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County will share portion of insurance refund with employees

Marion County Commission decided Monday it will share a refund with county employees who pay for family health insurance and individual and family dental insurance.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the county's insurance provider, issued a refund check to the county for $61,785.

County clerk Carol Maggard reported she had researched how previous refunds had been dispersed. She discovered the county had shared the windfall with those who paid for family and dental insurance premiums. The county pays for the individual employee insurance benefits, so the county will receive the majority of the funds.

Maggard said she also had checked with other county clerks, and most said they had shared with their employees.

The refund was a result of a year of lower than predicted health insurance claims by county employees and their families covered by the county's insurance.

Commission chairman Leroy Wetta asked Maggard if increased would the employees share the increase. Maggard said the cost would be passed on to the employees.

Maggard suggested funds be used for employee merit raises.

David Brazil, county zoning administrator, environmental health director, and transfer station manager, presented additional letters for Wetta to sign regarding recommendations for the algae situation at Marion Reservoir.

Last week, Brazil said he sent a letter to U.S. Senators Pat Roberts, Sam Brownback, and Jerry Moran which was signed by Wetta.

The commission approved and Wetta signed additional letters to representatives Jay Emler, Jim Barnett, and Don Dahl.

"I really appreciate the support," Brazil said. "The City of Hillsboro has been the spark plug. I hope there's positive outcome from this."

The commission approved and signed the annual renewal of a resolution establishing service fees for the solid waste facility, assessing fees for real property, and the manner of collection.

The commission approved a zoning change for Russell Abrahams from agricultural to rural residential, per the recommendation of Marion County Planning Commission.

Brazil said an application made by Brad Putter was denied by the planning commission. Putter was on the agenda with the commission but did not attend. Brazil asked the commission if it wanted to establish a resolution for denying applications. The commission will take the recommendation under advisement.

Michele Abbott-Becker, director of communications and emergency management, said the cellular tax will be effective July 1.

"It's more work for the county and municipalities," said Abbott-Becker, but more taxes will be generated to the county from local cell phone users.

Abbott-Becker reported the radio project was nearing completion. Mobile units have been installed and training session completed. Tampa and Hillsboro repeaters are installed.

The 2003 Homeland Security grant proceeds need to be expended by June 30, Abbott-Becker said. Worksheets for 2004 funds need to be completed and returned by June 24.

Current emergency communication statistics were provided to the commission. In May, more than 71 percent of the 911 calls were from cell phones compared to 66 percent in May 2003. The total number of 911 calls for May totaled 705. In May 2003, 647 calls were received.

Action

— Approved chemical bids for noxious weed department in the amount of $6,273 from Ag Service of Hillsboro.

The commission also approved the annual noxious weed management plan.

— Signed an agreement with Doyle Creek Watershed District regarding permission to flood 90th between Indigo and Holly when a dam is erected which may cause occasional flooding.

The original agreement was approved by the commission in 1992. The district now is progressing to the next step for the dam project.

Gerald Kelsey, road and bridge superintendent, said the project may not be completed due to funds.

Recessed for a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel with Kelsey, Jim Herzet, road supervisor, and the commission.

The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

— Approved repairs to courthouse building due to recent storms. County clerk Carol Maggard said high winds had blown off a chimney cap which was installed in 1999. The cap keeps birds from entering the chimneys. Some mortar also was damaged.

Maggard said the cost to repair the cap will be $150 for the cap, and two men to replace and repair the chimney at $100 per hour for a maximum of four hours.

The chimneys were inspected in 1999 and the commission did not see a need to have them inspected again.

— Approved annual audit report letter to county auditors Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd.

Scot Loyd will be on the July 19 agenda to discuss fees for 2005 budget and audit.

— Acknowledged letter from Kansas Development Finance Authority regarding Eric Carlson receiving a bond in the amount of $80,000. The bond program assists the "beginning farmer."

In other business:

— Maggard said during a routine check, Atmos Energy discovered a leak in a gas line that comes into the building.

The pipe with the leak lays on top of the ground, Maggard said. The pipe needs to be replaced and installed off the ground. The approximate cost is $600 to repair.

— Weather permitting, APAC will seal the east parking lot this weekend, Maggard said. Striping will be two to three weeks after the sealing.

— The commission corrected the April 26 minutes to clarify planning commission board appointments. Robert Maxwell was appointed to replace Elora Robinson not Bob Unruh.

— Maggard distributed spreadsheets to the commission to assist with the 2005 budget process. A list of budgets and expenses from 2000 to present were included.

— A letter from John Johnson was acknowledged, regarding the amount the county receives from indigent defendants. Johnson said $22,430 has been returned to the county.

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