COMMISSION
MINUTES, DECEMBER 31, 2007
The Board of Washington
County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 31, 2007, in
the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse. Present:
Alison Mueller, 1st District Commissioner; Marcia Funke, 2nd
District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3rd District Commissioner and Lou
Kern, County Clerk. Absent: Jason
Brinegar, County Attorney.
Vice-Chairman Helms called
the meeting to order with prayer.
County offices will be closed
on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, to observe New Year’s Day. Next regular meeting will be Monday, January
7, 2008 at 8:00 A.M.
The board approved bills and payroll
were approved in the amount of $257,203.90.
The board signed change order
nos. 2007-29 through 2007-31.
Marcia Funke moved to sign
the contract with Pawnee Mental Health Services for 2008. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried.
Marcia Funke moved to sign a
contract with Pierce, Faris and Company, Chtd., for auditing the 2007 budget
and preparation of the 2009 budget.
Gene Helms seconded and motion carried.
Chairman Mueller signed 2008
cereal malt beverage licenses for 15x36 Truck Stop, Morrowville, and Pony
Express Service Center, Hanover.
Don Richardson, custodian,
reported on routine matters. Gene Helms
moved to adopt Resolution No. 19-07 transferring $478.00 from Janitor’s fund to
Multi Use Equipment Reserve. Marcia
Funke seconded and motion carried.
The commission examined
inventories for county attorney; economic development; appraiser; noxious weed
and solid waste, and emergency management departments.
The board granted a 25 cent
per hour cost of living adjustment to all full time and part time employees,
effective January 1, 2008. Seasonal,
temporary and “as needed” employees will not receive the raise.
The board examined
evaluations for most county employees and Chairman Mueller signed payroll
change notices effective January 1, 2008.
The board met with department heads to perform evaluations and Chairman
Mueller signed payroll change notices effective January 1, 2008, for all
appointed and elected department heads.
Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and
Solid Waste Director, reported on maintenance matters. Duane and Kathie Otney
Deputy, will meet with
Francine Regan, Appraiser; Bev Finlayson, Deputy Appraiser; Lou Kern, County
Clerk, and Kathy Fritz, Deputy Clerk to review solid waste assessment
fees. Gene Helms moved to adopt
Resolution No. 20-07 transferring $12,000.00 from Noxious Weed fund to Multi
Use Equipment Reserve fund. Marcia
Funke seconded and motion carried.
Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, gave December
update of events and spoke of upcoming events in January, 2008.
Sheila Ouellette,
Communications Director, spoke with the board regarding transfers from
Communications, Jail and Sheriff funds.
Marcia Funke moved to adopt Resolution 21-07 transferring $3,000.00 from
Communications fund to Multi Use Equipment Reserve. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried. Marcia Funke moved to adopt Resolution 22-07 transferring
$20,000.00 from Jail fund to Multi Use Equipment Reserve. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried. Gene Helms moved to adopt Resolution No.
23-07 transferring $25,000.00 from Sheriff fund to Multi Use Equipment
Reserve. Marcia Funke seconded and
motion carried.
Gene Helms moved to adopt
Resolution No. 24-07 transferring $4,000.00 from the Appraiser’s fund to Multi
Use Equipment Reserve. Marcia Funke
seconded and motion carried.
Christy L’Ecuyer, Business
Coordinator, joined Francine Regan, County Appraiser, to discuss whether
replacing a roof on a building would constitute receiving a tax refund under
the Restated and Amended Revitalization Plan.
The cost of new construction under the plan must be more than $10,000.00
in order for a business to qualify under the plan. The matter will be taken under advisement with the County
Attorney. At 11:57 A.M. Gene Helms
moved to go into executive session with Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator,
for 5 minutes under the trade secrets/confidential data exception. Marcia Funke seconded and motion
carried. At 12:02 the board returned to
regular session. No action was
taken. Marcia Funke moved to Resolution
No. 25-07 transferring $6,000.00 from Economic Development fund to Multi Use
Equipment Reserve. Gene Helms seconded
and motion carried. Christy gave an
update of items that she is working on.
The board adjourned at 12:20
P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 1:00
P.M.
David Willbrant, Public Works
Administrator, gave weekly work report.
Gene Helms moved to adopt Resolution No. 26-07 transferring $90,000.00
from Road and Bridge fund to Special Machinery. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried. Topics for the county/township meeting were
discussed.
Debbie Swoboda, Emergency
Management Coordinator, presented a listing of FEMA payments received
throughout Washington County for 2007 flood damage totaling $656,295.88. It was decided that EFM, Lawrence, will
prepare a mitigation plan. The recent
ice storm has been declared a disaster.
A meeting is set for 10:00 A.M. January 2 at the Fire House in
Washington. Purchase of a portable
generator to use in the event that a warming shelter would be needed was
discussed. Debbie is to look into the
cost of purchasing through federal surplus property. Gene Helms moved to adopt Resolution No. 27-07 transferring
$1500.00 from Emergency Management fund to Multi Use Equipment Reserve. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.
Janice Kearn, R.N., County
Health Director, presented inventory.
The board signed pandemic influenza grant award in the amount of
$6063.00.
Cindy McCall, Washington
County News reporter, asked the board how the jail will be paid for. The board answered that revenue bonds were
issued and housing prisoners will pay the bonds. Marshall, Republic and Clay Counties have previously been
housing our prisoners. The jail should
be able to break even and pay for itself with no effect on taxes.
The board adjourned at 3:45
P.M.
BOARD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: ________________________________
Alison Mueller, Chairman
__________________________ ________________________________
Louella Kern Marcia Funke, Member
County Clerk
________________________________
Gene Helms, Member