TheSheridanCounty,Nebraska Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the County Courthouse in Rushville. Notice of the meeting was published on the county website sheridancountyne.gov. The meeting was open to the public and a ZOOM connection was also available. Present were Chairman James Krotz, and Commissioners Dan Kling and Bruce Messersmith, and Deputy County Clerk Paige Rager.
There was no business for the Board of Equalization.
The BOC accepted the periodic report from Treasurer Renee Thies on Securities Pledged by our depository banks.
The Board also approved a request from Thies to approve the reallocation of all subsequent payments from the Opioid Settlement directly to Region 1 Behavioral Health.
Building Superintendent Jeff Davis and UNL Extension Educator Melissa Mracek briefed the Board on the projected cost of re-framing two new offices in the building at 105 Loofborrow Street in Rushville. Because the offices are sited in a leased building, the Board requested that a clause be added to the lease that will assure the re-capture by the County of the cost of the improvements if the lease is terminated, broken or dissolved before a set number of years has expired.
With the presentation of the amended lease agreement the Commissioners will consider the approval of the project.
Mracek presented a report on the numerous activities of the 4-H program.
Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that his crews are striving to stockpile as much gravel as possible on high ground, making mention of the spring of 2019. Norton also presented a Cost Recovery Agreement for new employees who secure their CDL will the assistance of county funds. The Agreement requires that such new employees must continue in the employment of the county for one year or have those costs re-captured from their final paycheck.
Megan Heath, CEO of Gordon Memorial Hospital, appeared to discuss the Hospital’s request for ARPA funds to assist with the repair of their elevator. The BOE voted to approve a grant of $114,233. This grant will disburse the last the ARPA funds received by Sheridan County – no more grants will be considered.
Sheriff Jeff Brewer and Chief Deputy Everett Langford briefed the Commissioners on the new funding model required by the Nebraska Public Service Commission for the Sheridan County Public Safety Answering Point (E-911 service). The new funding model requires that the County spend down some our accumulated E-911 revenues over the next few years. Langford suggests that the County invest that spend-down in the replacement of the now outdated dispatch radio. Langford has requested a proposal from Motorola and will report back to the Board when the cost has been determined.
Clerk of the District Court, Carol Stouffer joined Brewer, Langford, and the BOC to discuss certain security upgrades to the District Court.
The next meeting of the BOE/ BOC is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m.
The minutes of this and all meetings of the Board of Commissioners will be available to the public at the office of the Sheridan County Clerk and now are available online at sheridancounty.ne.gov. All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the public is always welcome.
Submitted by James Krotz