| Work Detail |
County Engineer and Public Works Director Darryl Lutz met with the Butler County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 19, requesting to procure architectural services for planning and design work related to the proposed relocation of the Noxious Weed Department Facility and the planned construction of a shop building for the landfill. For several years, the Department of Public Works has been planning and budgeting for the construction of an equipment maintenance shop for the landfill. More recently, the Public Works Department has proposed relocating the Weed Department office and shop from 475 SE Poor Farm Road in El Dorado to a new location – primarily for improved access, better facility security, improved functionality and to have access to sufficient water supply and wastewater treatment. Both projects are included in the capital improvement plan, with planning work to start in 2017 and construction in 2018. The county commission has previously expressed interest in looking at the feasibility of trying to combine a new Weed Department shop with another facility improvement project, such as the landfill. Lutz would like to engage the services of an architect to assist with planning work for both facilities, to look at the probable cost of construction for a combined facility compared to separate facilities and to address access and security needs along with sufficiency of utility services. The cost estimates will be updated during the planning phase of the projects. The board authorized the Department of Public Works to negotiate a scope and fee proposal with an architecture firm for planning and design work. Before leaving the meeting, Lutz confirmed that the Bois D’Arc Bridge, located between Douglass and Augusta, is closed indefinitely due to potential structural failure. Melissa Riley, director of Human Resources, met with the board of commissioners to recommend approval of the 2017 Renewal Amendment to the administrative services agreement with health insurance company Meritain. Butler County moved to Mertiain and the Aetna network in 2014. In the first year of moving to Meritain, the county saved $1.1 million in claims. During the 2016/2017 plan year, Human Resources was able to save $200,000 by carving out the pharmacy benefits portion of the health plan by using Maxor Plus as the pharmacy benefits manager. In order to stem ever-increasing insurance costs, county staff made slight modifications to the traditional Preferred Provider Organization plan for the 2017/2018 plan year and added a new high-deductible health plan. The renewal agreement is a one-year contract that runs from Nov. 1, 2017 to Oct. 31, 2018. The total administration fees are increasing by $2.47 per employee per month, which includes a 10-cent increase for the use of telehealth company Teladoc, a $1.50 pharmacy benefits manager interface fee and an 87-cent increase in medical administration fees. The board approved the renewal amendment. At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, the county commission presented service awards to 38 Butler County employees. The following people were recognized with plaques: Laina Hamilton, five years in Sheriff/Detention Anna Wealand, five years in Administration Brian Laney, five years in Computer Services Dillon Ryan, five years in Sheriff’s Office Katie Gifford, five years in Emer. Communications Pamela McNown, five years Sheriff’s Office Devin Gorman, five years in Sheriff’s Office Tracy Burnett, five years in Sheriff/Detention Thomas Akers, five years in Sheriff’s Office June Evelyn Fieser, five years in Motor Vehicle/Treasurer Elizabeth Hoover, five years in Emer. Communications Jarratt Nelson, five years in Public Works Jeff Masterson, 10 years in county commission Linda Oakley, 10 years in Register of Deeds Patrick McMurphy, 10 years in Sheriff’s Office Rex Stephens, 10 years in Public Works Thad White, 10 years in Sheriff’s Office Dan Ingalls, 10 years in Facilities Management David Springob, 10 years in Public Works Crystal Noles, 10 years in Department on Aging Mikeah Walker, 10 years in Appraiser’s Dept. Taylor Parlier, 10 years in Sheriff’s Office Deborah Shaft, 15 years in EMS Todd Gurley, 15 years in Sheriff’s Office William Johnson, 15 years in Administration Jacqueline Maloney, 15 years in Sheriff/Detention Amber Norris, 15 years in Co. Attorney’s Office Darryl McClure, 20 years in Public Works Michelle McCoy, 20 years in Community Development Jeremy Seglem, 20 years in Emer. Communications Donald Currier, 25 years in Sheriff’s Office Kim Cool, 25 years in Co. Attorney’s Office Jim Schmidt, 25 years in Emer. Management Bronson Webb, 25 years in Public Works Marcia McCoy, 30 years in Register of Deeds Teresa Dawson, 30 years in Register of Deeds Darryl Lutz, 30 years in Public Works Darlene Andrews, 40 years in Sheriff/Detention Before the county commission meeting started, the Flinthills Rock ‘N’ Rollers performed Christmas songs at the historic courthouse. The group, which is a part of developmental disability service provider Flinthills Services, was led by Beverly McWilliams. |
