At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners, approval was given to have H&B Communications of Holyrood provide both internet and firewall service for the county courthouse.

Justin Nash of H&B Communications, who attended the meeting with Brandon Koch, also of H&B, said he previously provided the county with a $250 per month quote on a firewall. Nash noted if there ever is a problem with the system, the county has to make one phone call to get it repaired, which is a major convenience for the county. Koch confirmed the firewall was optional.

Nash said he performed a Dark Web scan on the computers at the county courthouse and found 31 emails and a domain name on the Dark Web belonging to sources within the courthouse. He advised those sources to immediately change their passwords.

Commissioner Kermit Rush said he thought the county should go with H&B Communications as both the internet and firewall provider for the county courthouse. Currently, the firewall is provided by Wilson Communications at $260 per month, with a November renewal date. Last week, the consensus of the commissioners was to have H&B Communications provide internet service and Wilson Communications provide the firewall, but there was no official motion.

Monday, commissioners said meeting with Koch and Nash changed their minds.

“I agree with Kermit,” commissioner Dennis Rolfs said.“I think it would be a lot better if it were all together.”

Steve Dlabal, the commission chairman, also agreed.

In other business:

• During a meeting of the department heads, updating the employee handbook was discussed. Vopat said she had received updates from KCAMP, the county’s insurance carrier. County appraiser Carl Miller suggested Vopat chair a committee to update the employee handbook.

“What you want changed bring it to us and we’ll okay it,” Rush said.

The committee is expected to update the handbook by January 1.

• Teresa Shute, director of the county landfill, noxious weed department and recycling program, asked if Vopat had heard anything back from KCAMP on claims for damage to county buildings received during a June 23 hail storm. Shute was told to repair any damage, such as leaking roofs, then turn it in for reimbursement.

• Dale Houston, road and bridge superintendent, said he is still short on employees.

“Nobody has put in an application,” he said.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at the county courthouse.