Stacie Schmidt, executive director of Ellsworth County Economic Development, offered a brief update at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commission meeting on the second round of American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Ellsworth County is scheduled to receive $592,621 in June.

So far, eight applications have been received for funding. They are H&B Communications, Ellsworth County EMS, the Wilson Thrift Shop, Grandma’s Soda Shop in Wilson, Post Rock Rural Water District, the Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office and the Ellsworth County Clerk’s Office.

Schmidt recommended waiting until the funds arrive, then wait two weeks before having another update meeting with commissioners.

In other business:

• Approval was given to a $19,787 bid from Hall Construction of Salina to remodel the county clerk’s office. The work will be paid for using ARPA funds.

• Shelly Vopat, county clerk, said the courthouse boiler has not had the required annual inspection in several years. She also noted the back flow value is not working. Commissioners advised her to call Bruce Bowie for a cost estimate on an annual inspection. It will be compared to a bid from American Boiler. Replacement of the valve was also discussed.

• The county will advertise in the Independent-Reporter for bids to remove two insect-damaged pine trees adjacent to the courthouse.

• No action was taken after a 15-minute executive session telephone conference with Allen Glendenning of Watkins Calcara to discuss possible litigation.

• After a 10-minute executive session with Sheriff Murray Marston to discuss confidential data (information about jail consultants), approval was given to have Marston call jail consultant Bill Garnos about a jail needs assessment and cost.

• Doug Janssen of the Post Rock Rural Water District said he needs $28,000 to complete the project of installing automatic water meter readers for 433 rural residential household and pasture meters in the county. This project will be funded by ARPA Phase 2 dollars. The project was originally funded using ARPA Phase 1 dollars.

• Marston said the sheriff ’s office has a list of items to sell, including old vehicles and a palate full of unidentified property. Vopat gave him a copy of the state statues regarding the sale of such property.

The next meeting of Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 18, at the county courthouse.