Minutes, June 21, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 21, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of June 2010 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

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

OPENING BUSINESS:

 

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

 

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

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of June 14, 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported the hospital had been through a Critical Access Survey from the Stated of Kansas and there were ten deficiencies sited.  The medical center has submitted a plan to deal with these deficiencies and it has been approved by the State.  Mr. Masse went through the items and addressed the corrections in the plan.  The May financial report showed a year-to-date loss of $518,184, however, there could be a mid-year settlement from Medicare in the amount of $300,000.

 

Josh Beckman, Kirkham, Michael & Associates, went through the just completed bridge inspection report.  They inspected 70 bridges on FSA roads and 140 bridges on the off-system routes.  He will go over the report in greater detail with Mr. Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:08 a.m. until 10:20 a.m. with Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:20 a.m. and Commissioner Kueser moved to continue in open session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:20 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:30 a.m. and no action was taken.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented her budget request for 2011 of $443,450.  She included a 5.5% increase for salaries and an overall increase of 4.11%. Kathy Small has completed her probation period and Mrs. Maze recommended that she be moved to 9c on the salary scale.  Commissioner Kueser moved to moved Kathy Small to 9c on the salary scale retroactive to June 1, 2010.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Mrs. Maze plans to put the #111 ambulance and the Crown Victoria car up for sealed bids.  At the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:50 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:00 a.m.   No action was taken.

 

Keith Bailey, President of the Ellsworth Senior Center Board, appeared with ten of his board members to present the 2011 budget request for the Senior Center.  The request was $21,000 a decrease of $288.  Mr. Bailey pointed out the many cost savings they had made in their budget.  The Commissioners questioned the use of the funds left to them by a citizen and Mr. Bailey replied that they were looking into the status of the designation of those funds.  The Commissioners thanked the group for their diligence and the many volunteer hours given on behalf of the Senior Center.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented her budgets for 2011.  The Landfill is $140,850 an increase of $82,150 due to the opening of a new pit; Noxious Weed $222,400 an increase of $4,910 and Recycling $15,300 a decrease of $950.  She is working with the Register of Deeds to get the two liens on the landfill released so the landfill expansion can be approved by the State.  The liens to the previous owner of the land were not cleared when the land was purchase in the 1980's.  Also, on the State's visit, the landfill sign made by the Ellsworth Correction Facility, was viewed as one of the best they had seen and the State took pictures to use as a template for other landfills in the state.  Weis Fire has offered to conduct a class on the use of fire extinguishers and she has asked him to contact the County Clerk.  The Commissioners agreed that it would be a good class to offer to the employees.

 

The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon.  Chairman Rush called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  Commissioner Kueser was unable to attend the afternoon session.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, presented his budget request of $116,550, an increase of $1,150.  Mr. Miller discussed the recent reclassification of property for windfarms in Lincoln County and explained why he felt it was not something he would do and the State has not adopted such a policy. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

_____________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk