County Commission July 15, 2013

During Public Comment Joe Knopp expressed extreme displeasure with the proposed Riley County Public Building Commission.  He directed his comments particularly at commissioners Wells and Boyd who he said did not live up to the conservative values they endorsed when they ran for office.  This happened before the press arrived to cover the meeting.  There was time scheduled for this item later in the meeting but Knopp was on his way out of town. 

The Board approved their budget for 2014 as amended.  The levy will be increased by 1.949 mils.  All departments have been asked to cut their budgets as much as they could.  The budget will be submitted for publication August 5.

During the press conference Jennifer Wilson gave out information on the Riley county fair which will begin July 25 with early events from the 18 through 24 including the 4H bake sale from 4 to 7:30 on the 24^th. Greg McClure announced the 4H project auction.

The Public Building commission was presented with several people talking against it.  The general feeling was that any public building project should be presented for a vote of the people.  People also expressed the difficulty of being at the BOCC meetings since they are held in the daytime.  They also felt that it was difficult to find out information on items being brought before the BOCC.  The commissioners directed them to the county website for this information.

The commissioners tried to explain the advantages to the County of having a PBC but more detailed information seems to be needed to alleviate the impression that it is just a way to avoid having to bring projects to a vote of the people, despite the opportunity to have a protest petition and then a vote, if needed. 

 

 

Julie Merklin, observer