Riley County Commission March 27, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

Monty Wedel, planning/special projects director, gave an update on a proposal by Steve Springer to clarify ownership of road access to his land.   Springer has expressed an interest in building a recreation area on land south of the mall off Hwy 177.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman provided a brief update on proposed legislation affecting Kansas counties.  It is difficult to keep informed at this stage of the legislative session.  Many bills are being bundled together in conference committee reports such as bills affecting mortgage registration fees, taxing of fixtures, and changes affecting operations of the Board of Tax appeals.  A number of these bills, if passed, could have an adverse impact on counties.

Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr gave a general update to the Commissioners on City activities.  Downtown alleys are scheduled for construction beginning in April and extending through August.  The alleys are located between Third and Fifth Streets on Humboldt St. and Poyntz Avenue, and between Third Street and Fifth Street on Poyntz Avenue and Houston St.  Construction on Bluemont in Aggieville hopefully will be finished in April.

The City Commission is promoting the taxing of internet sales with the Kansas Congressional delegation.  Internet sales are having a heavy adverse impact on brick and mortar stores in the community. 

The plans for Tallgrass Brewing Company to move all of its operations to Manhattan was welcomed by all.

RileyCounty Commission March 24, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

The Commissioners discussed a fire that occurred at Pawnee Mental Health over the weekend.  Apparently three offices were damaged but the overall problems were not extensive.

John Armbrust, Governor’s Military Council, gave an update on issues affecting Kansas’ military installations.  He said support is building in Congress for additional Base Realignment and Closure actions.  His Council also is concerned about SB 323, now under consideration in the Kansas Legislature, which would remove the ability of land owners to designate conservation easements in perpetuity.  Such easements are important to military installations in terms of planning for future growth needs.  Bills that would place restrictions on airports and the use of drone vehicles also are of concern.

Brenda Nickel, director of the Health Department and Breva Spencer, supervisor of child care licensing, presented their recommendations for an increase in child care licensing fees.  The Commission approved the recommended changes.

County Treasurer Eileen King reported a team from Kansas Legislative Post Audit will be in her office on Tuesday, March 25, to examine the Motor Vehicle System that was implemented in 2012.  The audit also will occur in other treasurer’s offices in the State in an effort to learn how the system works and how to deal more effectively with such changes in the future.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman offered a video presentation by the legislative director of the association representing Kansas counties.  She reported that, given the time left in the legislative session, it appears some bills of concern to counties will be left to die in committees or be amended to include an acceptable compromise.  

  

Riley County Commission 3/20/2014

BOCC March 20, 2014

All commissioners present

Debbie Regester, register of deeds, reported 2014 year to date (March 17) income for her department of $186,391.  This compares with 2013 YTD income of $279,736, a difference of $93,345.  Regester added that this is not just a local phenomenon.  Other counties are experiencing the same thing.
     Kansas Senate bill SB298 was discussed.  It would eliminate the Mortgage registration fee (or tax).  This would be a great financial loss to almost all counties, including Riley.  It has not passed as yet and looking, at the wording  ( just google Kansas SB298 to see how complicated it has become) who knows what the final bill will be.
    Jennifer Wilson, county extension director, said that the VITA tax assistance volunteers served over 350 low income tax payers.  The two days of heavy snow forced them to be closed, so 80 appointments had to be rescheduled.  She estimated a total of a half million dollars would be refunded to these taxpayers including Earned Income Credit.
     Wilson also reported on a 4H expansion grant of $5,000 which will be used over 3 years.  Goals are to increase the number of volunteers, clubs, membership and retention.  The money will pay for professional help in these areas.
     Ann Smith, aTa Bus Director presented the audit of her department.  The auditor praised Ann for the accuracy and clarity of her records.  Smith also presented her annual report with number of riders  and future plans.

Julie Merklin, observer

Riley County Commission March 17, 2014

BOCC March 17
All present
The commission discussed SB10 which establishes increased charges for copies of records under the open records act.  The previous charge was a flat $.25 per page.  SB10 adds a sliding scale based on number of pages and the time required to provide the copies.  As part of open records, public entities must keep minutes, and the bill added this:
         It would be the duty of the presiding officer of the meeting to ensure that minutes are kept at each meeting.
The Secretary of State would determine the format of the minutes.!!

Mike Kearns and Dave Ekart of the Armed Forces Memorial committee reported on the memorial tiles.  They also asked for an increase of county support  for their committee's many activities from $500 to $1000.  The BOCC agreed.

Gina Scruggs from Downtown Manhattan talked about the progress on Poyntz Ave. Only a few items remain including some paving repairs, new urns with plantings and landscaping.  The alleys downtown are the next projects.

Clancy Holeman led a discussion of proposed legislation. Mortgage registration fees could be reduced resulting in significant financial loss to counties.  SB10 was discussed some more.

Airport road upgrades and improvements on the sledding hill at Cico were discussed

Julie Merklin, observer

USD 383 Board of Education

March 5, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

In December, the board had approved terminating its contract with K12 Inc., which had provided a virtual learning program.  During the board's retreat on Feb. 26, board members discussed the option of creating Manhattan Virtual Program, which would be a virtual program operated by USD 383.  Board members approved 7-0 to implement the year one plans, which call for the virtual program being fully operational by August 2014.

In February, it was discovered there was an error in the Kansas withholding tax tables, which had resulted in 21% of the district's employees owing additional state taxes or owing a penalty.  Lew Faust, Director of Business Services, presented the board with options to help employees with the situation.  One option would allow affected employees to request a salary advance in order to address the additional tax obligation, and a second option would allow employees to request reimbursement for any tax penalties incurred.  The board approved the options.

The board approved the adoption of the 2014-15 school calendar, which will have the school year start on Aug. 12 and end on May 21.

Board members also approved 7-0 a resolution that expressed the board's opposition to proposed state legislation that would move school board elections from the spring to November.