Minutes, May 21, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MAY 21, 2007

MINUTES

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of May 2007 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

Chairman Rush called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of May 14, 2007. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, reported the hospital had a profit of $522,441 for the month of April and a $266,926 year-to-date profit. The 2008 budget was presented. Although the financials are important, Mr. Pearson would like to spend more of his time with the Commissioners on strategic planning. Commissioner Kueser commented that he would like number of board members and term limits included in that discussion.

Upon the request of Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:32 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. and Commissioner Kueser moved to return to executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:15 a.m. Commissioners confirmed Sheriff Ploutz decision to terminate the employment of one of his employees.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, discussed a charge account that was delinquent. The customer continues to use the free services at the landfill but has not made any payment on his Noxious Weed or Landfill account. The Commissioners agreed that she send him another request for payment and deny use of landfill services until the account is current.

Upon the request of Carl Miller, Appraiser, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:02 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved that upon the successful completion of a 90-day probation, Marie Ranker be moved to range 7; step d, on the salary scale retroactive to March 1, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Miller reported the motherboard went out in his 2000 computer and requested to purchase a replacement for $2,229. The Commissioners authorized the purchase. Mr. Miller noted he had 86 informal property tax hearings this year and he felt they went well. The deadline for filing an appeal has passed and to his knowledge, none have been filed. Ellsworth County is one of the 32 counties scheduled for conversion to the new CAMA system, Orien. It is a PC based system and the county's portion for software, hardware and miscellaneous items should be approximately $7,500. He has budged $4,000 this year and would like to make sure that amount can be carried over until next year if not needed in 2007. The additional funding needed will be budgeted in 2008. He has been talking with the Ellsworth City Administrator and Economic Development Director about neighborhood revitalization, so they may want to visit with the them. Commissioner Oller had some contact from a citizen Wilson about neighborhood revitalization and asked Mr. Miller to contact him. Mr. Miller plans to certify values to the County Clerk on Jun 4^th or 5^th.

Geneva Schneider, County Treasurer, gave the Commissioners a brief update on her department since being appointed County Treasurer. She expressed appreciation to all the other departments who have helped her and in particular her part-time staff who has filled during the illness of her full-time worker.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 2006-109 & 111 in the amount of $60.48. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday, May 29^th as the 28^th is a holiday.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk