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Saline County commissioners adopt proclamations, approve routine purchases and personnel amendments
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Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting the Saline County Board approved a teen‑dating‑violence proclamation, several equipment purchases including a used squad and patrol MDT replacements, accepted an insurance settlement to rebuild a private entrance bridge, adopted consolidated personnel/financial policies, and approved an employment‑agreement amendment for the incoming county administrator.
The Saline County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a package of routine items that included a proclamation, several procurement approvals, acceptance of an insurance settlement for bridge replacement, policy updates, and a short amendment to the incoming county administrator’s employment agreement.
Proclamation and community outreach: Jalen Alexander, identified in the agenda as a DVAC youth mentor advocate, read a proclamation designating February 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and outlined planned school and library outreach, information tables and awareness materials. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation.
Equipment and purchases: The commission approved Rural Fire District No. 3’s request to purchase a used 2004 Ford F‑550 squad from Rural Fire District No. 5 for $50,000; staff said district special equipment funds (balance reported at just over $124,000) would cover the purchase. The Board also approved replacement of 24 in‑vehicle patrol laptops (MDTs) plus one additional laptop and docking cradle; IT/Public Safety technician Kevin Ellis recommended Dell’s quote at $50,283.81 and noted the units include mapping capability and that licensing is included. All these procurement motions passed unanimously as recorded.
Property damage settlement: County Engineer Justin Mader described a Nov. 14 incident in which a contractor’s scraper caused a timber bridge at 9189 South Muir Road to collapse. He said the county negotiated an increase of the insurance settlement to $28,086.91 so the landowners’ requested hard‑surface replacement (concrete block abutments, steel beams and steel decking with an asphalt riding surface) could be covered. The settlement deposit will go into the county’s special highway improvement fund (Account 127) and that fund will cover construction costs; commissioners voted to accept the settlement and execute the release.
Personnel and policy actions: Human resources staff presented a set of revised policies consolidated under draft Resolution 26‑2444 (which repeals two prior resolutions and incorporates comprehensive financial policies). The commission adopted the resolution unanimously. The board also approved Amendment No. 1 to the employment agreement for Philip D. Smith Haines (to shift the end date by 10 days and adjust base salary for one pay period) by unanimous vote.
Information items: County Appraiser Sean Robertson delivered a semiannual update on parcel inspections, 2026 valuation timelines and appeal deadlines (real estate value notices to mail Feb. 27; appeals due March 30). Health Department Director Jason Tiller summarized outreach events, preparedness exercises tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and said staff accepted into a leadership cohort; he noted improved fiscal controls after a high‑spend year and upcoming community events.
Concept discussion: The board discussed dissolving the Health Department Advisory Council (created by resolution in Sept. 2015) because of low attendance and frequent cancellations; Health Director Jason Tiller said staff will prepare a resolution to repeal the establishing resolution if the commission wishes to proceed.
The meeting closed after commissioners’ announcements and a reminder about local election registration and ballot deadlines.
