Minutes, September 22, 2014

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of September 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 with an addition.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of September 15, 2014.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported they were still waiting for the 2013 audit.  Sandy Wedel, HR Director, is retiring and they are seeking a replacement.  The financials on paper do not look good but there are adjustments that will be made after the audit.  Mr. Masse and Board Member, Lloyd Sprick went to a Critical Issues for Hospital Boards Summit.  The main topic was the Potential Benefits and Pitfalls of Affiliations.  The Board will be discussing this topic as an educational item and an update to the strategic assessment might be in order.  They are in discussion with Walmart on a 340B arrangement.

 

Rod Rees, EMS Director, presented write-offs in the amount of $4,765.55.  Commissioner Oller moved to approve the write-off of uncollectable bills in the amount of $4,765.55.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Software problems with the monthly balancing problem have been solved.  Amber Dick, a Paramedic, has resigned to accept another position and he is recruiting.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, has presented the pictometry project to all the cities but Lorraine.  They all have shown an interested and he in the process of getting pricing information for them.  He attended a KAC policy meeting last week and presented information on Senate Bill 435 which would change 79-201 affecting our windfarm agreements.  The proposed addition to the statute would limit the time wind energy could be exempt from taxes to ten years and after that time they would be taxed the same as other corporations.  He was asked to come back for the next meeting and he wanted to be sure that he was reflecting the views of the Commissioners.  Commissioner Rush moved to allow Carl Miller, Ellsworth County Appraiser, to represent Ellsworth County Commissioner on the KAC Wind Energy Tax Committee.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported the state has offered local bridge improvement funding up to $120,000.  The money has to be spent by the county and then is reimbursed.  He has submitted a bridge identified as a fractured critical bridge on the inspection in Mulberry Township for funding.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Jan Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk, presented a recommendation to change telephone service from AT&T to Nex-Tech and internet service to Eagle Communications.  The changes will save the county approximately $1,600 per month and the internet service will be significantly faster.  The Commissioner approved the change in services.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:00 Noon.

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk