BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, January 27, 2003

 

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

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the Minutes of the Butler County Commissioners of Tuesday, January 21, 2003 as amended.  Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.     

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Butler County Director of Finance, Don Engels came to the Board of Commissioners to submit the weekly vouchers for approval in the amount of  $1,144,014.49.  Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve the vouchers in the amount of $1,144,014.49.  Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the Adds and Abates of January 21, 2003.

Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

 

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

County Detention Director, Ben Crooks, came to the Board of Commissioners to inform the Board of the progress on the new jail and reported that the INS pre-inspection results show the new jail exceeds their standards. 

 

Mr. Crooks reported that he has set a deadline of February 3, 2003 for the contractors to be finished.

 

Mr. Crooks informed the Board that McConnell AFB has inquired about availability of beds.   Mr. Crooks discussed a scope change for 26 additional bunks to be purchased for work release inmates.

 

ITEM #1 – WORK SESSION – CODES COURT

Administrator Johnson came before the Board of Commissioners asking for support in contacting the State Representatives to vote on approval of the bill to reduce the population restriction for County Code Courts.  The current State statute states that only counties with  population limits above 150,000 could qualify for County Code Courts.  Mr. Johnson will draft a letter from the Commissioners asking for the State Representatives support of this bill.

            

ITEM #2 – WORK SESSION – 2003 BUDGET

Administrator Johnson came before the Board of Commissioners with a report showing the proposed reductions in the 2003 General Fund Expenditures by approximately $1.2 million.  This amount equates to approximately a 10% reduction in the General Fund.  

 

In addition to loss of revenue in the General Fund, reductions in Special Highway funds by the State will total $140,000 and will affect future Road and Bridge capital projects.

 

The proposed reductions target capital expenditures and spread reductions across all County Departments.

 

RECESS

Commissioner Carpenter called for a 10 minute recess at 10:05A.M.

 

RECONVENE        

Commissioner Carpenter called the meeting to order at 10:18 A.M.

 

ITEM #3 – WORK SESSION – DISCUSSION NO FUND WARRANTS – JAIL BUDGET 2002

Administrator Johnson came before the Board of Commissioners to inform them that they have received received permission to sell $210,000 in No Fund Warrants.  The amount requested was $350,000.

 

The reduction in the amount was due to lack of information to support the overage and gap between medical expenses, decreased revenue and the requested amount.

 

ITEM #4 – WORK SESSION – 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Administrator Johnson presented an overview of the 2003 Legislative Session and KAC objectives.

 

ITEM #5 – WORK SESSION – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Administrator Johnson presented the Board of Commissioners with the 2001/2002 Strategic Plan for the County’s economic development.

 

Economic Development Director, Larry Powell came before the Board of Commissioners to discuss the activities and productivity of the Economic Development department and the volunteer groups who are working with the Economic Development department.

 

Commissioner Shriver presented the following suggestions for the Economic Development Department:

1.     Activity Report (list of business contacts by phone or personal contacts)

2.     Gardening (assisting current businesses)

3.     Big Game (recruiting new businesses and incentives)

4.     Rail Road (various areas – develop, salvage or sell)

5.     Leases  (clarification in writing)

6.     Land Sales (review proposals)

7.     Sales Tax Resource

 

ITEM #6 – WORK SESSION – DISCUSS LONG TERM/SHORT TERM PROJECTS

Administrator Johnson came to the Board of Commissioners to present the following long term/short term projects for 2003:

            LONG TERM                         SHORT TERM

            Operational Review                Current Judicial Building Feasibility & Use

            Wholesale Water District            Fees policy

            Televising Meeting                 Health Insurance Policy

            Code Courts                          Equipment Inventory/Preventative Maintenance

            Employee Incentives              Personnel Policies & Procedures

            Sales Tax Review                 Back Taxes

            Animal Control Program            Railroad Leases

 

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Commissioner Doll asked for an update/status on proposed movie theater in El Dorado.  Administrator Johnson said he would obtain this information for them.

 

Commissioner Carpenter informed the Board of Commissioners that KAC (Kansas Association of Commissioners) is interested in any nominations to fill a place on the KAC Executive Committee.

 

ADJOURN

Commissioner Doll motioned to adjourn the Board of Commissioners meeting at 12:05 P.M.  Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion.  Motion passed 5-0.