At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County Comissioners, discussion took place with the county’s department heads and elected officials on county employees’ email security.

Kirby Fox of LockIT Technologies discussed Microsoft 365 licensing, which would be a universal email system using a .gov email domain with government licensing through Microsoft 365.

He noted that while the software is not mandatory, he just wants to have the conversation.

In other business:

• Approval was given to a $124,386 total bid from Mid-Continental Restoration, Fort Scott, to repair the granite on the front of the county courthouse and caulk and seal the remainder of the outside of the building. Funds will come from the county building fund.

“This is not a want, it’s a need,” Commissioner Shawn Thomas said. “It had to be done.”

• April payroll in the amount of $300,547.91 was approved.

• Approval of April accounts payable and pre-written warrants totalling $585,864.90 was given.

• Abatement 20230-92 in the amount of $74.54 was approved.

• After a 10-minute executive session with Ellsworth County Health Department Director Kerianne Ehrlich to discuss non-elected personnel (an open position), approval was given to Ehrlich filling the position when she can.

• Commissioners signed a permission form from the state at the request of County Treasurer Shelby Soukup to install a fiber circuit for KDOR services, which is used for motor vehicle and drivers license forms. Soukup noted the state will pay for the installation.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission will be at 9 a.m. Monday, May 13, at the county courthouse.