Thursday, April 14, 2011

Riley County Commission mtg 4-14-11

All Commissioners present. After routine business, Leon Hobson, Pub Works Director, conducted opening of bids for Wildcat Creek Road reconstruction and water main improvements. There were six bids. Bids came in under the Engineers' Estimate by over $1 million. Commissioners referred the bids to staff for review and recommendation, 3-0.
Lyle Butler, Chamber of Commerce, updated Commission on Economic Development projects. He said now that the K-18 alignment is set, some companies may wish to situate on the corridor. Good planning by City and County will be needed to promote desirable development. There are two empty buildings in the Tech Park which were built specifically to house call centers. Conversion of such buildings is not easy, but it is possible. Some companies have inquired about coming here, but have lost interest when they discovered the $12 per-hour rate of pay required in order to receive favorable tax incentives. Such companies customarily offer $8.50-$10.50. Butler mentioned some interest expressed by (unidentified) companies from around the world and the US. Most of them are interested in cooperative agreements with researchers at KSU in such fields as fertilizer, cyber security, DNA vaccines, and other vaccines. These are not only connected to NBAF. Commissioners discussed the attractiveness of Manhattan's quality of life. Ms McCullogh asked if the Chamber could help stir interest in the seminars offered by Public Works on Energy Efficiency. Butler said he would confer with Rod Meredith.
Eileen King, County Treasurer, reported on monthly finances. Investment income is holding up. In her conversations with other County Treasurers, King is envied for the "high" interest rate of l.00% which she is receiving. Invetment earnings ar presently at 32.16% of annual budget. Sales tax receipts are down, primarily because of bad weather every week-end in January (the month reported on in March). This meant that people were not buying cars. In answer to a question from Mr. Lewis, King said that as to income from Fake Patty's Day, there are no bars in the top hundred sales tax contributors in the State. In ad valorum tax, 55.53% of budget has been collected. County has collected 25.27% of budgeted motor vehicle taxes. It was noted in passing that military personnel are exempt from personal property tax on cars, but they do pay sales tax.
Clancy Holeman requested an executive session. Granted.
Commissioners gave permission to allow residents of paving benefit districts 30 additional days to file petitions in opposition to a charter change resolution, since they had not been personally notified.
Rod Meredith conducted bid opening for asphalt seal oil. There were three bids. Commissioners referred the bids to staff for review and recommendations.
Meredith conducted bid opening for crushed limestone chips. Two bids, referred for review and recommendation by staff.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, conducted a discussion of 2012 Budget Baseline. In previous years, departments have based their budget requests on the previous year's amounts.The proposal was to have departments base their budget requests on actual perceived need. Some budget items are not in Commission control: e.g. RCPD, Health Dept. Others are subject to discussion and revision by the Commission. Budgeting has two sections: 1) the "three C's": Contractual services, Capital outlay, and Commodities; 2) Personnel. By consensus, Commission agreed to allow 2012 Budget requests by departments to be based on actual projected needs. They ask for full funding of the three C's, and project personnel costs with stop increases only. COLA raises would be computed at a later time in the budgeting process. Ms Shepek will notify the agencies that receive County support of this policy.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.

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