Minutes, June 25, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 26, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 26^th day of June, 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

In the absence of Chairman, Terry L. Kueser, Vice-Chairman, Lavel Heitschmidt, 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 2-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, gave the Commissioner a financial report on the hospital and clinic showing a profit of $8,953 for the month of May and a year-to-date profit of $204,419. Mr. Pearson reported Dr. Slomka will be gone for a month and that will have a significant impact on future financials. The Board voted to purchase a new CAT system at a cost of $730,000 to be financed over the next five years. Since the radiology department generates 67% of the total hospital revenue, the Board felt it was a good investment. The amnesty program and medical access card program are ready to be implemented.

Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth City Administrator, had two items for the Commissioners. One, he requested the Commissioner include $30,000 in the 2007 budget for the airport as a match for a federal program. They have applied for a state grant and the city will match that program. Second, he asked the Commissioner to consider the zoning proposals made by Mr. Foster last week and the Neighborhood Revitalization Program for the City of Ellsworth. The Commissioner felt some changes were necessary for Neighborhood Revitalization Program in respect to the minimum amount of investment and the rate of abatement through the years. The Commissioners asked Mr. Mitchell to work with the Appraiser, Carl Miller, and the County Clerk on the program and they will reconsider it.

Gail Vance, representing Pride of the Prairie Leadership Program, requested $4,285 for the 2007 budget. This is the same as last year.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported the new spray truck is here and is working well. She represented her 2007 budget for Noxious Weed, Landfill and Recycling. The Landfill request was $87,610 and included the purchase of a tractor and the Noxious Weed, $164,390.

Administrative Judge, Mike Keeley, District Administrator, John Isern, Chief Court Service Officer, Sabrina Chism and Ellsworth District Court Clerk, Peggy Svaty, visited with the Commissioner on their 2007 budget. The request was for $81,290, an increase of $1,200. Also, Judge Keeley presented a check from the Court Bonding Fund to the Commissioners in the amount of $1,205.59. A discussion was held on the new law allowing the Board of Commissioner to set the jury fee. The Commissioner passed a resolution keeping the fee at $10 per day.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioner discussed the information received from Mr. Foster last week on zoning and asked the County Clerk to contact him and ask for a proposal for Ellsworth County and Ellsworth City with the cost of the plans divided out.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance for Kort and Becky Hawks in the amount of $3,000. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement 2005-137 in the amount of $30. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

As requested by Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, County Auditors, the County Commissioners signed a letter of engagement for the 2007 budget designating the County Clerk, Janet Andrews, to assist in the preparation of the 2007 budget.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Vice-Chairman Heitschmidt adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk