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Commission approves new computer system

Funds will come from special vehicle fund; new equipment should last five years

Staff reporter

Seeing no other option but to replace the courthouse computer system, Marion County Commission approved the purchase Thursday of an IBM networking system for $70,545.

Lloyd Davies of Great Plains Computers and Networking reiterated that the current computer system was inadequate for the number of users and amount of required storage space.

The P10 model would allow up to 150 users and ample space for storing necessary documents for the county departments. To qualify for the next level, a P20, there would need to be a minimum of 150 users which probably will never occur at the courthouse.

A lease-purchase arrangement is available through Infinitec, where the county would make payments with the first payment in 2007. County clerk Carol Maggard was instructed to request bids from county banks for a similar arrangement.

Funds from the county's special vehicle fund through the treasurer's office will be used to pay for the equipment.

Davies said there were few problems with the current AS400 computer system and he receives calls weekly from entities wanting to purchase the equipment. Research will be made to determine the value of the used computer system which was purchased in 2002.

Installation, migration, and the first year of maintenance will cost $3,000. The county will pay for that rather than finance it.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said the county needed to plan better for such expenditures.

"We need to get a hold on what it's costing us," Dallke said. He suggested $20,000-$25,000 added to the budget to cover upgrade expenses.

County clerk Carol Maggard said computer services was budgeted but no funds are being rolled over to a capital outlay fund for future purchases. Encumbered funds are placed in the general fund, Maggard said.

The new equipment should last five years, Davies said.

In other business:

— Lynn Unruh requested the commission consider a contribution to a Flint Hills tourism coalition. The coalition asked for $5,000 but Unruh said they may be willing to accept a lesser amount for the county to gain membership status with the group.

Kansas Department of Commerce, tourism division, has contributed $200,000 to the cause.

The tourism group was formed as part of statewide agri-tourism efforts.

Peggy Blackman said there are people from larger cities willing to pay money to watch prairie chickens and other activities in rural communities.

Howard Collett said a larger group can promote better than individuals.

The commission suggested Unruh contact Marion County Economic Development Council for assistance.

— County treasurer Jeannine Bateman informed the commission that a state statute required a pay increase for all treasurers.

Dallke said the commission had diligently tried to get all county employees to 75 percent of median pay and he didn't like the idea of the state increasing a salary without the commission's consent.

— The commission approved a grant application for $85,000 for additional pictometry equipment for the appraiser's and communication offices.

The $10,000 matching portion of the grant application will be covered by a refund from an agency for funds that were not expended on a previous project. If the county is not awarded the grant, the $10,000 will be refunded to the county.

— Bids will be obtained for air conditioning and heating units at Marion County Lake hall.

Dale Snelling, lake superintendent, also will advertise for a part-time secretary to be available when current secretary, Tootsie Snelling, is not available.

— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa was awarded area fuel bids with a total bid of $15,385 for 6,550 gallons of diesel at an average cost of $2.35 per gallon.

Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also submitted a bid of $17,735 for the same at an average cost of $2.45 per gallon.

— The commission discussed options regarding road repairs.

Dallke suggested road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet and his department use the next 60 days to patch roads.

Herzet commented that it takes five trucks to haul rock for chip sealing which does not leave any trucks available for other jobs.

Dallke asked if any trucks could be rented or leased. Herzet said he didn't know of any. He added it takes a specific kind of truck and equipment for the work.

"Every year at this time we hear the same thing, 'I've got manpower and equipment for this but not for that'," Dallke said. "We may need to devise a new plan."

— Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. When the commission returned to open session, Mark Kaiser was approved for a promotion from an Equipment Operator I to Equipment Operator II.

— Commission chairman Dan Holub requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel with the other commissioners. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

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