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

Commissioners work through varied agenda

Sheila Newell, County Zoning Administrator updated the board on the county zoning project and notified commissioners that Aug. 16 is the final hearing for zoning in the City of Kimball at the regular Board of County Commissioner’s meeting on Aug. 2.

Dave Hottell, County Highway Superintendent, gave an account of several places in the southwest part of the county where the previous week’s storm had caused washes on the roads. Significant repair was needed in a few places yet there were no complete wash outs and all roads remained passable.

County Weed Superintendent, Ricky Wangler reported that he is continuing to see large spots of Canada and Scotch thistle in CRP around the county.

His biggest problem are with those properties that are owned by people or corporations from out of state. Many of the property owners he needs to contact have moved, leaving no forwarding or current contact information listed.

Wangler has tried to work with the FSA office however he says that they are not always willing to give out contact information.

Wangler could send a series of registered letters that would take weeks and eventually charge upwards of $100 a day, but he is currently choosing not to because many the locals are working with him.

He said that he appreciates those who are helping to rid the county of the noxious and invasive weeds and added that many of those he is struggling with are the same people that historically have issues with the county.

The board discussed starting notification to land owners earlier in the year to get on top of the weeds before they become established. Wangler said that though many land owners do spray early, the follow-up has been severely lacking and therefore the weeds still seed and distribute.

Commissioners determined that the county can, legally, enter private land to spray noxious weeds without landowners consent if deemed necessary.

The board voted unanimously to put up for bid the eight acre tract of land west of the High Point Welcome Center. Legal notice of the land sale will be in the Western Nebraska Observer with specifics for the process of bidding on that property.

Rose Bowcut, Executive Director of the Cheyenne County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) explained the purpose of her organization and the duties of the volunteers and is seeking the support of the commissioners.

She will be looking for volunteers in the area with a minimum training requirement of 30 hours in addition to background checks, two interviews and three letters of recommendation. Bowcut added that she may be looking for financial support from the commissioners in the future.

Director of the Kimball Library, Jan Sears and Library Board Member, Pastor Kenneth Mars requested $15,000 in financial support for 2016-2017. Sears explained that the library is accredited and must remain accredited to continue applying for and receiving grants, like the one that helped them purchase their 3-D printer.

According to Sears, “Without funding that we need, the library could, potentially, lose their accreditation.”

The accreditation process is based on points that score every aspect of the library and it’s services. At this time, the library fulfills the points needed for accreditation but if hours are cut for their services or employees, it could jeopardize their standing in the point system, and cost them the accreditation and ability to receive extra funding through grants.

No action was taken, the board will revisit the budget at the next board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 or when they have more information.