Stephanie Effken

    A wage comparability study was done among Seward County offices.
     The Seward County Commissioners heard from Paul Essman of Capital City Concepts regarding this study at the May 6 meeting.
     Though still in the preliminary stages, Essman said the present data is a good start. According to compared rates of Seward County employees and other countys' employees, Seward's are at a maximum rate– above the midpoint for the market.
     Seward County Emergency Management Coordinator Gary Peterson expressed some concern regarding the aspects of an employees job the study does not take into account–i.e. secretarial staff, number of years in service, etc.
     Essman took the day to meet with county employees who had any questions or concerns.
     In other business, Seward County Veterans Service Officer Jeff Baker reported a major influx in General Assistance cases. Until about four weeks ago, nothing had been paid for GA since January. Now he is reviewing 45 cases. Baker said rising gas prices may have something to do with the increase.
     In an unrelated matter, Peterson discussed the need for emergency operation plans for each county office.
     A plan would allow offices to continue serving the public, despite an emergency. For this plan, offices will need to list the many functions of the office and determine those that are essential for the public.
     Then, the office needs to identify an alternative location, people who will help fill in for those who may be unable to perform their jobs and a way to store files that will ensure their protection.
     Peterson said he hopes to have an official operations plan for each county office by the first of next year.
     In other business, the board;
     • approved a right-of-way request for Windstream on Raymond Road between 196th Road and 182nd Road;
     • authorized Chairman Joe Ruzicka to sign a service agreement with Hines and Associates, Inc.;
     • adopted a resolution for two shortform plats, one for the Raiter Addition between 224th Road and 210th Road and Rock Creek Road and Davey Road, the second was for the Welsch Subdivision between 238th Road and 224th Road and Yankee Hill Road and Rokeby Road;
     • approved the opening of a bidding process for garbage service;
     • heard the annual report from Dave Merrill and CJ Johnson of Region V Services and Region V Systems;
     • heard from Lee Johnson of Mid-American Insurance about new county insurance rates;
     • accepted the sheriff's fee and mileage reports for February in the amounts of $972.50 and $435.34 respectively;
     • accepted the district court fee reports for April in the amount of $1,982.95; and
     • held an executive session regarding a possible litigation.
     There will be no county commissioners meeting on, Tuesday, May 13, due to election day.