Minutes, July 16, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JULY 16, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 16^th day of July at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

Vice-Chairman Kueser 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 July 9, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Geneva Schneider, County Treasurer, presented her budget request for 2008 of $101,900 an increase of 3%. Mrs. Schneider also asked that the Commissioners authorize purchase of a "drop box" to be located at the front of the Courthouse for the convenience of citizens of the County. The cost would be $1,000 that could come from her 2008 budget and the Road & Bridge Department offered to install it. The Commissioners felt it was an excellent idea that would benefit all offices and suggested that she go ahead and purchase it now and take it out of the County Building fund. Also, it was decided the Treasurer would have the responsibility of emptying the box and delivering to the other offices any material marked for them.

Jan Andrews, County Clerk, reported Lincoln County had contacted her on the county-line bridge that was damaged in the May flooding. They will receive FEMA money for repairs, but additional funding will be necessary. The Commissioners will need to talk with the Lincoln County Commissioners about how the funding will be divided.

Keith Adams, form ECMC Board member, dropped in and reminded the Commissioners that the hospital would have a state of the arts training center funded by the grant they received and the county would be able to use the facility instead of building training space thus duplicating services.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Certificate of Annual Review for the North Central Regional Solid Waste Plan. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Vice-Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, July 9, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JULY 9, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 9^th day of July 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 July 9, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Dan Johnson, President of the Extension Council, Michelle Brokes and Brent Goss, Extension Specialists, presented the Extension Service budget for 2008 of $103,400. This is an increase of $4,900 or 5%. They also discussed the Commissioner's concern that the City might abandon the armory building, used for the 4-H Fair. Mr. Goss will visit with the City Administrator about their concerns.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented his 2008 budget of $1,775,480 an increase of $67,199 or 4%. Most of the increase is do to the increase of fuel and oil based products. Mr. Nondorf also reviewed where he is on the 2007 budget showing some line items almost spent at six months.

Upon the request of Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:18 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved upon a successful 90-day probationary evaluation, to move Brenda Buehler to 3,k on the salary schedule effective August 1, 2007. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Kasiska presented her 2008 budget of $237,766 an increase of $19,966 or 4.3%.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the purchase of a fax and shredder for the County Attorney's office in the amount of $376.46. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

The Commissioners decided to meet on July 20^th at 1:30 p.m. for a budget worksession.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m.

 

 

_______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews

Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, July 2, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JULY 2, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 2^nd day of July 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 Oller moved to approve the Minutes of June 25, 2007. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Doug McKinney, North Central Regional Planning Commission, and David Bailey, Post Rock Rural Water District, reported they had received a $400,000 grant from the state to bring their treatment plan into compliance with the new drinking water regulations. Post Rock will put up $123,000 either in cash or in-kind work. Mr. McKinney reviewed the paper work necessary for the grant since Ellsworth County is the sponsor of the grant. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the following forms: Designation of Depository, Authorization for Electronic Deposit of Vendor Payment, Authorization Signature Form and Administration Agreement with North Central Regional Planning Commission. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented her budget requests for 2008. She requested $179,900 for Noxious Weeds, an increase of 9.1%, Recycling $7,650, an increase of 7% and Landfill $57,350, a decrease of 29%. Also, they discussed again, the musk thistle problems and Mrs. Shute gave the Commissioners an update on the problem areas.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported Jane Galliart was retiring after 28 years of volunteer service with the EMS Department. The Commissioners asked that Mrs. Maze offer their appreciation for her many years of service. Mrs. Maze did not receive a second bid as expected on the bariatric cot but did purchase one for $6,470. The 2008 budget request of $416,755, a 6% increase was presented. This included a 38% increase in the education line item as three employee are starting their paramedic training.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the June payroll in the amount of $165,367.38. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the June accounts payables in the amount of $281,495.87. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

_________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, June 25, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

JUNE 25, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 25^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 18, 2007. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Laura Warta was present for the Public Forum and presented her concerns that some citizens who are opponents of the windfarm in Ellsworth County, have been contacting the electrical companies expressing the view that Ellsworth County is not in favor of the windfarm. The Commissioners agreed that perhaps they did not speak for the majority of the county and certainly not for the elected body that represents the county. They proposed sending a letter to the companies expressing support for the project.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, reported they had a profit of $35,586 for the month of May and a year-to-date profit of $303,860. He presented a bill from Jones Gillam for architectural fees for this phase of remodeling the Century Building in the amount of $4,500. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the payment of $4,500 to Jones Gillam. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Health Fair will be June 30^th this year and it will be educational only. The medical center will be having a Rural Trauma Development Course this year and would like to invite the EMS staff. The remainder of Mr. Pearson's time was spent discussing the Strategic Plan Process and the pillar "People". Mr. Pearson also invited the Commissioners to attend their board meeting on July 18^th.

Janice Sneath, Register of Deeds, presented her budget for 2008 of $75,500, an increase of 5.5%.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, discussed the possibility of purchasing a bariatric cart for patients weighing over 500 lbs. According to Dr. Kepka, we have about fifteen patients in Ellsworth County that would meet that criteria. Now, most of those patients have to be taken to a facility in Wichita or Topeka and the way they transport them is on a mattress on the floor of the ambulance making it difficult to administer to them and an uncomfortable ride for the patient. The bariatric cot will hold 850 lbs. in the top position and 1,200 lbs. in the lower position. Mrs. Maze has one bid for $6,426 and is expecting another bid. The Commissioners asked that when she gets the other bid, to make the best decision. Upon the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:02 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:10 a.m. No action was taken.

Janet Andrews, County Clerk, presented the 2008 budget for the Clerk's office and Elections. She requested $93,273 for the Clerk's budget, an increase of $4,613 or 5.3% and $50,250 for Elections, an increase of $19,723 or 13%. The increase in election is due to the fact that 2008 is a big election year with two elections and the programming for elections have more than doubled since the federal HAVA law was passed.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that the bridge on the Lincoln-Ellsworth County line is being put on the Lincoln County's State 80/20 Five-Year Plan. Since it is on the county-line, both counties will share the cost of the bridge. In the meantime, Lincoln County has put in an 11-foot culvert. The Commissioners signed paper work showing all the state requirements for our bridge in Wilson Township have been completed so the State can begin the bidding process. Mr. Nondorf reviewed his bid process for purchases of fuel in case they receive any complaints.

Judge Mike Keeley, John Isern, Court Administrator, and Sabrina Chism, Chief Court Service Officer, present the District Court budget for 2008 of $81,290 the same as last year. Judge Keeley gave the Commissioner a check for the Court bond system for $850. However, the legislature passed legislation this past year that will do away with that bonding system except in special circumstances.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, updated the Commissioner on the FEMA activities in the County. One individual has already received a check for some of the damages and will be able to apply for low interest loans for the rest of the repair. The City of Holyrood has reported they have had good service. Individuals are being urged to call in and get a FEMA case number whether they had damages from the first or second storm. Then, when and if the second storm is approved, they will activate the case number.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Chairman, Kermit Rush, will represent the county of the Long-Range Economic Development Leadership Group.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement 2006-113 in the amount of $71.96. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.

 

___________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk