Commissioner Spicer, Commissioner Mayo and Commissioner Thurlow were all present for a regular meeting beginning at 8:25 a.m. The minutes were approved as printed.

Jami Williams, Economic Development Director and Keith Gilmore, Intertech Industries, met with the Board. Commissioner Mayo made a motion to go into Executive Session under the Confidential Data Exception for 15 minutes beginning at 8:35 a.m. with the Commissioners, Jami Williams, Keith Gilmore, and Kayla Wang, County Clerk present. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting resumed at 9:50 a.m. with no action taken during the Executive Session. The Board instructed Ms. Williams to work on the project with the County Attorney.

Dave Procter Ph. D., K-State, Andrew Baker, Group Benefit Specialist, and Lyle Butler, Manhattan Chamber, met with the Board to give a presentation on The Regional Planning Organization that is a collaborative effort between Riley, Geary and Pottawatonie Counties. RPO’s provide the planning and other services to assist the Clients in securing federal and state government funding for transportation and Economic Development projects. This was an informational meeting and Clay County has been invited to join this RPO.

Dana Rickley, County Health Administrator, informed the Board that she is working with the City of Clay Center to apply for a grant of $75,000 that would be used to improve the parks in the community. Ms. Rickley also invited the Board to attend the Governor’s H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Summit that is being held in Concordia on August 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.

The Budget Hearing was held at 10:00 a.m. Those attending were Steve Liby, Robert Knitter, Janis Jackson, Karen Yarrow, Pam Kemp, Stephen McAnally, Russell Alexander, and Arvin Hofmann. Mr. Liby presented the Board with an estimate of expenses for the remainder of 2009 for the Highway Department. He informed the Board of his concerns that he may not have the funds to cover the expenses for the rest of 2009.

After reviewing the following 2010 budgets with open discussion from those attending the hearings,
Commissioner Mayo made the motion to approve the Mulberry Rural Fire 2010 budget with a mill levy of .590. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to approve the Riverside Drainage District 2010 budget with a mill levy of 6.923. Commissioner Mayo seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Mayo made the motion to approve the Rural Highway District 2010 budget with a mill levy of 18.769. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Mayo made the motion to approve the Clay County 2010 budget with a mill levy of 54.810. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Stephen McAnally, County Appraiser, would like to remind all taxpayers that the Residential part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program will end as of January 1st, 2010. Anyone wanting to be in the program for residential will need to apply in the Appraiser’s Office on or before December 31st, 2009. The only projects that will continue to be able to enter in the program are commercial and industrial. The residential properties that are currently in the program will continue to have refund/rebates issued for the duration of the original program guidelines.

Pam Kemp, EMS Director, informed the Board that she has received an Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $500 to help with travel expenses.

Chuck Dunn, Sheriff, met with the Board to give his weekly report.

Steve Liby, Highway Administrator, met with the Board. Several roads and bridges throughout the County were reviewed. Budget concerns and fund balances were discussed.

Eric Burk, Dean of Instructional Services for North Central Kansas Technical College, and Clint Offutt, Instructor, met with the Board to discuss the GIS/GPS Services that they could provide for the County.
Stephen McAnally, Appraiser, also attended this meeting. The different layers of the maps, up keep maintenance and the different entities that could possibly use these maps were discussed. The County will look further into this project.

Greg Vahrenberg, Piper Jaffray & Co., contacted the Board by phone. Rick James, County Attorney, was also present. Mr. Vahrenberg reported that at this time the refinancing of the 1997 General Obligation Bonds would have a savings of $58,940 for the County. This is after all expenses are paid. Jerry made the motion to adopt Resolution Bond 2009-07 to refinance the 1997 GO Bonds with a final payment in 2015. The closing of this refinance will be on September 17th. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to donate $500 to the Wakefield Fall Festival out of the Alcohol Fund. Commissioner Mayo seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Board adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

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Michael W. Spicer, Chairman Kayla Wang, County Clerk