COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2005
At 8:30 A.M., all members of the Pottawatomie County
Commission met for a regular session in the County Commission Room. Present were Tom Doperalski, chairman;
Barbara Kolde, vice chairman; and Stan Hartwich, member.
The Chairman opened the Public Hearing for the 2006 County
Budget. Mary Altenhofen expressed
concerns of the safety at the intersection of Cree Rd and Westmoreland Rd. She stated she would like to see that
project included in the road/bridge department budget. She added her husband has made requests and
expressed his concerns for a couple of years.
Commissioner Kolde stated by reducing the mill levy for 2006, the Commissioners
in the future will have to make up the difference. She does not think the Commission is planning ahead. Commissioner Doperalski told Mrs. Altenhofen
he will check with Leu Lowrey and see what can be done. Richard Pikul stated he was present as a
local resident to express concerns of the conditions of roads in the county
where new development is taking place.
He expressed concerns of Salzer Road as the increased traffic has caused
more potholes. Robert explained the
budget information regarding notice of hearing information and the budget
summary pages for the County General Fund for the year 2004 actual expenditures,
2005 budgeted expenditures, and the 2006 proposed budget. He also explained the Statutes allowed for
the Board of County Commissioners to transfer up to 25% of the road/bridge
budget into the special highway fund to plan for future projects. This transfer is normally done in late
November or December. Transfer amount
in 2004 was $1,125,000. The estimated
transfer amount for 2005 is $100,000. Robert
stated this will be reevaluated at the end of the year and depending upon the
amount of non-expended appropriations, the transfer amount will be determined
by the Commission. There were questions
as to reducing mill levies and compensating the reduction with County sales tax
revenues. Robert explained the reduction
in ad valorem taxes would be offset by increased revenues from the County sales
tax to meet the objective of the Board.
Robert also pointed out that even though the Commission was able to
reduce the mill levy, they were also able to increase expenditures by utilizing
sales tax revenues they will be receiving in 2005 that were not budgeted. Mr. Pikul asked if the Commissioners thought
that was what the residents of the county wanted. He added he voted in favor of the sales tax not to reduce property
taxes, but to help with expenses for public safety as stated on the
ballot. Commissioner Doperalski stated
his position from the beginning was for property tax relief. Commissioner Kolde stated she voted against
it when she saw what a wreck it was. She
added the Commission is not funding for needs in the future. Mr. Pikul stated with additional population
and growth in the county, reduction of property taxes ends up in deferred
maintenance. He stated people want to
see changes in taxes but they need to see improvements. The money should go into funds for those
improvements. He added he doesn’t want
the money back, but wants to see it used to improve the county. Commissioner Kolde stated the higher portion
of taxes is for the schools, which the county has no control over. Brian Smith, emergency medical services
director, addressed the group with comments and concerns of the budget for
ambulance service. He stated this year
he had asked for the largest budget increase ever. This is due to lower Medicare reimbursements. He is also concerned with salary levels for
his employees. The sales tax revenue
helps so they don’t have to reduce services.
Commissioner Kolde stated Blue Township is served by Riley County EMS
rather than Pottawatomie County. Brian
pointed out this is done due to the location of ambulance and response
time. Blue Township residents still pay
taxes that help with the ambulance budget.
Kolde asked about the increase for employee benefits. Robert stated the 2006 budget reflects an
increase for employee benefits of about 5%.
Mr. Pikul asked if the increased valuation from new residential
construction will compensate for increased expenses incurred by the Sheriff’s
department. Robert stated the county
has been able to maintain a relatively level mill levy with minor increases by
relying upon the county’s increase in valuation and minor reduction in non
emergency service department budgets to cover the increased cost of operation
for emergency service budgets and employee benefits.
As there were no further comments, the Chairman closed the
public hearing at 9:13. Robert informed
the Commission they could act on the budget anytime following the conclusion of
the public hearing. Commissioner Kolde
stated she was in favor of a decrease of no more than 2 mills. Lowering it more will make it hard for the
future. Robert stated that to increase
the mill levy from the rate presented would take a motion to republish. Barbara Kolde moved to republish the budget
with a 2 mill decrease rather than 4½. She added promises have been made that cannot be kept and the
Commission needs to think of the future.
