November 4, 2005     Friday  9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Gary Houston and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He also informed commissioners of a KDOT district meeting on November 17, 2005, from 1:30 – 4:00 pm, in Chanute.  After discussion it was decided that all commissioners and Clyde Killion would plan to attend. 

The commissioners received a contracting agreement from Milt Lowmaster for a proposed KDOT project on Eagle Road to Garland.  Commissioners have a question about the price that is quoted. 

Commissioners were invited by Ann Ludlum to the Annual Meeting of the Bourbon County Extension Council.  It will be held at Fort Scott Community College on November 14^th at 6:30 pm. 

Laura Hyer reported to commissioners on her trip to Mississippi. 

Ms. Hyer also spoke with commissioners about communications and asked to purchase some fence to go around the voter stations.  She has found some on sale for a fraction of the cost of the original quote. 

Ms. Hyer also spoke with commissioners about the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the basement.  She will need to install phone lines but commissioners asked that she hold off until next year for the budget’s sake.

Commissioners reviewed the health/life/dental quotes which were received.  A summary of the plans follows: 

Health:

Dental Quotes were received only from Preferred Health (Delta Dental) and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  The quotes were as follows: 

Dental:

Life Quotes were received as follows: 

*Jefferson quoted for $25,000 coverage. 

Additionally, the commissioners considered the State of Kansas health insurance plan for non-state groups.  It requires the County to pay 95% of the single and 35% of the dependent premiums for its employees and requires you to join for 3 years at a time.  The premiums for 2006 are as follows: 

                             95% single               $421.88

                             100% single             $445.18

                             35% family              $195.27

                             Emp/Sp                   $220.24 from employee max

                             Emp/Child                $176.19 from employee max

                             Family                     $396.43 from employee max 

After discussion, Bill Brittain made a motion to go with Preferred Health for Health and Dental Insurance (Preferred Health1 and Delta Dental1 above).  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor. 

Bill Brittain made a motion to accept the life insurance quote from Companion Life at .29 per thousand or $5.80 for $20,000.  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor. 

Commissioners discussed whether or not to enroll in a vision plan.  After discussion they decided against having a vision plan for employees.  Eye Exams will be 100% covered under the health insurance and not everyone uses glasses so they didn’t think it was worth it.  After hearing from several employees who do have glasses and explained how much they cost to be replaced, the commissioners considered having a system of reimbursement for prescription eyeware, up to $100 annually, for employees who present a receipt.  This plan would be similar to the County reimbursing employees up to $100 for steel-toed boots.  The commissioners would like to discuss the idea with Terry Graham on Monday.  The employees thanked the commissioners for the consideration. 

Sharon Elder presented commissioners with information about medical costs for inmates.  The commissioners have been discussing this topic with the Sheriff and employees of the correctional center and were aware of the information Ms. Elder presented but thanked her for bringing it to their attention. 

Gary Houston inspected the roof work progress. 

Bill Brittain left the meeting to speak with Mental Health about getting requested information to the county. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 am. 

                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                               (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

November 7, 2005       Monday      9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.   

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Laura Hyer invited commissioners to view the room which will become the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Bourbon County.  After viewing the area, commissioners approved up to $5,000 for carpeting, electric work and phone lines. 

Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about budgets.  It is necessary to watch them until the end of the year.  She brought up that the Emergency Preparedness is over budget.  Even with reimbursements to date, there is only about $3500 to last until the end of the year and that will barely pay Ms. Hyer’s salary.  Commissioners said to pay the $5,000 out of the general fund. 

Gary Houston signed a sales tax report for Doylene Kennedy. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                          THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                          OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                          (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                          (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                          (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk 

November 14, 2005   Monday         9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved. 

Joanne Long presented a bill from Contractor’s Alliance for another roof payment.  It is for completion of the courthouse and materials and labor for the east half of the correctional center.  Ms. Long asked commissioners what, if anything should be paid.  Mr. Houston said he has not been up to check the progress on the roof.  No action at this time. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He also presented culvert quotes.  Three were received.  They were: 

Commissioners approved purchase from Welborn Sales, as it was the low quote. 

Leo Comstock asked commissioners for road rock on a dirt road.  Commissioners will see if there is any crushed. 

Bills and payroll for the period were approved. 

Mike Hueston asked commissioners, on behalf of the City of Mapleton, for replacement culverts and rock.  The City will pay for them. 

Gary Houston left the meeting at 11:00 am. 

Richard Johnson, Martin Tractor, spoke with commissioners about road graders.  No action. 

Laura Hyer updated commissioners on the Emergency Preparedness Operating Plan for Bourbon County. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 am. 

                                                                       THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                       OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                       (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                       (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                       (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

November 18, 2005   Friday  9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Cecelia Kramer was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Frank Shelton updated commissioners on his survey work of holding tanks at Fort Scott Lake. 

Jimmy Nichols informed commissioners that he has worked out a revised lunch menu for inmates at the correctional center which will cut costs from $3.10 per meal to $1.60 per meal.  It replaces a hot lunch with a sandwich meal daily.  Commissioners were pleased with the savings. 

Doylene Kennedy had commissioners sign a railroad project paper for the southeast part of Fort Scott. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Richard Johnson spoke with commissioners about road grader lease payments with a trade-in.  No action. 

Karen Paddock asked about flu shots for courthouse employees.  Gary Houston checked with the health department and reported that there are none available. 

Rhonda Fernandez met with commissioners regarding the contract for the county’s health insurance.  Gary Houston made a motion to make Rhonda Fernandez of Professional Insurance Consultants, Inc. the County’s agent for Preferred Health insurance.  Commissioners signed the contract with an effective date of January 1, 2006.  The rates are as follows:  Single:  $414.61, Emp/Sp:  929.21, Emp/Ch $830.95, Family:  $1,327.51.  Ms. Fernandez will return at a later date for enrollment and to discuss the 125 Flexible Spending plan to employees. 

Charles Parsons introduced Rick Scott to commissioners.  Mr. Scott is here to inspect the roof.  He said it is okay.  Commissioners agreed to pay Mr. Parsons a total of $21,594.07 today, by early check, for the final payment of the courthouse labor and for materials for the east side of the correctional center. 

Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act for a Community Pool request.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Sharon Elder, Susan Quick, Terri Johnson, Clyde Killion and Cecelia Kramer, the only non-voting member.  The session began at 10:10 am and ended at 10:15 am.  A vote was held in regular session by those members of the executive board to allow William Fretwell access to Community Pool leave.  The Board voted 7-0 to allow Mr. Fretwell access to the Community Pool leave.  Two weeks have already been donated by employees for this individual in expectation of need. 

Debbie Talbot and Betty Hixon met with commissioners.  Mrs. Talbot asked commissioners for assistance with taxes on Fort Scott Lanes, the local bowling alley.  Bill Brittain explained that the County can not help anything but if she were to put an improvement plan together, she may qualify for a tax abatement.  Mr. Brittain will speak with Don Russell on her behalf.  Commissioners also advised Mrs. Talbot to speak with the County Treasurer about a payment plan on her taxes for the meantime. 

Laura Hyer spoke with commissioners about the National Incident Management System (NIMS).  

Bill Brittain left the meeting at 11:30 am to attend another meeting. 

There will not be a commission meeting next week because of the Kansas Association of Counties meeting on Monday and the Thanksgiving holiday for Friday’s meeting. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                             (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman         

                                                                             (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                             (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

November 28, 2005     Monday      9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Cecelia Kramer, Deputy County Clerk, was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Mitzi Shead, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Cecelia Kramer spoke with commissioners about voting equipment.  The deadline to order HAVA/ADA compliant equipment is this Friday, December 2, 2005.  The equipment must meet disability requirements as well as provide “Second Chance Voting” to each voter.  The state has approved five contracts with vendors for electronic equipment which meet federal guidelines brought about by the legislation after the Presidential Election in 2000.  The deadline for compliance is December 31, 2005.  The State will partially fund each county from HAVA money, based on a formula, for the purchase of approved equipment.  Bourbon County has been allotted $69,600 by the State in federal funds.  Anything above what the State allots for your County will be paid with County funds.  Joanne Long, who is at election training all week, left a letter describing her intentions for Bourbon County.  She plans to consolidate the existing polling places to the incorporated cities in order to need fewer machines.  Fewer polling places will require fewer board workers and will cost less because of building rent and equipment set-up fees.  We will keep the optical scan paper ballots that are currently used in Bourbon County and place at least one ADA compliant machine in each polling place and at the Courthouse for Advance Voting.  In addition, each of the polling places and the Courthouse will be equipped with a Precinct Count ballot counter.  Commissioners would like to keep many, if not all, of the existing polling places open, but were told that it is not cost-effective.  It costs approximately $10,000 in equipment per polling place.  Funding the current polling places with one of each machine would cost over $160,000.  Commissioners signed a letter to the Secretary of State indicating the Clerk has authority to spend County funds toward any machines we order. 

Bill Brittain spoke with several employees who are concerned about the health insurance the County will have for its employees next year.  Mr. Brittain explained some of the benefits in the Preferred Health Plan and encouraged anyone with further questions to call Jennifer Elliott of Preferred Health.  Susan Quick asked if a committee could be formed in the future regarding health insurance. 

Cara and Wyatt Gentry spoke with commissioners about the speed limit by their house on 195^th Street between 54 Hwy and Maple Road (Old 54 Hwy).  They would like it lowered for the safety of their children.  Terry Graham made a motion to lower the speed limit to 35 MPH on 195^th St. between 54 HWY and Maple Rd. and to place “Slow, Children Playing” signs at either end.  Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor. 

Doylene Kennedy asked commissioners about letting people in the courthouse prior to 8:30 am.  Commissioners said it is okay to do so when it’s cold. 

Gary Houston left the meeting briefly to inspect the roof work on the Correctional Center.  Commissioners approved a $9,000 payment to Contractor’s Alliance for labor. 

Accounts Payable and Payroll for the period were reviewed and approved. 

Kevin Allen asked commissioners about the County’s policy on culverts on private property.  The commissioners indicated that decisions were made on a case-by-case basis 

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss storm sirens.  Jeff Davis will meet with the commissioners this Friday to discuss communications. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:45 pm. 

                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                      (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST: