Minutes, January 13, 2014

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

JANUARY 13, 2014

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 13^th day of January, 2014 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 Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda.    Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of January 6, 2014.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the open Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported that he still trying to get bids for a new telephone system and the present system is an unsupported one.  They will have to go from an analog system to a digital one and with the 911 system that is proving to have some unique circumstances.  He attended a NG 911 (Next Generation 911) meeting last week and the next thing is to be able to text and video to the 911 system with a telephone.  He did sign a memorandum of understanding that has three phases for completion.  There will be five state contractors offering services and as long as you contract with one of those contractors, there will be no cost to the county.  Our insurance carrier, K-CAMP, has sent out sample policies for his department and he is in the process of updating his policies.  Since they are to be reviewed by K-CAMP and approved by the Commissioners and some are quite lengthy, how would they like to receive that material?  It was suggested that any policy that directly followed K-CAMP's outline probably did not need to be reviewed by them.  However, those that deviated from their outline should be reviewed by them.  After that, they can be filtered through the Commissioners for final approval.

 

Jamie Rathbun, Director and Dan Johnson, President of the Midway Extension District #15, met to discuss the Extension Office Space Agreement.  The Commissioners last week had discussed a maintenance fee in the agreement to cover the cost of janitorial services and miscellaneous supplies such as light bulbs.  Since they had not budgeted for any maintenance in their 2014 budget, the Commissioners would like to review the agreement before they budget in July.  Also, they will be working with Russell County on getting costs of janitorial services.  Mr. Johnson announced they have one more position open and they will be advertising for a livestock agent.

 

Rod Rees, EMS Director, reported they had contacted Corizon Health and they had corrected the verbiage in their contract.  The Commissioners authorized signing of the contract.  Mr. Rees discussed the possibility of offering discounts on billing paid in a timely matter.  ECMC is doing this and has had some success with it.  The Commissioners asked that he work up a proposal for their consideration. Also, a settlement was offered from an insurance company with the stipulation that the patient will not be billed for the unpaid balance.  Since the patient was out-of-state and the amount left would be less than 10%, it was agreed the settlement should be accepted.  Upon the request of Mr. Rees, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:10 a.m. until 10:25 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 10:25 a.m.  Commissioner Rush moved, upon completion of certification to AEMT, to move full time employee Jeremiah Brown to $9.98 per hour and part-time Amy Eck, to $9.98 effective January 1, 2014.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 2014R03, A Resolution Setting Compensation for Elected Officials and Other County Employees.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve Resolution 2014R04, A Resolution Urging The Kansas Legislature And Governor Sam Brownback To Retain The Mortgage Registration Fee.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.

 

________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk