LARNED — The Pawnee County Commission met Oct. 10 at the Pawnee County Courthouse. The following are approved minutes submitted by Pawnee Commission clerk Ruth Searight.
Pawnee County commissioners Kathy Bowman, Donna Pelton and John Haas were present.
9 a.m. — Mark Wagner, Pawnee County emergency management/zoning director, discussed a wind turbine that was installed south of Rozel, but no permit was obtained.
• Searight presented the Blue Cross/Blue Shield renewal for 2012, that Stephanie Buckman, BCBS representative delivered last week.  All premiums went down except the MER.
After reviewing, commissioners approved and signed the renewal papers.
Searight presented and discussed the Group Services Plan Application from TASC, who is recommended by CPI Inc., as they are not performing the discrimination testing anymore. After discussion, commissioners approved the county clerk completing the application, signing and returning to TASC.
• Carl Miller, Pawnee County appraiser, gave an update on the leadership training he is attending. He discussed with the commissioners the idea he has for his leadership project.  Commissioners approved his project and told him to continue with it, and they will participate as needed.
Miller discussed the need for additional training in the office, and commissioners approved hiring someone part-time to assist with the spread sheets.
• Searight informed the commissioners that her office was approved for the request of four scanners and other miscellaneous supplies through the Hava Endowment Program with the Secretary of State’s office.
Equipment and supplies retail is $6,768.50, and Pawnee County’s cost is 10 percent, or $676.85. Commissioners approved the request.
10 a.m. — Kurt Demel, Pawnee County highway administrator, gave updates on activities, plans and goals. He gave commissioners some project sheets for their information and review.
11 a.m. — Matt Heyn, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital administrator,  discussed the builders risk insurance and options.  This would not cover the Pawnee Valley Clinic. Heyn discussed the clinic and contacting Art Riedel.
Heyn discussed the real estate that was transferred by warranty deed to Pawnee County. He discussed the vacant lot and other real estate that did not get deeded to Pawnee County, and is still in St. Joseph Memorial Hospital Inc.’s name, and the clinic that is titled in the city of  Larned’s name.
Via telephone, commissioners visited with John Settle, county attorney. Settle stated that he felt Pawnee County owned the vacant lot, and that there was a cloud on the title.
• Heyn visited with the commissioners about his visit with Lane Massey, Larned city manager, and their timetable for hiring a qualified independent inspector to review the plans for the new facility.
Commissioners discussed the needed permits to proceed. Commissioners approved amounts and premium for the builders risk insurance.
After discussion, Commissioners approved Heyn to work with the Murray Company, to select a qualified sub-contractor for the new facility.
1:30 p.m. — Jenny Manry, Larned Pride committee, was told by commissioners they had received a $300 check as a grant from Midwest Energy.
Manry informed commissioners that Kansas State University officials would visit Camp Pawnee Oct. 27, and attend the public meeting and supper, to discuss options for Camp Pawnee. 
Another public meeting will be held on Dec. 3, with a breakfast to decide on what options to implement. The Dec. 3 meeting will be in the Pawnee County courthouse lounge, first floor.
Commissioners approved the request.
Manry informed the commissioners, that for another possible grant, the facilitators called and told her to inform the commissioners to proceed with the first and second legal notices for a public meeting to obtain input from the public regarding the use of the grant.
Manry gave an update on all the other grants that applications have been sent.
1:50 p.m. — Kevin Holt, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, gave each Commissioner a letter of request to use the courthouse lawn for a city celebration following the Christmas Parade on the evening of Dec. 3. After further discussion, Commissioners approved.
• Searight gave commissioners information on the top taxpayers in Pawnee County, valuation totals for 2011, and a list of exempt property.
 Commissioners approved and signed checks for payroll, bills and expenses. The commissioners read through the incoming mail.
• Commissioners approved and signed a letter to accept the terms and conditions, employing the law firm of Dennis J. Keenan Attorney-at-Law P.A. to collect back personal property taxes due and owing from Key Gas Corporation/Mark Ayesh/BGB L.L.C.
• They discussed the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned/Pawnee County Airport and dispatching issues.
3:15 p.m. — The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled Monday, Oct. 17.