Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 AM. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and Clerk Brenda Brychta.

Commissioner Bill Shriver presented Grant Helferich with a certificate for completion of a Mini-MPA program. Mr. Helferich was not able to attend the presentation on May 5, 2003 due to the tornado disaster in Eastern Kansas.

Pam Dunham, Administrator of GIS/Mapping, came before the Board to discuss filling the position being vacated by a GIS Technician on May 31, 2003

It was the consensus of the Board to allow Ms. Dunham to fill the vacancy, which will be open on May 31, 2003, due to the resignation.

Todd Kennemer, Administrator of Planning and Zoning, came before the Board for approval of the final plat and acceptance of a right-of-way for property owned by C. J. Livingston. (Case No. PL-03-07)

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the final plat and acceptance of right-of-way for property owned by C. J. Livingston (Case No. PL-03-07) and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Connie Rausch, Director of the Department of Aging, came before the Board to discuss Senior Center Funding Allocations. Commissioner Shriver asked for a report on what part of their budget the County funds represent. Shriver also suggested that the Senior Centers continue to look for fund-raisers to supplement their budget.

Commissioner Carpenter read a Declaration of Proclamation proclaiming the month of May, 2003 as Older Americans Month.

It is the consensus of the Board to table a decision on the Senior Center Funding Allocations until the Commissioners have had time to review the Funding Allocations.

Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board to ask for authority to solicit proposals for design work, plans and specifications of two bridge decks in the 2004 CIP. One deck is located on NW 110^th Street (DeGraff Road) and the other on NE 85^th Street (Chelsea/Linimore Road).

Commissioner Doll motioned to authorize Mr. Lutz to solicit proposals for design work, plans and specifications of two bridge decks in the 2004 CIP. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Chris Davis, Director of Emergency Communications, came before the Board seeking approval to promote a Communications Officer I to Communications Officer II to enable implementation of a 10-Hour shift schedule for Supervisors. This change would help reduce overtime pay significantly.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the promotion of a Communications Officer I to Communications Officer II in order to implement a 10-hour shift schedule for a 10 month savings of $22,575 and 12 month savings of, approximately, $27,000. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Carpenter called a 5-minute recess of the Board at 10:03 AM.

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 10:08 AM

Sandy Zieman, President of the Butler County Employees Association, came before the Board to present a review of the Butler County Employees Association By-Laws.

Ms. Zieman gave a brief synopsis of the formation and future plans for the Association.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the Butler County Employees Association By-Laws, as presented and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Will Johnson, County Administrator, came before the Board to discuss the 2003 budget timeline and schedules. A 2004 Budget Schedule was distributed to Board members. Mr. Johnson stated he hoped to have the budget finalized by August 12, 2003.

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Don Engels, County Financial Officer, and Stan Cox, Butler County Sheriff came before the Board to discuss the cash balance for the jail. Sheriff Cox stated that by not filling the 4 current vacancies and closing one jail pod, has helped reduce expenses. Sheriff Cox also stated that both the jail and sheriff’s office are under budget as of today. Administrator Johnson suggested starting the 90-day process of procuring No Fund Warrants in the event the warrants would be needed. After a lengthy discussion the Commissioners decided to meet, at the jail, for a work session on Monday, May14, 2003 at 10:00 AM.

The Board meeting on May 12, 2003 will start at 10:00 AM, due to the REAP meeting, and will convene at the County Jail.

Commissioner Carpenter called a 5-minute recess of the Board at 11:30 AM.

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 11:35 AM.

Darryl Lutz came before the Board to discuss new leachate re-circulation lines in the County landfill. Mr. Lutz asked for permission to solicit bids from contractors to construct the leachate re-circulation lines. The cost of $35,000 to 40,000 is budgeted for in the 2003 Engineering budget.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to allow the solicitation of bids to build new leachate re-circulation lines. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Darryl Lutz came before the Board to seek permission to spend funds to widen the shoulders on 5-6 miles of Santa Fe Lake Road. The estimated cost of this, for the County, will be $50,000. The consensus of the Board was not to authorize the funds at this time.

Don Engels, Financial Officer, came before the Board to present updated financial report of the County’s General Fund and various departments.

Administrator Johnson informed the Board that Jeff Bridges, City Administrator of Andover, and the City Commissioners of Andover, have requested a dinner meeting with the Board on Monday, May 19, 2003 at Spears Restaurant in Augusta, Kansas.

Administrator Johnson will schedule a meeting with Captain Ben Crooks or Captain Craig Murphy, the local County Judges and the Board to discuss transporting of prisoners.

Commissioner Carpenter reported that the Wildlife & Parks Department and the Corps of Engineers want to build a Wildlife Habitat on the Walnut River in Butler County.

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Commissioner Wheeler motioned to adjourn the Board at 12:30 PM. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.