Minutes, February 21, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 21, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of February, 2006 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 Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of February 13, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, passed out his "Dashboard Reports" for 12-31-05 and the monthly financial report for January showing a loss of $51,984 but a year-do-date profit of $177,755. Mr. Pearson asked for feedback from the strategic meeting the Commissioners attended last month. Some of the items the Commissioners felt should be addressed were cost of health care to patients, demand of service for the elderly and preventative care. Chairman Kueser asked if consideration had been given to the request for participation by county employees at the wellness center at the same cost as to the hospital employees. Mr. Pearson replied that he had given that information to Paul Bahr. As yet, Mr. Bahr has not contacted the county. Mr. Pearson discussed the first payment on the revenue bonds due in April and how that payment was to be made.

Rene and Edith Pennington and Curt and Joanie Glaser discussed the Welcome Home payment for the Lago family. Mr. & Mrs. Pennington felt they could not sign the promissory note as it was made out but would be willing to sign the soft loan agreement for the down payment assistance on the Lago property. The Commissioners agreed that would be sufficient and approved the agreement.

Upon the request of Sheriff Ploutz, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:55 a.m. No action was taken. Sheriff Ploutz reported Joe Travenichek had resigned and he had moved Alisa Schneider from a part-time position to a full time jailer/corrections officer.

John Cyr, North Central Regional Planning Commission, stopped in to have some papers signed and visited with the Commissioner about legislative and county issues.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The County Clerk questioned when the newly acquired space behind the courthouse was to be made into a parking lot and if not soon, did the property need to be sprayed for weeds or grass planted. The Commissioners will meet with Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, before any definitive action is taken.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Welcome Home soft loan agreement for the Frank Hass family in the amount of $3,000. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 59,61-74, and 76-85 in the amount of $5,380.90. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Added Taxes # 60 in the amount of $408.32. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk