COMMISSION MINUTES, FERUARY 8, 2010

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 8, 2010, in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse. Present: Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner, Roger Otott, 2^nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3^rd District Commissioner, Chairman, Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk. Absent: Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner, due to illness.

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

County offices will be closed on Monday, February 15, to observe Presidents’ Day.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 8:30 AM.

The board approved bills and payroll totaling $178,782.27.

Ann Hawk, County Treasurer, told the commission that she was returning $3,861.00 from multiuse equipment reserve fund to county general as she did not need the reserve money for her office operations and expressed her disappointment with the way wages are decided for new employees versus current employees.

Shirley Marrs, District Court Clerk, told the board that court employees will not be furloughed in February. A work shared program has been negotiated with the Kansas Department of Labor should furloughs become necessary. In the event of a furlough the district court offices will close at 2:30 P.M. and no telephone calls would be accepted but an answering machine will be installed. Shirley asked about budget reimbursement for mediation fees.

The board examined and approved Grant Township annual report.

Roger Otott moved to sign a letter of request to Washington City for annexation of a ten acre tract for Washington County Hospital building site. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried.

Roger Otott moved and Gene Helms seconded to give $100.00 to the USD 108 After Prom Committee from alcohol and drug fund. Motion carried.

Gary May, Rural Lakes Region Sanitarian, reported in by telephone. He was opening a new permit in Washington County.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, has set April 22, 23 and ½ day on April 24 for free days at the transfer station. Duane will attend a meeting in Clay County with IT Global, a commodities buyer for e-waste and other recyclables next Tuesday at 1:00 P.M. Twin Valley will no longer be recycling e-waste and Duane will attend to see if selling recyclables to IT Global will benefit Washington County. Duane presented annual noxious weed report that the board reviewed and approved. Duane presented three applications for housing demolition from Washington City that the board approved.

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report and monthly budget update. The County/Township meeting is Thursday at First National Bank. The five year bridge plan hearing is set for February 22, at 10:30 A.M. Target areas for the CDBG bridge grant application were reviewed. David asked to buy belly dump and one end dump trailers. The board approved letting for bids after David has specifications written. Bids for mowing and haying at the airport will be published for two weeks.

John Forshee, River Valley Extension District #4 Director, introduced David Coltrain as the new Extension Agent. David will specialize in Horticulture and Community Development.

Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, reported on events attended. Gloria will attend the Omaha Travel Show on February 27 and 28 and the Great Escapes at Fort Riley on March 27. She will also attend the NCKTC meeting in Scandia on February 18.

The board adjourned at 12:10 P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 1:00 P.M.

Sheriff Bill Dickson presented jail income/expense figures for January. He and the board discussed vehicles for his department and a part time position for a jail administrator.

The board spoke with Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, on personnel matters. The board placed a call to Janice Kearn, R.N., County Health Director.

Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, gave monthly update.

The board adjourned at 3:00 P.M.