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Commissioners approve claims, contract signings and several grants; transfer small parcel to hospital board
Summary
At their May 16 meeting, Rush County commissioners approved accounts payable and payroll claims, signed contracts and certifications for multiple grants (including 5311 and NDOT/FTA paperwork), approved PHI Air Ambulance coverage for out-of-county employees, and authorized transfer of a small strip of county land to the hospital board.
The Rush County commissioners approved routine financial and administrative items during their May 16 meeting.
Claims and payroll: Commissioners approved accounts payable claims for May 5 totaling $223,028.31 and payroll claims for May 9 totaling $263,003.59 after motions and votes on the floor.
Contracts and signatures: Staff requested signatures to renew a professional-services contract for a peer recovery specialist (current contractor: Britney Hillbrand) and to sign documents tied to transit and senior-center reimbursement. Becker said the county requested a 5311 reimbursement of $44,589 and intends to submit a 2026 5311 grant request of $149,723 with a $10,000 county match; commissioners approved submission and signed required documents. Becker also summarized NDOT pass-through agreements and local-match breakdowns for the 2026 grant: state funds $41,968; county/city funds $18,000; Rush County Community Center Title III funds $28,956; Medicaid trip proceeds $15,500; and $45,299 from the county general account. Commissioners voted to sign the NDOT and FTA certifications and other assurances.
PHI Air Ambulance coverage and board pay: Commissioners approved paying PHI Air Ambulance coverage for Rush County employees who live outside the county at the current rate ($55/year) for eligible employees. The board also approved compensating two new drainage-board members at $86.30 per meeting effective immediately, and staff was directed to coordinate payroll claims with the auditor.
Property transfer: Staff requested and the board approved transferring a county-acquired strip of land (a narrow parcel along State Road 3 north of the clinic) to the hospital board so the hospital could place a small advertising billboard; the board authorized the county to execute the deed.
Operational updates: The sheriff provided jail and facility updates, including a staffing-survey requirement from a recent inspection, repairs to a boiler manifold and an air-conditioning unit, training-hour totals for staff, and selection of Matt Fox as a part-time marshal. Staff also reported increased senior-center attendance and higher ride volumes for county transportation.
Next steps: For projects requiring procurement, staff set a submission deadline of June 2 at 9 a.m. for landscaping and concrete proposals and will return with award recommendations; staff will also proceed with contract renewals, grant submissions and the property transfer paperwork authorized by the commissioners.
