Minutes, January 17, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 17, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 17^th day of January 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commission

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

Chairman Kueser 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 2-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of January 9, 2006 with corrections. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, was present at the Public Forum to appeal to the Commissioner to rescind their decision of last week on the amount of Welcome Home down payment assistance to the Vallier family and to change their resolution. The Commissioners did not make any changes and reminded Mrs. Hoffhines that the administration of the program must adhere to the parameters of the resolution.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, presented a list of uncollectable accounts to be written off. Commissioner Heitschmidt move to approve the list of write-offs in the amount of $8,076.54. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Stats on runs for the month of December and the year of 2005 were given to the Commissioners. Mr. Ludlum is looking at purchasing laptops for the ambulances but does not have a price at this time. The Commissioners discussed the First Responder Class being offered by EMS and how the class is being handled financially. Even though the EMS is sponsoring the class, Shelly Maze will teach the class independently and the fees for the class with go directly through her. Mr. Ludlum presented and agreement between Mrs. Maze and the department specifying the arrangements for the class. Also, the department did not receive any grants toward the class.

A Department Head meeting was held at 11:00 a.m. with all members being present. Items that were discussed included use of cell phones, sexual harassment and meal reimbursements. Department heads were reminded of the procedure to follow if a sexual harassment complaint is filed. After an IRS Compliance Review, it was suggested that the county have a cell phone policy and change the way they reimburse meals for one-day meetings. In the past these meals have been reimbursed through accounts payable. Now, they will have to be reimbursed through payroll. Forms will be made available for day trip reimbursements and they will be turned in with the payroll. Mileage and trips where a hotel stay is required will still be reimbursed through accounts payable.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 06R02, A State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation (Burn Ban). Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 06R01, A Resolution Setting Compensation For Elected Officials And County Employees. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

The Commissioner discussed with Joe Shepack, County Attorney, the offer from Union Pacific for purchase of property covered by an existing lease that expires in September of 2006. Mr. Shepack will review the maps to ascertain the amount of right-of-way the county needs to purchase.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:00 Noon.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk