Shelly Williams, Community Corrections Director, gave a monthly update. In legislative matters, a different method of calculating whether drug offenders need treatment will be advantageous. More resources will be concentrated on those who have serious drug abuse problems, with an increase in Community Corrections involvement and fewer sent to prison. A revision in DUI law restores some local control. Private information of Community Corrections personnel is now exempted from public access (for security reasons). Ms. Williams said they are taking full advantage of the Flex-Time policy with more evening counseling. With an ending balance from personnel shrinkage, she hopes to buy a much needed car through the state contract before the deadline of June 30.
Greg McHenry, Appraiser, reported a slight decrease in personal property valuation, which was a several-year trend. Of 6 small claims hearings (under $2 million), two have been completed. The county's value was upheld in both cases. There are five Court of Tax Appeals cases currently docketed for trial. Four of these are at trial because they have tax reps, who have advised them to withhold documents. Building permits are up slightly and residential home sales are receiving slightly higher prices than by this time last year. The annual reviews for 2012 have begun. These are actual physical inspections of properties. In rotation, each property should be inspected once every 6 years. Approximately 6,000 properties will be visited during April-November this year. The public should take notice that suspicious activity of people pretending to be Pottawatomie County Appraisers has been reported. the If someone claims to be from Riley County Appraiser, they should be in a clearly marked county car, have a county name tag, and possibly a logo on their clothing. Mr. McHenry is President of the Kansas County Appraisers Association. Their conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, and approximately 135 people will attend.
Robbin Cole, Pawnee Mental Health Services Director, made her 2013 appropriations request. She introduced three board members. Legislative activity was positive for her department in that they appropriated $1million to unify the billing system of the three providers of KanCare, and the Governor did not veto it. The state still insists that the revised Medicaid program will be in place and ready to go by January 1st. There are five applicants (out-of-state) for the three providers to be selected. They submitted their Medicaid application by the April 26 deadline, but it was rejected because they did not include two tribal governments. Family-centered treatment (children's mental health) survived without a veto. Screenings of patients for institutionalization will have $74,000 more than last year, which will save the state funds. No one knows what will be the effect of the new tax plan just passed. Pawnee served 9% more clients since 2008, with a 13% budget cut. Ms. Cole requested a 5% increase in appropriations, which was the first requested increase in 4 years.
Jennifer Wilson, Extension Director, asked for a $620 increase in the budget for the Riley County Fair. For Extension, she asked for a 3% personnel COLA and merit increase. KSU has granted a 3% increase for their Extension employees. Ms. Wilson hopes county employees may receive a similar raise.
Mary Jo Harbour, Riley County Council on Aging, explained that her Council is a funnel for 20 agencies, including some very small senior centers in 5 towns in Riley County. Maintenence of the Riley County Senior Service Center in Manhattan is problematic because it is owned by three individuals, called Trustees. Some people are uneasy about county taxpayer money being used for maintenance of private property. RCCA is requesting the same appropriation as last year.
Shirley Delano, Riley County Genealogical Society, said they have the only genealogical library in a 60-mile radius. They have a radio program on line, they publish books, provide research by an expert librarian, have computers available to the public, and usually present 10 programs per year at their library or at Meadowlark. All employees are volunteers, with no paid staff. Their request is for $3,100 for utilities and insurance.
Dennis Peterson, Noxious Weed Director, said all spraying on bare ground has been finished (guard rails, gravel road shoulders, county parking lots, etc.). They also spray for musk thistle and bind weed on county roads. Mowing began 10 days earlier this year than normal. Household Hazardous Waste collection is this Saturday at Howie's. The Solid Waste Committee meeting recommended that e-waste collection be privatized. Now that almost all monitors and TVs are flat screen, they no longer have very heavy leaded glass, which is difficult to recycle and transport. Howie's has said they may be interested in taking over the e-waste. There will be charges for recycling there. Commissioners agreed to recommend privatizing e-waste recycling 3-0.
After lunch, Robert Nall, Information Technology Department Director, presented his budget request for 2013. He needs $90,000 in support for the transfer of the Health Department systems. The cost for necessary aerial photography to update imagery is $80,000. Mr. Nall requested personnel additions of one administrative assistant and two interns. Additional requests are for incorporation of phone system and the replacement of desktop computers on the regular 6-year rotation.
Larry Couchman, Emergency Medical Services/Ambulance Director, said they had 4,215 total calls in 2011, of which 2,599 were transports. Estimates for 2012 are for total of 4,154 calls, with 61.7% transports. He asked for the same budget allocation as last year, since they are on "deficit basis," meaning they operate basically with compensation from Medicare, Tricare, and Medicaid. He asked approval for a 2.5% salary increase for personnel, based on longevity. They currently have five ambulances with one backup (including personnel). He would like to add one in light of increased population and added hazards of NBAF. His main concerns are two: space needs and education. His building was designed for 1,200-1,300 usages, with part-time employees. Possible options are expansion at the main station, new site, new substation, or remodel without expansion. Ms. McCulloh said she felt expansion was definitely justified. Other Commissioners seemed to agree. Planning could begin in 2013, and it could be bonded out, with interim use of temporary notes. In terms of education, all personnel are required to update their skills periodically. His crew is overworked and outgrowing the present system. Mr. Couchman commented that the centralized dispatch is a great help.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.
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