More money is on the way for Ellsworth County.

At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners, Stacie Schmidt of Ellsworth County Economic Development said the county will receive $100,000 as part of the federal “Build Back Better” program from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund.

Unlike ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, she said these funds are strictly for the county’s use and come without the strings attached to ARPA funds.

Half of the funds will be sent to the county in 2023 and the remainder will be sent in 2024.

Approval was given to accept the funds from the United States Department of Treasury.

In other business:

• Commissioners discussed the possibility of implementing a countywide burn ban due to the dry weather conditions. No action was taken. However, they will revisit the possibility of a ban during their Monday, Oct. 17, commission meeting.

• Approval was given to Keith Haberer, county emergency management director, to apply for the annual emergency management performance grant.

• Commissioners had a conference call with the Lincoln County commissioners to discuss language in the proposed PILOT (payment- in-lieu-of-taxes) agreements both counties wish to begin with the Post Rock Wind Farm (Pattern Energy) in Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties.

The Ellsworth County PILOT agreement would be for $658,650 and the Lincoln County PILOT agreement would be for a little more than $240,000.

Both agreements have a 2 percent increase built in and are for 20 years. However, several commissioners in both counties pushed to shorten the agreement to 10 years.

The Ellsworth County commissioners plan to talk to Carl Miller, county appraiser, and Paul J. Kasper, county attorney about the county’s agreement and possibly shortening the length of the agreement.

Eventually, an invoice in the amount of the PILOT program will be sent directly to Pattern Energy. During talks this year, the company did not respond to the county. If Pattern Energy does not respond, legal action will be pursued.

• Commissioner Dennis Rolfs noted several letters from county employees have been received objecting to converting the private bathroom in the courthouse next to the register of deeds office into storage for documents. The move was halted and will be discussed at the next commission meeting.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the county courthouse.