Thursday, August 29, 2013

Riley County Comission August 29, 2013






 Joan Strickler, observer

 

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Lewis presiding.

Rebecca Bishop, Extension Associate in Agricultural Economics, presented her findings in a report comparing county revenues and expenditures in 13 Kansas counties generally comparable to Riley.   In summarizing her report Bishop found that, of the 13 counties in the study, Riley had the lowest per capita expenditures and revenues in 2011, the year studied.  Riley spent slightly less than the 13 county average on road and bridge expenditures.  Riley spent the least among its peers on public safety due to the consolidation of County and City law enforcement.

Of all the counties studied, Riley had the lowest property tax revenues per capita in 2011.  She credits the County’s low mill levy and assessed valuation most likely in explaining that result.

Brenda Nickel, Director of the Health Department, described her department’s Raising Riley Right program focused on children’s early learning activities.  The program is funded with dollars made available through the tobacco settlement.  The department has the funds, but needs permission to fill the additional position required.  The permission was granted.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman held a work session on requirements of Kansas’ Open Meetings Act.  While the Act itself is relatively brief, numerous decisions from the Attorney General’s office must be taken into consideration in determining how the Act applies.  It does not just apply to formal meetings.  It applies any time a majority of the governing body discusses business.  When the majority of the body engages in communications while together, over the phone, through email or even on Facebook, a violation can occur.  If the purpose is to “subvert the Act” by avoiding an open meeting, a violation has occurred.  This would include using an intermediary person to carry messages from one to another.

The only notice requirements of the Act pertain to persons who request the information.  No actual requirement exists for the giving of public notice.

 

Monday, August 26, 2013

USD 383 Board of Education

Aug. 21, 2013
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

The board held a public hearing for the proposed 2013-14 budget, and no members of the public wished to comment.  Board members approved 7-0 the budget with mill levy of 52.464 mills, which represented an increase of 3.3%.

Board members were presented with information regarding approximately 30 acres of property in Pottawatomie County for the site of a future elementary school.  BG Consultants had evaluated the site and found few issues with the site.  The site currently has no sewer or water services, but there were nearby services to connect to and the possibility that services will expand to the area as development continues in the area.  The board approved 7-0 to proceed with closing on purchasing the property.

BG Consultants also provided the board with information about the facility analysis that had been completed on College Hill Preschool.  Some aspects of the facility were in good condition, such as the foundation, windows, and doors.  Many other aspects of the facility were in poorer condition and in need of repairs/replacement or were not in compliance with modern codes, including the roof, HVAC and electrical systems, and the handicapped ramp for accessibility.  BG Consultants estimated it would cost $1,379,547 to make necessary improvements, and it would cost $1,353,535 to construct a new building of the same footprint.  Dave Colburn described the analysis as "sobering," and Dr. Bob Shannon, Superintendent, said that to make the preschool modern and appropriate would be a significant project.  Dr. Shannon recommended that the College Hill discussion should be sent to the Facilities and Growth Committee for further analysis and ideas.

USD 383 Board of Education

Aug. 7, 2013
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

The board discussed the 2013-14 budget and three options for mill levies.  An additional $1.6 million in revenue is needed in order to fund the district's needs.  The tax increase for the average homeowner ranged from $73 to $80, and Aaron Estabrook commented that the difference between the three options for the average homeowner was relatively small.  All three options involved using reserve funds, and Leah Fliter and Darell Edie were concerned about drawing down the reserve and favored options that used less of the reserve funds.  The board approved 4-3 the budget option that would use $810,000 of reserve funds and increase the Local Option Budget by 1.99 mills.  Edie, Estabrook, and Fliter dissented.

Several members of the public addressed the board about 7th graders at Anthony Middle School not being able to take choir as a result of high student interest in choir and a lack of spots.  The middle school choir teacher is shared between the two middle schools, limiting the teacher's availability.  Dave Colburn explained that the board had not made any budget cuts that might have impacted middle school choir.  Dr. Bob Shannon, Superintendent, said that administration would give it some thought to if see something could be figured out.

Riley County Commission August 26, 2013








Joan Strickler, observer
 

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Lewis presiding.

There was discussion of how the courts in Kansas are addressing the concealed carry legislation.

According to Counselor Clancy Holeman, it appears the courts are all over the map on how to deal with the new law.  A judge has the power to ban weapons from his or her courtroom, however a bailiff might be needed to enforce the ban.  It’s unlikely that the State will fund such requests for additional personnel.

Budget Director Johnette Shepek reviewed the financial status of the County to date.  She mentioned that interest rates for borrowing are rising but still relatively low.  Riley County has a AA rating.  When she inquired about obtaining a AAA rating she found that demographics beyond what the County controls enter into the rating.  For instance not only the County’s level of debt is considered but also that of the City.  Additionally such things as income levels of County residents come into play.

