Minutes, December 19, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 19, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 19^th day of December 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 printed. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of December 12, 2005.

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

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff, Tracy Ploutz, gave the Commissioner his yearly report on the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund showing an ending balance of $4,768.02. He has hired Marlene Rodriguez as a part-time dispatcher/jailer. The letter sent out to cellular and wireless carriers informing them we were ready with Phase I & II has brought results. In moving into Phase II of the program, it will be necessary to purchase the software for the mapping. Nine Nine One, Inc. will supply such software and installation at a cost of $4,000 - $5,000. The Commissioners asked that Sheriff Ploutz reconfirm that the cost would be a turnkey operation and all the expense necessary to get us compliant. If not, additional funding for the project may be necessary through the grant system.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, asked the Commissioners to clarify the carryover in his budget and where that carryover is directed. All carryover funds are used to finance the next year’s budget and if additional authority is not spent, those funds are transfer to the Capital Equipment Reserve Fund to purchase ambulances and other equipment needed. Mr. Ludlum passed out information on the Fair Labor Standard Act and in particular information on overtime. Mr. Ludlum has asked not to trade in an ambulance when he purchases a new one this year, leaving three ambulances in Ellsworth. The Commissioners questioned whether or not we needed the third ambulance and if we would have the personnel to staff it.

Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth County Administrator, passed out some information on the impact of KDOT’s Highway 156 project.

Jon Mollhagen, Moly Manufacturing, and John Sherman, Attorney, presented a proposal for expansion at Moly Manufacturing and asking for a tax exemption for that exemption. The present Tax Exemption Policy states "improvements" and Mr. Mollhagen’s expansion would be for equipment. Mr. Sherman and John Cyr, North Central Regional Planning Commission, felt the policy should be amended for clarification purposes. Therefore, Commissioner Kueser moved to amend the county’s Tax Exemption Policy, Criteria For Granting Of Tax Exemptions; VI. Nature of Improvement, A & C to included "improvements and/or equipment". Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Mollhagan is asking for an exemption on a value of $253,414 with the creation of four new jobs. The committee, as specified in the policy, will review the request and make their recommendation next week.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, requested an executive session. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:26 a.m. until 10:40 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:40 a.m. No action was taken. Mr. Bernard informed the Commissioners the Kansas Highway Patrol would be doing an audit on the Dept. of Justice grants sometime in 2006. They will be checking the equipment purchased and the training.

Pat Kinnaird, Central Kansas Mental Health, gave the Commissioners a quarterly update on their activities in the county. There were 32 admissions from Ellsworth County this past quarter.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, asked for authorization to purchase a new computer. Commissioner Kueser moved to authorize the purchase of a computer from Computer Solutions at a cost of $1,665.05. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, presented a bid from Kyler & Sons for the curb, driveway and sidewalk to the new garage. Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the bid from Kyler & Sons in the amount of $3,215. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Roger Peterson, Attorney representing the Ellsworth County Medical Center, discussed the back special taxes and 2005 taxes owed on the recently purchase Century Building. The City of Ellsworth will not abate the delinquent specials from 2003 and 2004. A tax exemption has been filed with the Board of Tax Appeals on the building, and the tax situation needs to be solved before their deliberations on the application. Commissioner Kueser moved to pay the 2003 and 2004 specials and three-fourths of the 2005 taxes and specials from the Hospital Bond fund with the remaining quarter of the 2005 specials to be paid by the ECMC. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Joe Shepack, Ellsworth County Attorney, discussed on-going legal matters with the Commissioners.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the renewal of cereal malt beverage licenses for Venango Korner Mart, Service Oil Company and Simmons Bait & Tackle. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 2005, 36,37,38,41,45,46 & 47 for $1,379. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk