Minutes, August 6, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

MINUTES

AUGUST 6, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 6^th day of August 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

1. 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 July 23 and July 30, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported that an individual sent by KDHE regarding the mold problem inspected the jail. The only recommendation was to keep doing what they were presently doing with their cleaning procedures. He has gotten estimates on the two police vehicles that were damaged last weekend, and both can be repaired. The generator is still not operating. The Commissioners asked that he get some estimates for the cost of a new generator before doing extensive repairs to the present one.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, discussed the progress or lack thereof on the overlaying of roads. The weather and materials available have affected the progress. The information for selecting an engineering firm for inspection of the State/county Bridge #27C4241-01 was given to the Commissioners for completion. The next bridge the state will let for bids will be east of Kanopolis and with that one he is having trouble buying additional right-of-way because the owner has walnut trees and has placed the value of the trees extremely high. In all there will be sixteen trees that have to be cut out. He will work with the family attorney to see if some agreement can be reached. Mr. Nondorf presented four bids for a new motor grader all with standard equipment. The bids were as follows: Case, $126,445, Komatsu, $101,877 and John Deere, $115,995. The fourth bid was from Caterpillar, but because of the new operational system, he did not want to consider it. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Nondorf, Commissioner Oller moved to authorize purchase of a 2007 Komatsu motor grader at a cost of $101,877 with the trade-in of a 1996 Galion. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported she had gotten permission from the Ellsworth County Independent/Reporter to do the editorial this week in the paper and presented the Commissioners with a copy of her editorial. Her editorial was in response to the one last week on transfers from the Ellsworth County Medical Center. The Commissioners agreed with her response. Mrs. Maze is working on a new policy regarding transfers and upon completion, the Commissioner will set up a meeting with the medical staff at ECMC before adoption.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the July accounts payable in the amount of $131,692.21. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

The County Clerk presented a schedule for 2008 Holidays for approval. With Christmas being on a Thursday, it was discussed that instead of a one-half day holiday on Christmas Eve to make the 26^th of December as an additional day of holiday. Commissioner Kueser moved to eliminate the one-half day holiday on Christmas Eve and give the 26^th day of December as a full day of holiday for 2008. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. This effects 2008 only and holiday schedules for the ensuring years will be decided on a year to year basis.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk