The Saline County Commission voted this morning to extend for another year the contract of County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes.
That action came after one of three executive sessions conducted by the commission this morning. The other two executive sessions were to discuss non-elected personnel and employee/employer negotiations.
“We are lucky that Mr. Smith-Hanes joined our staff and his leadership has been invaluable,” Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen said.
During this morning's regular commission meeting Smith-Hanes reminded commissioners that they are scheduled to meet with Salina City Commissioners to hear from staff concerning a vendor recommendation for the emergency radio communications project. The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Visit Salina Annex, 120 West Ash Street.
Additionally, Smith-Hanes told commissioners that Saline County submitted its reimbursement and direct aid plans for the Coronavirus Relief Funding on Aug. 14 and on Friday state personnel indicated that they anticipate having answers to approval of county plans by this week. Staff has been in contact with the agencies that were selected to receive funding from the county to ensure all appropriate paperwork is on hand before funds are transferred to them, he noted.
Smith-Hanes also told commissioners that staff members had been working on informational flyers and other items for outreach to the community regarding the jail project and the upcoming ballot question for the Nov. 3 general election.
Other business on today's county agenda includes the following.
Darren Fishel, Road and Bridge director, provided his department update for July and August. Several activities were completed including the replacement of 13 crossroad culverts, reshaping of a graveled road, repair of two bridges and three box culverts, ditch cleaning, and repair or replacement of 271 signs, Fishel said. Additionally, county-wide pavement marking (striping) has begun. Over the next few months, the department plans to replace 30 culverts and rebuild the roads in Sundowner West, he noted.
Commissioners nominated Commissioner Rodger Sparks as the primary and Commissioner Monte Shadwick as the alternate voting delegate to represent Saline County at the Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties annual meeting that will be held virtually after the Kansas Association of Counties Conference.