Lyon County Commission members talked with Lougene Marsh Wednesday morning about her recommendations on an interim public health officer at the Flint Hills Community Health Center.
The discussion took place during the commission’s weekly study session.
Marsh resigned as executive director of the center to accept a similar position with the Johnson County Health Department. Her last day will be March 31.
The interim officer is needed to enable the county to act officially on health matters, grants and other related issues.
Marsh recommended the department’s public health manager Renee Hively and director of environmental health Ann Mayo for the position.
She noted that neither woman lives in Lyon County; however, she said it appears there is no residency requirement for the position.
The commission also heard a health insurance report from Dan Slater, who said it appears the county will fare well on premium costs for the coming contract year.
“We have 13 claims that total more than $763,000,” Slater said. “Except for those 13 claims, we’re having the best history we’ve ever had on health care.”
Under ordinary circumstances, the $763,000 in claims would push the county’s premium costs up significantly.
However, the county has kept a sold reserve with Blue Cross Blue Shield and last year was offered an agreement that would limit the percentage of increase to 5 percent for the coming year.
“Right now, without the agreement at 5 percent, we would be looking at a 15 percent increase,” Slater said.
County Attorney Marc Goodman talked to commissioners about donating $500 from the drug forfeiture fund to each high school in the county for after-prom and after-graduation parties, if he receives a written request for funds.
He said he believes the sponsored events give the teens alternatives to private parties that may include alcohol and/or drugs.
Expenditures of drug forfeiture money is specifically limited by statute to use for drug enforcement, drug education or programs related to law enforcement training, Goodman said.
He also told the board that he had received approximately $24,000 in billings this month from work done on the Carapezza-Hughes court hearings. He anticipates that additional costs will be incurred as the case rulings are appealed to the supreme court.
“However, in looking at the overall funds that the county attorney’s office has generated, it appears at least up through today that we can internally cover that without reaching into our general fund budget,” Goodman said, “so we’re going to hang on for the moment.”
The commission also heard a report from County Engineer Chip Woods, who discussed:
F A low bid on dump truck tires from Allied Tire of Wichita. Local bids were “well outside their 3 percent limit,” Woods said.
F The possibility of selling a Chevrolet Caprice used for running errands and attending meetings and trainings, and replacing it with a more fuel-efficient Chevy Blazer.
F A request from Olpe residents about a traffic study to resolve a problem with speeders on a county link road within the city limits. Commissioners discussed the city of Olpe’s rights to establish speed limits within the city, as already has been done in Americus.
F Trimming back trees and other obstructions that have been placed on county right-of-way and could create civil liability issues if not removed. The obstructions, some man-made, have been pointed out by school-bus drivers and mail carriers.
F Distribution of gravel on county roads. Maintenance operators and county road and bridge supervisors request additional gravel as needed, and residents also may call the department to request gravel.
Commissioners have been invited to tour the Douglas County dispatch center on April 29, in conjunction with a possible consolidation of city and county dispatch centers.
The commission will have an action meeting beginning at 8 a.m. today in the commission meeting room at the Lyon County Courthouse.
Four executive sessions because of attorney-client privilege and one for a personnel matter are scheduled at the action session.