Staff writer
County health administrator Diedre Serene told county commissioners Monday the health department would begin charging fees for child care licensing, effective July 1.
From now on, orientation for new day care providers is $25, licensed and group day care home visits cost up to $85, compliance checks, $35; Kansas Department of Health compliance check, $45; and substantiated complaints, $45.
While this is the first time Marion County is charging for day care licensing, Serene said many other counties already charge.
Serene said she encouraged the charges to keep providers accountable, when before some would schedule an appointment then not show up.
“Our intention is, if they really care, they’ll do it,” she said.
Serene also mentioned a need to explore roofing options for the health department building. Commissioners discussed requesting proposals, but took no action.
Domestic violence, disability rep requests funds
Ty Wheeler, an attorney with Kansas Legal Services, requested $4,000 from the county toward the group’s 2015 budget — an increase of $500 from the previous year.
Wheeler showed commissioners figures regarding each case his group has worked with during the past year. A shortage of work during that time caused him to request more money for the not-for-profit business.
Kansas Legal Services deals mostly with domestic violence and disability cases within the county, and turned away as many cases — 33 — as it represented during the year. Wheeler said his office did not have the help to keep up with so many cases, and that was the first time the number of rejected cases was that high.
In other business:
- Commissioners and Clerk Tina Spencer met in multiple executive sessions, often regarding the payment plan for county employees. Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford, Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt, and Sherriff Rob Craft each met with the commission, with no action taken afterward.
- Commissioners approved the 2014 fireworks schedule within the county. Discharge and sale of fireworks will be permitted June 27 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., June 29 through July 3 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and July 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. to midnight.
- Pending an auditor’s approval, the commission approved the lease purchase of a Volvo road grader for the road and bridge department. Commissioners also approved hiring Grif Case and James Jones, both at $10 per hour, as summer help on the blacktop.
- Commissioners approved a salary sheet for new drivers’ license examiner Tina Groening at $1,804 per month.