By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Ellis County received a $1,000 donation from Invenergy, owner of the Buckeye Wind Farm, this week in support of its work with county emergency personnel.
At Monday’s commission meeting, Invenergy's Shaun Braun presented the commission with the donation and thanked the county first responders for working with Buckeye Wind Farm crews.
Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said each year county emergency personnel are invited to the wind farm to take part in training exercises.
“Just this year, we landed a (Eagle Med) helicopter out there (and) transported a patient down off the top of the tower,” Myer said.
Braun thanked the commission for the support that they get from Ellis County.
“I think we have a really good working relationship,” said Braun. “Hopefully, we can continue to do this practice for years to come and not ever have to actually have to put it to use.”
Myers said the donation will help purchase wildland fire protective gear for the Ellis County Fire Department.
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The commission also held its annual re-organization Monday and the commission appointed Butch Schlyer to serve as commission chair for the next year. Commissioner Dustin Roths was appointed vice-chair.
Schlyer replaces Dean Haselhorst, who said he has served as commission chair five times in his 11 years.
“It’s just like to thank all the residents, department heads (and) elected officials for the past year of letting me be chair again,” Haselhorst said. “Its been an honor to work with my new fellow commissioners this past year, and thank you again for your confidence you put into me. I hope I served you well.”
Shlyer will also serve as president of the Public Building Commission and Roth’s the vice president.
In other business the commission:
• Approved the hiring of an intern for the IT department for the spring semester.
• Approved a list of items to be actioned through Purple Wave.
• Instructed the Public Works Department to trade in three dump trucks for two new ones. The commission already approved the purchase of the new trucks.
• Discussed a schedule for commissioner to attend on executive team meetings.