Minutes, December 23, 2013

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

December 23, 2013

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 23^rd day of December 2013 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 December 16, 2013.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the open Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported they had received a good audit report showing that the Ellsworth facility was doing better than most hospitals of its size.  However, there are still challenges to be faced in the New Year.  Mr. Masse discussed some of the new regulations that will be implemented in the coming year and on three specific regulations that they are requesting a delay of implementation.  The 340B program is working well; however, he feels there will some adjustments to the program.  The Kansas Hospital Association is strongly supporting the expansion of Medicaid.  They have purchased a new CAT scan and it was financed locally.  Mr. Masse has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Kansas Hospital Association.

 

Joe Shepack, Ellsworth County Attorney, discussed with the Commissioners the concealed carry law.  Our exemption expires December 31, 2013.  At that time, all signs indicating the county buildings are exempt will have to be removed and concealed carry will be allowed.  At this time, the county does not plan to apply for any exemptions due to the cost of implementing that exemption.

 

Rod Rees, EMS Director, presented the Commissioners with the salary information requested. Having only one response to his initial inquiry, the Commissioner asked that he try and get several others for comparison.

 

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, asked to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.  Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:43 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in the executive session.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:00 a.m. and no action was taken.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to partially fund a request from USD #112 for tornado shelter enhancements from the Wind Tower funds in the amount of $5,000 to be paid from the 2014 budget.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

The Commissioners agreed to send a check to Kirkham Michael & Associates that was being held for completion of work.  They have completed 95% of the work and approval by the State is holding up the completion of the project.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve Abatements 14 & 15 in the amount of $217.36.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk