Riley County Comission July 30, 2012

 Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Johnson presiding.

The Commissioners signed a letter of support for a transportation grant for Big Lakes Developmental Center.  They questioned how the BLDC grant tied into the newly established regional transportation system funded also by the Department of Transportation .  It was explained  there are several different grant sources currently available to targeted populations through DOT but that these are likely to be consolidated in the future.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman reported that a law passed in the final days of the Kansas Legislature this year is creating confusion and conflicts in the State.  The law presumably would require the removal of names and home ownership identification from public records.  Apparently there is no possible way this can be done administratively or legally.  Commissioner McCulloh said this should be an issue placed on the legislative agenda of the Kansas Association of Counties and that would need to be done so prior to the KAC’s August 30 deadline.

It was mentioned that a person attending the County Fair slipped and fell and sustained an injury.  More information will be available later.

Mr. Holeman said he was running into problems in negotiating a new agreement with the Indigent Defense Panel.  Commissioners made the decision to offer a new contract on the same terms as the existing to cover the coming year.

The Riley County Fair will wrap things down tonight.  Attendance figures are not yet available but appeared to be positive.

Tom Fryer described plans for the Kansas Honor Flight to fly four Manhattan WW II soldiers  to Washington, D.C. this week.  Those honored are Rix Shanline, John Roberts, Dr. Norbert Stigge, and Charles Niernberger.  The men will spend two nights and three days in the Capitol.

County Treasurer Eileen King said the vehicle renewal and registration system has become much more stable over the past three weeks.  She cautions that lines still may continue to be longer than people are accustomed to and it is wise to arrive early and be patient.

County Clerk Rich Vargo reported 482 persons have participated in advance in person voting but that opportunity ends at noon on August 6.  Mail ballots are available on the Riley County website as well as by mail or stopping at his office.  He cautioned that voter ID is required.  In response to a question about checking voter ID’s with mail ballots, Vargo responded certain information is required but that issue does present a loophole in voter ID requirements.