Minutes, June 20, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 20, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 20^th day of June 2005 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

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 Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of June 13, 2005 as presented.

Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, Ellsworth County Medical Center Administrator, reported they had a profit for the fourth consecutive month and a year-to-date loss of $20,027. At the last Board Meeting they had a proposal from a prospective buyer of the Century building to lease the building to them and upon his death the building would be deeded to the hospital. Mr. Pearson reported the Board had declined the proposal due to the cost and terms of the lease. He and the Board are still looking at ways to help fund the new building project.

Clara McCoy and Pat Murray, representing Central Kansas Mental Health Center, presented their budget request for 2006 of $18,301, an increase of 3%. The Commissioners discussed some complaints from the Sheriff and County Attorney on request for services. Details of those complaints will be gathered and forwarded to Mrs. Murray so they can be addressed.

Al Oller, Holyrood, met with the Commissioners at their request to discuss the Holyrood senior citizens services. In talking with ECCA officers, they had expressed concern that the tax money being allocated to Holyrood was being co-mingled with the Legion money. Also, in order to receive funding, an advisory committee needed to be formed. Mr. Oller reported the money was segregated and he would work to get a committee in place. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Oller for his cooperation and commended him and others in the community who worked so hard to get the services started in Holyrood.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented his 2006 budget request of $1,593,317 an increase of $72,397. He finally received a letter from KDHE giving him permission to tear down some houses. He has talked with Kanopolis, Wilson and Ellsworth. So far Wilson has responded with one house.

Sam Cline, Warden, and Johnnie Goddard, Deputy Warden of Ellsworth Correctional Facility, asked the Commissioners to waive landfill fees for the facility. Mr. Cline reported the facility had donated over $445,000 to the community in man-hours for various projects and would like to trade some of the value for landfill services. The Commissioners explained they did have a waiver for cities in the county in the amount of $1,000 per year and would be happy to extend the same service to them. After a brief discussion, Mr. Cline felt that arrangement would be sufficient and, if down the road, other arrangements need to be made, they will meet with them again. Commissioner Kueser moved to waive landfill fees in the amount of $1,000 per year to the Ellsworth Correction Facility effective as of today, June 20, 2005. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Jim Allman, Southwestern Bell, presented a proposal for telephone service and DSL line for the Courthouse. The cost for the lines we have now plus a DSL line would be approximately $15 per month higher. However, due to the fact that in the last week he had been in contact with the Health Department and EMS, he would like to meet with them and discuss their needs before making a final proposal.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners discussed one of the applications received for the Appraiser position and made an appointment to meet with him on Thursday, the 23^rd at 8:00 a.m.

EMS incentives were tabled until another time.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a Welcome Home Soft Lien agreement in the amount of $1,500. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush recessed the meeting to June 23, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk