County approves computer software, sheriff s car
Staff reporter
The Marion County Clerk's office will update payroll and human resources computer software.
County clerk Carol Maggard presented a bid Monday to Marion County Commission from Infinitec for $12,995 for the upgrades.
The upgraded payroll system will allow employees to document time worked through the Internet. Maggard said grader operators and those who do not report in person could call their supervisor to log in.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he was concerned about that because he knows there are grader operators who go to work at 3 a.m.
"I'm not sure if his supervisor would like to receive a phone call at that time," Dallke said.
Commissioner Dan Holub said the employee could leave a voice message on a telephone.
Maggard said the new system would automatically calculate employees' time and wages.
The expense was not budgeted but Maggard said funds could be used from the courthouse and risk management funds.
The last update to the payroll system was in 1985.
Maintenance and training were included in the quote. The system will be installed by May or June.
The commission also approved a contract with Great Plains Computers & Networking of Marion for "block" consulting time.
Instead of paying $65 per hour for services, the county would pay $5,525 up-front for 100 hours of consulting services at $55.25 per hour. It will provide the county a savings of $975, Maggard said.
Dallke asked Maggard the total number of hours county offices spent for computer service. Maggard responded a three-year average was 323 hours for all departments.
"We're close to looking at a full-time person (employee), guys," Dallke said.
Maggard said there are counties who have that position.
Commission chairman Bob Hein said full-time also includes benefits.
Maggard said the sheriff's office hired the computer company for 47 hours of service and the treasurer's office used 34 hours. The treasurer's office already has a contract with Great Plains for block time.
Hein suggested the sheriff's office consider a contract for block time instead of hourly.
The commission approved:
— the purchase of a vehicle for the sheriff's department in the amount of $10,600.
Sheriff Lee Becker said a department's Ford Crown Victoria was struck during the ice storm. Damage was estimated at $2,880. The car had 196,000 miles and was to be replaced in 2005.
Undersheriff Randy Brazil presented information about a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria with less than 50,000 miles from the fleet of retired Kansas Highway Patrol vehicles.
The commission gave Becker permission to purchase the 2001 if the car met his approval, or a 2003 Crown Victoria for $13,100 if it did not.
— county's share of $6,275 for insurance for community corrections employee who serves Marion County.
The amount was based on the county's population and use of the services. Previously Geary County had paid all of the expenses but determined the counties should share the expense.
— the purchase of a digital copier and fax machine for the district court's office in the amount of $6,009.
Jan Helmer, court clerk, presented three bids from Sunflower of Newton, Image Quest of Salina, and BSI of Wichita. BSI had the lowest bid that included $5,059 for trade-in of the old copier. Helmer said there was $6,500 budgeted for the equipment.
— increase in mileage for county employees from 33 cents per mile to the state's standard of 40.5 cents per mile.
— salary changes for two employees.
— annual noxious weed eradication report for Kansas Department of Health & Environment.
Bill Smithhart, noxious weed director, requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. When the meeting reconvened the commission approved the return of employee Linda Brewer to the department for 40 hours per week of light duty. Brewer was on worker's compensation leave.
— road crossing permits at 160th and Mustang roads for gas well exploration.
