All Commissioners present. Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, gave a report of the Budget and Planning Committee, updating Commission on balances of CIP, County Building Fund, Economic Development Fund, and half-cent tax fund for August. She also discussed the Law Enforcement Center surplus.
Robert Nall, Information Technology Director, gave a staff report. First item reported a virus which infected County computers. This was a very difficult and "sneaky" virus, which took three days to find and two weeks to clear out. It originated in a computer belonging to an employee who was almost terminated because of it, but it was discovered that said employee was not in the office when the virus originated. This virus generated web trafficking in pornography, so was considered very serious and great efforts were made to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Commissioners and Mr Nall agreed that it would be wise to remind County employees to be very careful of any e-mails they open--never to open one whose sender is not known, limiting personal use of County computers to only essential activities. Many sites are blocked by the IT Department, including games and puzzles, pornography, racist and "hate" sites. Special individual permits are granted for necessary use (e.g. police department use of certain sites others do not need).
Mr Nall's other item was that his department hopes to use CIP funds to upgrade the County's phone system in 2011. The present is very outdated. The update is estimated to cost between $250,000and $400,000. Ms. Shepek suggested that it might be possible to finance the project, as the saving of $40,000 to $50,000 per year would pay the annual costs.
Clancy Holeman discussed the renewal of the County's participation in the Non State Public Employer contract with Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission. County employees consider this to be a very desirable coverage, and other Counties are frequently asking our officers about how to obtain it. If nothing is done, the contract will be automatically renewed as of October 1. The change is that the County may not opt out of the plan subsequently for three years, as opposed to the one year option previously available. The Blue Cross system (which is the provider) may, however, choose to disconnect the County in one year. Blue Cross also has the option to increase rates at any time "for cause." Since it is non-profit, "cause" would be possibly limited. Commissioners expressed consensus to continue with the plan.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.
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