<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583957713129.jpeg" alt="The City County Building. Salina Post file photo" />
 <figcaption>The City County Building. Salina Post file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saline County commissioners conducted their
 first meeting via teleconference Tuesday.&nbsp;
 According to information from the county, all future meetings will be conducted via teleconference until further
 notice.&nbsp; Citizens can call in by:Dialing 785-621-0800. Enter Participant Code:
 782956 followed by #. If a citizen wishes to
 speak when the chairman allows public comment, dial *9 to alert the
 moderator to open the line. Meetings can be viewed on
 Salina Media Connection via Cox Cable Channel 20 or online at
 <a href="http://salinatv.org">salinatv.org</a>.The commissioners dealt with a variety of issues during their Tuesday meeting. Highlights from the meeting include the following, according to information from the county.Justin Mader, county
 engineer, told commissioners that Saline County has awarded a High-Risk Rural Road
 project on South&nbsp; Simpson Road between East Magnolia Road and East Crawford Street.&nbsp; This project would begin in late 2021 or
 2022, will add shoulders to the roadway and regrade the ditch slopes with
 flatter slopes.&nbsp; All drainage
 structures will also be extended or replaced.&nbsp; This program allows for a 90/10 cost
 share, with Saline County’s cost estimated at $58,000.&nbsp; Commissioners approved that the
 appropriate forms be sent to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to receive the funds and move forward
 with the project.Mader also told commissioners that Union Pacific Railroad and KDOT have two projects that
 would add crossing signals with gates on county roads.&nbsp; One project is on South Muir Road, south of
 Kansas Highway 140 and the second project is in Bavaria east of the grain
 elevator.&nbsp; Union Pacific will build
 and maintain the projects, while KDOT will be responsible for 100 percent of the
 engineering and construction costs.&nbsp;
 These entities have asked for Saline County to provide the advanced
 warning signs, which are already in place, so there is no budget impact on
 Saline County on these projects.&nbsp; Commissioners
 approved to sign the agreement with Union Pacific and KDOT.Commissioners awarded the
 bid for traffic paint to Vogel Paint &amp; Wax Company to purchase white
 and yellow paint.&nbsp; They also awarded
 the bid for reflective traffic beads to McConnel &amp; Associates.&nbsp; The combined cost of these items is
 $91,982.Commissioners voted to
 authorize the chairman’s signature on the construction manager at risk
 contract with Turner Construction as it relates to the Saline County Jail
 Project.&nbsp; Their fee for pre-construction
 services is $58,000, which will be paid out of the Capital Improvement
 Project account.Commissioners approved a
 temporary COVID-19 advanced paid leave directive for Saline County.&nbsp; This directive helps to provide some
 relief to employees who have depleted their leave time or for new
 employees who haven’t accrued enough leave time.&nbsp; This directive could advance up to
 80-hours of paid leave to employees that are directly affected by COVID-19
 quarantines or isolation measures, arrangements for alternate child care,
 or providing child care on an emergency basis.Commissioners also
 approved several personnel policies to be updated.County announcementSaline County is still
 accepting expression of interest forms from citizens who have an interest
 in serving on the Saline County Crime Victim’s Fund Board.&nbsp; This board position serves to assist
 with fiscally aiding victims of crimes and assist in the review of
 applications from victims applying to receive funds.&nbsp; These funds are derived from diversion
 fees and reimbursements or restitution collected from offenders.&nbsp; Interested citizens can fill out the
 form online at: <a href="http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Expression-of-Interest">www.saline.org/Government/County/Expression-of-Interest</a>.

County teleconference meetings to continue