These are the minutes for June 2006, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.

June 02, 2006 June 05, 2006
June 09, 2006 June 12, 2006
June 16, 2006 June 19, 2006
June 23, 2006 June 26, 2006
June 30, 2006

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June 2, 2006  Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Commissioners discussed a SEK Public Health meeting that Terry Graham attended this week.
 
Frank Shelton spoke with commissioners.  Joanne Long mentioned the joint City/County meeting with Frank Shelton Monday, June 5, 2006, at noon at city hall.  Mr. Shelton discussed with commissioners progress on the Lake Fort Scott project.  There is a $2,500 expense for fees engineering fees due for including Crain Addition and a portion of Indian Road into a proposed sewer system benefit district.  Commissioners asked Mr. Shelton to ask if the City would pay half of that engineering fee.
 
Wanda McGilvra asked about culverts behind R&R Muffler Shop.  Terry Graham believes they are owned by the State of Kansas for highway construction.  She asked if the County has a used whistle to put on her property for access.  Commissioners said the State would be in charge of improvements to her property’s access because the access she wants is onto a state highway.
 
Joanne Long presented commissioners with an extension to the dispatch inter-local agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County for approval.  It extends the current agreement to the end of the year.  Commissioners approved it to be signed by the Chairman.  Joanne Long attested the signature and forwarded it on to the City for the Mayor’s signature.
 
Commissioners appointed Frank Shelton as the County’s liason on the landfill contract negotiations.  The extension to the contract is up June 12th. 
 
Harold Coleman met with commissioners.  Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception of the Kansas Open Meetings Act to discuss the correctional center.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Harold Coleman and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:29 am and ended at 9:39 am with no action.
 
Commissioners discussed the County’s 5-year bridge plan.
 
Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the Land Acquisition exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to discuss the landfill.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Frank Shelton and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:48 am and ended at 9:58 am with no action.
 
Dan Copeland, All American, Topeka, met with commissioners to discuss selling cancer and other supplemental insurance programs to county employees.  He compared a Loyal American Policy to AFLAC Cancer policies and discussed other additional plans he offers.  He will check back with Joanne in a few weeks.  
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to review the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP).  The County plan is a general guide.  All cities and unincorporated areas within the county can write their own more specific Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), but they all have to fit into the overall County plan.
 
The commissioners discussed the ISO situation.  Ms. Hyer said that there are no automatic mutual aid agreements within Bourbon County but that doesn’t necessarily affect an ISO rating.  She said that the main issue in Bourbon County is the 2” water lines we have in rural areas.  A hydrant needs a 6” line.  The availability of water is a huge problem in our County.
 
Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners.  He presented commissioners with information on HB 2893, which involves lower prices for inmate medical charges.  The bill passed which will allow the County to only pay the Medicaid rate on inmate medical charges.  There’s a company out of state that has offered to check the claims for a set fee per claim.  The commissioners would like to find someone local who could do the same for less if possible.
 
Marty Pearson spoke with commissioners.  He said we need to have the drive motors rebuilt on the Bomag sheep-foot roller.  He also spoke about a tractor we have.  It needs to have shaft work done.  This is the vehicle which takes loads of trash from our Transfer Station to the Allen County Landfill.  This would be the sixth repair on this tractor.  There’s also a truck at the landfill which needs replaced.  Commissioners would not like to put any more money into the tractor.  The turnaround time on the Bomag is about two or three weeks.  Commissioners need it back as soon as possible to be ready for hard-surface road season.  Commissioners don’t want to put any more money into either of the Landfill vehicles discussed.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 am.
 
                                                                            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

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June 05, 2006           Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Phyllis Plaster spoke with commissioners about abandoned trailer homes in the Hiattville area.  Commissioners explained that there are no codes in the rural area, so there’s really nothing the commissioners can do about it.  They said if there is a safety hazard, perhaps something can be done on that front.  She feels they are an eyesore and would also be a place for illegal activities to occur.  Commissioners will find out the owners of the properties involved and write a letter asking for the properties to be cleaned up.  She also asked about upkeep on the road into Hiattville, which she feels is in disrepair.  Clyde will look into it.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He reported that a truck driving employee has tendered his two-week notice.  We will hire from within, if possible.
 
Mr. Killion also reported on the sheep-foot roller.  He was told by Jim Harris, the Berry Tractor representative, that Berry will let us borrow a roller from Springfield until ours is repaired if we drive to go get it.  Commissioners want to use the borrowed machine so that the chip and seal program can continue as soon as possible.
 
Gary Houston left the meeting at 9:40 am for cemetery business.
 
Laura Hyer reviewed more of the LEOP with commissioners Graham and Brittain.
 
Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about planning for the 2007 budget.  She asked what commissioners want to do about the payroll lines of each budget in order to work towards the figures gathered on the salary survey.  Several options were discussed and the clerk will work up some figures for the commissioners to review.
 
Members of the Bourbon County Extension Council met with commissioners to present the 2007 Extension Office budget request.  Those present were:  Delta George, Ann Ludlum, Dr. J.D. McNutt, Doris Ericson, Jim O’Brien, Bob Love, Jim Womeldorff, Carol Hill, and Lynda Foster.
 
Delta George also distributed the monthly reports for the Extension Office.  She reported that there are 80 eligible senior citizens in the County who qualify for the new commodity program for vouchers for the Farmer’s Market to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
 
The Bourbon County and Fort Scott City Commissioners met at noon at Fort Scott City Hall for their monthly joint meeting.  Those present were:  Barbara Wood, Dick Hedges, Nick Graham, Richard Nienstedt, Joanne Long, Frank Shelton, Bill Brittain and Terry Graham.
 
The purpose of the meeting was for the City and County to hear the information from the County Sanitarian on the progress at Lake Fort Scott towards a better sewer or septic program.  Mr. Shelton explained that surveys will be sent out later this month to all residents and landowners in the affected area asking three questions about a sewer system for the area.  Based on the responses, a public hearing may be held, and a petition may be circulated.  A petition would be required to form a sewer benefit district.  Several aspects of the district would include whether it is for 10 or 20 years, that any sewer fee would be charged by lot, and that the petition would be considered by acreage of the signer.  Mr. Shelton said he has been working off of what Farlington Lake did for their sewer system in Crawford County.  There is interest in adding portions of Indian Road as well as Crain Addtion to the proposed district.  There would need to be an inter-local agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County and an engineering firm would have to determine what the costs would be.  There could be as many as three lift stations involved.  Richard Nienstedt explained that the sewer fee is based upon water usage.  Frank stated that there is a possibility of 141 lots at Lake Fort Scott alone.  Then there is the area behind the lake which could develop, as well as the areas of Indian Road and Crain Addition that could develop too.  It is a several year project if it commences.
 
Mr. Shelton said that regardless of how the survey pans out, there is already more stringent enforcement surrounding the holding tanks at the lake. 
 
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:55 pm.
 
                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 
                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                               (ss) Bill Brittan, Commissioner
ATTEST:
 
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 9, 2006  Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:10 am.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He presented commissioners with repair cost to several vehicles over the past several years which they reviewed.  He said we plan to start chip and sealing next week.  Gary Houston signed warranty paperwork for a new Komatsu motor grader.
 
Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners.  He said he’s not comfortable about it but he is asking for a pay raise.  He cited the cost of gas and the number of hours he’s been putting in lately.  Before he makes a hasty decision and finds work elsewhere, he thought he would ask.  The commissioners will talk to the sheriff and let him know next week.
 
Harold Coleman requested an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.  Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Harold Coleman, Joanne Long and Clyde Killion.  The session began at 9:21 am and ended at 9:26 am with no action.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to go back into executive session, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for this session were the commissioners, Harold Coleman, Joanne Long and Clyde Killion.  The session began at 9:27 am and ended at 9:32 am with no action.
 
Frank Shelton met with commissioners.  He requested an executive session to discuss the landfill lease.  Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the land acquisition exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Frank Shelton and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:48 am and ended at 9:58 am where commissioners asked Mr. Shelton to make a counter-offer on the land.
 
Mr. Shelton gave an update on the Lake Fort Scott survey information.  He also asked the commissioners to consider a vehicle for sanitation in the 2007 budget.
 
Gary Houston signed a three month extension to the landfill lease.
 
David Neville met with commissioners to report on the generator’s weekly tests.  He made four attempts to start it this week and it didn’t start.
 
Joanne Long verified that Frank Shelton qualifies for holiday pay.  Commissioners feel he does, as does any other full time employee.
 
Commissioners signed letters to the homeowners of the abandoned trailer homes in the Hiattville area asking them to improve their properties.
 
Doylene Kennedy asked Gary Houston to sign a sales tax report for the landfill.  He signed the report.
 
Commissioners discussed the county’s bid procedures.  Bill Brittain made a motion that the goal of the County is to use local bids if they are within 10% of the lowest bid and the commissioners agree they are capable of doing the job; and that all bids are delivered to the county clerk to be opened at the same time at a commission meeting to eliminate any appearance of impropriety.  This is for major purchases.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Lee Davis met with commissioners with phone quotes for chemicals.  He originally got quotes for 180 gallons of Pasturegard and 10 gallons of Plateau but he needs more Pasturegard.  He needs 360 gallons.  The bids were:
 
UAP/Timberland
360 gal. Pasturegard
$  42.20/gallon
  10 gal. Plateau
$269.50/gallon
Van Diest Supply
360 gal. Pasturegard
$  42.93/gallon
  10 gal. Plateau
$267.50/gallon
Vegetation Mgmt.
360 gal. Pasturegard
$  42.95/gallon
  10 gal. Plateau
$269.50/gallon
 
Commissioners approved the purchase from UAP/Timberland.
 
Bill Brittain left the meeting at 10:35 am to attend a funeral.
 
Gary Houston signed an amendment to the Preliminary Engineering Report from Schwab-Eaton to add Crestview Estates.  It will cost $2,500 and the City of Fort Scott will reimburse us for half that cost.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 am.
 
                                                                              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

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June 12, 2006           Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:15 am.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Jerry Lyons informed commissioners of sericea lespedeza in a ditch near his property.  This is actually on a state highway right-of-way so commissioners notified KDOT.
 
Louella Howard met with commissioners to discuss a letter she received about an abandoned trailer she owns.  She asked for a timeline to clean it up.  She explained that she has purchased several properties in Hiattville to keep some bad elements from moving in.  The commissioners said that there are companies that will remove a trailer for salvage for no charge.  Commissioners thanked Ms. Howard for her quick response to the letter.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Dan Kelly, Merle Kelly Ford, Chanute, met with commissioners to discuss specifications on two dump trucks.  He also explained some aspects of their company, such as ultra-low sulfur fuel and the fact that they do not use mufflers on big trucks but rather ceramic devices.  He said that the low sulfur fuel is less efficient.  He can also offer a seven year/250,000 mile extended warranty with no charge.  The earliest he could deliver a truck would be November.  No action.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
Doylene Kennedy presented grant paperwork for the LEPP 2006-2007 grant.  Commissioners gave Terry Graham authority to sign the paperwork, as he is listed as the contact for the County.
 
Commissioners signed a Proclamation declaring the week of June 12, 2006, Relay for Life week in Bourbon County.
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss emergency preparedness.
 
Commissioners wrote a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hammar about a fence on their property which may be too close to the road.
 
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

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June 16, 2006           Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He reported that we will be filling the open truck driver position from inside.  The applicant will need to get his CDL.  Bill Brittain asked for a sign on 240th Street to indicate a dip in the road.  People drive too fast and hit that dip and someone is going to get hurt.  Clyde will have a sign put up.
 
Joanne Long reported that Regina Hammar called and said that the temporary fence is down.  She put it up so that her goats could eat the road ditch.
 
Barry Clemons, Kansas City Freight Liners, met with commissioners to discuss trucks for the County.  He reviewed the specifications of the trucks and availabilities.
 
Frank Shelton gave commissioners a copy of the survey that was sent to Lake Fort Scott residents and those others who would benefit from a sewer line.
 
Commissioners spoke with Lee Davis, Noxious Weed Director, who needs chemicals.  He needs more PastureGard.  He said that UAP/Timberland is the lowest bid, at the price we last bought it.  Commissioners approved the purchase, provided he has the money in his fund.  They also approved him to treat sericea lespedeza for the City of Fort Scott’s Water Treatment Facility which the City will reimburse for us, as they have in the past.
 
Gene Parker, SEKRCC, met with commissioners to discuss a computer in his office.  He ordered a part in September of 2005 and it still hasn’t come in.  He is asking to get price quotes on a new PC tower.  Commissioners asked Mr. Parker to also contact RTS, who has ordered the part, to find out what it costs and to possibly cancel the order.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that we lost two more employees in the jail this week.  She mentioned the problem with the way the County pays through payday on payday.  If an employee quits between cutoff and payday, the check is wrong.  Commissioners discussed other options to pay to eliminate this problem.  No action.
 
Susan Quick met with commissioners to discuss a property sold at tax sale in 2004.  It sold for more than the taxes against it.  There was a special assessment for demolition on it.  Bronson wants the money for the demolition special assessment.  The commissioners believe that all past liens are forgiven when sold at tax sale but they want her to speak with Terri Johnson for the legal issues to be sure.
 
Mrs. Quick asked the commissioners if they want her to start sending out letters for those interested in doing the next tax sale.  She would like all those involved to set a date to work toward, so that we aren’t in limbo and we know when the sale will be.  Commissioners want her to put a spec sheet together for prospective lawyers so they know what they’re getting into.
 
Harold Coleman met with commissioners.  Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  The session began at 10:42 am and ended at 10:52 am with no action.
 
Gary Houston left the meeting at 10:53 am for a doctor’s appointment.
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss emergency preparedness.  She gave Bill Brittain a survey for Jeff Davis to fill out and return on Monday as she has been unable to catch Mr. Davis and Mr. Brittain may have better luck.
 
Susan Quick returned to say her interest rates have improved.  If the commissioners know of a large purchase coming up, she needs to know so that she doesn’t have too much invested that she can’t access.
 
The meeting adjourned at 11:12 am and commissioners will re-convene at 1:00 pm.
 
In the afternoon, the commissioners met with John Green of the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging to request funds for 2007.  They are asking for an increase to the $960 annually we have given for several years.  He said that the state will match 2-to-1 every local dollar allotted.
 
Clyde Killion gave commissioners more information about the truck discussed this morning.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 1:10 pm.
 
                                                                        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 

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June 19, 2006           Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:05 am.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that Governor Sebelius has declared July 3rd a State holiday.  This means that the vehicle office will not be able to uplink to the state VIPS office.  Ms. Long also noted that, since Christmas and New Year’s fall on a Monday this year, we are not getting the usual half day holiday on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
In light of the Governor’s declaration of July 3rd as a State holiday, Bill Brittain made a motion to declare July 3rd a County holiday.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Joanne thanked the commissioners and assured them that the employees would be very grateful.
 
Sheriff Harold Coleman spoke with commissioners about qualifications for the shooting range for his department.  They have to qualify on the gun range twice per year.  He spoke with commissioners about obtaining “Old Fort Sharpshooters” memberships to use the range.  He also informed commissioners that he, Laura Hyer and Ron Gray will attend a FAD training exercise in Dodge City soon.
 
Pat Bishop met with commissioners representing the Fort Scott Elks Lodge to ask for a donation to the annual 4th of July fireworks display.  Bill Brittain made a motion to give $500, from Special Parks and Recreation.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Commissioners discussed Cedar Creek Lake and Elm Creek Lake maintenance.  No action.
 
Verdon Dauben spoke with commissioners about road signs in his area which have been knocked down.  The commissioners will have the sign man take care of it.  He also asked if the County would be sealing Maple Road again this year.  Commissioners assured Mr. Dauben that it is on the list.
 
Maury Thompson and Bill Fiscus, Tri-Valley, met with commissioners to present the 2007 budget request.  Mr. Thompson reviewed the programs Tri-Valley provides.  Tri-Valley is not requesting an increase in funding from Bourbon County for 2007.  Mr. Thompson also asked that the commissioners re-appoint Ken Anderson to the Tri-Valley Board.  Bill Brittain made a motion to re-appoint Ken Anderson as a Bourbon County representative to the Tri-Valley Board, for a period of three years, effective July 1, 2006.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Clyde Killion called and said that Kansas City Freight Liners is pretty solid on the price of $18,000 for the 1995 International truck unless they skip painting the bed.  Marty drove it and it’s a pretty good truck.  Commissioners approved purchase of the truck, bed painted for $18,000, from Kansas City Freight Liners.
 
Lee Davis called in to ask if he can purchase 16 gallons of Plateau.  Commissioners approved the purchase, providing he has the funding in his budget.
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to review the County’s Local Emergency Operation’s Procedures (LEOP) manual.  Now that the commissioners have completed their annual review, she will send in the plan to the state.
 
Ms. Hyer also said we have received five generators for emergencies from the Department of Health.  The plan is to disperse them to the rural communities for them to maintain.  The commissioners want an inter-local agreement between the cities and the County to maintain them and to say that the communities will open up for emergencies to house people in an emergency.
 
