Minutes, July 24, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JULY 24, 2006

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioner convened this 24^th day of July 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 July 17, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, presented the financial report for the month of June showing monthly loss but a year-to-date profit of $87,061. He also presented a quarterly "dashboard report" that shows that the hospital continues to do well in the areas of utilization, finance, patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction. Mr. Pearson reported the hospital’s cash and investments have improved significantly due to more successful collection efforts. A brief discussion was held on the proposed ECMC educational center that will be housed in the former Century Building and the grant being sought to fund the center. The Commissioners discussed their request to offer employees of Ellsworth County memberships to the Wellness Center at little or no charge. A survey of usage was taken by the county and the figures given to Mr. Bahr, but he has not gotten back to them. Mr. Pearson suggested that perhaps a trade of services would be one way to go. Perhaps the county could pay for the cost of snow removal at the hospital in exchange for county memberships. The Commissioners asked that he supply them with the cost of snow removal and they would take it under advisement.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, asked approval to replace a computer at a cost of $688. The Commissioners approved the request. Mrs. Kasiska discussed briefly the recent Pandemic Tabletop exercise and is expecting a critique of the exercise shortly. She has had a request from EMS to use the conference room in their building two nights each week from August to December. She has concerns about the extra electric and heat expense on her budget and asked if they had any suggestions. The Commissioners suggested she talk to the EMS Director and see if some arrangements could be made.

Randy Hofmeier and Jerry Pugh, auditors with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, went over the 2007 budget they had prepared with their instructions. The budget would be $7,025,981 with a mill levy of 66.581, a decrease of 1.411 mills. Commissioner Rush moved to publish the 2007 budget with a hearing date of August 14, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, Penny VonLehe, Dispatcher Supervisor and James W. Loughlin of Allied Information Solutions, Inc., discussed with the Commissioners the proposed grant request for Ellsworth County for Wireless Enhanced 911 Grant, Calendar Year 2007. Mr. Loughlin is doing the grant without charge, with the stipulation that the companies he is association with be allowed to bid on the services contained in the grant. The approximate amount being requested is $230,000. Commissioner Kueser moved to sign a letter of support for the grant and authorized Sheriff Tracy Ploutz to sign the final draft. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Joe Shepack, Ellsworth County Attorney, went over the maps for the proposed purchase of Highway 140 right-of-way from the Union Pacific Railroad. Commissioner Kueser moved to purchase 21 acres of right-of-way at $700 per acres, a total of $14,700, from the Union Pacific Railroad. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. With this purchase and the one last year, Ellsworth County now owns all the Highway 140 right-of-ways and has no outstanding leases.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

All items listed in old business were addressed during the appointments in the preceding paragraphs.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Chairman Kueser will meet with Brent Goss and Michelle Brokes to make sure the new 4-H barn is adequately signed with "No Smoking" and "No Alcohol Beverages on the Premises" before the 4-H Fair.

Commissioner Rush moved to pay the Central Prairie RC&D dues in the amount of $250. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to contract with Doubrava Woodworking to repair the front Courthouse steps and surrounding sidewalks for $2,560. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk