Commission approves contracting nurse for jail

issioners on Monday voted to expand its contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to include a nurse for the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center.

Jail Administrator Bobby Reed reported the Center's nurse has submitted her resignation, effective Friday, Nov. 15. He asked commissioners for permission to contract a nurse.

Reed said the county already has a $49,249 annual contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare for healthcare services. The contract amount would increase to $84,000 annually for 25 hours for LPN nursing services, or $77,000 annually for 20 hours.

County Clerk Kendall Mason estimated the county pays $40,731 for the salary and benefits of a 40-hour per week nurse.

Reed said when the nursing position was started, the nurse had a lot of work to do, but the workload is not as great. He and Sheriff Bill Martin told commissioners that the contract can be reduced to 20 hours if necessary.

"The big thing I want to hit on is nurse staffing," Reed said. "Currently we are responsible for the nurse's benefits, recruiting and training for that nurse, and malpractice insurance."

Advanced Correctional Healthcare would be responsible for the recruiting, hiring and training, as well as pay for the medical malpractice insurance, Reed said.

"I would like to see how much liability that releases us from," Third District Commissioner Harold Coleman said.

He suggested County Attorney Terri Johnson review the contract before it is signed.

Second Commissioner Barbara Albright asked if Reed or Martin has talked to Mercy Hospital Fort Scott about a similar arrangement

"I'm just thinking keeping it local, giving local nurses a job,"Albright said.

The commissioners voted unanimously to enter into an expanded contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare for 25 hours of nursing services, after Johnson has approved the contract. The motion also included encouraging the firm to do all it can to employ a nurse from this area.

In other jail business, Reed asked if commissioners have learned what area of his budget has been cut. In October, he said he submitted a request for $273,260 in the contractual fund. When he received the final budget, Reed said that amount appeared as $240,410.

Commissioners had work sessions with Terry Sercer, CPA, who assisted with the budget in October. On Monday, the commissioners were unable to state how the final amount was determined.

Commission Chairman Allen Warren said Reed will have to work with the budget. Amendments for the 2014 budget won't be made until December 2014.

Third tax sale

Bourbon County Treasurer Rhonda Dunn reported Dan Meara, attorney who assists the county with delinquent real estate tax sales, is prepared to move forward with the third sale this year. Meara is hoping to have the sale in December, Dunn said.

Meara has identified 17 parcels eligible for the sale, but Dunn said she has paperwork on 15.

Dunn said her office will be busy collecting the first half of taxes until Dec. 10, but could handle a sale after that.

"This would clean up the last of the list,"Dunn said.

Commissioners asked Dunn to check with Meara about holding the sale on Dec. 17, 18 or 19.

Dunn said there is one parcel each in Hidden Valley, Redfield and Mapleton. The remainder of the parcels are located in Fort Scott. Her office already is fielding questions about the parcels.

Other county business

* Warren showed photos of progress on Grant Road, where a portion of the road was washed out, exposing the two tubes, during heavy rains in late July and early August. A third tube has been installed and the road is being repaired.

Warren also showed photos from the Yellowstone Road project, where a new tube has been installed and ditch work has been done.

While going through his report, Road and Brides Coordinator Jim Harris reported that a crew was working on 210th Street.

Shortly after completing his report, Robert Query, a property owner along that road, gave the commissioners copies of photos he has taken of field entrances where he and other landowners must use to feed their livestock. According to Query, topsoil was used instead of clay, which means his truck has sunken down in the mud when trying to access the field. He said the tubes are going to be smashed.

"We're working on it this morning,"Harris said."We are aware there is a problem because of the soil we used, number one. Number two, we was working with property owners that live on that road to improve some water problems. We did that. Roberts' driveway is a mess, yes. We're going to fix it."

Roberts said the county should not have to do the work twice, and base rock should have been used on the road. He was stuck in his own driveway,"which was brand new,"he said.

* Connie May, Garland Fire Department Board member, attended the meeting to report Duffy Concrete of Nevada, Mo., has offered to donate time for repairing a hole near the Fire Department driveway.

Last month, May asked for the county's assistance in repairing the hole. The county agreed to spend no more than $1,000 to assist the department and the fire board said it could pay the other $1,000.

On Monday, May said the total cost has been estimated at $2,080. She asked commissioners when the department will receive payment from the county. County Clerk Kendall Mason said checks will be processed on Nov. 15, and the $1,000 will go through the Roads and Bridges fund.

When discussing the county's role in making the repairs, May was warned that the department would not be able to use the drive for 27 days while the concrete cures. On Monday, May said she has been told different chemicals can be added which will allow the concrete mixture to cure quicker. The department will be able to drive on it within a week, May said.

* Commissioners held a 30-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with Bourbon County GIS Coordinator Shane Walker, Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou and Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin. Walker was appointed the interim emergency manager director after Terri Coop resigned in August. No action was taken after the session.