These are the minutes for December 2008, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.
December 1, 2008
December 5, 2008
December 8, 2008
December 12, 2008
December 15, 2008
December 17, 2008 Special meeting
December 19, 2008
December 22, 2008
December 26, 2008-no meeting
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December 1, 2008     Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that Harold Coleman resigned as sheriff on November 30th.  In accordance with state law, Joanne Long was sworn in as sheriff at midnight.
 
Lee Davis discussed possible amenities for a new truck.
 
John Younggren discussed his mother’s ditch situation with commissioners.  His family is unhappy about what the County has done.
 
Joanne Long requested the sheriff pay be temporarily split between her and Ron Gray as the responsibilities have increased with the resignation of Sheriff.  Commissioners approved the request.
 
Terri Johnson asked to speak with commissioners in executive session regarding a matter of attorney/client privilege.  Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, under the attorney/client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Those present for the session were Terry Graham, Bill Brittain, Joanne Long and Terri Johnson.  The session began at 10:47 am and ended at 10:52 am with no action.
 
Joanne Long and Ron Gray discussed repairs needed to the showers in the jail.  Part of the ceiling fell in this weekend.  Commissioners authorized the repairs and recommended that they contact Clyde Killion to see if someone from the County barn can help.  Also, there’s a short in the control panel.  Commissioners authorized calling an electrician.
 
Tom McNeil showed commissioners pictures of the amount of tires cleaned up by the Kansas Works crew.
 
Keith Jeffers gave an Emergency Management update. 
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
 
                                                                        THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                        OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                        (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                        (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 5, 2008     Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Shirley Goltra was also present.
 
Terri Johnson spoke with commissioners about the sheriff situation.  Upon further research, Ron Gray will act as Sheriff under K.S.A. 19-804.  Commissioners approved compensating Mr. Gray as Sheriff.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  Commissioners discussed the situation with the ditch for Younggren.  Clyde will look into it.
 
Bill Brittain signed the monthly sales tax report for the Landfill.
 
Sheriff Gray was in to discuss the parking lot situation at the southeast corner of the courthouse.  The City said we are not in violation of the set-back but he recommends we ask the Extension Office to park elsewhere in the lot, regardless.
 
Delwin Mumbower and Roger Jones met with commissioners.  Keith Jeffers was also present.  Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 10 minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Shirley Goltra, Keith Jeffers, Delwin Mumbower and Roger Jones.  The session began at 9:45 am and ended at 9:55 am with no action.
 
Keith Jeffers updated commissioners on emergency preparedness issues.
 
Dale Bunn and Dean Mann met with commissioners to update them on the US 69 Corridor Study.  The Highway 69 Association selected Felsburg Holt & Ullevig to do the study with KDOT at a total cost of $350,000.  Bourbon County’s share will be approximately $43,000-$45,000.  There will be a special meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, at 3:00 pm, in the Commission Room of the Courthouse, for the Corridor Study and Alignment.
 
David Neville spoke with commissioners about the cabinets and work in the Public Works office.  The commissioners advised David to wait until the first of the year for budget reasons.
 
Lee Davis met to discuss a truck for Noxious Weed.  Shepherd’s doesn’t have what he needs.  He is also to speak with Elbrader’s.  No action.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:15 am.
 
                                                                           THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                            OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                            (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                            (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 8, 2008     Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Gary Houston present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Bill Brittain was at a meeting in Pittsburg.  Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.
 
Lee Davis updated commissioners on his attempts to find a truck.  No action at this time.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about Election Pay.  She said that the State paid for 95% of the program for her to do the ballot layout and coding in her office.  The actual cost of this service between the 2006 Primary and the 2008 Primary was an average of $6,612.77 per election.  She did the programming for the 2008 General Election and will do all future elections as well.  The contract with the programming company through the State of Kansas has prices frozen until the end of 2010, but after that, there will be significant increases in programming, which other states with shorter contracts are already seeing.  Ms. Long is asking for Election Pay of $5,000 to cover the programming for the 2008 General Election and $10,000 annually thereafter.  That is an average of $5,000 per election.  She said her current Election Pay is $103 per month and she agreed to reduce what has already been paid this year from the $5,000 she’s asking for, leaving $3,867 due.    After confirming that if Ms. Long didn’t do the work, it would have to be contracted out for more money; Terry Graham made a motion to pay Ms. Long a total of $5,000 in 2008 for Election Pay.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Joanne Long thanked the commissioners.
 
Charlie Blevins asked commissioners if the Kansas Works crew is paid by County tax dollars.  It is not.
 
Mr. Blevins also complained to commissioners about his neighbors using a backhoe to clear snow off the road and damaging it in the process.  He asked the commissioners to order them to stop, as he helped pay for that road to be improved.  The commissioners contacted Clyde Killion about it.
 
Gary Houston left at 11:00 am.  Meeting adjourned due to lack of a quorum.
 
                                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                                (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                                                (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 
                                                                                                (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 12, 2008     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.
 
Commissioner-elect Jingles Endicott was present.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Charlie Blevins met with commissioners.  He thanked the commissioners for having the Extension Office park their vans elsewhere in the lot. 
 
Mr. Blevins also spoke about his neighbors clearing the road of snow and damaging it.  He wants it stopped.  The only solution the commissioners can think of is to have the road crew hit that road early while clearing Jayhawk Road.
 
