Flu shots will not be available until Nov. 9
Call ahead to make sure shots are in
Staff reporter
Flu shots for Marion County residents may be available by Nov. 9, reported Diedre Serene, county health department administrator, Monday to Marion County Commission.
Shots were dispensed to health care workers, schools, county employees, and some senior centers within the county with the anticipation of receiving another shipment of 1,270 doses. Unfortunately, the department has not yet received them but does anticipate shipment by Monday.
The department dispenses flu shots on Wednesdays at the health office at Third and Main streets, Marion.
It is recommended residents call before coming for a shot to make sure the department has received them.
To date, Serene reported 804 flu shots had been dispensed.
In other business:
— Workers began Monday removing mold from the basement of the courthouse. They plan to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. When ductwork will be completed, crews will work from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
County clerk Carol Maggard reported the company, ACT, was insured but asked for direction regarding having county personnel in the building overnight with the workers.
It was suggested that departments with sensitive information should secure it during that time.
Maggard was instructed to check for the possibility of a part-time security officer during that time frame.
The commission approved a contract with American Metropolitan Environment of Wichita, for $1,600 for testing the mold when removed.
— The county's strategic plan was approved by the state and designated as an enterprise zone for economic development purposes. Copies of the plan will be sent to cities within the county.
— Bids will be obtained for the county's insurance for the coming year for property, liability, and vehicle. Currently, The Insurance Center of Hillsboro is the carrier with input from insurance agents within the county.
— An invoice from Hannaford Abstract & Title was approved for $5,925 for title searches for a tax sale. Some parcels were charged $75 for partial title work when owners paid the past due amount.
Commissioner Dan Holub asked if those fees could be collected from property owners. It was determined it would have to be checked with the county attorney.
— Three computers were approved by the commission for the treasurer's office.
Two are used for networking with the state and were not compatible with the county's system. Great Plains Computers & Networking of Marion, had the winning bid of $3,087, and $309 for a monitor.
Other bids were $3,450 from HP/Compaq, and $3,519 from Dell.
— A grievance hearing was held in executive session with the commission and Bill Smithhart, county noxious weed and hazardous household waste director.
Following the 45-minute session, the meeting reconvened with Smithhart submitting his resignation to be effective immediately.
A 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel was held later in the meeting with Maggard. When the meeting reconvened, Maggard was instructed to advertise for the position.
— Michele Abbott-Becker, county communications and emergency management director, requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
When the meeting reconvened, Abbott-Becker was approved to serve on the Kansas Association of Counties board of directors, and to work with emergency management services in Mississippi. The county will be reimbursed for expenses.
— The commission approved and signed a grant application for the health department to receive $22,254 in grant funds for bioterrorism training.
Serene and Shirley Burkholder will attend a three-day training session Nov. 27-Dec. 3, in Annison, Ala., at no charge to the county.
— Cindy Magill, county appraiser, requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— The commission approved a pay increase for Jeff Soyez, of the sheriff's department.
— The commission approved $710,464 in payments and payroll.
— Maggard reported a slight decrease in county sales tax revenue of $43,299 for the month of August.
