BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Cassoday City Hall in Cassoday, Ks. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and Clerk Recorder Brenda Brychta. Commissioner Doll was attending his daughter’s basketball game and unable to make the meeting.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

ITEM #1 – PUBLIC COMMENT

Pat Voytko, of Cassoday, voiced her concern for the growing problem of junk cars all over Cassoday.

Commissioner Carpenter suggested, that since this is within the jurisdiction of the city, that she contact her City Commissioners.

Harold Cooper, Chad Patton and Gail Vogelman, area residents, came before the Board to inquire as to when the road between Cassoday and Rosalia would be black topped.

Commissioner Shriver assured them that 1.5 million dollars has been assigned to this project.

James Klontz informed the Board that a recent telephone line, installed across Ellis Road from 20^th St. to 90^th St. to a cell tower, has damaged the road.

Administrator Johnson stated he would contact someone from Engineer’s office to investigate the problem.

Gail Vogelman asked about the article in the El Dorado Times, written by Mary Martha Good, regarding the Sales Tax Committee and Ms. Good’s comments about the use of road and bridge funds to build the jail. Also, Mr. Vogelman asked what would the Sales Tax have gone for. Mr. Vogelman also asked if there would ever be road between Hwy. 177 and Hwy. 77. He said he felt the Cassoday area was being neglected in favor of the Andover area.

Commissioner Carpenter stated that since the State cut off the demand transfer funds there was no recourse. Carpenter also stated that there was a lot of misinformation in that article and the main intention for a sales tax would have been to give property tax relief.

Commissioner Anderson stated that some cities implemented a sales tax long ago to benefit their specific area and that the County failed to do so. So, there are no other funds to fall back on.

Chad Patton spoke to make the Commissioners aware that Cassoday has been left out of the Hospice Care area and that the County used areas for tax comparison that were not the same as Cassoday.

Steve Little, Democratic Party Chairman, asked what the cost of remodeling the old judicial building would be?

Commissioner Carpenter stated that preliminary quotes averaged 2.5 million dollars. A lot of this would go for new heating/cooling system and a new roof. Carpenter stated that this project is in the early stages and no decisions have been made.

Commissioner Shriver stated that the basic idea for remodeling is to eliminate the approximate $125,000 annual rent paid for county departments outside the county buildings. The Sheriff’s office, alone, pays $2,500 per month rent.

Joan Stalnaker and Alan Likes asked about the status of the wind turbines.

Commissioner Shriver stated that wind turbines have been approved for the Beaumont area, but litigation will probably delay construction.

ITEM #2 - ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH THE CITY OF CASSODAY.

There were no items of mutual interest.

ITEM #3 – RECEIVE AND OPEN BIDS FOR PURCHASE OF TIRES FOR THE COUNTY.

Twenty Bids, each, were received from Augusta Tire and Becker Tire for multiple tire specification.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to have Mr. Lutz, Director of Public Works, review the bids and return to the Board with his recommendation. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

ITEM #4 – CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS.

Administrator Johnson, came before the Board to consider adoption of the Employee Incentive and Recognition programs. The first program, recommended by the Employee Association, is the Spotlight Award Program, for employees voted for recognition of superlative performance on a special project, consistent and excellent customer service and other levels of outstanding performance. This will be a certificate and gift valued at no more than $20.00. The second recommendation is the Volunteer Appreciation Program, which is a recognition program, targeted at employees who volunteer a minimum of eighty (80) hours a calendar year to community service or other volunteer work. This is estimated to be $100 annually and presented at the Christmas function.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adopt the Employee Incentive and Recognition Programs for a period of one year. Thereafter, a review of each program would be scheduled before renewal. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Administrator Johnson came before the Board for approval of the 2004 Butler County Cleanup program. This would be scheduled from April 17 thru April 24, 2004 in conjunction with Earth Day.

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve the 2004 Butler County Cleanup program. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Alan Likes asked Administrator Johnson what his job duties were for the county. Johnson explained that his job was comparable with a Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operations Officer of a corporation

Administrator Johnson came before the Board for authorization to fill the Communications Officer I position in the 911 Department, due to a resignation.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to authorize filling the Communications Officer I position in the 911 Department. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

There will be no meeting of the Board on Monday, February 16, 2004 because of Presidents Day. The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be Tuesday, February 17, 2004.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0