County Commission Oct. 29, 2009

Board of County Commissioners
October 29, 2009
Julie Merklin observer

All commissioners were present

Leon Hobson, Public Works director, presented a change order for the Law Enforcement Center expansion. When this project was designed, it was evident that more space was needed for the additional computer network capacity for the expansion of the LEC, so a distribution room was added to the plans. The intention was to have the wiring to this room installed by the same company which had done the work in the existing building and no telecommunications wiring to the distribution room was shown on the plans or specified.
However the original company no longer does this type of work. The contractor for the LEC expansion was asked for an estimate to install the wiring. The cost is $20, 608. This work would be done while the contractor is installing the other wiring, etc.
The commission approved the change, the funding for which is available in the Telephone and Communications line item for the LEC expansion.

The Commission was updated on the Regional Planning Organization (RPO). This concept was endorsed in the fall of 2007 by more than 40 regional stakeholders in the 3-county region of Geary, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties. This is in cooperation with other partners in a larger 7 county area including Fort Riley and KSU. A Steering Committee was established by the three counties and their principal cities, Junction City, Manhattan, and Wamego. The committee includes elected officials, chamber of commerce directors, and KSU and Fort Riley leaders.
This committee will design a strategic plan to address initial activities, a structure to define the organization, a budget, and an operations manual to guide policies. The name of the RPO is the Flint Hills Regional Council (FHRC).
Progress on the RPO can be followed on their website www.rpoproject.com