By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved the 2016 Emergency Services Union contract at Monday’s commission meeting.
County Counselor Bill Jeter told the commission the contract is consistent with the other three public sector unions for 2016.
“All employees’ salaries and benefits were brought to the minimum under the wage study conducted last year,” said Jeter. All employees also get a 1-percent salary increase for 2016.
The wage and benefit study was commissioned the study in 2014. The study, conducted by Evergreen Consultants showed that in many instances, employees’ salaries lagged behind similarly sized entities.
In other business, Commission Chair Dean Haselhorst said the construction on the jail is nearly complete. He said they are wrapping up painting and the crews working on finishing the jail floor should be done by the end of the week.
The issue that continues to delay progress is the security crews. They are working on the installation of all the security measures on the jail cells. Haselhorst said they have been told they have to be done by Feb. 20. They are hoping to have the jail completed by Feb. 25.
Construction is complete and court services are already underway at the courthouse. Haselhorst said all the security measures are in place and “working well.”
He said the only complaint he has received is that people have to check their cellphones at the door. District Court Clerk Amanda Truan told the commission cellphones are no longer allowed inside the courthouse.
People now are required to leave their phones at the front desk upon entering the courthouse.
The commission approved the payment of $37,112 for due owed to the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission. At an earlier meeting the commission had expressed some concern over paying the dues if Ellis County had not benefitted from the commission.
Jeter also said they are close to filing tax foreclosures. Jeter said they have approximately $200,000 for taxes, interest and penalties and another $20,000 for special assessments. Jeter said that money would go to the cities of Hays, Ellis and Victoria.
Jeter estimated that once the foreclosure is filed property owners will pay the money owned and that only properties with little or no value end up in the foreclosure sale. The only money the county would receive would be what the property is sold for at the sale.
The commission also approved the annual noxious weed management plan for 2016.