Riley County Commission July 26, 2012

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Johnson presiding.

Two 4-H members distributed cookies to the Commissioners to express appreciation for their support and to call attention to the upcoming Riley County Fair.

The auditing firm of Sink and Gilmore presented the findings of their recent audit of the County Health Department.  There were no deficiencies cited and no evidence of non-compliance was reported.  They provided their highest level of approval.

County Attorney Barry Wilkerson gave his general update to the Commission.  A murder trial that started in 2009 looks like it will be finalized early in August.  Wilkerson noted more serious offences often take a long time to get through the court system.  He expects the newly appointed 3^rd District Court Judge to be located in Riley County early in September.

Assistant County Counselor Craig Cox discussed difficulties in resolving issues involving a house located in Fairmont Park.  The property is not habitable.  Apparently it was foreclosed on years ago and the title bought and sold numerous times by various debt bundling entities.  He has been trying to find the owner for 4 years.  Commissioners discussed the advisability of initiating a condemnation proceeding to solve the problem. 

County Counselor Clancy Holeman presented Commissioners with proposed language regarding the ballot question to allow a ¼ cent sales tax to be issued on behalf of the County.  A question was raised about the length of the wording. Holeman explained that such ballot issues generally should be phrased in one sentence that is a question that can be answered yes or no.  Approval was given also to a draft of a proposed interlocal agreement with the cities of Randolph, Leonardville, Ogden and Riley to distribute ¼ of any sales tax amount received. The proposal will be provided to the cities for input prior to being submitted to the Attorney General’s Office for approval.

Mary Jo Harbour, Chair of the Riley County Council on Aging, discussed concerns her board has about a funding request from the Randolph Blue Valley Senior Center.  The concerns relate to requests to improve property used by the Center but not owned by the Center.  Commissioners were not pleased with a letter sent to the Center director that implied it was the County Commissioners who were raising questions when the questions actually were those raised by the Council and Ms. Harbour..  It was agreed that any decisions for the distribution of funds should be made by the Riley County Council on Aging since the board was appointed by the County Commission for that purpose.