Lyon County Wednesday discussed participating in a master fire program through the Kansas Forest Service during today's commission study session.
The program, which is free through the Forest Service, also is done in cooperation with the Kansas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils.
The program can provide recommendations on how to improve the fire districts’ ISO rating. ISO collects information on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of those communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data using our Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS).
The program through the forest service also can improve the quality of fire service provided and provides support for grant and funding requests, said Eric Ward of the Kansas Forest Service.
“We typically produce anywhere from two to six overall recommendations on the county level and then we go through department to department and make specific recommendations,” Ward told county commissioners.
The goals are to improve the efficiency of the county; make the firefighters safer and effective and to save life and property.
“But if we could save money doing that it would be even better,” Ward said.
County commissioners said they would discuss the program during Thursday’s action session to see if they are interested in participating.
Also during today's commission meeting, commissioners discussed the NACO drug plan, which is a drug plan the county can enroll in and offer it to Lyon County citizens regardless of age.
“I see no disadvantages to this plan,” said Gary Post, Lyon County appraiser.
Doug Steuve, of the Lyon County Department on Aging, also said he sees benefits in the county enrolling in the program.
“I see no costs to the county,” Stueve said. One of the good advantages to these cards is they are open to anyone. Any ages. These cards could play a role for people who do not have drug coverage.”
Post said the card would be open to all Lyon County citizens.
“There is no restriction,” he said. “If you don’t have any insurance, you can use this card for your prescriptions. It’s not an insurance card (though).”
County commissioners put the item on Thursday’s consent agenda.
Other items on Wednesday’s agenda:
Bob Agler of A&M Consultants gave commissioners amounts of budgets that need to be republished. They are as follows:
• Road and bridge: Current: $3,307,357; Proposed amendment: $3,607,357
• Noxious weeds: Current: $201,000: Proposed amendment: $241,000
• 911 service: Current: $31,000; Proposed amendment: $76,000
• County auto vehicle: Current: $176,037; Proposed amendment: $179, 612
• Equipment and reserves: Current: $175,000; Proposed amendment: $225,000
• Bridge construction: Proposed amendment: $25,143
• Courthouse construct: Proposed amendment: $577,050
• Jail principal and interest Proposed amendment: $15, 500
• Courthouse sales tax Current: $1,453,478; Proposed amendment: $2,170,000
• Courthouse sales tax surplus fund Proposed amendment: $400,000
• Total Current: $5,343, 972; Proposed amendment: $7,516, 762