Minutes, August 2, 2020

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 2, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 2^nd day of August 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 July 26, 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, asked the Commissioners to sign an application for a 340B drug pricing program created through the new Health Reform Act.  The program would allow up to a 30% discount on drugs for out-patient use.  It does not apply to in-patient drugs.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the application for Pharmacy Affairs & 340B Drug Pricing Program.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The June financial figures show a $575,000 loss for the yearend, however an adjustment for approximately $220,000 should be forthcoming from Medicare.  Since the hospital operates on a fiscal year, the year has been completed and they will start the year-end audit which could change the given figures.  The cash flow is holding well and vendors are being paid on time.  They have not had to use any contract nurses in the past two months.  Talks are still being held on establishing a clinic at Wilson once Dr. Kepka's clinic will no longer be available.  They should hear from FEMA in the next couple of weeks whether the community shelter is approved and if so, they will need to meet and discuss the match that will be required.  The return of surveys sent out to measure patient satisfaction shows that the goals set have been met.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, inquired about purchasing a 100-125 gallon sprayer to put on the back of a pickup to be used to spray Johnson grass.  The cost should be around $1,200-$1,900.  Commissioner Rush moved to authorize the purchase of 100-125 gallon sprayer within the range of $1,200-$1,900.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The water at the landfill site has been tested and the results look good.  The tests will be sent to the state for review.  The weed, Phragmites, has been found at Kanopolis Lake and they have been notified.  It is a weed that is abundant in Nebraska and they have not had much success in eradicating it.  There is a possibility that it may be added to the noxious weed list.  Mrs. Shute discussed some problems she is having with people dumping items that they do not take outside the gate of the landfill and garbage in the recyclable they pick up.  Notice has been sent regarding the recycling problem and items that are not recyclable will be left.

 

Rob Fillion, Executive Director of Smoky Hill Economic Development Corp. discussed with the Commissioner their resolution on Ellsworth qualifying as a designated non-metropolitan business region.  We have such a designation for years, but it is time to renew our participation.  Mr. Fillion asked that the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Revolving Loan, and IRB's be listed as incentives along with the county incentives of $500 landfill privileges and the Ellsworth County Tax Exemption Policy.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 2010R04, A Resolution Confirming That A Regional Economic Development Organization Has Been Established As Required For The Purpose of Qualifying The County of Ellsworth As A Designated Non-Metropolitan Business Region.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported that Unit 110 was still in Great Bend being repaired, 109 has had to have some work done and 108 and 107 are going in for alignment.  She has offered the open Paramedic position to Rodrick Rees from Lincoln at range10,step,a.  Also, she has added 3 part-time employees to the roster.  Upon the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:10 a.m. until 11:25 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:25 a.m. and no action was taken.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The County Clerk reported that after the storm last week the firewall at the Health Department had problems and she call our contractor for the firewalls and had him come down and reconnect the one at the Health Department and check the other to see if they were operational. He found that at two departments they were not connected.  The Commissioners will draft a memo making it the responsibility of the department head to make sure the firewalls is connected at all times.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the July payroll in the amount of $197,832.69.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the July accounts payable for $197,832.69 and pre-written warrants for $21,419.60 for a total of $219,252.29.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

 

_________________________________________-

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk