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City eyes $450K payroll hike By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
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Tuesday, June 9, 2020
As Iola officials put together the city’s 2021 budget, they’ll do so with the intention of pumping an additional $450,000 into the city’s payroll. City Council members embraced the higher pay levels after poring over the results Monday of a recently completed citywide wage study. The raises wouldn’t become official until the budget is approved later this summer, and would take effect starting in January. Based on estimates given to the Council, payroll figures would rise a combined 8.6% in 2021. The study was presented by
Pool to open by June 29 Plans are for Iola Municipal Pool to open by June 29. Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock told City Council members Monday the pool has been filled and the water is being treated with chlorine to get Human Resources manager Carla Brown, and was ordered by the Council after they boosted payroll in November for Electric Distribution employees in response to a separate wage review for that department. Both studies noted some
it ready for swimmers. Meanwhile, the pool’s lifeguard staff is undergoing training over the next several days. “If things work out, we may be able to open it a little earlier,” Schinstock said. Iola employees were or are paid substantially less than comparable workers in other municipalities. Department heads also were tasked with evaluating their departments and positions. “The question is what are
other cities paying,” Mayor Jon Wells said, “and not only how do we retain, but how do we attract new talent?” Some departments have dealt with significant turnover in recent months and years, he noted, because Iola’s pay is lower than others. “The Police Department has been out of line for years and years. And in today’s environment, it’s been getting harder to recruit.” “I support the effort to include these recommendations with our budget discussions,” Councilman Carl Slaugh said. Gene Myrick wondered why some employees were in line for raises, while others were
Governor: No pressure for counties to USD 257 families will pay a little more for lunches ease virus rules By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
By JOHN HANNA The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — K a n s a s counties “shouldn’t feel pressure” to loosen re- Gov. Kelly strictions if they aren’t seeing a decline in new coronavirus cases or new hospitalizations, Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday, with cases increasing faster in the four most populous counties than the state as a whole. Kelly said she’s feeling See CASES | Page A3
Fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will continue to hit pocketbooks for parents in USD 257, as school leaders approved a nickel increase in lunch prices. No increase was made for breakfast. “I’m afraid to raise it 10 cents,” said Judy Baker, food service director. “Families are struggling right now, and even a nickel is going to be a lot to ask. We’re just in between a rock and hard place.” The additional charge will offset about half the cost of an increase by the district’s food service provider, OPAA. Baker, who serves as the liaison between the district and OPAA, said the company increases its meal prices each
year, but the district tries to avoid passing those onto families by relying on reimbursement programs from the state or from free and reduced meal programs. The lunch program more than pays for itself, but breakfast is usually short about 15 cents per meal. This year, OPAA’s costs have increased in part because of the coronavirus pandemic, which saw food prices increase across the nation. OPAA’s lunch cost will increase by 11 cents to $3.4914 per meal, and breakfast by 7 cents to $2.3173. The state recommended USD 257 increase its lunch price by the maximum of 10 cents, although the district qualifies for an exemption that would allow them to refuse any type of increase.
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USD 257 Food Service Coordinator Judy Baker explains a 5-cent lunch price increase. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS The board agreed with Baker’s recommendation and voted to increase lunch prices by 5 cents. That will increase the cost of lunches at the high
school to $3.10, middle school to $2.95 and elementary to $2.90. Breakfast prices will remain the same. See USD 257 | Page A6
Humboldt board reopens indoor walking track Lansing prison By TREVOR HOAG The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Though their meeting was brief, Humboldt school board members made some notable decisions Monday night. After being closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Humboldt Community Field House is once again open for walking on its indoor track. The weight room, however, will remain closed for the time being, and if any positive COVID-19 cases were to
arise within the 258 district, the entire facility would be closed once more, said Superintendent Kay Lewis. During her superintendent’s report, Lewis said potholes at the sports complex had been repaired by the city crews in Humboldt. She also said she was going to be taking the final walkthrough of the district’s new storm shelter, which she described as “huge,” for example, with enough room for two wrestling mats. Work on the building trades building is also nearly
complete, she said. Lewis noted that the district received $83,000 in federal funds through the CARES Act. Lewis once again asked the board whether it wanted to put the bond for the distinct on the November ballot, with the hope that funds provided through an increased mill levy would be spent to make improvements on all major district buildings. Feelings among board members were mixed, with some saying they should move forward whereas oth-
ers were not optimistic about the chances of the bond passing due to current economic conditions. After some discussion containing mixed responses, Lewis said she would gather additional information so that the board could revisit the issue at a future meeting. DURING the recreation report, Nathan Ellison said that “improvements at the ball fields are moving along,” especially at Sweatt Field, where many of the buildings See HUMBOLDT | Page A6
From left, Humboldt Superintendent of Schools Kay Lewis, and USD 258 board members, Nathan Ellison, Tony Works, Helen Harrington, Kevin Heisler and Sandy Whitaker discuss reopening the Humboldt Community Field House, while Paula Kovacic, board clerk, takes notes. REGISTER/TREVOR HOAG Vol. 122, No. 156 Iola, KS 75 Cents
has most of state’s virus cases TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Lansing Correctional Facility is the largest single source of Kansas coronavirus cases, followed by the Tyson Foods meatpacking plant near Garden City, a public health document shows. The Kansas City Star, citing a list provided to it by Columbia University’s Brown Institute for Media Innovation, reports that the document contains a detailed account of every outbreak since May 19 in Kansas. At least 846 cases and six deaths through May 19 were traced to the Lansing prison. The Tyson plant near Garden City has seen 571 cases and one death according to the document. Outbreaks at three Sedgwick County churches collectively infected at least 32 people and resulted in one death. A retirees coffee group in Republic County led to six cases. A keg party in WabaunSee OUTBREAKS | Page A6