Minutes, November 4, 2013

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 4^th  day of November 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.     Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of October 28, 2013.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, gave the Commissioners an update on the taxing of the wind tower and cell tower pads.  The cell towers will be added to the landowners' taxes and the wind towers will be sent to the Windfarm companies by taxing units.   This will start with the 2014 tax year.  The Commissioners also discussed severed minerals, which seems to be a hot topic at the present time, with the Commissioners.  Ellsworth County does not tax severed minerals and Mr. Miller thought that hiring a firm to research all the records necessary would cost more than the tax would raise.  Upon the request of Mr. Miller, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:30 a.m. until 9:40 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The County Clerk was included in the executive session.  The Commissioner returned to open session at 9:40 a.m. and Commissioner Kueser moved to increase Marie Ranker's salary from $13.75 to $14.05 per hour effective the next payroll cycle.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported he had moved Connie Terry to the Dispatcher Supervisor position and Joe Montero to the 2^nd TAC position.  He has hired a dispatcher/jailer and is advertising for a dispatcher and deputy.  Sheriff Ploutz asked to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personal and Commissioner Kueser moved to do so from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. and no action was taken.  Sheriff Ploutz discussed some expensive medical bills he had incurred through another country and the on-going generator problems.  Jim Scalora is still in the loop in trying to solve the generator problems.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the October accounts payable, $309,311.65 and pre-paid warrants, $39,706.67 for a total of $349,018.32.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the October payroll in the amount of $189,138.17.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to appoint Keith Adams to another term on the North Central-Flint Hills Agency on Aging, Inc. Board of Directors.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County  Clerk