March 21, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

MARCH 21, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st of March, 2005 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

Chairman Rush called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as presented.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of March 14, 2005 as presented.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the public forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, Robin Boisvert, President of the ECMC Board of Directors and David Stonebraker, Vice President met with the Commissioner to discuss their plans for expansion of the outpatient facilities at the hospital. They have looked into the project and have been given a rough estimate of $750,000 to $1,000,000 for the expansion. This would add a total of 65,000 square feet to the building. The Board does not feel that they would be financially able to do this project and presented other financing options. All of the options would entail raising the mill levy, however, some of the options would allow more public input into the decision. The Commissioners agreed they would be willing to meet with the Board to discuss the matter more fully at their convenience. The remodeling project they are currently doing should be completed by June 7^th. Mr. Pearson reported the hospital had a profit of $158,000 for February with a year-to-date loss of $146,352.

Al Oller, Gerald Pauley and Nels Anderson, Holyrood residents, brought their concerns about the fair distribution of money from the ECCA. They had requested $7,000 to run the Holyrood meals program for the 2005 budget but only received $3,000. All other senior centers received the remaining $56,000. Presently the Holyrood site is feeding about 30 a day including the meals they deliver to individual homes. Without adequate funding, they will not be able to provide the service needed. The Commissioners will discuss the matter with the ECCA Board.

Kevin Ludlum and Gaye Woods, EMS Co-Directors, reported that with the recent rain, they had a few wet spots and would check the roof. Both directors attended a workshop in Topeka and the car had to have some repairs. The Commissioners set May as a time to review the 24-hour service.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported she had received a contract for spraying the state right-of-ways. She and the Commissioners agreed not to participate. The Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan for 2005 was presented for signature and signed. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the low bid from Don’s Home Repair of $2,888.34 to replace the windows in the Noxious Weed building. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Shute has talked with the Ellsworth Correctional Facility and they would be interested in making the recycling bins.

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz asked again if the Commissioners had made a decision to allow him to hire a personal attorney at the county’s expense for a lawsuit that has been filed against the county and county employees. The Commissioners will discuss the situation with the attorney appointed by the insurance company. The Commissioners asked if he had a pursuit policy and he indicated he did. That was one of the policies that the KWORC representative asked about on his visit last week.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management, reported he had been in contact with Nine, One, One, Inc. and they had indicated our dispatch system was Phase II ready except for maybe a truck line and software. Mr. Bernard will continue to work on getting the system ready to meet our first deadline, Phase I, which must be completed by July, 2005.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Transfer of Sick Leave policy dated today, March 21, 2005.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 48, 51 & 52 in the amount of $217.28.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser and Commissioner Heitschmidt accepted the invitation to attend a luncheon sponsored by Barton County on April 13. Other counties that will be represented are Pawnee, Rice, Rush, Russell and Stafford. Commissioner Rush had a previous appointment.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:55 p.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk