Ellsworth County commissioners received a brief update on the work of distributing the $1.2 million in funding from the state’s SPARK program Monday during their weekly meeting.

Sarah Goss, who is assisting the Ellsworth Count SPARK Committee with the administration of how the funds are distributed, said 10 applicants have received $42,500 in reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenditures so far.

Goss said most of the funds will go to the county’s two school districts, Ellsworth USD 327 and Central Plains USD 112. She requested and the commissioners approved distributing $347,012.67 to USD 327 and $256,656.33 to USD 112 based on school enrollment. Also approved was a memorandum of

Also approved was a memorandum of understanding between the county and the two school districts stating the districts will spend the funds on what they said they would spend the funds on.

It was noted everyone who applies for a share of the $1.2 million must sign a memorandum of understanding before the funds are distributed. Goss said the county will receive

Goss said the county will receive $247,000, with $180,000 going into a pool of grant funds to be administered by the Ellsworth County Economic Development. Specifically, these funds will be earmarked for both profit and nonprofit businesses in Ellsworth County with COVID-19 prevention related expenses such as cleaning supplies, partitions, or equipment to work remotely.

In other business:

• Dale Houston, county road and bridge superintendent, and Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham Michael and Associates, reviewed possible options to repair the Wilson Bridge. It was noted the cost to completely

It was noted the cost to completely replace the bridge and widen it would be $2.5 million.

Halbgewachs said the project would be a good candidate for the Kansas Department of Transportation’s cost share program.

In a related matter, Halbgewachs said work crews need to finish the dirt work and get asphalt down on the approaches to the bridge on Old 40, which has been closed for several months for replacement.