Minutes, July 11, 2016

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

July 11, 2016

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of July 2016 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 Oller moved to approve the Minutes of July 5, 2016.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Michael Peschka was in attendance but did not wish to address the Commissioners.

 

Appointments:

Pamela Hays and Troy Soukup, Conservation District, proposed their 2017 budget for $31,000 an increase of $1000 or 3.33%.  Conservation District asked for increase, because the State of Kansas is cutting some of their funding.

 

Jamie Rathbun and Michelle Buchanan, Midway Extension District, introduced the new 4-H agent, Michelle Beran.  Ms. Rathbun let the Commissioners know that she had a story walk grant that she used to mount story pages on yard signs in parks for children to get out and read stories and also receive exercise.  They informed the Commissioners that the Ellsworth County Fair would run from July 24^th to July 28^th this year.

 

Tracy Ploutz, Peggy Svaty, Teresa Shute, Shelly Vopat, Geneva Schneider, Marie Ranker, Janice Sneath and Rod Rees were in attendance for the Department Head Meeting to discuss the Fiber Optic access proposal that was presented June 20, 2016.  Ms. Schneider said "the other Treasurers that have fiber optic access have been very happy with it and she cannot run Motor Vehicle when the Appraiser's Office is running big reports".  Ms. Vopat let the Commissioners know that she had talked with Wilson Telephone Company and they could not offer us fiber optic access, but H&B would be quoting us their pricing at the end of July.  Commissioners instructed the parties that are interested in fiber optic access to stay in contact with Ms. Vopat. 

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed & Landfill Supervisor, asked the Commissioners if she and Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, could split the cost and buy a Cub Cadet RZT S42 lawn mower from Choitz Bros Co. for $2500 or $1250 from both departments.  The Commissioners said it was okay, but thought she should consider doing more research on the zero turn style.

 

Pastor Exie Barber, Assembly of God Church, presented his intentions to build a new church that would also serve as a storm shelter for the entire Community.  Pastor Barber is trying to come up with the funding for driveway access that is within KDOT's requirements. He asked the Commissioners if he could go to the City with their support.  The Commissioners said they were in favor of the project and it would be beneficial to the Community.

 

Geneva Schneider, County Treasurer, rendered her 2017 budget for $142,000, an increase of $10,900 or 8.29%.  She explained it was to cover her salaries for all 4 employees in the Treasurer's office.

 

Shelly Vopat, County Clerk, presented her 2017 budget for $113,690, an increase of $19,249 or 19.24%.  The increase was asked for hiring a part-time employee.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

 

________________________________________

Shelly D. Vopat, Ellsworth County Clerk