Minutes, October 24, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

OCTOBER 24, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 24^th day of October 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 additions.

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

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of October 17, 2005.

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

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, gave the Commissioners his "dashboard reports" for the period ending September 30, 2005. Financially, the hospital is $41,000 ahead of budget for the quarter. The Century Building purchase has been closed and they are focusing on getting the electricity and utilities hooked up so tours for the employees and community can take place.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, gave the Commissioner a brief update on his activities. He has had a request from the Ellsworth Fire Department to use one of the two extra transmitters assigned to the Sheriff’s office. Mr. Bernard has checked with the Sheriff and is in agreement to let them use it. The Commissioners asked that Mr. Bernard draw up an agreement spelling out the terms for use and replacement if damaged and that it will be returned immediately if the Sheriff has a need for it. Also, it will still be carried on the Sheriff’s inventory. Mr. Bernard received notice that he will be receiving $78,000 from the bio-terrorism grant and most of that will go for decontamination units for the hospital. In answer to a question posed by the Commissioners, Mr. Bernard stated he did have a list of the all the equipment he has purchased through the grant program and where it is located.

At the request of the Commissioners, Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, met with them to discuss a letter from John Westerman on the county-line road between Lincoln and Ellsworth County. After reviewing the letter and the agreement between Lincoln County and Ellsworth County, the Commissioners asked that Mr. Nondorf not do any maintenance on said road. The agreement with Lincoln County states that they will do maintenance on the road. In the future, if calls are make asking for maintenance, they are to be referred to the Lincoln County Commissioners.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, asked the Commissioners to approve Purchase Order 00056 for Suicide Prevention in Custody video for $159.75. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Purchase Order 00056 in the amount of $159.75. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, presented the two bids on the electrical work for the new garage. Rolling Hills Electric was $2,695 and Anderson Electric was $3,170 or $500-$600 less after requested alterations. Upon the recommendation of Mrs. Kasiska, Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the low bid of $2,695 from Rolling Hills Electric for the wiring of the Health Department garage. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

An employee pre-termination hearing was scheduled at 11:30 a.m. The employee was not present; therefore, no hearing was held.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, requested the Commissioner go into executive session to discuss the sale of real estate. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session from 11:35 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. to discuss the sale of county real estate. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:50 a.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the County Clerk’s request to purchase a scanner, label maker and two bar code scanners for the HAVA database in the amount of $1,434. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement 2004-67 as ordered by the Board of Tax Appeals in the amount of $84,747.33. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:00 Noon.

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk