Commission ponders pay increases
Marion County Commission is reviewing proposed wage increases for elected officials.
They took no action Monday at their regular weekly meeting but expect to take action this month.
Elected officials — county clerk, attorney, treasurer, sheriff, register of deeds, and commissioner — don't receive wage increases automatically. They must be set by the commission.
Currently, most officials are below the average wage for the 13 counties in a comparison study. The counties have similar populations or property valuations.
Wages for Marion County are: commissioner, $12,348 ($2,612 lower than average); register of deeds, $24,960 ($2,068 lower); county clerk, $30,456 ($1,093 lower); county treasurer, $30,456 ($1,545 lower); sheriff, $32,500 ($2,517 lower); and county attorney, $45,732 ($7,530 higher).
Pratt County pays the highest of the 13 counties in three positions: register of deeds, $31,000, and county clerk and treasurer, both $36,350. Highest wages for other positions are Nemaha County, attorney, $46,040; Jefferson County, sheriff, $45,613; and Jackson County, commissioner, $18,960.
Neosho County has the lowest wages for two positions, $22,539 for register of deeds and $26,195 for county clerk. Lowest wages for other positions were Marshall County, attorney, $28,500; Kingman County, treasurer, $27,840; Bourbon County, sheriff, $27,048; and Meade County, commissioner, $11,818.
The average wage increase for non-elected personnel in the county this year is 3.8 percent.
County attorney Susan Robson requested a three percent increase as part of her budget, because of organizing a tax sale and increases in criminal cases and traffic tickets issued.
"At the current rate we're going to have 290 criminal cases and 500 more tickets," she said.
Commissioners and the county attorney did not receive wage increases last year.
New hours
The vehicle department and treasurer's office will open at 8 a.m. starting Monday, treasurer Jeannine Bateman announced.
The goal is to give customers who work during the day a chance to do business in the office without taking time off, she said. Previously the office opened at 8:30 a.m.
"We'll see how people use it," Bateman said.
Employees who come in earlier will leave at 4:30 p.m., she added.
Juvenile corrections
Commissioners issued a letter to the Eighth Judicial District board of directors, stating their support of a proposal to end district-wide contracts with Kansas Children's Service League.
It provides intake and other services for juveniles taken into custody in Geary, Dickinson, Marion, or Morris counties.
District officials say they can provide the same services with current staff members, saving money and distributing services more equally among the four counties.
"We're siphoning off funds that could be used in our system," said Commissioner Leroy Wetta.
The board voted to end the contracts last year, but Geary County officials, citing their role as "fiscal agent" for the funds that pay for the service, decided to continue the KCSL contracts anyway.
Some services provided by KCSL are used exclusively in Geary County.
KCSL charged about $70,000 in administrative costs this past year and planned to ask for a significant increase, officials said. District staff members can use the same money to provide more services.
"They'll have administrative costs, but it won't be $70,000," Wetta said.
Commissioners emphasized that Geary County can continue to use its share of the funds to hire KCSL if so desired.
EMS report
Seven of eight students in an emergency medical technician class passed all their tests and will be assigned to crews, reported JoAnn Knak, emergency medical services director.
Two will join Hillsboro-based crews, and one each to Tampa, Lincolnville, and Ramona. One student who will serve in Marion must re-test on one area, Knak said. Two others will join the Florence city ambulance service.
Knak also presented her budget, which includes an amount for an assistant director to join the program in late 2003. Knak plans to retire early in 2004.
"When I came in, the office had been empty for six months," she said. "I spent the first six months trying to find all the pieces, and I don't want that to happen again."
There likely will be applicants from the emergency medical service program, Knak said. She recommended the assistant director position be part time for four months, long enough for the person to learn the billing system and other aspects of the program before filling the position permanently.
Commissioners agreed in principle.
"You can still change your mind," Commissioner Howard Collett said.
Lake report
A few more trailers may be allowed in the county lake trailer park, if a long-term plan for a new shop building ever happens, officials said.
Dale Snelling, park and lake superintendent, said a new shop building would provide storage for equipment and supplies. The current shop is too small and leaks.
If it was removed from its location within the trailer park area, three or four trailer lots could be established at the site. There always is interest in lots at the park, though trailers can only be occupied part-time.
However, other factors may encourage replacing the shop at its current location.
For one, all utilities are in place already. If the shop is built elsewhere on the property, sewer, water, and electrical lines must be run to it. At the current location, the shower house and office are close enough that a toilet isn't necessary in the shop.
And it isn't clear where a shop could be built that it wouldn't take away property for which the county has other uses.
Commissioners suggested the lake advisory board study the issue and make a recommendation.
In a related matter, income is up so far this year, Snelling said.
Through Monday, $63,376 has been raised through sale of various county permits at the park and lake, he said. At the same time last year, $61,134 had been raised.
The July 4 weekend generated about $4,735 in fees, up considerably from last year's total of $2,162, Snelling added.
In other reports:
Commissioners stated no objection to an agriculture revenue bond for Lucas Carlson, Lincolnville. The bond is issued by the state.
EMS will begin holding back $30,000 annually in its ambulance replacement fund. Cost for ambulances is up to $90,000. The department generally budgets to replace one unit every three to four years. Previously the budget was $20,000 per year for unit replacement.
Krause Welding offered the sole bid to replace a bridge south and west of Hillsboro. Cost for the 50-foot bridge will be $37,525. Krause has built a number of bridges for the county, using county materials and specs. Officials say it provides a serviceable bridge quicker and less expensively than using state or federal funds.
EMS crews answered 54 calls in June. They were Hillsboro-based, 21; Peabody-based, 15; Marion-based, 13; and Tampa-based, five. Lincolnville-based first responders answered two calls. Durham-based first responders answered one.
Collett asked the county to look into options that would remove the small garden shed south of the jail. It stores a mower used on the courthouse grounds. Collett said the shed was particularly unattractive, now that the depot had been renovated, and that it took valuable space in the county parking lot.
Commissioner Bob Hein said the shed had been installed just a few years ago. "We're throwing money away — that's what we'll hear," he said.
The groundskeeper who requested the shed is no longer employed by the county.
