Minutes, January 23, 2012

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

JANUARY 23, 2012

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 23^rd day of January 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.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of January 17, 2012. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Billy Kryger, Pastor of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Ellsworth, was in attendance but did not wish to address the Commissioners.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, presented the financials for December that showed a monthly profit of $49,877 and a year-to-date loss of $403,686.  They are planning to update their strategic assessment in the next couple of weeks.  Mr. Masse felt the challenge this year for the hospital would be on the revenue side.  He felt good changes had been made on the expenditure side in the past two years and with the changes going on with the federal and state legislation, revenues could be difficult.  Since the state is moving to contract out the Medicaid services to three firms, they have signed letters of intent with each of those firms in case one or all is chosen to provide services.  They are continuing to work with electronic records to interface with the medical exchange but feel completion of the project is years away.  Two board positions will be up in July and one of the members cannot reapply because of our term limit policy.  Mr. Masse offered his assistance in the selection process if needed.

 

Don and Garnell Hanson, asked the Commissioners for a resolution of support to form a committee of representatives known as "Ellsworth County Bway Extension Committee, to begin the process of surveying and designating a route for the proposed extension to the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway which would include the cities of Kanopolis and Ellsworth.  The Commissioners asked that the city of Wilson be included.  Mr. Hanson returned with a new resolution that included the City of Wilson.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 2012R01, A Resolution Supporting the Ellsworth County Byway Extension Committee.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

A Department Head Meeting was held at 10:00 a.m.  In attendance were:  Ronda Kasiska, Rod Rees, Rick Nondorf, Teresa Shute, Carl Miller, Brent Goss, Jamie Rathbun, Janice Sneath, Joe Shepack, Geneva Schneider, Peggy Svaty and Jan Andrews.  Mr. Rees brought up random drug testing for county employees.  Mr. Nondorf will contact the person who does their random testing through the KDOT program and see if she can attend the next meeting.  Also, Mr. Rees will get some policies from other counties on the subject.  Mrs. Sneath discussed the insufficient heat in the offices and suggested new windows for the Courthouse.  The Commissioners felt new windows were an item they could look at perhaps start pricing.  Mrs. Andrews brought up the handbook and how it was deficient in many ways.  The County Attorney will get some handbooks from other counties and review them and report back.  Mr. Nondorf asked that consideration be given to paying employees for unused vacation time on a yearly basis.  Mr. Miller brought the county salaries to the Commissioners attention and the fact that of the three counties he work for, Ellsworth County has the lowest salary scale.  He would like to see the salaries brought up to mirror industry standards and other counties of like size and valuation.  The Commissioners responded that they felt that was something that need to be addressed and would arrange a meeting to discuss it further.  It was also suggested that monthly department head meeting be held on a regular schedule.

 

Greg Vahrenberg, Piper Jaffray & Co., went over a bond proposal to refinance the remaining hospital bonds at a lower interest.  With the bond market the lowest it has been since 1967, Mr. Vahrenberg felt there could be a savings of up to 12% or $28,000 each year.  Since the recall feature on the present bonds is in September, actual refinancing could be begin in April.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 2012R02, A Resolution Authorizing The Offering For Sale Of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2012, Of Ellsworth County, Kansas.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session from 11:50 to 11:59 a.m. to discuss matters with Joe Shepack, the County Attorney, that would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:59 a.m. and no action was taken.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement 80 for $128.74 and Added Tax 91 in the amount of $412.16.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

 

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk