The 10-year payment- in-lieu-oftaxes agreement with Pattern Energy, owner of Post Rock Wind Farm, was discussed during Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County Commissioners.

County Attorney Paul J. Kasper said he would make a few tweaks to the agreement and bring it back next week for the commissioners to sign and send to Pattern Energy. He noted the agreement would begin Jan. 1, 2023, and end in 2032 unless extended by the parties involved.

In other business:

• Approval was given to the purchase of a 2023 Mack sand truck from Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment in Salina for $132,670.02. The purchase will be paid for from the county’s road and bridge equipment fund.

• County employee Melissa Taylor voiced concerns about the possibility of the county switching Blue Cross/ Blue Shield health insurance providers from Gallagher to Freedom Alliance.

“I am completely against it,” Taylor said, noting she has talked to other county employees who are against the move as well. “Seventeen weeks before the new year, this should have been done earlier. It would have been nice to have time to plan.”

“I appreciate your concerns,” Commissioner Dennis Rolfs said. “This isn’t something we have to do this year.”

Rolfs then recommended the county not change health insurance providers, but offer two plans. No official action was taken.

• The 2023 holiday schedule was approved.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission is at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at the county courthouse.