Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Votes Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ellis County Commission approves reorganization, budgeted renewals and multiple resolutions; votes at a glance
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Ellis County Board of County Commissioners approved organizational appointments, software and ERP renewals, an inventory report, several resolutions and personnel matters. Most votes passed unanimously (3-0).
ELLIS COUNTY, Kan. — The Ellis County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14 handled routine reorganization, approved several vendor renewals and adopted multiple county resolutions and policy updates. Most motions passed unanimously by recorded voice vote (3-0).
Key approvals
- Reorganization and appointments: Commissioners approved the annual reorganization. Michael Burgess was appointed chair and Neil Younger vice chair for 2025. The commission also approved a slate of board and commission appointments and designated official depositories, newspapers and regular meeting days as recommended by staff. (Motion(s) passed unanimously.)
- Consent agenda: The commission approved consent agenda items a through g with a voice vote.
- Inventory report: The Board approved the Ellis County 2025 department inventory report, a multi‑page package completed by department heads. The clerk noted the packet runs several hundred pages and department heads certify their individual lists before commissioners sign off.
- Microsoft Office 365 renewal: The commission approved purchase order No. 7853 for a one‑year Office 365 license renewal through vendor Liftoff in the amount of $42,624. IT Director Mike Leiker said the county uses Liftoff for migration and ongoing support; the cost reflects license counts and modest Microsoft rate changes. Vote: approved (3-0).
- CIC Peopleware (ERP) maintenance/renewal: The commission approved PO 07/1958 for the annual CIC Peopleware agreement in the amount of $65,195. County staff described CIC as the county's enterprise resource planning suite (finance, payroll, tax, records management). Vote: approved (3-0).
- Brown property tax abatement (Resolution No. 2025‑01): The commission approved a resolution granting a property tax credit to Richard and Janice Brown after their residential improvements were destroyed by fire in January 2024. County counsel presented an application citing state statute as the basis for relief and reported the Browns had already paid taxes; the credit amount identified in the file is $1,281.68. Vote: approved (3-0).
- Waiver of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) standards (Resolution 2025‑0): Per staff explanation and existing county practice, the commission adopted a resolution to continue operating on a cash‑basis accounting method and waive GAAP standards for reporting, citing state statute that allows the commission to elect this approach. Staff noted converting to full GAAP reporting would require additional personnel and higher audit costs. Vote: approved (3-0).
- Rural Opportunity Zone (Resolution 2025‑03): The commission adopted a resolution recognizing Ellis County’s participation in the Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program and approved $15,000 in county budgeted funds for the program. Staff said the allocation funds up to 10 applicant slots; two applicants were approved last year and additional applicants are in process. Vote: approved (3-0).
- Salary step adjustments for elected officials (Resolution 2025‑04): Following a county pay study and the pay‑grade system applied to county staff, the commission adopted a resolution to move elected officials to the next step in the newly adopted pay plan for 2025. Staff confirmed the change aligns elected officials’ pay steps with the county’s pay system. Vote: approved (3-0).
- Personnel policy update: The commission approved an update to the personnel policy to restore section 9.11 (PTO sellback), which staff said had been omitted from the previously approved 2025 policy document in error. Vote: approved (3-0).
Other business
The commission recessed twice for executive sessions to discuss non‑elected personnel matters (health director applications and personnel matters). Commissioners reported no decisions were made during the executive sessions and the meeting reconvened and adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
The meeting transcript shows commissioners and staff emphasized transparency in county financials and noted existing processes (inventory controls, annual audits) continue.
Votes at a glance: Most items above were recorded as passing by voice vote with commissioners saying "aye;" where a recorded tally was given it was 3‑0 in favor.
