001

n) Abatements-Tax Foreclosure $20,069.49, Year 2003

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until August 31, 2004 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission room of the courthouse.

Please remember, minutes are unofficial until approved by the commissioners' at their next meeting.