Budgets and benefits were the main topics of discussion during Monday’s weekly meeting of the Pottawatomie County Commissioners.
Commissioner Melissa Dennis said the total proposed budget is $6,889,002.26, which is up about $707,000. “But if you take off the $418,000 that was for OMMA certificates that you can’t really depend on, and it won’t be a steady revenue stream, so it is only up about $300,000.”
“Everybody got what they requested,” said Dennis.
She said the extra was put back into general government and would address the reason for that in another agenda item.
Dennis read the total budget amounts for each department, reminding all that it still had to go before the Excise board for final approval.
The proposed budget for each county entity is as follows: District Attorney - $70,000, Sheriff’s Office - $1,429,489.40, Treasurer - $234,000, County Clerk - $400,275, Court Clerk - $496,304, County Assessor - $430,500, Visual Inspection - $446,250, Juvenile Detention - $45,000, General Government - $2,812,466.86, County Excise Board - $4,000, County Election - $276,940, Treasurer School - $35,000, Community Service - $0, Safety Center - $0, Audit - $114,422.65, Free Fair - $3,500, Flood Plain/ Safety - $149,945.35, Indigent - $15,000.
The commissioners approved the budget.
Once approved, Dennis opened a discussion to raise the cap on employee insurance from $425 to $1,000. This became a lengthy discussion as Commissioner Randy Thomas asked what happens if this is approved, and then next year, the bottom falls out of next year’s funds.
Commissioner Eddie Stackhouse said the board had been discussing and postponing raising the cap for several years for just that reason. “Our general budget has increased every year since I’ve been in office.”
The department heads all agreed, the increase would help retain employees. All agreed that currently, many of the employees could not add children or spouses to the plan due to the costs.
The board approved raising the cap to $1,000. Open enrollment will be held later this month.
The board also approved the purchase of a chipper for Dist. 3 from Sourcewell Contract #031721 for $75,557. Stackhouse said $30,000 would be reimbursed.
The purchase of a new ice maker for the Shawnee Senior Citizen Center was approved. Three quotes were received: Chef’s Toys for $4,339, Oklahoma Restaurant Supply for $4,398.55, and Amundsen Commercial Kitchens for $5,259. The center asked that the $5,259 quote be approved since it included delivery and installation. The other two bids did not include installation. Also, Amundsen is located in Oklahoma City and would be available to do maintenance when needed.
Emergency Manager Chad Larman said the severe weather that came through the county Sunday brought two tornadoes with it. Dale had an EF-0 with 70-80 mph winds, and Johnson had 80-85 mph winds with another EF-0.
He said one home was damaged in Johnson and multiple trees were down. The awning at the Grand Casino convenience store and a barn were both damaged in Dale.
Larman said, “The sirens and base station you approved…worked flawlessly. Once the tornado warning was issued, within 20 seconds, the siren in Johnson was sounding. All the residents were thankful for the siren.”
The board set prices for the following county-owned property: E 10th (1 lot) $350 minimum, 328 N. Roosevelt (7 lots) $350 minimum for each lot, 316 N. Kimberly (5 lots) $350 minimum per lot, 302 S. Osage (2 lots plus 20 feet of a 3rd lot) $800 minimum for all, parcel #0000-01-007-002-0-011-00 contained .17 acres in Dist. 2 and was set at $5,000 minimum for the entire parcel.
Last week the board approved a county cleanup. Dist. 2 and Dist. 3 will have dumpsters available at each of the barns for residents to participate in a county clean up Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16 and 17, from 8 am to 5 pm. No tires, batteries, or hazardous materials will be accepted.
This week the board approved Oct. 22, 23, and 24 for cleanup dates for Dist. 1. The dumpsters will be available all three days at the Acme location from 7:30 am to 4 pm with the same restrictions.
The board will meet again Monday, Oct. 18 at 1 pm at 14101 Acme Road.
