He thanked the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter for catching an important omission in a recent Ellsworth County Resolution issuing a countywide burn ban.

The two words left out of the resolution were perhaps the most important — burn ban. The language in the document did declare “an emergency.” That language alone was enough to set local social media “on fire,” pun intended.

Bender said he took full responsibility for the omission since he is chairman of the commission.

Commissioners will have Paul J. Kasper, county attorney, review the document and make clarifications for future use.

The resolution was placed on the Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office Facebook page after it was earlier in the day approved by commissioners. The online world quickly lit up with concerns from local citizens wondering what the resolution meant for them and their families.

The Independent-Reporter quickly clarified the meaning of the resolution. The county-wide burn ban remains in effect until rescinded.

In other business:

• A bid from Bruce Bowie for $1,777.52 to replace a relief valve on the county courthouse boiler was approved, as was a $100 per year inspection of the boiler by Bowie. That inspection is necessary due to state regulations.

• A request for a permit from AMG Technology doing business as Next Link to place a 120-feet-tall mono pole internet tower at 1970 Ave. G in Clear Creek Township was approved. The permit was granted under current county resolution 2012-R-04.

• Approval was given to send a 25 percent ($4,946.75) down payment to Hall Contracting Inc. for the upcoming remodeling of the county clerk’s office.

• Commissioners were briefed by Michelle Griffin and Trell Grinter of OCCK on various public transportation options the company has available.

• Approval was given to the 2023 Central Kansas Community Corrections comprehensive plan and Behavioral Health grant.

• Approval was given to the 2023 children’s services budget as presented by the Central Kansas Community Corrections.

• No action was taken after a 20-minute executive session with Nathan Florian, EMS director, to discuss non-elected personnel (performance).

• Florian said on a recent ambulance run, an Ellsworth County EMS ambulance was hit in the driver’s door by a deer. The cost to repair the damage is $2,859.80. The county has a $1,000 deductible. The repair work is being done by Randy’s Body Shop in Ellsworth.

• Florian said a county ambulance has a mayor oil leak and will cost $2,500 to be repaired. At the time the leak was found, the ambulance was in Salina getting warranty work done.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 25, at the county courthouse.

Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to an editorial that appeared in the April 14 edition of the Independent-Reporter.

Ellsworth County Commissioner Greg Bender began Monday’s commission meeting with a special thank you.