Minutes, June 6, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 6, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 6^th of June 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 with an addition.

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

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 31, 2005 as presented.

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

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, presented an update on the Foreign Animal Disease Tactical Plan for the county. A recent revision to the plan designates the new 4-H barn as the holding area if cattle trucks have to be taken off the highway. Mr. Bernard is working with SBC on Local E-911 Phase I and Phase II. The Clerk will be sending out letters this month to the wireless vendors in our county requesting information necessary for the completion of the project. Presently, he is working with the hospital to help them be better informed on overall decontamination.

Pam Hays, Phil Chegwidden, Brad Kratzer and Bernard Habiger, representing Ellsworth County Conservation District, presented their budget request for 2006. They requested $28,100 an increase of $10 from the previous year. They reported they would be buying a John Deer no-till drill to lease out to area farmers. The Commissioners thanked them for keeping their request in line with last years and will take that into consideration when formulating the 2006 budget.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, presented his 2006 budget of $667,481 an increase of $43,306. This includes a new secretarial position and a 4% raise for employees. The Commissioner questioned if he had received a report the jail audit and if so, they would like to receive it. Although Sheriff Ploutz has not had time to read the report, as soon as he can, he will comply with their request. A policy on racial profiling has been completed and given to the County Attorney for review. Upon completion of the review, it will be submitted to the Commissioners for their approval.

Pam Westerman, Health Supervisor, and Ronda Kasiska, Health Nurse, presented the Health budget for 2006 of $230,662. This is an increase of $5,189. The Commissioners asked that information be gathered on putting a garage north of the health building. It would be used to house their van and also give them additional storage space. Due to the resignation of Pam Westerman as Health Supervisor effective July 1, 2005, Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Ronda Kasiska as the new County Health Supervisor. Pam Westerman will remain on staff as a County Health Nurse. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Westerman reported there will be tabletop exercise on bio-terrorism with three counties participating in Russell on August 16, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. and she invited the Commissioners to participate.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, presented a budget for the Appraiser’s office for 2006 of $108,670, an increase of $9,620. Some leeway in the budget is due to the fact that Mr. Miller will be leaving and we will have to hire a new appraiser. The amount could be adjusted if necessary before the budget is set.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the May accounts payable in the amount of $145,138.16.

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

Commissioner Rush moved to donate $150 to the 4-H Activity Fund.

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

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

The County Clerk reported she had placed the ad for an Appraiser on the Appraiser’s Association website and in the KAC County Comments. The Commissioners decided to wait a few weeks before placing other ads. Also, the Clerk asked permission to pursue a DSL line for Internet service for the Courthouse. Permission was given.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

 

________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk