COMMISSION MINUTES, MARCH 17, 2008         

 

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 17, 2008, 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; Jason Brinegar, County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk.   

 

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with a prayer.

 

Next regular meeting will be Monday, March 24, 2008 at 8:00 A.M. 

 

The board signed change orders 2007-51 and 2007-62.

 

The board approved and signed the official minutes from January 22, 2008 through March 10, 2008.

 

Seven drawings have been submitted for the veterans’ memorial at the airport.   The commission asked Lou Kern, County Clerk, to arrange a meeting with American Legion Council members and airport board members to review the drawings.

 

The board approved and Chairman Helms signed official bond and affidavit of sureties for Terri Gauby as Washington Township Treasurer.

 

Alison Mueller moved to give $100.00 each to Linn High School After Prom Party and Clifton Clyde High School After Prom Party from alcohol and drug fund.  Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.

 

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, updated the board on routine maintenance matters.  Discussion centered around rotating individual employees on a four day work week perhaps on a Monday through Thursday and Tuesday through Friday with employees working a 10 hour day.  No decision was made.

 

Everett Lutjemeier, Washington County Hospital Administrator; Ted Lillie, Washington County Hospital Board President, and Frank Albert, Jackson & Associates, Evergreen, CO, met with the board.  Also present was Tom Parker, Washington County News reporter.  Everett presented information from Stillwater National Bank, Rural Business Development, Healthcare Division, stating that the bank would prefer that the commission obligate 6 mills to fund hospital bond and interest payments. Currently the hospital receives funding in the amount of $204,000.00 or 3.48 mills.  Medicare will pay 60% or more of the projected costs of the hospital construction.  Everett spoke about the need to insure payments on the 12 million dollar construction with an estimated interest rate of 5%.  Proposed payment schedules for the 3 million or 4 million dollars that would need to be financed with revenue bonds were reviewed.  If the bonds could be issued through the Washington County Public Building Commission then local bankers would be allowed to invest.  Mr. Albert informed the board that his firm specializes in fund raising support for community hospitals.  Various issues were discussed.  The commission asked if an investment bank would accept 5 mills to be put aside to insure bond and interest payments without making a definite decision.

 

The board adjourned at 12:05 P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 12:50 P.M.

 

Sheila Ouellette, Communications Director, presented pay request on the jail facility that was signed.

 

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report and monthly budget report.  The board approved the purchase of a road broom from State Surplus for $6400.00.  The North Central Kansas Highway Official Association meeting is Thursday in Lincoln, Kansas.  Gene Helms and Alison Mueller will be attending.

Potholes on B Street will be addressed as soon as weather permits.

 

Alison Mueller moved and Marcia Funke seconded to sign an agreement with Allied Information Solutions to allow the aerial mapping to be scheduled.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 P.M.

                                               

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    BOARD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY                                                                                                          COMMISSIONERS

 

ATTEST:                                                                     ________________________________

                                                                                    Gene Helms, Chairman

 

__________________________                                            ________________________________

Louella Kern                                                                Marcia Funke, Member  

County Clerk                                   

                                                                                    ________________________________

                                                                                    Alison Mueller, Member