Building and grou nds committee members Jan Schumacher and John
Stewart thanked the subcommittee for all their research and work in
the decision process. These were citizens who voluntarily stepped
forward immediately to help, Schumacher said.Schumacher added
that she had her concerns about leaking and discoloration on the
marble below but was satisfied by information brought to her.
"In my mind the maintenance of the bronze would be sufficient
that there would not be a problem and it would be attractive," she
said.
After some discussion it was determined to purchase the mold for
$1,600. Stewart said that buying the mold would reduce the insurance
costs, and purchase would prevent it from being reproduced for
anyone else.
Statue committee members responded. Paul Gleason said that the
$37,000 contract with sculptor David Seagraves includes the $1,600,
and those funds are in place to go forward with ordering now. The
committee would continue to raise more funds for marker work to be
done.
Roger Matson said that the sculptor would start in September, and
it is expected that the statue will be ready to be put up in April.
*
Financial matters
A three-year lease/purchase of 12 new squad cars for the
sheriff's department was unanimously approved. A bid of $23,510 per
unit for 12 cars was received. The total price for the three-year
contract would be $282,545 and no more than $98,116 per year.
However, Sheriff Steve Nichols said that the state bid has not
been received yet, and it is typically $1,000 less per unit, which
would lower the entire amount $12,000. Trade-in values of $500 and
$1,500 for each vehicle would come off the first-year lease,
lowering the cost more, so he thought that $98,000 would be the
maximum amount in 2011.
The sheriff explained that this is the last year that Ford will
be making the car that all the equipment would fit into, the Crown
Victoria.
*
The board voted unanimously to increase the assessor's salary to
$41,900 for the 2011 fiscal year. The figure, effective Dec. 1, represents a 3 percent
raise, the same as other officeholders were provided. Rosanne Brosamer currently holds the assessor's position.
*
Finance chairman Chuck Ruben announced that budget hearings for
the county's 2011 fiscal year have been tentatively scheduled to
begin the morning of Aug. 25 and continue on the afternoon of Aug.
26. Department heads and those wishing to request money from the
county for tourism and other development-related or charity
activities and needs are invited to submit their requests to the
finance committee and may then be scheduled for an appearance before
the committee. (See related article.)
*
Ruben said that there has been confusion about a new line on
W-2's for 2011. "It's not taxable…, yet," he said.
Public health update
David Hepler, the Logan County Board's liaison to the Board of
Health, reported that the health department would maintain its
programs in spite of state funding delays and would even expand its
breast and cervical cancer and HealthWorks programs.
The Logan County Department of Public Health budget was almost
$600,000 in the red at the end of June. Hepler said that they would
be asking for their full levy this coming fiscal year.
Highway report
Nicholson Road could be open by the end of the month. A box
culvert that is being replaced on County Highway 10, the
Elkhart-Mount Pulaski blacktop, should be completed in 30 days total
project time. Farmers will have both routes open for harvest.
[to top of second column] |
Burning ordinance
This past spring the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District came
to the county to request a countywide burn ordinance. Since that
time they have changed their minds. The Farm Bureau did not like it,
and after discussion rural fire district decided not to pursue a
countywide ordinance. The rural district is considering creating an
ordinance just for their district, legislative chairwoman Jan
Schumacher said. She added that if the rural fire district would do
that, and other districts like it, they could come to the county to
make a request for a countywide ordinance.
Appointments
-
Logan County
Tuberculosis Board -- Judy Horn
-
Logan County
Cemetery Maintenance District -- Larry Howen
-
Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals --
Wilbur Paulus, Dean Toohey, Doug Thompson, Rick Sheley and Judy
Graff
Liability insurance
Municipal Insurance Alliance was re-awarded the county's
liability insurance. This year's premium, which was bid at $159,750,
is about 4 percent less than last year and includes additional
coverage on new playground equipment.
Larry Bielema of Callender and Co. commented, "It's a fun year
because it's all good news."
Glass recycling
Pat O'Neill reported that glass collection has been in record
amounts. There has been a shortage of volunteers from the Lincoln
Woman's Club and the collection may need to go to every other month,
or hosting it may be shared by some other organizations.
Procedural matters
In internal board matters, county board chairman Terry Carlton is
moving Schumacher to replace Rick Aylesworth in chairing the safety
committee.
Stewart created chuckles from other board members when he taunted
Aylesworth, saying that he would vote no, "as Aylesworth has done
fine on this the last few years."
Aylesworth, who is happy for the change, startled other board
members when he responded lickety-split that in 1998 the board set
policy that the insurance chair is also to be the safety chair.
The board vote was 10-1.
*
Vice chairman Pat O'Neill presided over the adjourned session on
Tuesday evening instead of Carlton, the chairman, who was on
vacation.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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