Ellsworth County commissioners reinstated a county-wide burn ban Monday, effective immediately, by approving Resolution 2022-R-05.

“I think it should go back on,” Commissioner Greg Bender said, noting the county did not get the rain it expected recently and none was forecast for this area in the near future.

“The wind is supposed to blow like crazy,” added Commissioner Dennis Rolfs.

The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

In other business: • Nathan Florian, EMS

• Nathan Florian, EMS director, said a local technician wants to attend Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AMT) classes in Hutchinson. The cost of the class is $2,570 plus a $125 fee for the test. Florian said $1,500 of the cost will be paid for by a grant from the State Board of EMS. The remainder will be paid by the technician. Commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding noting the funds will not be used for anything else.

• Commissioners received a $12,500 request from the Holyrood Senior Center for Fiscal Year 2023.

“I think it’s reasonable for what they do,” Rolfs said.

The request was $1,000 more than last year’s request due to increased costs of food, utilities and fuel.

• Kerianne Ehrlich, supervisor of the county health department, said Eugene Ranker is raising his rate to mow the lawn at the health department from $60 per time to $65 per time.

• Approval was given to a $4,360 bid from Century Business Systems to purchase a new copier for the health department to replace a 10-year-old model. The copier will be paid for using grant funds from the health department.

• Commissioners will consider the possibility of placing security cameras and remote controlled locks at the county courthouse. They met briefly Monday with Jake Strecker and Jamie Cunningham of INA Alert of Ellinwood, who explained what they could do to secure the courthouse.

“That’s definitely something we ought to look at,” Bender said.

Commissioners also want to talk with Sheriff Murray Marston, because he has expressed interest in a new security system for the county jail.

• Brandon Scott of Enterprise Fleet Management will e-mail more information to Shelly Vopat, county clerk, after meeting with commissioners regarding a program to replace the county’s vehicle fleet.

• Approval was given sell a used ambulance to Claflin Ambulance Service for $8,500.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 11, at the county courthouse.