Minutes, June 18, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 18, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of June 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of June 11, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Phyllis Dolezal, Janice Essick and Kathy Kohls representing the Ellsworth County Historical Society presented their budget request for 2008. They are requesting the same as last year, $24,000 but would appreciation additional funding if possible. Additional funds would be used for restoration and employee benefits.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, presented a budget of $745,165 for 2008. This is an increase of $70,120 or 10.4%. The salary line item was increased for a full-time dispatcher to relieve the dispatcher supervisor to also assume duties of an administrative secretary.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, discussed with the Commissioners all the calls she has been getting on musk thistle. The Commissioners, too, have been receiving calls as the wet weather has increased the problem. They urged her to stay on top of the trouble spots and made sure is documenting all of the problems. KHDE has contacted her about the problem with the old pit at the landfill and at the present time want her to construct a berm down the middle of the pit so the water will stay on the north side of the pit.

Marie Ranker, Janice Sneath and Jan Andrews, serving on the committee to update the phone system, presented two bids for the service, one from H&B Communications and one from Wilson Telephone. They both bid the same system with little difference in the overall price. Upon the recommendation of the committee, the Commissioners agreed to go with the H&B bid of $11,017 and if the funds are available this year to go ahead with the project.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, went over the Real Estate Appraisal/Sales Ratio Study sent out by the State. Ellsworth County is in compliance. Mr. Miller presented a budget of $113,520 for 2008. This is an increase of $7,090 or 6.6%, however, the increase is for the new statewide CAMA system and the additional amount will cover our costs.

Rob Fillion, Executive Director of Smoky Hill Development Corporation, updated the Commissioners on the activities of the organization. He reported they did fund $6,000 for the Welcome Home down payment assistance program with a $1,500 cap per family. Since the county had budgeted $40,000 for personnel in their economic development budget and all it would not be used this year, Mr. Fillion asked how the Commissioners wanted to handle the remaining funds. The Commissioners suggested that when he had projects or ideas for use of the money, to come to them and they would respond.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

There were no new business items.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, June 11, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 11, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of June 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of June 4, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Pat Murray, Executive Director of Central Kansas Medical Center, presented their budget request for 2008 of $18,850 an increase of $549 or 3%.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported she had hired Tisha Wacker and she would be starting on 19^th. She has had some problems with illegal dumping and in one case the Sheriff was called and the individual had to reload the material. Palacky Township questioned the County Clerk about white metal appliances that had washed up on land after the floods. He was wondering if they could be brought into the landfill free of charge. The Commissioners tabled a decision on that matter until more information could be gathered.

Virginia Boots, Gene Linton, Dave Koralek, Edith Pennington, Merv Harms, Mildred Janzen and Evelyn Arensman, representing ECCA and the Senior Center presented their budget request for Services for the Elderly for 2008. They requested $91,896, which included Ellsworth Senior Center, ECCA, Wilson Senior Center and meals for Holyrood, an increase of $29,496 or 47%. The biggest increase of $28,575 was requested by the Ellsworth Senior Center. The Commissioners discussed at length their request and will consider it when the budget is made.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, gave the Commissioners the budget report for May showing year-to-date receipts of $123,647.34. She and Medical Director Liaison, Shawn McGowan, discussed the complaints he was getting from doctors about getting transfers out when needed. Mrs. Maze presented a letter for their approval to be sent to the doctors asking that such complaints be directed to her and stating the EMS policies on the number of ambulances being out of the county at one time. She is planning to go to the medical staff meeting in July in case there are additional questions. Acting upon a request from Shawn McGowan for an increase in his Medical Director Liaison fee, Commissioner Kueser moved to increase the fee for to $300 per month effective July 1, 2007. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

There were no new business items.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

The County Clerk reported on preliminary valuations for 2008, insurance premiums for employers stayed the same for 2007-2008 and the bridge on the county line with Lincoln County that went down is being put on their list for FEMA consideration. Someone turned the water on at the 4-H barn and the show area was flooded. The water is now turned off and she has requested that it remain turned off until an event is scheduled and after the event turned off again.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m.

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

Minutes, June 4, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 4, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 4^th day of June 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 29, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Bill Meyer with Olsson Associates informed the Commissioners they had opened an office in Manhattan, Kansas and would like the opportunity to work with them on future projects.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, reported on the recent State and FEMA activity in the County. David and Kay Bailey were present to hear the latest information as they had extensive damage to their property. The IA (individual loss) teams were out Saturday and covered the areas that had reported damage. They assessed damage for both storms although Ellsworth County only has a declaration for the May 4^th storm at this time. After the assessments have been made FEMA will set up here in the Courthouse for people to make formal applications for assistance. Mr. Bernard is working with Brent Goss, Extension Service, to see that agricultural losses are reported and assessed. Report of losses can still be called in to the County Clerk.

Carolee Miner, Shelia Nelson-Stout and Pat Wallerius representing OCCK, Inc. presented their budget request for 2008. They would like to have a 2% increase for a total of $65,489.

Pam Hayes, Phil Chegwidden and Brad Kratzer, representing the Ellsworth Soil Conservation District, presented their budget request for 2008 of $29,000. This is the same amount as last year.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported they had a good attendance at their Open House. They had 24 vendors plus two helicopters. The new ambulance is in and will be in service in about a month. Mrs. Maze demonstrated one of the two new monitors they have received and Eagle Med will be conducting a class on the new equipment. Individuals taking the EMT class have taken their practicals and will be taking their written exams soon. Wilson is trying to get a class started for January. Also, Terri Stone is taking the Paramedic course and Deedra Stertz and Rick Soukup and Shawna Haase are planning to take the classes in the fall.

Fred Mog questioned the county's Noxious Weed policy in regards to getting rid of musk thistle.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners approved the bill for asphalt milling from the City of Ellsworth for the 4-H barn.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the May payroll in the amount of $173,850.76. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the May accounts payable in the amount of $132,068.39. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, May 29, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

MAY 29, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 29^th 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 21, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported three individuals from KDHE inspected the problem with the coverage of the sides of the covered landfill pit and, at the present time, had no solution. They will contact her when a decision has been made. In regards to the new pit, she will have to have it inspected during the digging at certain intervals until it is finished. She has received six or seven applications for the position in her office.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, gave an update on the two flooding incidents and the response to each one. The City of Ellsworth had more damage with the 23^rd flood. The response to the first incident went well and the second even better. Ellsworth County has been declared a disaster on the first incident and Mr. Bernard felt we should make a disaster declaration on the flooding that occurred on May 23 & 24. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R06, A Resolution Declaring A State Of Local Disaster Emergency For Ellsworth County, Kansas. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners tabled the discussion on the invoice for road materials for the 4-H barn until more information is available.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement 2006-112 for $807.78. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

MAY 29, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 29^th 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 21, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported three individuals from KDHE inspected the problem with the coverage of the sides of the covered landfill pit and, at the present time, had no solution. They will contact her when a decision has been made. In regards to the new pit, she will have to have it inspected during the digging at certain intervals until it is finished. She has received six or seven applications for the position in her office.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, gave an update on the two flooding incidents and the response to each one. The City of Ellsworth had more damage with the 23^rd flood. The response to the first incident went well and the second even better. Ellsworth County has been declared a disaster on the first incident and Mr. Bernard felt we should make a disaster declaration on the flooding that occurred on May 23 & 24. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R06, A Resolution Declaring A State Of Local Disaster Emergency For Ellsworth County, Kansas. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners tabled the discussion on the invoice for road materials for the 4-H barn until more information is available.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement 2006-112 for $807.78. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk