The Ellsworth County Commissioners had an answer Monday to concerns raised at the Feb. 25 commission meeting by Ellsworth resident Jerry Marsh regarding the public’s access to Ellsworth County Medical Center board meetings and the lack of a public forum.

At the Feb. 25 meeting, Marsh urged commissioners to act by requiring a change in the hospital board bylaws to provide for open meetings and a public forum.

“I don’t see us forcing them to have a public forum,” Commission Chairman Greg Bender said Monday.

“I don’t either,” added Commissioner Shawn Thomas.

Thomas said he would ask ECMC Chief Executive Officer Jim Kirkbride if it is possible to at least potentially update the hospital website. He will also discuss with Kirkbride if there could be, time permitting at certain meetings, a scheduled 5-10 minute forum on the agenda so individuals will at least know when they are.

“It’s all hypothetical at this point,” Thomas said, “but I can’t see us doing a full-on change of their process.”

“I agree,” Bender said. Thomas said there are just too many potential violations that could happen.

“Being independent non-county employees and non-elected officials,” he said, “for HIPAA violations, employer-employee disputes — there’s just too much on it just to have an open forum.”

“I’m not going to be the one to say you have to do it,” Bender said. “If they (the hospital board) want one, it’s up to them to allow somebody to speak.”

“I’ll see if I can verify the process for an individual that wants to potentially go and listen,” Thomas said. “I’ll get more clarification from Jim on that.”

Kirkbride, who was in attendance at the Feb. 25 commission meeting, said the public can attend hospital board meetings, but they need permission to be added to the agenda.

“They cannot just simply speak,” Kirkbride said, “but any member of the community that wants to sit in a meeting can sit in a meeting.”

Kirkbride also noted the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter covers all hospital board meetings.

In other business:

• The commissioners met with representatives of HMN Architects and Treanor Architects for initial discussions regarding various options for the renovation of the county jail and the county courthouse. Both firms will submit proposals to the commission for review.

• Approval was given to cereal malt beverage licenses 2024-3 for Hart Marina LLC, Kanopolis Lake (for original and unopened containers) and 2024-4 for Hart Marina LLC (for on premises).

• Ellsworth County EMS Supervisor Nathan Florian said his department passed the annual State Board of EMS inspection with flying colors.

“This reflects your crew and you,” Bender said in congratulating Florian.

• Florian will apply for a $51,467.43 grant to purchase a Polaris fully-enclosed six-person utility task vehicle.

• Approval was given to add internet service to Florian’s personal cell-phone at a cost to the county not to exceed $16.50 per month. Florian will use the hot spot to access the internet on his computer while attending state Homeland Security, Trauma and Health meetings, as well as regional EMS meetings.

• Florian said the annual Ellsworth County Youth Safety Program will be conducted April 24 at the Ellsworth EMS headquarters building. Local sixth grade students from Kanopolis, Wilson and Holryood will attend the all-day event.

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