Minutes, October 22, 2012

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

OCTOBER 22, 2012

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of October 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 Rush moved to approve the Agenda.   Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of October 15, 2012.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS: 

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, presented financial reports for the month of September showing a loss of $297,871.  They are still waiting for the audit report and at that time feel that some adjustments will be made to the financial statement.   September was not a good month for hospital census but the month of October is looking better.  He discussed the problem they are having with employee insurance and the escalating cost.  They are looking at several options, but whatever option they choose, it could mean higher cost for the employee as well as the employer.  They are only doing minor renovations with the clinic in Wilson and do not have plans to build a clinic at this time but instead are negotiating the rent for the present space from Dr. Kepka.

 

Pat Kinniard and Clara McCoy, representing Central Kansas Mental Health, gave the Commissioners a service update.  The Center is active in the community by having a clinician in Ellsworth on Wednesdays and every other Monday.  Also, in July they had a Mental Health First Aid training in which 16 participates from Ellsworth attended.  They continue to do screenings in the county and are working with the hospital and Sheriff Department to provide remote connections with Ellsworth County for these screenings.  They have signed up with the three Medicaid Managed Care providers that will take over at the first of the year.

 

Fred Abercrombie and David Vance, representing Openhandesign, presented final estimates and site plans for a jail addition.  The estimated cost of the addition was approximately $682,000 with a possible $23,000 to be added for a sprinkler system.  The addition would increase the number of cells by 12.  Sheriff Ploutz was in attendance and when asked, reported that the he could accommodate 19 inmates and had an average population this year of approximately 13.  The Commissioners thanked Mr. Vance and Abercrombie for their work, and with take it under advisement.  Mr. Abercrombie presented an update on the Courthouse window project. They are still waiting for the Historical Society's decision on the design, but are going to move forward on getting bid specification ready.  The interior frame for the windows will need to be re-plastered and he has contacted Ralph Doubrava and he would be willing to do it at a cost of $20,000.  However, it would be specified that he follows the timeline of the window replacements in each office that as each window is put in the frame would be repaired at that time.  Afterward, they will have to be painted and that is not included in the previous stated cost.  Also, furniture will have to be moved from the windows when they are installed and that will be up to the county to provide that service. 

 

Gary & Todd Wacker, Hi Plaines Sand, thanked the Commissioner for coming out and looking at their product and facility and wanted to give them a price list for material either from the quarry or the Kanopolis plant.  The Commissioner will see that Mr. Nondorf receives the price list and will work with him to see if we can use some of their product.

 

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS ITEMS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:30 p.m.

 

 

_______________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk