'Not A Good Year For Weed Spraying'

County Weed Superintendent Rick Wrangler explained at the Kimball County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday that it has not been a “good year for weed spraying.” He fought the wind, 90-degree plus weather and the wreck, which put one of the vehicles out of commission while the spray motor locked up on the other vehicle. Repairs on the spray motor will be upwards of $700.

Wrangler also felt that the weeds are becoming resistant to Roundup and 2-4-D because it is taking two different actions to kill the weeds.

About a year ago a lengthy discussion was held on bindweed but no action was taken, it was not put on the noxious weed list for the county. Now once again the white flowers can be seen everywhere and bindweed is back on the table to be discussed. The weed has resurfaced in abundance in the county and in the town of Kimball.

They are getting “lots of complaints and will address it again,” Wrangler said. “It is a constant battle in the ditches and fields.”

He said that they are not accomplishing much and that it will “cost a lot of money” to try to control it. A hearing will be set to take public comments to determine if bindweed should be placed on the list of noxious weeds.

Common Mullen is also a problem. Wrangler said it needs to be sprayed in the spring and has a two-year plant life cycle, but it can contain anywhere from 100,000 to 180,000 seeds per plant. The area landowners are encouraged to take care of this problem before they take over.

Meanwhile, the road department is blading and pulling shoulders, according to Randy Bymer, county highway superintendent.

The six miles of chip seal have been completed, and Bymer received an estimate for stripping the area – the price for stripping rose to almost $9,100. Bymer said that he has two openings and is trying to hire a couple of employees. He also discussed a method to get new hires a CDL.

With budget season here, Kimball Public Library Director Amber Sweetland met with the commissioners to request $17,000 from the county to support the library. The previous year the county budgeted $15,000 for the library. Sweetland described the library programs and reported that the library had received $53,000 in grants the past year.

Budget officer Josi Morgan reviewed budget dates for August and September, which include:

Saturday, August 20, County Assessor must certify valuations.

Wednesday, August 24, Overview of Budget.

Thursday, August 25, Review Budget, Meet with Department Heads-set appointments.

Friday, August 26, Review Board Budget, Road Budget, Work with Budget Cuts.

Monday, August 29, Go Over Budget Questions, Meet with Department Heads.

Tuesday, August 30, Work with Budget Cuts.

The Veterans Office presented the county board with a report generated by the state on the VA benefits of all 93 counties in Nebraska. The report charted veteran populations, revenue, compensation, medical care, and education and employment for counties from 2018 to 2021. In 2018, Kimball County had 296 veterans, while in 2021 there were 275.

In action items, $100,000 was transferred from the General Fund to the Road Fund.

Continuing with action items, $10,000 was transferred from the General Fund to the Visitors Fund.

County Transit Administrator Christy Warner updated the commissioners on the transit activities and opened the bids for marketing services. The county board voted to accept the bid for transit marketing from Creative Renovations.