Santa’s elves disguised as Allen County commissioners Tom Williams, Jerry Daniels and Jim Talkington agreed Tuesday to give the county’s 105 employees a $200 bonus, for the second straight year.
Also, those whose employment anniversary reaches a five-year increase will get $25 for each five years of tenure.
Cost of the gifting will be $21,000 for bonuses and about $650 for tenure recognition.
Commissioners also agreed to pay for half of sick leave accumulated above the 720-hour limit by the end of 2016. Payment will be at individual’s rate of pay, meaning the buyout will cost about $9,000.
IN ANOTHER money matter, Terry Call, who bills for ambulance charges, told commissioners $636,464 had been collected through Monday. For comparison, $757,364 had been paid by the same date in 2015.
The county is liable for a subsidy of $1 million to Iola for operating the countywide service.
Call predicted income would be nearly $706,000 this year, using run data to date to make the estimate. If that plays out, the county would have to withdraw $294,000 from its ambulance fund to make up the difference.
In 2015, run revenue was about $850,000.
Call said this year’s runs trail 2015’s by 181.
“They usually pick up late in the year,” Call added.
MITCH GARNER, Public Works director, told commissioners a bridge near Petrolia, south of California’s intersection with 600 Street, would be bid for replacement. Cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $325,000. The Kansas Department of Transportation will pay $160,000.
