Ellsworth County commissioners appointed Rusty Varnado Monday as Ellsworth County’s representative to the Central Kansas Community Corrections Advisory Board.

Varnado, Ellsworth city administrator, expressed an interest in the non-paying position while visiting with commissioners about the future use of the office and other buildings owned by Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative directly south of the Ellsworth County courthouse.

Commissioners learned that former county commissioner Terry Kueser, who was the county’s representative to the advisory board for many years, was not renewing his term on the board.

In other business:

Varnado said the city could use the storage space available in the Rolling Hills buildings but when he raised the issue at a meeting of the Ellsworth City Council several months ago, the council didn’t seem interested in spending the funds to purchase the buildings and pay for rehabilitation.

Varnado said he will ask the council again about its interest in purchasing the buildings.

At a previous meeting, county clerk Shelly Vopat said several departments, including the county clerk, treasurer and register of deeds, are in need of additional storage space and she asked whether the county could investigate the purchase of the office building.

It was noted at Monday’s meeting that the Ellsworth Coop also is interested in purchasing the buildings.

Varnado invited commissioners to take a tour of the buildings. He said he would explore whether the city could purchase a portion of the available space in a team effort with the county.

Paul J. Kasper, county attorney, discussed proposed modifications to the county burn permit. He said the simplest way would be to rescind the current annual permit and replace it with a lifetime permit that would be valid until revoked. Kasper said those who have burn permits would be responsible for updates to the permit. The permit would be non transferable.

Kasper said to avoid confusion, the new lifetime burn permit would become effective Jan. 1, 2022. The current annual burn permits would still be good until that date.

Commissioners will talk with the area fire chiefs and Sheriff Murray Marston to get their views of the plan.

Kasper said the county may have to opt out again from Gov. Laura Kelly’s mask mandate that expires March 31. Kasper said he isn’t sure if Kelly’s order after that date will be a continuation of the old order or if it will be a new executive order. Commissioners opted out of Kelly’s current mask mandate this past week after rescinding Ellsworth County’s mask mandate.

No action was taken after a 10-minute executive session with Kasper to discuss matters pertaining to attorney-client privilege (a legal question).

Keith Haberer, emergency management director for Ellsworth and Russell counties, will arrange a conference call May 3 between county commissions to discuss the annual renewal of his contract. Haberer said his budget for 2021 was $82,500 and the Russell County commissioners may ask Ellsworth County for additional funds.