ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — Allen County Commissioners Tuesday approved a change in the type of ventilator it will be purchasing for one of the EMS ambulances. Director Michael Burnett said this came about based on a recommendation from respiratory staff at Allen County Regional Hospital that it look at a different option.
Only two settings were available on the respirator they were going to purchase, and the one hospital staff recommended would allow for more flexibility, which is particularly important on transfer runs. The change adds an additional just over 2,100 dollars to the cost of the ventilator, with the total cost now just over $7,100.
Burnett also reported the ambulance they are having a box remounted on a new chassis should be here by the middle of next week.
Things are gearing up for the Nov. 13 Job Fair at the Riverside Park Gym, organized after Gates announced it would be laying off 80 of its Iola plant employees. Thrive Allen County economic development director Camille Lavon said 20 employers have already signed up for the job fair, and there could be more.
As part of the event, they will also be providing services for job seekers, including free LinkedIn photos and professional resume review along with a professional clothing closet. Lavon said this would make it possible for some to just show up, grab a blazer, and get a photo made for current or future job searches.
Lavon is also working with USD 257 to enable Iola High School juniors and seniors to take part in the event, which if successful has the potential to become an annual event.
Commissioners heard an update from Thrive Allen County’s Marcia Davis on the recent Community Conversation in Mildred. Davis said the top priority identified by those attending was community cleanup, which she said the community is well positioned for. “There are people in the community who are willing to volunteer and to some of this work,” she explained, adding they just need a go-ahead to proceed.
Two other priorities identified by the group are sidewalks and a playground project. On the latter the community has a site identified for a playground and are looking at grant opportunities to fund the project.
During the meeting Commissioners also held two executive sessions, one on attorney-client matters involving Zoning Administrator Terry Call and Thrive Allen County’s Camille Lavon and the other on contract negotiations with Public Works Director Mitch Garner. No action was taken from either session.
