Minutes, February 21, 2012

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

FEBRUARY 21, 2012

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of February 2012 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

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

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of February 13, 2012. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, passed out a AHA Special Bulletin showing that in the recently passed federal payroll tax holiday legislation, an agreement in that legislation will prevent an almost 25% cut to Medicare physician payment from going into effect.  However, it will be up for consideration again next year.  The firm that did a strategtic plan for the hospital three years ago will be coming back to make an assessment of the changes that were implemented and give further recommendations.  Mr. Masse stated that the hospital, in the future, will be challenged by economic pressures.  As of yet, they have not heard back from the City of Wilson about the proposed clinic.  The financial report showed a loss of $165,375 for the month of January and a year-to-date loss of $113,515.  The Commissioners continued to have a lengthy conversation with Mr. Masse about federal legislation and revenue issues.

 

Frank Toman, Smoky Hill Charitable Foundation, again shared information about the Foundation and asked that the Commissioners consider a contribution to the Foundation for the Healthy Living fund.  Any contribution to the Healthy Living fund has a state match and they are hopeful to reach their goal of $600,000 to $1.2 million.  Mr. Toman would like to see a donation from the county from the windfarm money of $10,000 for five years.  The new windfarm money would not be available until the end of the year and they will take the request under advisement at that time.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The County Clerk reported she had a call from Tim Vandall, Ellsworth City Administrator, and they were going to go with a different website company and asked what we were doing.  Since Roberta Waymaster resigned the position of Chairman of the Technology, the committee has not appointed anyone.  Although there has not been any billable hours reported from Mr. Fitzgerald, it was the Clerk's understanding that he was still the webmaster and that Global Link was our website company.  Some departments had requested blogs, but from looking at the website, it does not appear that they have been setup.  The Commissioners asked the Clerk to check on some prices for companies that maintain websites.

 

The Commissioners held a telephone conference with Russell County Commissioners in regard to evaluating the sharing of the Emergency Management Director.  The Commissioners stated they were very happy with the relationship thus far.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement #97 in the amount of $74.18.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to designate the County Clerk's Office to provide assistance at no charge to any person applying for a Birth Certificate from the State Registrar of Vital Statistics for the purpose of registering to vote.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

All three Commissioners will be attending the roundtable discussion concerning the health of Ellsworth County on February 29^th at 12:00 Noon.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk