Minutes, January 23, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 23, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 23^rd day of January, 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPEN 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 16 and January 23, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Carl Miller, Appraiser, met with the Commissioners about the controversy over a correction line made in Wilson Township that affected the acreage of Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ward’s property. Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ward were in attendance and Mr. Miller explained how he had used the survey of 1901 supplied by the adjacent owner to verify the change. However, Mr. Ward had a survey of 1890 that contradicted the one in 1901. Mr. Miller has asked the Register of Deeds for copies of deeds on both properties and will make a decision after all the information is forthcoming. The correction line may have been made in error and if so, can be corrected. Mr. Miller presented three estimates for a replacement copier. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Miller, Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the purchase of a Canon imageRUNNER C2620 copier at a cost of $8,740 with $4,500 to come from the Equipment Reserve Fund and the remaining cost from the Appraiser’s budget. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session with Mr. Miller to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Jan Andrews, County Clerk was included in the session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the salary contract between Ellsworth County and Carl Miller, Appraiser, for 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, presented cost estimates for 4 Panasonic Toughbook laptops for use in the ambulances. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Ludlum, Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the purchase of 4 Panasonic CF-29 Toughbook laptop computers with a three-year no-fault warranty at a cost of $14,419. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. The Commissioners agreed to allow the present volunteers to go a part-time status for a period of six months at the following salaries: First Responder $7 per hour, EMT $8 per hour, EMT-1 $8.50 per hour and Paramedic $9.50 per hour. The program will be revisited in July of 2006 to see how the change impacts the budget and if the intended goals are being achieved.

Steve Cross, ING Representative that handles the State of Kansas Deferred Compensation package, visited with the Commissioners about the program and asked that they make it available to the county employees. Chairman Kueser tabled any decision until Commissioner Rush returns.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, reported he had hired Alisa Schneider as a part-time jailer and dispatcher and is still looking for another part-time person. Also, he is still working on the wireless 911 and all that it entails. With the cost estimates he has been given, there is a strong possibility that the county may have to apply for a grant to complete Phase I and Phase II. The closed circuit TV system is in, however, the court’s security line between the Courthouse and the jail was cut and the cost to repair it was $1,200. He plans to split the cost and pay for $600 of the repair.

3. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS:

There were no new business items.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk