Commission approves KDOT agreement for reimbursement
County considers options for pay increases
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission approved an agreement Monday with Kansas Department of Transportation for reimbursements up to $450,000.
The agreement was proposed by KDOT due to increased traffic on county roads while U.S.-77 is closed for construction.
— Longevity bonuses and pay raises for county employees were discussed.
County department heads asked the commission to consider pay increase programs that would reward employees for staying on the job.
Cindy Magill, county appraiser, said Butler County rewards employees with annual bonuses in November. The amounts of the bonuses are dependent on the number of years of service.
"When new employees are hired, they start at the same pay as employees with 10 years of longevity," said Magill. "People with longevity are valuable to the county."
The group of department heads also reported that point value job classifications were askew.
"The previous commission allowed a set median (pay range)," said Michele Abbott-Becker, director of communications, "but for some employees who are at 80 percent (pay range), they will not receive a pay increase."
The group said they were not in favor of "scrapping" the program but need direction from the commission in equal pay increases.
No pay increases for two years contributed to the problem, Abbott-Becker said.
County clerk Carol Maggard said merit raises were determined on an annual basis because employees were not at 100 percent median pay.
The program has been in place for more than five years. When first formulated, comparisons were made with other counties with similar population and tax base. Cost comparisons are not completed annually because of the cost, said Maggard.
Commissioner Dan Holub agreed that longevity was important. He compared the pay system to that of the military that has a maximum an employee can be paid.
"The longer an employee is here, the less merit raise they receive because they are near the cap (maximum)," said Abbott-Becker. "It's hard to keep trained personnel when cities (within the county) pay more."
Maggard suggested longevity pay be based on the same increments as vacation benefits.
She also suggested eliminating "across the board" raises, where everyone gets the same increase, and just do merit and longevity.
The county's classification committee is comprised of county employees. All employees eventually will have the opportunity to serve on the committee.
The commission suggested a new classification committee be appointed and department heads develop options for longevity and merit raises.
Holub suggested longevity pay increases be a percentage of the amount employees earn instead of a set amount.
Any changes will not go into effect until 2007, since the 2006 budget has been set.
In other business:
— After further consideration, the commission is not certain it wants to provide 50 percent of costs for street projects in Peabody.
Peabody city officials had asked the commission to consider paying for half of an overlay project for city streets that connect with county roads. Cost estimates were obtained from the county engineer and contractor that is doing county road work in the Peabody area.
The total cost would be $21,014, with the county's portion being $10,500.
"How do we determine what we do in the future with other towns?" asked commissioner Randy Dallke.
The county and cities signed an agreement in 1973, that gave county assistance to cities for connecting roads.
The commission voiced concerns of providing $10,000 for Peabody and other cities requesting similar assistance.
— Tom Job, administrator of KCAMP, provided insurance premium information to the commission and was instructed to provide a quote.
Job had contacted the commission and asked if it wanted a quote for property and liability insurance.
Numerous benefits are available for KCAMP customers that included defensive driving programs, law enforcement tuition reimbursement, and loss control information.
Premiums for new vehicles, equipment, or buildings up to $1 million purchased during the year are not billed until the next contract year, said Job, which could be a tremendous savings for the county.
Updates are completed in the fall to determine premiums for the coming contract year.
"Coverage is broad and unequal to other insurance companies," said Job.
The last time KCAMP provided a bid to the county, the premium was $10,000 less than the competitor, Job said.
He suggested the commission contact its current carrier and allow presentations two weeks before the county's insurance premium comes due.
— The county will move forward with a Heritage Trust Fund grant to restore courthouse windows.
Dan Hall of BG Consultants, said he obtained cost estimates from a company in Kansas City that had restored other courthouse windows. Approximate costs for the windows are $2,800 to $3,500 per window.
The company would remove the windows, take them to Kansas City, rebuild and repair as necessary, and reinstall.
The grant will allow double glazing and the installation of storm windows.
"Essentially, you'll have a new window," said Hall.
Dallke asked if condensation would occur between the two panes. Hall said the windows could be sealed to eliminate moisture.
Hall estimated the project could cost $367,000 to have all 95 courthouse windows restored. The maximum amount of the grant is $90,000 with a 20 percent match from the county.
He suggested the project be done in phases and the county could apply for grants for several years until the project is completed.
A preliminary grant application is due Jan. 15, with the full application due March 1. Grant awards are announced in the spring.
Maggard will provide information at the next meeting regarding the fund the 20 percent match will be drawn.
The commission asked Hall if this grant could be used to repair the courthouse foundation due to mold damage. The approximate cost for repairs is $37,000, which is less than the maximum grant amount. Hall suggested the county apply for projects that would utilize the entire grant amount.
