Allen County EMS Director Michael Burnett is stepping down effective Friday. Burnett announced during this morning’s Allen County Commission meeting that he is leaving to become EMS director for Crawford County. Commissioners appointed Iola Fire Chief Cory Isbell to serve as interim director while a permanent replacement is being sought.
In his regular report to the Commission Burnett said call volumes are down through the first four months of the year. He also reported one of their monitors was sent off for repair, which will cost nearly $1,400. Burnett also discussed the possibility of entering into service contracts for the monitors on each of their ambulances, which he said would likely save the county money in the long run.
Commissioners heard two more 2027 budget proposals, including the three budgets under County Clerk Shannon Patterson. For the Clerk’s Office itself, aside from payroll related items, Patterson said she is adding to the postage line item in the event the state does not fund sending out of Revenue Neutral Rate notices as it has done for the past few years. She’s also keeping in the budget for now a vacant position in her office, which may or may not be needed in 2027.
The election budget does have a potentially large expense coming in the near future due to a change being made in voter software on the state level, one that she said could be rather expensive.
In discussing the services for the elderly budget Patterson said she’s increasing the capital expenditure line item for 2027, and possibly funds including a vehicle replacement in the next year or two for the county-operated senior transit service should KDOT move Section 5310 funding to Allen Regional Transit.
On the other hand, Register of Deeds Misty Rice is proposing just a $700 budget increase for 2027.
Public Works Director Mitch Garner told Commissioners they may be getting a compactor back from a rebuild sooner than expected. The engine has been reassembled, all accessories connected and is now running, with a few things yet to be done on it, so it could be back in a matter of weeks rather than months as was mentioned last week. It’s still unknown when delivery will be made on a loader for the Landfill. Garner also reported he will present bids next week for purchase of a pickup broom for the Bobcat at the airport, he’s still waiting on one bid.
County Appraiser Danielle Houk said a couple of typographical errors were found on the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan document, which have been corrected and will now be sent to Allen Community College and the school districts for their comment. Houk also reported the city of Moran is looking at developing an NRP which would be based on county guidelines.
A consultant may be brought in to assist the commission in regard to a proposed EMS sales tax that may be on the November General Election Ballot. Commission Chair David Lee said he contacted the Kansas Association of Counties, which recommended the services of Mike Taylor, who during the legislative session lobbies on KAC’s behalf.
Lee said he’s also been contacted by a business interested in leading the Physicians’ Building in Moran, which the Hospital Board is looking at according to Commissioner John Brocker.
Commissioners also decided to not renew their membership in the League of Kansas Municipalities. The county has belonged to it for several years, and Humboldt City Administrator Cole Herder gave an overview of the services LKM provides. Commissioners were of the opinion this largely duplicates services it already gets through KAC.
The Commission has approved a request from St. John’s Catholic Church to use the Bandstand on the northwest corner of the Courthouse the evening of June 7th for a Eucharistic procession. Ed Miller from St. John’s said the first weekend in June is Corpus Christi, and over the past several years the bishops and cardinals in the United States have been asking parishes to make this procession more public. The procession, which will begin at 7 PM, will go from the Bandstand and around the Courthouse. As part of the approval permission was also granted to use a golf cart to follow behind the procession for older persons to be able to take part.
