By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Commissioners Vernon Berens and Glenn Diehl took the oath of office for the fourth and first times, respectively, Monday, along with all other elected county officials.

Diehl made a few suggestions on his first day in office.

He asked the county clerk's office to consider posting the commission's agenda and minutes on the county's Web site.

"People can just sit at home and keep up with their county government," Diehl said.

Diehl also would like to see the minutes from the fair board, rural fire board and planning and zoning commissions posted on the Web site.

Diehl and newly appointed Commission Chairman Perry Henman asked for more information on why only county employees served on the county's salary and insurance committees.

Both suggested at-large members could be placed on the committee for an objective opinion.

Commissioners also approved the boundaries for commission districts as approved in 2002.

District 1 Commissioner Perry Henman represents the most constituents with 6,376.

"I have the whole city of Ellis and the middle third of Hays -- that's two distinct constituencies," Henman said.

District 2 Commissioner Glenn Diehl represents 6,096 voters on the west side of Hays and much of the rural areas of southern and western Ellis County.

District 3 Commissioner Vernon Berens represents 6,091 voters in eastern Ellis County, including Victoria.

"Theoretically, Hays gains on the outskirts of town," Henman said, so Diehl and Berens likely would be picking up voters to even out the numbers.

In other business:

* Commissioners approved the purchase of a backhoe from Sellers Equipment for $84,527. The bid for the JCB machine was the lowest submitted, but lacked an outer box frame, as detailed in the specifications. Delivery is expected in three to four months.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a vibratory packer for the backhoe from Victor L. Phillips Co. for $4,886.

The purchase of the backhoe was delayed from 2008 and will be paid for out of the county's special machinery fund.

* Commissioners signed an agreement with Glassman Corp. for service on the air-conditioning and heating units in the courthouse and the law enforcement center. Glassman Corp. will be working on a cost estimate for service at the 601 Main building.

* Sheriff Ed Harbin said his department will begin searching the state's motor pool to replace two patrol cars. The cars, used by the Kansas Highway Patrol, are expected to have about 50,000 miles on them and cost $15,000 each. The department's cars will be auctioned off at a later date.

* Commissioners approved repairs for the landfill's scraper. A new engine and other miscellaneous parts with work done in-house is not to exceed $15,000.