Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006

Haynes resigns from county EM job

by Kenneth Lassiter

Two pieces of information and a field trip were the highlights of Monday’s county commission meeting as commissioners accepted a resignation from a department head and got favorable insurance news.

Don Haynes, who has been the combined ambulance and emergency management director since September 2001, submitted his resignation as emergency management director but plans to stay in his position as ambulance director.

Haynes had been emergency management director since January 2001. He took on the role of ambulance director upon the termination of Dan Dailey in September of that year. In his letter of resignation, Haynes cited the dual workload as the main reason for the resignation.

He stated it is in the “best interests” of both the employees and the citizens of the county that he make the move and stated he would continue to serve in the role until a replacement is found.

Once that person starts the job, Haynes stated he would also be willing to help in the transition. Commissioners made no comment on the resignation.

Lisa Toyne of Blue Cross Blue Shield also met with commissioners to present them with information on renewal of health insurance coverage for 2007. BCBS has proposed a 4 percent overall decrease in the county’s premiums based on lower usage of the coverage over the course of the year.

Toyne said BCBS has been making changes to the number of plans and options offered but the county would be grandfathered in at least for 2007. She also stated that the county’s dental premiums will rise slightly because of heavier usage in that area, but the overall impact of the renewal would be a decrease in premiums.

Dwight Menke, an insurance consultant who has been working with the county employee committee on a recommendation for the county’s insurance plan for 2007, said BCBS had added riders for accident coverage and hospice and home health care coverage that will be available next year.

He said prior to hearing Toyne’s presentation his recommendation was going to be for the county to stay with its current insurance coverage unless a “real driving reason” was found to go elsewhere. He said he had found an option for dental coverage through Delta Dental he would discuss with the employee committee and also suggested the county consider adding Vision Service Plan coverage to employees at their option.

Commissioners asked that the employee committee meet and discuss the insurance options and bring back a recommendation before the county holds a “benefit fair” for employees in November. Employee committee members who were present Monday said they would do so.

County commissioners hit the road in the late morning to drive to 54th Street near its junction with Republic Road to discuss potential road work there. John Hachmeister, who lives along the road at the site, met the commissioners and George Pogge, road and bridge superintendent.

Area residents Kevin Newman and Ann Kuckelman Cobb were also present. Commissioners plan to have survey work done near the site to begin steps toward making the area more safe for traffic and residents. Commissioners also swung by Rim Rock Farm in the southeastern part of the county to view a new parking area installed there for buses. The farm is slated to play host to the Big 12 Cross-Country Championships this weekend.

In other business Monday, the commission:

• Signed Kansas Department of Transportation agreements for construction engineering and inspection on bridge projects.

• Signed right-of-way easements for utility companies. • Signed zoning resolutions approved at the Oct. 16 meeting.

• Heard an update from Eloise Tichenor, planning and zoning director.

• Heard an update from Pogge.

• Signed a cereal malt beverage license application for Grantville LLC, Petro on US-24 Highway in Grantville.

• Heard an update from Eileen Filbert, health department director. Commissioners approved the public health emergency preparedness grant contract for 2007.

• Signed a nursing contract for St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Nortonville for the current school year.

• Met in executive session with Chris Schmeissner, geographic information systems and information technology director, for 20 minutes to discuss issues of non-elected personnel.

• Signed service awards for Dennis Henning for five years of service and C.J. Schneider Jr. for 10 years of service.

• Heard an update from Kathy Wagner, appraiser. County Clerk Linda Buttron stated after personal property values were recertified the final mill levy for the 2007 county budget was set at 61.422 mills.

• Met in executive session with Wagner for 15 minutes to discuss matters of non-elected personnel.

• Met with Schmeissner in executive session for 10 minutes to discuss matters of non-elected personnel.

• Met with Duanette Baker of GIS in executive session for 30 minutes to discuss matters of non-elected personnel.

• Approved a new job description of financial manager in the ambulance department and set its range in the county salary grid.