BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
OFFICIAL MINUTES
February 16, 2006
The Board of County Commissioners, three members and the County Clerk present, met in regular session at 7:00 PM.
********
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Mattix.
INVOCATION: Commissioner Mattix.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Tucker.
AGENDA APPROVAL:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mattix.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
********
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RURAL FIRE DISTRICT #1 – RANDY HAYMAKER:
Montgomery County Rural Fire District #1 Board President Randy Haymaker, met with the Commissioners along with Richard Catron, Board Member.
Mr. Haymaker addressed the Board regarding a December 8, 2005 approved by the Fire Board with all but one (1) Board member not voting in favor of a 10% increase in salary for the Rural Fire Coordinator. The recommendation was presented to the Board of County Commissioners on December 15th by the MCRF Board President. He advised they are once again recommending the pay increase.
Commissioner Mattix stated he still will take this into consideration but has chosen not to take any action.
Mr. Haymaker said the Fire District has a 7 member board; why have the board since it was voted on and they made the recommendation. He also said it takes $1,900 to pay the Board and this is a waste if the Board cannot make their recommendations and have the Commissioners honor their recommendation. “Mr. Schwatken has exceeded his job duties and his salary comes out of the budget of the Fire Department. The Board took into consideration his work ethic, his fire-fighting ability and his willingness to take on extra duties, including body work on trucks and finding trucks at discount prices.”
Commissioner Mattix said the recommendation had been discussed briefly but is still in the recommendation state. “My response is that it still stands as a recommendation, at least in my mind. I still view it that way. It is not the responsibility of the Fire Board to establish salaries and make purchases, that is the responsibility of the Commission. The Fire Board is an advisory board and the Commission is the executive board. We have a responsibility to the entire county and we have chosen not to take action at this time.”
Mr. Haymaker said it makes the Fire Board “a fly by night” deal. He felt the recommendations make by the board goes to the Commissioner and is not given attention or consideration. “What is the purpose of our board if we can’t get anything done?” asked Mr. Haymaker. He pointed out the fact the new 2006 F-550 fire truck for Tyro would have cost the fire district much more money if Mr. Schwatken had not done most of the work getting the truck ready for the fire station. He said Mr. Schwatken has saved the rural fire departments much more money than the 10% increase their board recommended.
Mr. Catron addressed the Commission and stated there have been other increases within the county up to 17% the Commission has approved. He asked the Commission consider the request at some point .
Commissioner Mattix said it will be considered this year.
Mr. Haymaker asked for clarification of job description and discussed the “team effort” which he said Commissioner Tucker “never got it worked out” while he served in that position.
Commissioner Lewark-Wood responded to this by agreeing Commissioner Tucker had trouble with some while he was in that position.
Commissioner Tucker said other raises have been presented and the Commission will look at pay increases.
They addressed the two (2) sirens previously discussed at a Commission meeting to be used in Dearing and Sycamore. Dearing City is submitting for a grant for a tornado siren.
********
Mr. Paul Benson spoke to the Commission about county roads. He feels money is being spent on mowing and other work that should be put into rock for county roads. He said there is no crown on the road when graded. He was speaking of CR 2700 and other roads within the area. He said he complained three years ago and all he could see was a waste of money on ditches and mowing.
Mr. Benson’s concerns will be passed on to the Public Works Department. They will be asked to view CR 2700 for gravel and grading.
Commissioner Tucker acknowledged Mr. Benson’s work on the fire department and gave illustrations of his service to the community.
********
Denise Finney, Tyro Rural Fire Department, thanked the Board for approving a new fire truck for Tyro.
********
Curtis Robertson asked if the complaint on the roads “will be blown off?”
The Board assured him it will not be “blown off” but also they cannot be fixed overnight.
Commissioner Lewark-Wood, “but hopefully not another 3 years”.
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Mattix seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
_____________________________________
LEE MATTIX, Chairman
_____________________________________
GENE TUCKER, Member
_____________________________________
BILLIE LEWARK-WOOD, Member
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
County Clerk
Best
experienced with (800x600) 
6.0+ &
6.0+
