County Commission April 21, 2011

BOCC April 21, 2011

All Commissioners were present.

Debbie Regester, Register of deeds said the 2011 revenue is up about $36000 compared to last year. Recently there was a mortgage of $12 million, another for $1.6 million. There are some apartments planned for Moro and 11th st and others for Denison and Claflin which will bring in more revenue.
Regester said that software is working well and the vender has been extremely helpful

Clancy Holeman, counselor/director of Administrative Services said the administrator for the panel of attorneys that work with indigent persons will participate in the budget process for the new 3 year contract. Having the administrator participate in the budget process will help the panel understand the process and the difficulties of budgeting. . Two of the current attorneys have said they will not continue on the panel

Jennifer Wilson, County Extension Director, reported that the VITA program (volunteers who help with taxes for low income people) has finished up. They received an IRS grant of $10,000 which helped with purchase of supplies and to pay for a site coordinator. Four hundred low-to-moderate income people were helped – this was 100 more than last year and 50 over the goal. Some people were also filing for tax year 2009. There were 15 volunteers. The program has now been in place for 6 years.

Brad Schoen, RCPD Director, talked about the Safety Committee meeting which discussed “Fake Patty’s Day”. There has been talk of possible new codes and the possibility of recovering some costs which totaled about $60,000, not considering the loss to businesses which closed or had reduced business activity. It is the bars that are making the money.

Because the RCPD is funded by both the city and the county and there are new city commissioners, and thus new Law Board members, there will be a meeting for new Law Board members to be oriented to the county’s budget process and how it affects RCPD funding

Monty Wedel, Planning Director explained the Gateway To Manhattan plan as an attachment to the Manhattan Urban Area plan. A formal hearing will be held next Monday.

Pat Collins, Emergency Management Director presented the RC Fire District#1 2011 first quarter Run Report . Fire calls for grass fires were 42, up from 26 in 2010 first quarter, EMS rescue calls were 49 as compared to 33 in 2010. Total calls were 137 compared to 91.

Julie Merklin, observer