The Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center is getting new technology, thanks to the generosity of local organizations.

At the Nov. 24 meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, approval was given to an agreement with Crosspoint Church and their donation of $50,000 towards the HVAC system at the facility. The city will pay the remaining $8,210.24 to complete the project.

The City of Ellsworth was the recipient of a grant from the Smoky Hills Community Foundation for $15,000 and a donation from Pheasants Forever for $5,000 to install a sound system and acoustic boards at the Health and Recreation Center. The rental fee for Pheasants Forever for their annual event will be waived through 2030 due to their donation.

In other business:

• No action was taken after a 20-minute executive session with Mayor Dan Finnegan, Interim City Administrator Allen Dinkel and City Attorney Patrick Hoffman to discuss nonelected personnel (review of applicants for the Ellsworth Police Chief position).

• Approval was given to a city employee health insurance benefit package for 2026.

• Approval was given to the routine biennial bridge inspection proposal for the city’s two box culvert bridges on East North Main Street. Kirkham Michael is to do the inspections. The cost of the inspections would be $450 per bridge, for a total of $900. The cost for the SNBI Data Updates is $300 per bridge, for a total of $600. The total cost for this contract is $1,500. The SNBI Data Update is a one-time fee.

• Approval was given to the State of Kansas grant agreement No. 25-HR-002 between the Kansas Department of Commerce and the City of Ellsworth regarding the CVBG home rehabilitation and demolition grant.

• An engagement letter with Adams Brown regarding three years of audit services of the city’s financial statements was approved for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

• A inspection contract with Don Base was approved regarding the Tenant Based Rental Assistance program.

• Approval was given to a Nex-Tech proposal for managed information technology and managed Microsoft 365.

• A water treatment service agreement with H2 Global Solutions was approved for the boiler at the Ellsworth City Office building.

• Ellsworth Fire Chief Ralph Doubrava reported his department’s aerial unit has a pressure relief valve that has failed and he is seeking bids from companies to repair it.

• The council mets in special session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at city hall to specifically conduct a two hour executive session to include Mayor Finnegan, Interim City Administrator Dinkel and the city council to discuss nonelected personnel to interview applicants for the chief of police position. No action was taken upon return to open session.

The next regular meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at city hall.