All Commissioners present.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, presented final, unaudited 2011 General Fund Ending Cash Balance. (Includes budget stabilization of $1 million.) The ending balance is $3,842,957. The budgeted beginning cash balance for 2012 is $2,432,049. The variance is slightly lower than previous years; it is used to operate until 2012 ad valorem taxes start to come in.
Debbie Regester, Register of Deeds, said revenue is a little below last year at this time. Their new microfilm reader/printer has been installed. Other offices are welcome to use it. The customer work area is now finished, making genealogical research much more comfortable. She has been asked to submit a site bid for a Register of Deeds seminar in June. Manhattan is an attractive place for such activities. Commissioners encouraged her to submit.
Robert Nall, Director of Information Technology, brought a proposal for Cox fiber optic connection to the Public Works site. Usage has far exceeded capacity for some time. Cox proposed 100 meg, more than AT&T's offer of 45 meg. The cost (after installation) would be $3,000 per month. Cox has signed off on the agreement with these terms; they will take care of any repairs. Commissioners approved the proposal 3-0.
After an executive session, Clancy Holeman, Counselor, said the tax bill to eliminate sales and income tax and institute various changes including a "consumption tax" is moving slowly. The soil erosion bill, which passed the State Senate 40-0, is tangled in the House. Mr. Holeman suggested that at some future time Riley County might be able to take action under Home Rule.
Representatives from Extension reported on various projects. The Kansans Optimizing Health Program (KOHP) will start a new session April 21 (10:00 a.m.) at Max Fitness. This is a self-management program for people with chronic diseases. There will be six, one-and-a-half hour sessions. Annie's Project, a program to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information, had a very successful seminar. There were 27 participants from 10 different counties (9 from Riley County). They hope to sponsor another session next year. The K-State Extension Board Leadership Series training sessions will be presented at Highland College in Wamego on the first four Saturdays in April, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Cost for all four sessions is $25. For further information on these program, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu.
Brad Schoen, Director of RCPD, gave an update on their experience on Fake Patty's Day and provided a revision of numbers. He outlined some changes they plan for next year. The final report of costs will be forthcoming at the end of the month (overtime summary).
Susanne Kufahl, Director of the Health Department, presented requests for approval of seven grant proposals. Grant number 1 is set by the KDHE in advance with no application required. The other six are carefully and hopefully prepared in Riley County. The requests total $809,000. Last year they received under $500,000. All are recurring grants, and all begin July 1. (There are other grants with other timelines.) Commissioners approved the grant applications 3-0.
Cindy Volanti, Human Resources Manager/Deputy Clerk, requested the transfer of a sanitarian position from the Health Dept. to the Planning and Development Dept. Monty Wedel, Planning, said they have adequate office space for the position. Commissioners decided the balance of the salary not covered by other sources should come from Health Dept. funds. Commissioners approved the transfer 3-0.
A restructuring of the WIC positions (promotion from within) was approved 3-0.
Rod Meredith, Asst. Public Works Dir./Parks Dir., presented a list of purchases recommended by the Park Board. (No approval was required, but RCBC accepted the list 3-0.) Meredith reported on the write-off of Manhattan city park receivables account fro 2011 for county care of city parks. Commissioners requested an update on the park masterplan. Meredith said many people and organizations are eager to help with upgrading park facilities (such as playground) at CiCo Park. The city is helping in pruning and removing trees. The city and county also share equipment that's not duplicated.
Leon Hobson, Public Works Dir./County Engineer, requested a change for Wildcat Creek Road from being a township road to being a county road. Costs can be incorporated into the budget. They can phase in the beginning improvements. Both legal requirements are met for the transfer. Approved 3-0.
Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.
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