Work on a two-block stretch of Wichita Avenue in Lorraine was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners.

Dale Houston, county road and bridge superintendent, said department employees have already repaired the pot holes in that area. Commissioners told Lorraine representatives a week ago they would ask Houston to fix the street.

Houston said the work cost the county $4,500.

“It’s really nice,” Commissioner Dennis Rolfs said. “Just that two block-area is going to make a huge difference going into town.”

Houston said the area will be sealed next week.

In other business • Houston said he would do

• Houston said he would do some research into the location of speed signs along the low road going into Kanopolis.

At last week’s meeting, Greg Heller, who works at the Fort Harker guardhouse, said the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit sign needs to be farther west so it is not confusing to drivers coming into the community at a high rate of speed.

Heller voiced concerns about safety and wanted the county do take action.

Houston said the sign may have gotten knocked over. He will look into it.

• Approval was given to the purchase of a 2022 Kenworth T480 truck, with a Hilbilt dump body and Henke plow and stainless steel spreader for a total cost of $168,900.

• Jim Kirkbride, the new chief executive officer at Ellsworth County Medical Center, introduced himself and gave a brief status report to the commissioners.

He said, financially, June was a pretty good month for the hospital. Patient satisfaction scores also remain high.

Kirkbride then briefly discussed work on the drive leading to the entrance to the emergency room, so it better accommodates ambulances.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners is at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at the county courthouse.