Thursday, January 27, 2011

Riley County Commission mtg 1-27-11

All Commissioners present.

Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, as Chair of the Budget and Planning Committee, gave Commissioners tentative year-end (2010) balances on CIP, County Building, and Economic Development funds. Final balances will be available at the end of February after all bills incurred in 2010 have been paid. The tentative balance in the Capital Improvement Fund is $3,373,088.14. This fund NEVER has a surplus as more projects are always waiting. $2.2 million will be paid out of this fund for what was borrowed (from another fund) for road and bridge work. The County Building Fund has a cash balance (tentative) of $171,700. The Economic Development Fund has had no activity since July. The County is for City agreement on 50/50 split on Konza Water project.

Robert Nall, Information Technology Director, updated Commissioners on his department. They are still studying options for a communications upgrade. Three systems are under consideration.

Clancy Holeman requested an executive session of 10-min to discuss a confidential legal matter. Upon their return, Holeman summarized legislative matters. Senator Reitz has introduced a bill allowing Counties to do emergency repairs without going out to bid. It has passed favorably from committee. Since the Legislature's website crashed before the session began, it is very difficult to get information on the status of bills. Senator Schwartz has said that the soil erosion inspection bill may be presented to the newly established Office of the Repealer. The Revisers Office is studying credit card fees to the public for all County offices (currently only the county treasurer's office and city and state offices can pass fees to public.). Other matters pertaining to work-site insurance, beer sales at County Fair, the question of making the Health Department a responsibility of only the County, and mental health cuts filled out Holeman's presentation.

Ms. Shepek continued her presentation of year-end balances. With $21,472,000 in resources available and total expenditures of $17,324,075, the ending cash balance for the County is $4,148,743. This latter figure includes encumbrances. These figures will be revised and finalized by end of February. The ending variance from Budget is positive, unlike last year: +$758,785. This is good news.

Shepek then showed Commissioners what CIP projects had been completed in 2010. Most projects were in Public Works, but IT, Emergency Management, Appraiser, Noxious Weed and Parks each had at least one project.

Shepek continued the Budget and Planning Committee report with an update on the 1/2 cent sales tax.

Pat Collins, Emergency Management Director, was scheduled to report on Courthouse Plaza emergency guide, but he was ill and could not come to the meeting. His presentation was rescheduled to Monday, January 31.

Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg

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