Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Philips presented a budgetary change to the Riley County Commission on Monday.
Due to an error made with the Rural Fire district budget, the Riley County Commission has approved a change made to the overall budget. This will reduce the mill levy from 8.914 to 7.737, an overall reduction in ad valorem taxes by $187,998.
Commissioner John Ford asked for clarifications in procedure. Ford also remarked about how this is not the first time this has happened.
The Commission moved to approve the measure, and it passed. The final budget is set to be presented on August 28th.
EMS/Ambulance Director David Adams gave an update to the Commission regarding statistics and potential new technology. Adams gave the statistics for June. There were 425 calls for service. 16 in north county, 154 main station, 128 from 11th and Poyntz, 100 public words building, 50 at airport, and 5 response calls in Leonardville.
Adams brought up station paging to the commission. Currently they are using a 40 year old system requiring employees to carry a pager.
Adams also gave an update on Station 5 in Riley, which is expected to become operational soon.
Assistant County Engineer Evan McMillan also presented to the Commission regarding an increase to the Transfer Station price. The contract with the new operator, HAMM Inc, was signed last week. As a result of this new contract, the cost per ton will increase by $9, resulting in a new rate of $64 dollars a ton. This is an 18.2% increase to the current rate.
McMillan compared the new rates to other counties nearby.
There was a motion to increase the rate, and this new rate passed.
Riley County also posted an update to the Fairmont Park dog park. The dog park was closed through the weekend after a dog tested positive for canine parovirus.
The park has been reopened as of Monday the 21st, as officials have not received any additional notifications of illness. It is advised that individuals continue to monitor their pets for signs or symptoms.