Terri Johnson asked for permission to purchase new flat screen monitors for her office computers.  She has the budget to afford them.  Commissioners approved the request.  She also has a printer stand that’s not in use if anyone needs it.  Commissioners advised her to coordinate with Keith about the old monitors and the printer stand.
 
Mrs. Johnson also informed commissioners that there are several jury trials set after the first of the year.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that the Landfill fund needs to be amended to reflect larger revenues and expenditures.  Gary Houston made a motion to set a budget hearing for 10:00 am, Monday, December 29, 2008.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Jimmy Nichols asked commissioners if they know of anyone to attend the community meeting next Thursday regarding the jail assessment.  Commissioners will try to think of people.
 
Terry Graham informed the board that he won’t be here Monday.
 
Joanne Long asked commissioners to consider amending the sick leave policy.  Currently, employees who have been here 10 years or more receive compensation for 25% of their unused sick leave when they retire/quit.  However, some employees use their leave as soon as they earn it, in effect, being compensated for 100% of their sick leave.  This punishes the dedicated employee.  Commissioners said that they would not change the policy citing that those employees will have a bank of days available should they need them.  They also didn’t like the idea of changing the Sick and Vacation leave to Paid Time Off (PTO) leave.
 
Ms. Long also asked commissioners about assisting employees with their deductible/co-insurance for January and February since any used will not transfer once we move to the State insurance plan.  Commissioners denied the request.
 
In preparing the salary resolutions for 2009, Ms. Long asked commissioners if the position of Landfill Supervisor will continue into 2009.  It will.  She also asked if it will receive the proposed 3% increase that was budgeted for other positions.  Commissioners said yes.
 
Bill Brittain left the meeting at 11:30 am.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am for the Holiday Dinner.
 
                                                                           THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                           OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                           (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                           (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 15, 2008      Monday      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.
 
Brad Rich met with commissioners.  He said the correctional center is adopting several families this year and gave the commissioners a chance to help out.
 
Marty Pearson gave a road report.  The road crews began at 10:00 pm last night and put chips and sand on the roads.  Salt isn’t really helpful at these temperatures.
 
Mike Hueston thanked commissioners for the work they did in Mapleton this year.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 am.
 
                                                                           THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                           OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
       
                                                                           (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                           (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
 
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 17, 2008      Wednesday                2:45 pm
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in Special Session in the Commission Room of the County Courthouse with all commissioners present.  Shirley Goltra was also present.
 
The purpose of the special meeting was to receive a report on the assessment of the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center (SEKRCC).  The following were also present:  Jim Rowenhorst, Jingles Endicott, Ronnie Brown and Michael Pommier.
 
The SEKRCC was built in 1977.  Mr. Rowenhorst assessed the jail facility and operation.  We suffer from overcrowding and there are several repairs needed.  He would not recommend expanding our current facility.
 
Mr. Rowenhorst will prioritize his recommendations.  His complete report will be sent to the sheriff in approximately two weeks.  The commissioners would then request a copy from the sheriff.
 
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm.
 
                                                                                 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                  OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                  (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner       
                                                                                  (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 19, 2008      Friday        9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Gary Houston present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Jingles Endicott was present for the meeting.
 
Lee Davis discussed a possible truck.
 
Megan Welch, TAC, met with commissioners to discuss the preliminary analysis report of the courthouse.  She will come back after the new commission is seated with figures regarding improving the efficiency of the windows and lighting.
 
Commissioners left at 11:30 am to go to the county barn to look at a structure for storing salt beds.
 
Meeting adjourned.
 
                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                               (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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December 22, 2008      Monday      9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Jingles Endicott was present. 
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Commissioners reviewed the proposed salary resolutions for 2009.  They plan to adopt them before the end of the year.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to enter a contract with Diehl Banwart Bolton, CPAs for the 2008 audit and 2010 budget preparation.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  The contract represents a 2% increase over last year.
 
Walter Bartlett introduced himself to commissioners.  He represents a new engineering firm in the area.  They’re in Monet, Missouri and licensed in five states.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.
 
                                                                                 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                 (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk 
 
December 26, 2008      Holiday      No meeting

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December 29, 2008   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.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolutions 25-08 and 26-08, as presented.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Resolution 25-08 is for non-elected positions and 26-08 is for elected officials, effective January 1, 2009.  The positions reflect a 3% increase across the board, plus the second 1/3 increase for those positions slated to receive one from the salary survey conducted a few years ago.
 
Terry Graham made a motion to authorize the chairman to sign a contract amendment with Schwab-Eaton for the Lake Fort Scott sewer project.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted favor.  The documents were forwarded to Dale Yager.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to remove the two week cap on donations by employees to the Community Pool.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
At 10:00 am, a budget hearing was opened to consider amending the 2008 Landfill budget.  Those present for the hearing were the commissioners and the county clerk.  Joanne Long explained that the estimated expenditures for 2008 will exceed the published amount of $199,696 and an amendment is required under budgetary law.  The total cash available in the Landfill fund is $263,179.  The proposed amendment reflects the cash on hand but that doesn’t that’s what will be spent.  She said it is better to be safe than sorry so we used the largest number possible to ensure we don’t have a budget violation.  Upon hearing no objections, the hearing was closed at 10:05 am.  Terry Graham made a motion to adopt the budget amendment as published.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
After discussion, Bill Brittain made a motion to create the position of Assistant Shop Foreman, effective January 1, 2009, at the annual wage of $26,717.19 and to appoint Bill Metcalf to that position.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Gary Houston left the meeting at 10:30 am.  After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.
 
                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                             (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                             (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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