BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, March 15, 2004

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 Recorder Clerk Brenda Brychta.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

ITEM #1 – MOVED TO LATER ON THE AGENDA

ITEM #2 – RECEIVE COMMISSIONER PHIL ANDERSON TO DISCUSS EMS SERVICE IN THE DOUGLAS AREA.

Commissioner Phil Anderson introduced Mark Roberts, Mayor of Douglass, who came before the Board to discuss the need for permanent EMS service in the Douglass/Latham area. Emergency Medical Services, Medic 61, is currently operating out of Fire District #8, in Douglass. This service is scheduled to continue until July, 2004, when Hwy. 77 reconstruction is scheduled to be completed. Mayor Roberts stated that there has not been and would continue not to be rent or utilities charged for this service to the County.

Administrator Johnson stated that a study would have to be made to determine a method of funding this proposed project.

Commissioner Shriver suggested that Grant Helferich, Director of Emergency Medical Services, work up a proposal of costs involved in continuing service for the 10-hour, per day, current service and also the costs for 24-hour service.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to table a decision, for providing EMS service to the Douglass/Latham area, for three weeks, until Mr. Helferich can prepare a summary of costs involved in providing EMS service on a permanent basis, both 10 hour and 24 hour per day service. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ITEM #1 – CONSIDER APPROVING A NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS FOR CULVERT LETTING NO. 59.

Darryl C. Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board for consideration to approve a Notice to Contractors for Culvert Letting No. 59. Nine structures were previously approved, by the Board of County Commissioners, for inclusion in this year’s culvert letting.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the Notice to Contractors for Culvert Letting No. 59, for 9 structures, with proposed date for sealed bids to be received by Monday, April 12, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ITEM #3 – WORK SESSION – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Administrator Johnson came before the Board to discuss if the Economic Development Department is going in the right direction and what do the cities think of the value of this department. Johnson stated that he visited with El Dorado, Augusta and Towanda and that they were very supportive of Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development, and it’s value to the cities and county.

Mr. Powell presented the Board with a list of organizations and agencies, in Butler County, that his department has membership in. One of the newest of these is the Greater Wichita Economic Development Council, which now encompasses a 14 county area and has been titled the Prosperity Region #7 by Governor Sebelius. Mr. Powell continued with a summary of the accomplishments made during his 8 years of service.

Commissioner Doll asked what the impact would be if the Economic Development Department was to be eliminated.

Mr. Powell stated that only the city of El Dorado has any type of economic development department and all the other cities would have no representation, other than volunteer boards.

Commissioner Shriver asked Mr. Powell to return to the Board with a justification for having an Economic Development department vs. not having one.

It was the consensus of the Board to have Mr. Powell return in two weeks with a report on the need for an Economic Development department.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the minutes of March 8, 2004, as written and March 9, 2004 as amended. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve vouchers of March 15, 2004 in the amount of $194,488.39. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

OTHER ITEMS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD

No other business

ADJOURN

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.