Paul Pavey asked commissioners to blacktop the road in front of his house.  He would be willing to help pay for it.  He will also update the commissioners soon on changes in Scott Township Fire District 5.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
         
                                                                             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

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June 23, 2006           Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Commissioners received a phone call from Noxious Weed Director, Lee Davis.  He needs to purchase 70 gallons PastureGard and 60 gallons of Plateau.  He will be taking phone quotes.  Commissioners approved the purchase at the lowest cost, providing he has the money in his fund.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present were the commissioners, Clyde Killion and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:13 am and ended at 9:23 am with no action.
 
Susan Quick updated commissioners on the Bronson special assessment.  The City of Bronson wasn’t notified that the property was up for sale.  Commissioners feel that the abstractor should pay Bronson, since we paid them to do the research for notification.  That is Terri Johnson’s opinion also.
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
David Neville met with commissioners to discuss generators.  He presented an updated list of quotes.  They are:
 
Natural Gas
Electric Motor Supply-Joplin
Generac-2 yr warranty
$22,221
Comet Industrial-KCMO
Generac-2 yr warranty
$22,770
Cummins Central Power-Springfield
Onan-5 yr warranty
$25,595
Stateline Generators-Greenville, OH
General Motors-2 yr warranty
$26,708
Central Power-Liberty, MO
Kohler-1 yr warranty
$27,629
Waldinger Corp.-KCMO
Onan-2 yr warranty
$29,831
Martin Engine Systems-Topeka
Caterpillar-1 yr warranty
$31,079
Diesel
Stateline Generators-Greenville, OH
John Deere-2 yr warranty
$25,814
Comet Industrial Products-KCMO
Generac-2 yr warranty
$26,183
Central Power-Liberty, Mo
John Deere-2 yr warranty
$27,178
Cummins Central Power-Springfield
Onan-5 yr warranty
$28,099
Electric Motor Supply-Joplin
Generac-2 yr warranty
$29,912
Martin Engine Systems-Topeka
Caterpillar-1 yr warranty
$33,291
Deems-Nevada
John Deere-2 yr warranty (70 KW)
$34,108
All models are a 60KW 3 phase, 20 8 volts including generator, transfer switch, remote annunciator, installation, start up and shipping except where noted.  Commissioners want Mr. Neville to be sure that the Waldinger quote does not include installation already.  That was what we were led to believe on the phone.  The quote doesn’t state anything about installation and calls to the company haven’t been returned.  They would also like to see all the prices with a 5 year warranty.  Commissioners discussed whether it would be better to purchase natural gas or diesel.  No action at this time.
 
Bob Chase, Sam Mason and Alan Hauser met with commissioners to present the 2007 SEK Mental Health budget request.  They reviewed the Mental Health programs and requested an increase in County funds over last year from $70,350 to $73,000.  Sam Mason informed commissioners that they will need to find two new board members in the near future because he is going to step down and Janet Braun cannot drive at night.
 
Jack Kendrick spoke with commissioners about potholes on 212th Terrace at Bunker Hill. Commissioners will alert the grader operator for the area.
 
Gene Parker spoke with commissioners.  He went to a Medicaid seminar in Butler County.  There’s a company in Kansas which will assist with the claims to make sure that nothing above the Medicaid rate is on the bill.  It would also dispute any claims with the provider so we don’t have to.  This would be for $17.50 per claim we send them and they would bill the County monthly.  Bill Brittain has been in talks with Mercy Hospital for the same thing.  Also, the jail will be under a pharmaceutical inspection beginning July 1.  Diamond Pharmaceuticals is providing a locked cabinet for meds.
 
Harold Coleman, Darrell Spencer, Jimmy Nichols and Gene Parker met with commissioners.  Darrell updated commissioners on the survey the correctional center is working on.  SEK Regional Planning has been helping us.  If we reimburse them for envelopes and stamps, they will finish up the surveys.  It would cost us approximately $200.  Commissioners approved the request.
 
They also spoke with commissioners about repairs to the jail.  They have a consulting firm which will tour the facility and tell us what needs upgraded or replaced.  The consultation will cost between $15,000 and $20,000.  We know there are plumbing, electric, and inmate monitoring issues.  The questions we have are should we spend this money to tell us what we already know or should we plan to build a new jail?  Can we refurbish our facility under a lease/purchase?  The commissioners feel that it doesn’t make sense to throw money at the jail if it isn’t going to help us.  The commissioners asked the group to get plans from both companies we’ve spoken with to see what their ideas are.  We should plan for the future, like Allen County did.  The commissioners asked that they speak to local plumbers to address any immediate issues without extreme construction.
 
