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The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 21, with all present.
Denied/Approved: There were three requests for individuals to use the annex for various reasons - Zumba Classes, Rec Commission dance classes and other activities, and a request from a St John Council member about the possibility of the City of St. John holding its twice monthly Council Meetings in the Annex.
The Zumba classes would require six to eight weeks of Monday and Wednesday evenings being blocked off, the rec commission also requested to block off certain days for several weeks. These requests were denied.
The commissioners were in favor of the City Council using the room for their twice monthly meetings, providing that the council approves the move.
Approved: In order to improve the lighting in the Community Room of the Annex, bids were sought from three local contractors. Jeff’s Electric, Davis Electrical, Inc and Meyer Electric. Bids were received from: Davis Electrical Inc for $6,500; and Jeff Williamson dba Jeff’s Electric for $ 5,147.20. JD moved and Roger seconded to accept Jeff’s Electric bid of $ 5,147.20. Motion carried 3-0.
Information/Denied: Lisa Milton, Treasurer, discussed an office remodel project. She would like to replace the front counter – a sit down counter to create more privacy between the clerk and customer. Since it now falls to the staff in the Treasurer office to verify documents, It takes longer to complete transactions. By creating a sit-down counter, this also takes care of any handicap accessible issues. Mrs. Milton does not have a plan yet, she just wanted to make sure that commissioners would support the remodel. Chairman Grimmett asked Lisa to sketch out what she is wanting, and then return to a later meeting.
Milton also discussed problems during lunch hour – with staggering the lunch hours of staff members, sometimes the public has to wait and in a few instances people have left because of the wait time. Lisa would like to close the Treasurer Office during lunch hour. As stated before, some transactions take longer now. What used to take five or ten minutes takes twice as long now. Burden of legalities has shifted to the staff, they must fax requests for documents, make phone calls to verify information, etc… it takes longer to confirm the documentation that is brought in.
Commissioner Fanshier was not in favor of closing during the noon hour. Commissioner Grimmett did not think that the situation will help with closing during the noon hour.
The Stafford County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 21, with all present.
Denied/Approved: There were three requests for individuals to use the annex for various reasons - Zumba Classes, Rec Commission dance classes and other activities, and a request from a St John Council member about the possibility of the City of St. John holding its twice monthly Council Meetings in the Annex.
The Zumba classes would require six to eight weeks of Monday and Wednesday evenings being blocked off, the rec commission also requested to block off certain days for several weeks. These requests were denied.
The commissioners were in favor of the City Council using the room for their twice monthly meetings, providing that the council approves the move.
Approved: In order to improve the lighting in the Community Room of the Annex, bids were sought from three local contractors. Jeff’s Electric, Davis Electrical, Inc and Meyer Electric. Bids were received from: Davis Electrical Inc for $6,500; and Jeff Williamson dba Jeff’s Electric for $ 5,147.20. JD moved and Roger seconded to accept Jeff’s Electric bid of $ 5,147.20. Motion carried 3-0.
Information/Denied: Lisa Milton, Treasurer, discussed an office remodel project. She would like to replace the front counter – a sit down counter to create more privacy between the clerk and customer. Since it now falls to the staff in the Treasurer office to verify documents, It takes longer to complete transactions. By creating a sit-down counter, this also takes care of any handicap accessible issues. Mrs. Milton does not have a plan yet, she just wanted to make sure that commissioners would support the remodel. Chairman Grimmett asked Lisa to sketch out what she is wanting, and then return to a later meeting.
Milton also discussed problems during lunch hour – with staggering the lunch hours of staff members, sometimes the public has to wait and in a few instances people have left because of the wait time. Lisa would like to close the Treasurer Office during lunch hour. As stated before, some transactions take longer now. What used to take five or ten minutes takes twice as long now. Burden of legalities has shifted to the staff, they must fax requests for documents, make phone calls to verify information, etc… it takes longer to confirm the documentation that is brought in.
Commissioner Fanshier was not in favor of closing during the noon hour. Commissioner Grimmett did not think that the situation will help with closing during the noon hour.
Approved: Steve Moody, Emergency Services Director – EOC building remodel – $ 26,277.91 total cost - amount remaining in the Ina Mae Toland fund – $ 3,281.28 – wants to spend the rest on radios – TBS Electronics – 8 PM 400 mobile radios at a cost of $ 3,240.00. These are UHF radios. Roger Fanshier moved and JD Hager seconded to purchase the radios for $ 3,240.00. Motion carried 3-0.
