The Ellsworth County American Rescue Program Act fund coffers received a little replenishment Monday, courtesy of Ellsworth County clerk Shelly Vopat.

Vopat returned $17,064.90 of the $25,600 which the county received to purchase 22 hand sanitizing stations after she learned the dispensers were free and the hand sanitizer cost less than originally thought.

However, Vopat requested — and the commissioners approved — using $16,020 of those ARPA funds to have the Austin Peters Group of Overland Park perform a wage evaluation and update the job descriptions for the 45 county employees, including elected officials. Commissioners also approved signing a letter of understanding with Austin Peters Group to perform the work.

In the end, the county still received a little over $1,000 back into its ARPA account, which can be used for other ARPA related requests.

In other business:

• Nathan Florian, supervisor of the Ellsworth County EMS, said the department received a $21,151.11 grant from One Gas Foundation to purchase a new mannequin and supplies for the new EMS classroom. EMS also received a $1,000 grant donation from Western Cooperative Electric for the classroom.

• No action was taken after a 30 minute executive session with Florian and Vopat to discuss nonelected personnel (policy).

From Oct. 7:

• The first checks for those entities approved to receive American Rescue Act Plan funds were approved, as well as a memorandum of understanding.

The checks approved were: $25,600 to Ellsworth County for the purchase of 22 hand sanitizing stations; $6,000 to Ellsworth County for the purchase of new water fountains; $117,350 to the Post Rock Rural Water District; and $29,631 for administrative fees.

• October was declared Domestic Violence Prevention Month in Ellsworth County as requested by the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas.

• Commissioners began a review of the lines of each of the three commission districts. The review is required by the state every three years.

• The county credit card policy was updated to raise the limit on county credit cards to $5,000.

• October was declared Downs Syndrome Awareness Month as requested by the North Central Kansas Downs Syndrome Society.

• Commissioners gave approval to increase the credit card limit for the county road and bridge department to $5,000 as requested by Dale Houston.