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Job creation, rezoning on governing body agendas [Topeka Capital Journal (KS)](Topeka Capital Journal (KS) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Local governing bodies plan this coming week to consider creating a job for an accounting associate and rezoning property to clear the way for more westward expansion of commercial development in Topeka. The Shawnee County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in its chambers in Room B-11 of the county courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. Commissioners plan to consider approving financial administrator Betty Greiner's request that they authorize her to establish, advertise and fill a position for an accounting associate. Greiner told commissioners in a recent memorandum that she laid off an accountant because of budget cuts in December 2013, and recently lost an intermittent employee who needed full-time employment. "Due to her rate of pay, I was unable to offer her full-time employment with our department," Greiner wrote. Greiner indicated she thinks she can best meet her department's needs by replacing the intermittent employee with someone who is paid a lower hourly rate but works full-time, then restructuring duties among her employees. Greiner wrote the additional annual cost of hiring the full-time associate would be about $3,976.40, which her department can afford. The employee's pay would start at $15.02 an hour and increase to $15.40 an hour after 120 days, with the estimated total annual cost plus benefits being $46,189.20. Commissioners also plan to: - Consider authorizing the corrections department to pay $277,109 to Topeka-based McElroy's to replace one heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooftop unit each at the Shawnee County Jail, 501 S.E. 8th, and Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center, 401 S.E. 8th. - Consider authorizing the county's emergency management department to submit a grant application through the Kansas Division of Emergency Management seeking about $93,000 to provide funding for salaries of the department's deputy director and operations assistant. - Meet immediately following the regular meeting as the county's Board of Health to take up matters regarding the Shawnee County Health Agency. The meeting will be the commission's second as the Board of Health, with the first having taken place April 21. The Topeka City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its chambers at 214 S.E. 8th. The city's governing body, consisting of the council and Mayor Larry Wolgast, will consider a proposal to rezone 75 undeveloped acres owned by John and Barbara Hoffer along the city's western edge. The governing body in March approved the Hoffers' request that the city annex the land. The property is located between S.W. Huntoon and 17th streets, just to the east of S.W. Urish Road. The Hoffers are asking the city to change zoning for the property -- currently classified as a "Residential Reserve District" -- to enable it to become the site of the "Wrangler Ridge Planned Unit Development" featuring offices, businesses and apartments. Because of a protest petition filed by neighbors, eight "yes" votes from among the 10 governing body members are required for the rezoning to be approved. Governing body members also plan to consider approving a final plat for the area involved. Votes from six of 10 members are required to approve that. In addition, the governing body plans to consider approving a joint, two-year memorandum of agreement concerning group health care cost sharing with labor unions that represent city employees in collective bargaining. The agreement would set forth the cost sharing formula for the city and individual employee contributions. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |