BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, January 30, 2006

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Commission Chairman Dan Woydziak called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m.  Present were Commissioner Will Carpenter, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Randy Waldorf, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson, Jr., and Clerk Recorder Tammy Bridges.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Waldorf motioned to approve the minutes of the Butler County Commission Meeting of Monday, January 23, 2006 as written and Tuesday, January 24, 2006 as amended to show no action was taken after Executive Session and to add “with half being paid by the County” to the motion on Item #6.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.  

 

ITEM #1 – RECEIVE AND OPEN BIDS FOR REPLACEMENT OF A VEHICLE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Jim Schmidt, Emergency Management Director, came before the Board to open sealed bids for the vehicle advertised for bid on January 17, 2006.  The BOCC authorized the EM Department to seek bids for a heavy-duty one-half ton crew cab pickup truck with specific options for emergency service.  Bids were received from:

 

John K. Fisher                            $30,972.00

Steven Ford                                $26,996.00

Parks Chevrolet                          $29,494.80

Parks Chevrolet                          $30,848.00

 

Commissioner Waldorf motioned to accept the bids as submitted and have staff review them and return with their recommendation.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

ITEM #2 – PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR NOXIOUS WEEDS

Riley Walters, Director Noxious Weed Department, presented the Annual Report and Management Plan to the Board.  One project they may fund is a start up business of grazing goats, particularly around some of the lakes because the terrain is too rough to spray and the herbicide might get in the water.  Mr. Walters said that Butler County was selected by the National Roadside Vegetation Management Association as the outstanding county weed program in the nation.  The Noxious Weed Department has received a plaque for this designation.

 

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the Annual Report and Management Plan for noxious weeds and allow the Chairman to sign.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Jim Schmidt returned with a recommendation to accept the low bid for an Emergency Management vehicle from Stevens Ford in the amount of $26,996.

 

Commissioner Waldorf motioned to accept the bid and to purchase a vehicle for Emergency Management from Steven Ford in the amount of $26,996.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

ITEM #3 – CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO ADJUST THE 2006 PAY PLAN TO INCLUDE PROBATIONARY STEP INCREASE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES

Will Johnson, Administrator, came before the Board for approval of probationary merit increases for 2006.  As part of the 2006 budget process, the County Commission approved COLA modifications to the 2006 pay plan, but chose not to fund merit increases for the 2006 budget year.  As a result of the elimination of merit increases, employees hired after July 1, 2005 may go 18 months without a merit increase.

 

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve employee probationary merit increases for 2006 to be retro-effective January 1, 2006.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-1.  Dan Woydziak voted no and stated his reason is that if we are giving merit increases for one we should give merit increases to all.

 

RECESS

Commissioner Woydziak recessed the Board meeting at 9:58 a.m. for 2 minutes.

 

RECONVENE

Commissioner Woydziak reconvened the Board meeting at 10:00 a.m.

 

Administrator Johnson said that he and the Board Chairman extended the burn ban last week.  Mr. Johnson stated that the Butler County Fire Chiefs are developing a resolution to make it easier to enact a burn ban and would include criteria for them to make a recommendation to the Board.  This resolution will be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting.

 

ITEM #4 – WORK SESSION – UPDATE ON WRAPS GRANT PROGRAM

Administrator Johnson stated that the WRAPS program stands for Watershed Restoration & Protection Strategy, which is an avenue for funding part of our wastewater study.  This program would give the County the ability to find federal money to accomplish aerial photography, which would help in land planning for watershed management.

 

ITEM #5 – WORK SESSION – UPDATE ON 254 COALITION PROJECT

Administrator Johnson said that consultants for the 254 Coalition Project would be here for a meeting in Butler County on February 23, 2006.  The Board decided to meet at 6:00 p.m. at the Benton City Hall.  Administrator Johnson stated that he would invite the Butler County Planning Board members, Cities of Towanda, Benton, El Dorado, and the planning commissions of those cities.

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve the vouchers for January 30, 2006 in the amount of $321,162.91.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Wheeler stated that the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Industry (KCCI) meeting in Topeka will be February 7, 2006.  Commissioners Wheeler, Carpenter, Woydziak, and Administrator Johnson will be attending.

 

Commissioner Carpenter stated that the Conservation District dinner is at 6:30 p.m. on February 4, 2006 in the Kansas Room at Butler Community College.  Commissioners Carpenter, Woydziak and Administrator Johnson will be attending.

 

Commissioner Waldorf and the Board talked about resuming the meetings in March by visiting the City of Andover.

 

Commissioner Doll motioned to appoint Bernita Heim as Benton Township Treasurer to replace Roger Duncan who resigned.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Administrator Johnson stated that the jail count is 208 with 158 billable.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 10:51 a.m.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.