Ellsworth County Commissioners gave needed clarification Monday to Ellsworth County Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Jim Kirkbride on working with the ECMC Hospital Foundation on details associated with the building of a proposed surgical center.

Kirkbride said a donor would like to fund construction of the surgical center, estimated to be between $9-10 million, with the stipulation that their name be on the building. The surgical center would be attached to the hospital.

Kirkbride noted, however, any action on the surgical center would not take place for another year or two.

In other business:

• No action was taken after a 5-minute executive session with County Appraiser Kristina Silva to discuss employee status.

• Approval was given to have EMS proceed with the EIG Grant to fund the tuition, not to exceed $1,560, for Heather Bloesser to take the AEMT class. The funds will be taken from the EMS Education Fund.

• Bret Dunlap, county road and bridge superintendent, was given the nod to move forward with the purchase of the easement to construct the shoe fly for the Black Wolf Bridge (FAS Bridge 360) in the amount of $375.

• Approval was given to have the County Road and Bridge Department apply for the 2027 High Risk Rural Road Grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

• Approval was given to the Stryker Service Contract with the EMS for ambulance equipment at a cost of $18,586.95. The funds will be taken from the general fund.

• Commissioners spoke via teleconference with Deb Carlson of the North Central Regional Planning Commission, Beloit, regarding participation in the Rural Wildfire Prevention Plan. The county will provide a letter of support as well as two to three volunteers to assist in the planning of the prevention plan.

• Representatives from Goldberg Architects discussed potential projects and next steps involving the renovation of the county courthouse and county detention center.

From Jan. 22:

• Silva told commissioners values for cropland and irrigated land went down about 12 percent for 2025.

She noted the county is losing almost $4 million in appreciation, but she didn’t think it will be as detrimental to the county budget as it might seem.

She noted sales in the county are still pretty decent. A more in-depth report will be given to commissioners in mid-February.

Silva plans to mail out the values to property owners in Ellsworth County on March 1.

In other business:

• Brandon Hulse was appointed Langley Township trustee and Monte Loder was appointed Langley Township treasurer to fill vacant positions.

• Approval was given to the letter of resignation from Ellsworth Township Clerk Fred Peppiatt.

• Approved abatements 2024-52-55 and 57-67 for $9,506.26.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at the county courthouse.