Approved: In order for the four paid staff members to work together in one office, Moody will move out of the annex and out to the office on East Fourth. Steve requested permission to replace two desks at the office. The only bid considered was from the Kansas Correctional Institute for two desks – a corner workstation – $ 1,059.50 and one plain desk – $ 656.25 for a total of $ 1,715.75.
Flooring and windows still need to be replaced to finish up the office space, but Moody will return to a later meeting with ideas and quote for that.
JD Hager moved and Roger Fanshier seconded to allow the purchase of two desks, one for $ 1059.50 and one for $ 656.25 from Kansas Correctional Institute. Motion carried 3-0.
Approved: A request to purchase four tires for the white pickup from Kansasland Tire through a government contract was the final request. Fisher Service Center would do the work, as in mounting and balancing them, as well as an alignment. The pickup requires 17” tires – $ 950.32 total - $ 805.32 for tires and $ 145.00 for mount and balance and an alignment. JD Hager moved and Roger Fanshier seconded to allow the bid for new tires for the pickup for $ 950.32. Motion carried 3-0.
Approved: A request to purchase a desk-top computer with monitor from RC Computers for $975 to replace Moody’s own personal laptop computer that he has been using was presented. RC Computer bid was the only bid considered. Roger Fanshier moved and JD Hager seconded to purchase computer for $975 from Randy Clark dba RC Computers. Motion carried 3-0.
Information: Janet McMurray – Blue Cross and Blue Shield – came back to check on the health insurance bids. Commissioners had a few questions about rate increases and the Blue Cross self-funding options. Commissioners are considering the option of full coverage versus self funding. Ms McMurray will return next week with a self funding quote for the commissioners to consider.
Approved: A Resolution for Cleveland Township to identify four roads to be declared as minimum maintenance was presented for approval. Roger Fanshier moved and JD Hager seconded to adopt Resolution, 2011-19, A Resolution Identifying Certain Cleveland Township Roads as Minimum Maintenance Roads. Motion carried 3-0. This resolution will be published once in the St John Newspaper.
Information: Terry Brown, and Amber Littler, representing the county’s auditing firm - Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball - and Joe Shepack, County Counselor, met with the board to discuss the hospital financial picture. According to Terry Brown, CPA, the only options for financing for the hospital are no-fund warrants or transferring money from another fund. There really are no “extra” funds available in the county coffers. As per Shepack, nothing can be done for 2012, unless we “rob Peter to pay Paul.” Losses are going up and revenues are going down. At the current county valuation, the potential mill levy for the hospital for 2013 could be 15 mills alone.
Approved: Phillip Nusser, Road Supervisor, presented a Utility Permit Application from Fred Grunder to bore under the Emerson Road to run electricity and water to a new shed. Davis Electrical will be doing the work. Roger Fanshier moved and JD Hager seconded to approve the utility permit application for Fred Grunder. Motion carried 3-0.
Information: Hilary Dolbee and Reuel Foote, Stafford County Hospital, joined the group to carry on with the hospital discussion. Just to clear up any confusion, Ms Dolbee wanted it noted that the tax dollar amounts received from the treasurer and the hospital auditors are exactly the same. A cash sheet as to where the hospital is financially as of today showed that it will take approximately $350,000 to become even – to pay all of the additional AP due and payables to get the hospital caught up and current. The Hospital Board approved last week to layoff three people, this has been done. This will result in a savings of $140,000 per year.
A new health insurance plan has been approved, saving approximately $300,000 in premiums vs the current state plan that the hospital is on and pays $46,601.60 in premium per month. There have also been two individuals that have recently left employment and not been replaced.
Fanshier asked for a specific request from the hospital – Dolbee threw it back to the board that if they want the hospital to get out of the red, she needs $350,000.
According to Dolbee, if the citizens of the community do not want to support the hospital with additional taxes, then the discussion needs to swing to closing the hospital. The commissioners requested that a plan be developed that can be taken to the taxpayers for input on the future of the hospital. Public meetings will need to be held to explain the plan and the future tax implications for the taxpayers. It was noted that in six of the past ten years, the hospital has lost money. In closing, Shepack requested a dollar figure that would get the hospital through 2012.
Approved: Tax abatements – JD Hager moved and Roger Fanshier seconded to approve several tax abatements. Motion carried 3-0.
