July 27, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JULY 27, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of July 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

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

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of July 20, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz and Alex Vodraska informed Commissioners there may be changes regarding emergency communications.  The state is expanding from the present 800 mega-hertz frequencies to the "trunking" of frequencies.  With the new system, the sheriff deputies would lose the ability to communicate directly with the Highway Patrol but communications could be routed through the dispatchers.  Also, the changes would result in the EMS losing its 800 mega-hertz frequency to communicate directly with the Ellsworth County Medical Center.  The county could lease space on the frequency at a cost for every radio which could be as much as $30,000 per year.   Sheriff Ploutz did not think it would be necessary, but they will do more checking.  Sheriff Ploutz expressed his concern about the sidewalk on the north side of the jail.  The County Commissioners will view the sidewalk after the meeting.

 

Linda Mowery, Ellsworth County/Independent Reporter, informed the Commissioners of her decision to file suite against the county to recoup her legal expenses in regards to obtaining an Attorney General's Opinion on what she considered a Kansas Open Records violation by the County Appraiser.  The Attorney General's Opinion was in the newspaper's favor giving her the option of suing for the legal costs.  The Commissioners express their concern that she did not communicate with them about the problem before contacting an attorney.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented the 24-Hour Shift Policy and 24-Hour Guidelines for approval.  Commissioner moved to approve the 24-Hour Shift Policy and Guidelines as presented.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  When asked about losing the 800 mega-hertz frequency allowing for direct communication with the hospital, Mrs. Maze replied they would fall back on their former system and it should not be a problem.  Discussion was held on the fees charged the school district for ambulance standby at football games and wrestling matches.  It was decide that the fees should be raised to $75 for the first four hours and $40 per hour for each additional hour.  Mrs. Maze will inform both school districts of the increase in fees.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that the insurance company would be paying out $35,000 on the tractor that was hit by the train and would be putting the tractor up for bids for salvage.  He may put in a bid for the tractor for parts.  A new turnkey tractor and mower would cost approximately $75,000.  He received notification from the state that the salt mine road was approved as a project for the stimulus funds received by the state and the project would be bid in March, 2010.  Ellsworth County will be responsible for anything over $260,000 and the project is slated to cost $320,000.   The engineering cost for the project is $7,000 which has to be paid by the county.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the engineering contract with Kirkham, Michael & Associates for $7,000 for the salt mine road project.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Randall Hofmeier and Jerry Pugh, Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, went over the 2010 budget with the Commissioners.  Commissioner Kueser moved to publish the 2010 budget with a hearing date of August 17, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Albert Oller as delegate and Kermit Rush as alternate for the 34^th Annual Kansas Association of Counties Conference.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The County Clerk reported she is finalizing the paper work needed for the county to be a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk