Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

VSO Austin Garner resigns at latest County Commissioners meeting

Sherri Winstrom, Kimball County Assessor, told the Kimball Board of Equalization during their last regular meeting of the year, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, that Stanard Appraisal Services will complete the physical aspect of measuring and assessing all of the county’s rural residential, commercial and residential buildings by the end of the year.

She added that after the first of the year, the assessor’s office will continue entering the information into the system.

When the board closed the Board of Equalization meeting and reconvened as Kimball County Commissioners, they briefly discussed the various meetings that they attended during Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), with County Clerk, Cathy Sibal. Board Chairman, Larry Engstrom reported that 785 people attended the yearly NACO conference.

Just 40 minutes into the commissioner’s board meeting, courthouse staff, including several from the sheriff’s department, came to wish the commissioners a Merry Christmas, to thank them for a great year and gifted them with cards and gift baskets purchased by the employees.

Sibal spoke to the commissioners, saying, “working with you as County Clerk is definitely an honor and I see a board that deserves our respect.”

Sheriff Gillway addressed the commissioners, saying that, “you always handle things professionally and I know for myself, I appreciate that.”

The assembled group of county employees then sang a surprisingly harmonious first verse of, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

In other new business, Louanna Gawith, County Shuttle Administrator discussed and approved the passenger handbook. More discussion was raised by Commissioner Daria Faden concerning whether or not dogs or animals may ride on the shuttle. According to the handbook, service animals may ride with their owners, however, shuttle personnel cannot ask if the animal is a service animal or not.

Carla Goranson, County Ambulance Director along with Kim Schildhauer presented the November financial report for the ambulance service. November’s charges were slightly down at $28,587.54 with total deposits of $8,465.06 and expenditures of $27,252.96.

The ambulance made 37 runs in November compared to 28 in October and 32 in September. Eleven runs in Nov. were inter-facility transfers and one call refused transport.

County Clerk Cathy Sibal read a letter of resignation from Austin Garner, Kimball County Veterans Service Officer to the board. Due to unexpected circumstances with his occupation’s National Guard training, he regretfully notified the board that his last day will be Dec. 31, 2016.

Two large reports were received from the Wellness Partners’ outlining the health and wellness of the Kimball County employees. Copies of the report may be reviewed in the Clerk’s office.

Commissioner Tim Nolting was re-elected on Nov. 8 for his second term. Official swearing in will take place at the Kimball County Courthouse in the Commissioner’s room on January 5, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. The regular Board of Equalization and County Commissioner’s meeting will follow at 9 and 9:30, respectively.