Deciding the who and how much of the American Rescue Plan Act funding for those applying for assistance from Ellsworth County has taken another step forward.

At Monday’s meeting of Ellsworth County commissioners, Stacie Schmidt, executive director of Ellsworth County Economic Development, presented officials with a list of several policies to review and approve before funds can be distributed. These include conflict of interest and procurement policies and a pre-award risk assessment. A memorandum of understanding also must be approved.

Schmidt said each of the commissioners will score all nine of the applicants independently using a scoring matrix to determine which will be funded.

The 11 a.m. hour at the Tuesday, Sept. 7, commission meeting has been set aside for discussion and to determine which applicants share the $592,621, which is in the first half of the $1,185,242 in total funding scheduled to be received by Ellsworth County. The second half is scheduled for distribution next year. The county has five years to spend the money.

It was noted, however, that over $616,978 has been requested by applicants.

“It’s going to take a lot of review,” Commissioner Greg Bender said.

Paul J. Kasper, county attorney, said commissioners can allot the dollars to applicants in any way they choose.

“Hopefully, next week we can come to a conclusion who is going to get what, then proceed,” Commissioner Dennis Rolfs said.

David Cox, general manager of Ellsworth’s Maico Industries, asked commissioners to consider he applied because of a hardship. Cox’s $100,000 request, if approved, will pay for a natural gas bill the company received earlier this year during an unexpected cold snap.

“I would want you to be mindful of my request and weigh it accordingly when figuring out how to distribute the funds,” he said.

Cox added he would like to see commissioners make a decision sooner rather than later.

In other business:

• Approval was given to purchase a 2022 Ford F-550 ambulance from Osage Ambulance in St. Joseph, Mo., for $239,790.

• Nathan Florian, director of the county EMS, said Osage told him no down payment on the ambulance was necessary. Payment is due upon delivery.

• Approval was given to a request by the Post Rock Rural Water District to extend the district’s boundary into McPherson County to accommodate a water meter request. It was noted the district has 1,800 miles of water line now. This will increase that by 10 miles. • Approval was given

• Approval was given to a request by the county road and bridge department to the annual exchange of federal funds from the federal aid fund master agreement. The amount to be exchanged is $67,306.72.

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the county courthouse.