BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m., at the Leon Senior Center. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Will Carpenter, Commissioner Bill Shriver Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and County Clerk Ron Roberts.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

ITEM #1 –PUBLIC COMMENTS

Debbie Marshall spoke voicing her concern about the cost of remodeling the old Jail Judicial Building. She also asked about moving the Sheriff from his rented space into the new jail building. She also felt the Commissioners were raising taxes because while the mill levies were not increasing they were being kept the same and valuations were going up generating more tax dollars

Commissioner Carpenter stated that the remodel project was still in the planning stage and no decision has been made to date, but the board is considering moving ahead. The plan is to reduce the amount of rented space, freeing up some money to apply toward the remodel cost. There is another note being paid off and those monies, along with approximately $300,000 left over from the Jail and Court Building should be able to accomplish the remodel project with no increase in mill levies.

Commissioner Shriver said that the small overall increase in property valuations each year are just about enough to keep up with the annual effect of inflation on the cost of operating the county plus the small increase they gave to county employees this year, and that was the first increase in over all employees salaries in the last three years.

Harold Cooper stated, he felt there must be some flaws in the software the Appraisal Department uses to value residential houses. It is his impression that there is too much inequity in how individual houses are valued and then revalued each year.

Steve Little said he feels the Appraisal department does a poor job of public relations. Mr. Little also inquired about which State office regulated the County Appraisal Department. The Commission informed him that it is the Property Valuation Division of the Department of Revenue that over sees the county appraisal process.

ITEM #2 – ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH THE CITY OF LEON.

Ed Patton, Mayor of Leon, approached the Board about approval for an Island Annexation of an existing business. After listening to some discussion on the mater, Commissioner Carpenter informed him it would be on next Tuesday’s agenda. It was recommended that the Mayor and Police Chief bring detailed information at that time.

Mayor Patton also inquired about the possibility of the small cities in Butler County joining in the Counties Health Insurance Plan. Administrator Johnson said he would contact him later to discuss the mater.

ITEM #3 – RECEIVE AND REVIEW MARCH 2004 BCED MONTHLY REPORT.

Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development, came before the Board to present his BCED Monthly Report. Larry gave an update on the general and special activities of the Economic Department. He stated that information about the Kansas Prosperity Summit in now available on the web site. Butler County is in Region VII the South Central Kansas Region, it is comprised of 14 counties. Mr. Powell presented a revised lease agreement to the Board for their review. He said it is waiting approval from County Counselor, Norm Manley. When approved it will be used for the rail property east of Augusta to Leon and later on the property from Augusta to Andover. Sherman Williams’ main plant in Andover will be having an Awards Ceremony, May 21^st from 10am to 1pm. They will be receiving two awards from the Sherman Williams Company. One award is for Plant of the Year, for their product line. The second award is for having the highest productivity, of any plant in the Sherwin Williams World Wide Organization.

Commission Shriver asked about the status of the line between Augusta and Andover. Mr. Powell informed the Board that Preliminary filings to the Surface Transportation Board were made and they had 45 days to respond. The next filings should be completed in mid June of this year.

ITEM #4 –AWARD BIDS FOR CULVERT LETTING NO. 59.

County Administrator, Johnson, came before the Board for approval of the bids for Culvert Letting No. 59. This year nine structures are proposed for replacement. All work is budgeted for in the 2004 Bridge Building Budget and is included in the bridge CIP adopted by the BOCC in April 2003.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve that the County Commission award the bid received for Culvert Letting No.59, for the construction of 9 reinforced concrete box structures throughout Butler County to LMK Concrete, out of Lindsborg, KS. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ITEM #5 –CONSIDER RESOLUTION FOR SALE OF EXISTING PETROLEUM BUILDING.

County Administrator, Johnson, came before the Board for approval of the Resolution for Sale of the existing Petroleum Building. Mr. Johnson asked to table the item, until a review, was completed by County Counsel, Norm Manley.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to Table Resolution for Sale of the existing Petroleum Building. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ITEM #6 –CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR RECRUITMENT AND HIRING OF OPEN FINANCIAL OFFICER POSITION.

Administrator Johnson, came before the Board for approval of the recruitment and hiring of an Open Financial Officer position and a open Clerk I position in the Apprasial Department.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to table the recruitment and hiring of an Open Financial Officer position. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the recruitment and hiring of a Clerk I position in the Appraisal Office. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the Adds & Abates #2183. TheAdds are in the amount of $1,222.24. The Abates are in the amount of $1,942.54. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Commissioners Doll and Wheeler stated they had been contacted by Florida Power and Light about Wind Farms. Administrator Johnson will return the calls for them.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 8.29 PM. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.