Logan County: Assessor to complete term, BoR salaries, raises and the CPI, board benefits, transportation routes for colleges

[August 16, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Thursday, August 11, 2016 the Logan County Board held their monthly workshop to hear committee updates and place motions on the agenda for Tuesday's regular board meeting.

County Assessor to complete term 

Finance Chairman Chuck Ruben said he talked to the Logan County Assessor, Denise Martinek, and she has decided to stay for the length of her term. He said Martinek's term ends March 2018.

If the assessor would vacate the position, they would still need to call for the test from the Department of Revenue and the county would choose a qualified candidate from that list.

State's Attorney Jonathan Wright said to be eligible, candidates must pass the assessor's test with a minimum score and have a certain certificate.

On Tuesday, Ruben would bring forward a motion for the Board of Review salary to be $2,400 per member, per year. Ruben said he called several similar sized counties and several pay a salary of $5,000 or more.

Ruben said he would also motion to set raises for county (non-union) employees at three percent for Fiscal Year 2017.

Board member Gene Rohlfs said the Consumer Price Index is .7 percent and three percent raises would be four times that amount. Rohlfs asked what the county would do down the line when these amounts are compounded each year.

Rohlfs said he would make a motion to amend the raises to one percent.

State's Attorney Jonathan Wright said he feels it is better to not tie raises to the Consumer Price Index. With one percent raises, Wright said, there would be little incentive for employees.

These motions will be voted on at Tuesday's meeting.

Insurance and Legislative Committee updates

Legislative Committee Chairman Scott Schaffenacker said on Tuesday he would motion to a approve a resolution for a summary of benefits for Logan County Board members. The issue of benefits prompted some discussion among board members.

Board Chairman David Hepler asked whether the resolution would remove elective benefits and how it is considered an inequity if the benefits are elective?

Schaffenacker said it is an inequity because benefits are offered to some seated board members and not others.

Hepler said he agrees benefits should be extended to all board members at their own personal expense.

Board member Kevin Bateman said the current insurance provider prohibits part-time employees from getting these benefits and board members are part-time.

Board member Pat O'Neill said he feels the practice is discriminatory and some part-time employees in the county receive full benefits. He said insurance benefits should be offered and could lure more quality people to run for office.

Community Action updates

Community Action Director Alison Rumler-Gomez said they have actively reached out to the colleges and universities to talk about adding some bus routes options for students, and the response has been positive.

Rumler-Gomez said they did a survey with the administrative staff to ask them about the needs of the students. They will reach out to the students after school starts. She said they may modify deviated route patterns to work more closely with the colleges.

Rumler-Gomez said the Meals on Wheels program is going well and is not running at a deficit any longer. In July the program received $3,000 in food donations from the community, businesses, and organizations.

Bateman said Tuesday he would bring forth a motion for the county to fund the Strengthening Working Families Initiative for $30,000 if they reach a full capacity of students. Bateman said he wants it to be based on the number of students completing the program, so the county will reimburse them for students who complete it.

Board member Miles Craig said, if successful, Community Action should be able to get federal funds or funding from other outside sources to continue. He said it could be "a feather in (the county's) cap."

Rumler-Gomez said the program would start in January after family service workers have had some educational training.

Building and Grounds update

Bateman, who chairs the Building and Grounds Committee, would motion Tuesday to accept an electrical bid for contracted electric delivery from the Stone River Group.

Someone from the Stone River Group will be able to tell the board the exact amount of money on a one, two, or three-year agreement. The board would vote on it Tuesday and the Stone River Group could lock the amount in. More information will be shared at Tuesday's meeting.

Board members present were Chairman David Hepler, Vice Chairman Bob Farmer, Rick Aylesworth, Kevin Bateman, Dave Blankenship, Miles Craig, Pat O'Neill, Gene Rohlfs, Chuck Ruben, Scott Schaffenacker and Adam Schmidt. Emily Davenport was absent.

The Logan County Board Regular would take place this Tuesday, April 19th at 7 p.m. in the Logan County Courthouse.

[Angela Reiners]