They also spoke with commissioners about residency requirements for jail employees.  They explained how difficult it is to find employees from Bourbon County and those that are over 21 willing to work here.  They asked that the residency requirements be removed for jail employees and asked that the minimum age requirement be lowered from 21 to 18.  It was explained that the officers are not carrying a gun so it’s not prohibited by state law.  Joanne Long explained that several of the border counties around the state allow their employees to live elsewhere, simply for the larger possible workforce.  Commissioners are concerned if we can do it for one department and not the others.  However, the other departments aren’t having the problem finding quality employees.  Gary Houston made a motion to eliminate the residency requirements for the correctional center employees and lower the minimum employment age in the correctional center from 21 to 18.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion all voted in favor.
 
Delwin Mumbower, Coordinator, Fire District 3, presented the 2007 Fire District 3 budget request.  It is up about 5.3% from 2006.  He informed commissioners that Don Bloesser is leaving his position as Secretary/Treasurer of the Fire District as he is leaving the county.  The Fire District will be replacing him with Mr. Bloesser’s brother-in-law, who is also an accountant.
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to say that SeeKan RC&D wants a county representative on the board.  Does one of the commissioners want to do it?  Bill Brittain took the information to attend the meeting on June 26th.
 
Ms. Hyer reviewed a letter from Kansas Supreme Court she received.  It concerns courthouse security.  A Homeland Security official will tour all the courthouses in Kansas to assess their vulnerabilities.  She wanted to let the commissioners know ahead of time.
 
Laura spoke about Mitigation 20/20 money at the State level.  She will be putting together a group of stakeholders to see what we can do in the County.  The program is for prevention or minimization of disasters.  She wanted to make sure she has the commissioners’ support on this.  She does.
 
She also discussed communications issues.  The location of the repeaters has not improved coverage in the county.  Since they are side by side on the same tower they are bleeding onto each other’s frequency.  One needs to be moved.  Bill Brittain remembers a conversation with Bill Brinker where it was said that it would cost $10,000 to move the repeater, if it didn’t work on the lower tower.  He said that Richard Nienstedt felt at the time that the 911 fund could cover that cost.  Commissioners want Ms. Hyer to speak with Jeff Davis about moving it.  This would improve rural coverage and lower City firefighter’s in-building coverage by 2% which could be fixed by in-car repeaters.
 
Gary Houston spoke with commissioners about a meeting he had with Jeff Davis over funding for the dispatch center.  When we renew the contract it will cost us next year as we will need to fund some of the employees.  We might be able to negotiate with Mercy to fund one or two also.  There was discussion if this new setup would affect the ambulance contract since they wouldn’t be dispatching the ambulances at the hospital.  Bill Brittain remembered talk of a per-call system where the city pays for their calls; the county pays for their calls and the hospital calls for ambulance calls.  No action.
 
Dan Kelly called wanting to know if the commissioners will be purchasing any trucks.  He needs to know by Monday.  Any trucks we would buy would not be in until January.  No action.
 
Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about a new payroll system we will be getting.  She asked if the County wants to start a direct deposit system for payroll.  She also spoke about the need to change how we pay so that cutoff for payment is several days before the check is paid.  No action.
 
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

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June 26, 2006 Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that they have been invited to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new WalMart store this Friday at 10:00 am.
 
Joanne Long presented 2006 fireworks permits for the Chairman to sign.  They were for:
 
Jake’s Fireworks
S 69 Hwy, North of Microtel
Michele Groff
702 Pine, Bronson
Jake’s Fireworks
Wall and Goodlander
Tami Campbell
Between WalMart & Woods
Hale Fireworks
S 69 Hwy, South of Peerless
Cathy Ramirez
840 N Main, Mapleton
 
Commissioners discussed whether or not to buy additional road and bridge trucks now or to wait until after the first of the year.  No action.
 
Ms. Long asked commissioners to adopt Resolution 18-06, the lease purchase agreement on three Komatsu road graders.  Gary Houston signed the documents on Friday, but there needs to be a resolution assigned to it.  Gary Houston made a motion to adopt Resolution 18-06.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He discussed the beginning of the chip and seal program for the summer.
 
Lee Davis met with commissioners to discuss the Noxious Weed program and funding.
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
Terry Graham left the meeting at 9:45 am to view Dry Ridge with Clyde Killion.  Gary Houston left the meeting at 10:00 am to attend to personal business.  Therefore, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 am.
 
                                                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

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