RC&D reports successful year years ago
Bruce Wells, director of the Flint Hills Resource Conservation and Development District, presented an annual report Monday to Marion County Commission.
Peggy Blackman, executive committee member, also was in attendance.
The counties currently in the district are Marion, Butler, Chase, Greenwood, Lyon, and Morris. Dickinson, Geary, and Wabaunsee have made application to join the district, said Blackman.
Activities during 2003 have been the sponsoring of grantwriting workshops, range management school, environmental education workshop for elementary students, recycling trailers, water quality, and Kansas Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program.
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta, a council member on the district board, said the foundation can act as a conduit for local organizations serving as a non-profit entity.
The Marion Advancement Campaign foundation uses the RC&D foundation while it awaits its 501c(3) status from the state, Wells said. He added he would like to have more funds available for local grants for organizations and foundations such as MAC.
Blackman said Wells was chosen earlier this year to attend a national leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
The financial report indicated the Flint Hills RC&D ended the year $28,744 in the black.
David Brazil, county planning and zoning administrator, sanitarian, and transfer station manager, reported the costs for repairing and refurbishing of a walking trailer for the transfer station are more than anticipated.
The older trailer was sent to a mechanic for a cost estimate and may cost as much as $10,000. A new trailer, recently purchased by the county, cost $45,900. The refurbished trailer may last up to four years.
Commissioner Howard Collett commented with the new trailer and the cost of getting one trailer refurbished and repaired, it would leave a third older trailer in need of repair but the county may get by until next year.
No decisions were made.
County clerk Carol Maggard presented a special monthly report from the treasurer.
Cash on hand as of April 30 was $6,710,193 with $1,417,930 in the general fund, and $876,881 in the road and bridge fund.
In other business:
— A salary increase was approved for dispatcher Marveena Cheevers following her completion of additional training.
— Commissioner Bob Hein announced Bob Unruh has resigned from the planning commission, effective immediately. A Hillsboro area resident will be asked to complete Unruh's term.
— Ad valorum taxes collected during April were $701,547.
— Maggard requested and received a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Brazil said the planning commission will have a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, prior to the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Subdivision regulations will be discussed. The commissioners were given copies of a rough draft of regulations to review.
— The commission will review evaluation forms for department heads at 8 a.m. Friday, prior to the 9 a.m. meeting.
— Maggard will soon schedule department heads to meet with the commission to discuss the 2005 budget.
— Bill Smithhart, county noxious weed and hazardous household waste director, reported a collection of 194 pounds from Tampa of household waste.
The commission approved a bid for $6,400 from Ag Service of Hillsboro for 2,4-D amine chemical for 720 gallons at $8.89 per gallon.
Smithhart requested and received a 10-minute executive session with the commission to discuss personnel. Following the session, he announced the hiring of Linda Brewer as a pesticide technician/spray truck operator.
— Hein acknowledge a letter from Mayor Delores Dalke of Hillsboro regarding Hillsboro's 120th Birthday and Family Folk Festival/All-School Reunion.
The commissioners were asked to ride in the parade Saturday. Wetta said he would not be available due to his work schedule but Hein and Collett agreed to ride in the county car.
— Maggard set the meeting schedule for the coming weeks.
There will be no meeting Tuesday.
A regular meeting will be June 28. A pay day meeting will be June 30. A regular meeting will be July 6, with a pay day meeting on July 30. There will be no meeting Aug. 2. All meetings begin at 9 a.m.
The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Friday for pay day.
