Riley County Commission April 24, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

County Treasurer Eileen King asked for clarification regarding access to her office for use of the postage machine.  All departments in the County use the postage machine located in the Treasurer’s office.   ATA had previously been housed in the County building but has since moved into its new facility.  Personnel do, however, continue to have access cards to use the postage machine.  The Commissioners agreed to allow ATA to use the postage machine but to provide only one access card for that agency’s use. Commissioners Wells, Lewis and Boyd present, Boyd presiding.

Commissioners discussed the process for filling the position of IT Director following the resignation of Robert Nall.

County Attorney Barry Wilkerson said his office is looking into the advisability of initiating a grand jury system.  In situations involving felony offences with three or four defendants, the grand jury can establish probable cause with one trial instead of the three or four trials needed if each defendant is tried separately.

Commissioners signed a letter to members of the Riley County Legislative Delegation opposing passage of SB 298, repeal of the Mortgage Registration Fee.  Repeal of the fee would result in the need for property tax increases at local levels.  

County Extension Director Jennifer Wilson reported the volunteer income tax preparation program experienced a 2% increase over last year in handling 462 returns.  This resulted in approximately $700,000 in refunds to persons requesting the help.  She noted a number of the volunteers assisting in the program are K-State students majoring in accounting.  The program provides assistance to the low income persons and experience for the students.  Many of those assisted with tax returns were K-State students. 

Riley County Commission April 21, 2014

 Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

The Commission convened as the Board of Health and heard from Brenda Nickel, Health Department Director.  She spoke of the role of the public information officer in dealing with getting out routine information to the public and, especially, the importance of presenting information clearly and concisely during emergencies.

The Commissioners agreed to allow the director and public information officer to participate in an out-of-state training session.  The Commission then reconvened as the County Commission.

Martha Seaton said the 10^th Annual Enid Stover Poetry Recitation will be held in the rose garden at Manhattan City Park at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26.

Riley County Museum Director Cheryl Collins announced an open house will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 26, at newly restored Rocky Ford School located off Tuttle Creek Road at Barnes.  The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and renovations were recently completed.

Tours for 4^th grade students will explore life in the 1880’s during tours of the Wolf House Museum April 28, 29, 30 and May 5.  Regular open hours are Saturday and Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Rural Fire Chief Pat Collins reported 33 firefighters with 18 apparatus spent about 150 man hours fighting a fire that started at Holeman and Fairview Church Road last Friday.   Crews were called out again later and spent another six hours putting out rekindles on Saturday.  They were able to protect a house threatened by the flames.  The fire consumed about 130 acres.  The Commissioners agreed some special recognition should be given to all volunteer firefighters.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman said he is putting together information about licensed concealed carry and arranging for a presentation on a use of force individual threat assessment for a joint meeting of the County and City Commissions.

A work session on Public Building Commission issues will be scheduled in mid-June.

 

County commission April 17, 2014

All commissioners present.

Debbie Regester , register of deeds reported the 2014 year-to-date revenue of $268,750 compared to 2013 y-t-d revenue of $342,000.  Estimate of total revenue for 2014 is $955,000.  This is comprised of copy fees of $20,000, recorder fees of 95,000, and Mortgage Registration fees of $850,000.   This last fee is the one proposed for elimination.  Loss of this income obviously would have a major effect
on the budget.

Brenda Nickel, director of the Riley County Health Department  informed the Commission that USD 383 officials approached her about using the health dept. building for a Summer nutrition program.  A food and nutrition program is is established for low income children to provide free meals during the Summer.  The area north of the department's location with many eligible children.  The time span isJune 1 to Aug 8, M- F from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.  The site will be so designated through 2019.  Adults can buy lunches for $3.40 per meal.

Julie Merklin, observer

USD 383 Board of Education

April 2, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Lew Faust, Director of Business Services, updated the board on state school finance, in light of the recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling.  Bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate to fully fund equity requirements, but the bills also include ways to offset the additional funding through reductions.  The House bill would fund transportation at 95% of current levels, would cap at-risk funding for students age 19 (i.e. would not fund older students), and would provide funding for virtual students at 90%.  The net affect on the district would be a loss of $312,383 in budget authority.  The Senate bill would reduce transportation funding by 15%, would provide funding for full-time virtual students at 90% and part-time students at 70%, and would use the same formula for at-risk as the House bill.  The net impact on the district would be a loss of $434,000 in budget authority.  The Legislature also plans to increase the base per pupil funding by $14, from the current $3,838 to $3,852.

Carol Adams, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, reported that students and teachers are still experiencing problems with the online Kansas assessments.  The decision was made to cease assessment for the remainder of the week in hopes that problems can be corrected, and testing will resume on April 7th.

The board approved the creation of two pathways in the Career and Technical Education program at MHS.  The students enrolled in the courses are counted for extra weighting, which generates additional revenue that will be applied to hiring an additional agricultural science teacher and will eliminate the overload expense currently occurring in ag science.

The board also approved creating the position of Director of Early Education Programs to meet requirements established by the Kansas Dept. of Education.

USD 383 Board of Education

March 26, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Carol Adams, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, reported that teachers and students have been experiencing problems and glitches in attempting to take online state assessments.  The problems are with the source of the testing and are not something the district can address.  These particular assessments are a pilot program and won't affect accreditation.

John Armbrust, Governor's Military Council, provided the board with a report on Ft. Riley.  Armbrust said that the BRAC process (Base Re-Alignment and Closure) may happen again, with 2017 being the earliest that it would occur.  The quality of local schools is one factor that the BRAC evaluates, so Armbrust advised the board to continue to make USD 383 a quality school district.  Armbrust also said the U.S. Army will be downsizing, which may result in the loss of 1,200 positions at Ft. Riley.  He said that deployments may also slow down, so the loss of 1,200 positions may not have a significant impact on USD 383.

Lew Faust, Director of Business Services, provided the board with information about the impact the recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling may have on USD 383.  The decision had two main parts:  one addressing equity, and the other addressing adequacy.  The adequacy portion was remanded to district court for further evaluation.  The equity portion stated that there are wealth-based disparities in capital outlay funds and the supplemental general fund, and the Legislature was given until July 1st to determine how to correct the disparities.  USD 383 does not receive any capital outlay equity funding, so that will have no impact on the district.  USD 383 could potentially receive $386,000 in equalization funding for the supplemental general fund, which would offset the amount generated by local taxes and allow for a reduction in the mill levy.

Faust also reported that a House bill that was introduced would fully fund the equity requirements, but it also would reduce funding in other areas.  A change in the formula for funding transportation will result in a reduction of 15%.  At-risk funding would not be provided for students over 19, which will impact the district's programs that allow older students to return and complete their diplomas.  The bill also does not mention funding for all-day kindergarten, which had been an initiative of the governor.  The net impact on the district will be that the supplemental general mill levy will be able to be reduced, but the district will lose funding for at-risk students and for transportation.

For budget planning purposes, the board received a list of facility maintenance projects, which included items such as roof work, playground resurfacing, new carpeting, etc.

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.