Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Commissioners Hear Bid For New Hospital From Kimball Health Services
Presenting to the Kimball County Commissioners for the new hospital were Kerry Ferguson, Jim Cederburg, Ken Hunter, Cassie Gasseling, Nicole Snyder and Troy Kurz.
Kimball Health Services presented its proposal Tuesday for a new hospital to the Kimball County Commissioners. The primary portion of the funding ($23 million) for the new hospital would come from a 40 year fixed interest USDA loan. The USDA requires a letter of support from the governing body, which is the Kimball County Commissioners.
The commissioners' boardroom was crowded with six presenters from Kimball Health Services explaining different facets of the project.
The facility would not be operational until mid-2024 and it would take more than two years to construct. It is estimated that 200 construction workers would be working on the facility.
A community campaign for the new hospital has been started, and the first of many public meetings is planned for April 13 at the transit building.
The Kimball County Commissioners approved the request for a letter of support for the new hospital.
In other business, Highway Road Superintendent Randy Bymer updated the commissioners on the paved county road south of Dix. It appears that the Air Force is not willing to contribute to the resurfacing of the road, so therefore the discussion of the road continues.
The commissioners received and opened sealed bids to purchase a 2018 or newer pickup for the road department. They received three sealed bids from Fremont Motors, Wolf Auto had one bid, Team Chevrolet submitted proposals for two different vehicles, and Panhandle Motors submitted a late bid that was unable to be accepted. Only one bid met the specifications, and the commissioners voted to reject all bids. Bymer reminded the commissioners that sealed bids were not necessary for items under $50,000. The commissioners voted to have Bymer seek proposals for the vehicle.
The visitor center update indicated that more tourists are stopping by the facility. The number from January was160. There were 170 people in February, and in March the number of visitors recorded was 267.
The Nebraska State Tourism will provide a staff member in Kimball for 32 hours a week from May 18 to September 12. An AmeriCorps group will return to Kimball to work with the Visitors Center, Plains Historical Society and the Community Walking Path from May 6 to July 7. They will once again be staying in the parsonage in Bushnell.