Human Resource Manager Cindy Volanti described plans for the County employees Columbus Day Training on October 14.  All County offices will be closed on that day.

Riley County Museum Director Cheryl Collins Invited interested persons to attend a brown bag lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. on September 5 at the Museum.  Artist Tom Parrish will discuss Flint Hills root cellars.

Commissioners signed a proclamation declaring September 2013 as Mental Health Recovery Month.

 

 

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Health Department Advisory Board Meeting
July 24, 2013    4PM
    Dr. Paul Hesse, vice chairman led the meeting as Ginny
Barnard, who is in extension, is busy this month with the Riley County Fair.
    Brenda Nichols, Health Department Administrator, reported
what she termed “good news” that the Riley County Commissioners
had approved the budget without any changes. The Commissioners
noted that the mil levy will be 1.9 points higher and that this
was primarily because the County took on the total responsibility for the Health Department from the prior cooperative City/County support.  The budget is at about 3.7 million dollars for the year and grants provide about 70% of the budget.  Ms. Nichols noted that the year was started with $50,000 or a little bit above.  She complimented Paula Pederson, Office Manager(since February), for her work concerning past billing for Medicaid and Medicare which has required much research. She is now ready to do some past billing for 2011 and 2012 seeking reimbursement for past services.
    New paper work had to be submitted. With the new insurance systems coming in and because of the change in the name of the Health Department, designation as an approved health care provider had to be reinstated.  There is a time limit on billing so that regaining reimbursement for 2011 is somewhat “iffy” but worth trying.   
    Karen McCulloh suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to the Commissioners as funding is very tough at this time and everyone is trying to keep funding flat.  Their support of the Health Department is vital and very welcome.  Debbie Nuss offered to write the letter and submit it to Ginny Barnard as Chair of the Committee and to do it as a Letter to the Editor so that the public will also know about the funding issues.
    Ms. Nichols also noted that staff is working on simplifying the web site emphasizing the ability of the clinic to accept, Medicaid, Medicare, other insurances, credit cards, and that the
clinic sliding scale goes to zero and that no one is ever turned away.   Further activities include surveying the use of the buildings and Ms. Nichols estimates that 30% of the buildings are being used for storage of old records and the like.  Ms. Nichols feels that the Health Department has programs that could be using those rooms.  The Wharton Manor building is using both floors and there is some possibilities of consolidating some programs and making the second floor available to other County
needs.     
    The question as to the best operating hours for the Department especially as to the current closing of the Health Department at noon on Friday was discussed at length. Ms. Nichols noted that in her experience when problems occur it is often on a Friday afternoon. The Health Department is currently open until 7 PM on Thursdays. Dr. Hesse noted that when outbreaks or other Public Health issues occur often it is on a Friday afternoon and it has been difficult to make contact.  Karen McCulloh noted that the hours had been an issue for 20 years.  It is important, she stated, that the Health Department be available when people have health issues and with both parents working frequently these issue become apparent at 5 or later in the evening. Discussion continued with a suggestion that hours for staff be more flexible and even possibly the clinic should be open Saturday morning for a while and see how that would benefit the community. Ms. Nichols responded that the role of Public Health, i.e. “Protection, Prevention, and Preparedness” as well as “Promotion of Public Health” may not justify being open all Saturdays but certainly many times programs and outreach will occur on weekends and evenings.
    Next, Susan Reed, Executive Director of the Flint Hills Clinic was introduced. Ms. Reed’s presentation is a follow up from last meeting’s visit with the Konza Clinic in Junction City, a Federal Qualified Health Clinic or FQHC as the committee focuses  on the meeting of primary care needs in the community.
    At the Flint Hills Clinic all the services are free and all services are provided by volunteers.  There are two paid positions, that of Executive Director and Patient Coordinator. Patients must be uninsured and at 100% of the poverty level or lower and must live in Riley County. Those living in the  part of the city out of county are not eligible.  The clinic has about 140 volunteers including two Doctors and can refer to specialists in Manhattan, Topeka, and Kansas City who also do accept patients on a charity basis. Most of their clients are the “working poor” and are not people “living off the system”. Frequently clients are helped to apply for benefits and insurance that they did not realize were available to them. Several volunteering social workers work with this. Some medications are kept in stock because it has been found that clients sometimes have to wait two weeks until they get paid before they can pay for the $4 medication which is needed immediately. The clinic is open about 12 hours a week. Ms. Nichols expressed interest in visiting the clinic and especially seeing if there is duplication of services. 

Submitted by Sue Cohen