Commissioners table burn ban decision for another week

At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners, the possibility of reinstating a county-wide burn ban was discussed, but no action was taken — yet.

Instead, commissioners decided to take a wait and see attitude.

“Let them (farmers and ranchers) burn this week and see what happens with this weather,” Commissioner Dennis Rolfs said.

Commissioner Greg Bender noted Russell and Barton counties still have burn bans in place.

Bender said the matter will be placed on next week’s agenda for consideration.

In other business:

• Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham, Michael & Associates of Ellsworth, updated commissioners on the progress of replacement of the steel beam bridge south of Wilson over the Smoky Hill River. The bridge dates back to the 1950s.

He said it will be December before bids are taken on the $2.5 million project.

Halbgewachs estimated work will take more than a year to complete.

Approximately $1 million of the cost will be paid with a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation cost share program.

Halbgewachs also said the project to replace the signs going east on K-156 Highway is moving forward. That is a federal program and will not cost the county anything.

• Approval was given to a request from the Ellsworth County Health Department to proceed with the cooperative agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment of an $14,000 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant for prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases.

• Commissioners approved annual National Association of Counties dues in the amount of $450.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the county courthouse.