Commissioner Hartwich stated he had spoken with individuals who wanted
the sales tax to reduce their property tax.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Tom Doperalski moved to approve the 2006 County Budget as
published. Stan Hartwich seconded the
motion. Barbara Kolde stated she felt
they were making a big mistake. Stan
Hartwich stated the sales tax should cover the mill levy reduction. Motion carried 2 to 1. Commissioner Kolde voted against the motion. Kolde stated the reasons for her opposition
was there will not be enough money to do the projects that she wanted done and
the Commissioners in the future will have to raise the mill levy. She felt a decrease should be no more than 2
mills.
Brenda Krause, GIS director, met with the Commissioners to
update them on aerial photography, 911 data base, and state changes from
letters to numbers for soil type codes.
John Boyd, emergency management director, met with the
Commissioners to update them on activities in his department. John reported on a fire involving a train
engine on the tracks near Aiken Switch Rd late Sunday night.
Lisa Overkamp, treasurer, met with the Commissioners to
update them on her department. She informed them the delinquent tax notice is
being published. There are over 500
parcels with a tax value of approximately $488,000. Lisa and one of her deputies will be attending the Komtek User
Conference in Salina next week. Komtek
is the company providing software for the county’s tax and accounting system.
The Chairman signed the 2006 County Budget Certificate. (Attachment #1)
Barbara Kolde moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to adopt
Resolution 2005-54 expressing the property taxation policy to finance the 2006
annual budget for Fire District #1.
Motion carried 3 to 0.
(Attachment #2)
Stan Hartwich moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to adopt
Resolution 2005-55 expressing the property taxation policy to finance the 2006
annual budget for Fire District #5; Resolution 2005-56 expressing the property
taxation policy to finance the 2006 annual budget for Fire District #7;
Resolution 2005-57 expressing the property taxation policy to finance the 2006
annual budget for Fairview Cemetery; Resolution 2005-58 expressing the property
taxation policy to finance the 2006 annual budget for Havensville Cemetery; and
Resolution 2005-59 expressing the property taxation policy to finance the 2006
annual budget for Pottawatomie/Wabaunsee Regional Library. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachments 3, 4, 5, 6, &7)
Chairman signed 2006 budget certificates for District Court
& Court Services for $176,125; Conservation District for $65,000; and a
letter stating the amount budgeted for Extension Council set at $145,000. (Attachments 8, 9, & 10)
At 10:30, the Chairman opened a public hearing to discuss
the creation of benefit districts for Eagles Landing VII, a 15 lot phase for
single family dwellings. Dave Nelson,
developer, was present. Commissioner
Doperalski asked Robert if there were any concerns on this project. Robert stated following meetings with bond
counsel, there were concerns of how the County was treating the Commons Area in
that development. Costs of improvements
have never been assessed back to those areas.
One solution derived by Bond Counsel and the engineer designing the
project was to determine and note on the plat the Commons Area is not available
for development. Robert stated Commons
Areas in future developments should be treated differently but recommended the
Commissioners be consistent with how they have treated these areas in the
past. The Chairman closed the hearing
at 10:38. Barbara Kolde moved and Stan
Hartwich seconded to adopt Resolution 2005-60 allowing the creation of a
benefit district for street improvements for Eagles Landing Unit VII in Blue
Township. Estimated cost of said street
improvements is $192,000. Motion
carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #11)
Barbara Kolde moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to adopt
Resolution 2005-61 allowing the creation of a benefit district for sewer
improvements for Eagles Landing VII in Blue Township. Estimated cost of said sewer improvements is $69,200. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #12)
Barbara Kolde moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to adopt
Resolution 2005-62 allowing the creation of a benefit district for water
improvements for Eagles Landing VII in Blue Township. Estimated cost of water improvements is $36,200. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #13)
At 10:45 the Chairman opened a public hearing to discuss
creation of benefit districts in Elbo Creek Estates I in Blue Township. Dave Nelson, developer, was present for the
hearing. Commissioner Kolde expressed
concerns of drainage. She stated she
would vote No because of possible flooding due to improper drainage. Nelson stated the drainage from the area
would go east rather than south. The
Chairman declared the hearing closed at 10:52.
Barbara Kolde moved the benefit districts be approved providing drainage
would flow east. The motion died for
lack of a second. Stan Hartwich moved
and Barbara Kolde seconded to adopt Resolution 2005-63 to allow creation of a
benefit district for street improvements for Elbo Creek Estates I in Blue
Township. Estimated cost of the street
improvements is $641,300; Resolution 2005-64 allowing the creation of a benefit
district for sewer improvements for Elbo Creek Estates I in Blue Township. Estimated cost of the sewer improvements is
$195,300; and Resolution 2005-65 allowing the creation of a benefit district
for water improvements for Elbo Creek Estates I in Blue Township. Estimated cost of the water improvements is
$100,600. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachments 14, 15, & 16)
Dave Nelson asked the Commission to consider a couple of
things. One is to contract with the
developer to eliminate temp bonds and allow development to move forward
quicker. Manhattan allows this in development areas. The second thing he requested the Commission to consider is
changing their policy as an investment in the future. Certain roads in the county where development is taking place
could be improved by temp bonds knowing the money will come back. Commissioner Kolde stated that would put
today’s children in debt. She prefers
to pay for projects that are done.
Nelson said this would not be for every road in the county. Examples
would be the improvement of Excel Road and Green Valley Road where there is a
lot of development now and will be in the future. If the valuation of Jeffrey Energy Center goes down, that would
be even more important to invest in the future now. Commissioner Doperalski stated he is not totally against
financing road improvement, but feels there should be some type of mechanism in
place to pay for the project. He stated
the Commission has talked about impact fees.
He agreed there is a question as to the farm tax dollars from the
northern part of the county used to pay for road improvement in the southern
part of the county.
John Keller, county planner, stated there is a planning
commission meeting on Thursday night.
One of the items on the agenda is consideration of a 25 year plan for 6
roads. The planning commission would
adopt such a resolution to improve growth.
A combination of sales tax revenues and impact fees might help finance
road improvement projects.
Gregg Webster, zoning administrator; and John Keller, county
planner, met with the Commissioners to discuss a rezoning request. Stan Hartwich moved and Tom Doperalski
seconded to adopt Resolution 2005-66 approving the request from Kaw Valley
Properties to rezone a tract in Blue Township from A1 to AR for residential
development. Motion carried 2 to
1. Barbara Kolde voted against the
motion stating the road is not paved and there is no money in the budget to
improve it. (Attachment #17)
Stan Hartwich moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to sign the
final plat for Wildcat Woods Phase I in Blue Township. This phase is 50 lots. Motion carried 2 to 1. Barbara Kolde voted against the motion
stating the road is not paved and there is no money budgeted to improve
it.
Gregg gave the Commission a draft of a resolution regarding
extra-territorial zoning for the City of Wamego. Tom Doperalski moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to adopt
Resolution 2005-67 regarding the boundary of the extra-territorial zoning
district for the City of Wamego. Motion
carried 2 to 1. Barbara Kolde voted
against the motion stating the people living in the area do not have an
opportunity to vote on any city issues or officials. (Attachment #18)
Stan Hartwich moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to appoint
Barbara Abitz as Treasurer of the St. Clere Township Board. This position was not filled in the 2004
November election. Motion carried 3 to
0.
Barbara Kolde moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to go into
executive session with the county attorney at 11:55 for up to 10 minutes to
discuss personnel issue. Administrator
will be present for the session. Motion
carried 3 to 0. Regular meeting resumed
with no action as a result of the session.
The Commissioners approved amended minutes for August 8,
2005.
The Chairman signed a Hwy Safety Project reimbursement
voucher for KDOT grant money for the Country Stampede. Reimbursement is to be $7884.83. (Attachment #18)
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________ _____________________
County Clerk Chairman
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Vice
Chairman
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Member