Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Outgoing Sheriff Harry Gillway was presented with this plaque at Tuesday's Kimball County Commissioners meeting in appreciation for his service.
Kimball County Commissioner-elect Elyse Schlake Lukassen attended the December 6 meeting and will be sworn in along with the other elected officials on January 5, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the District Courtroom. The Kimball County Board of Commissioners reorganizational meeting was set for 9:30 am.
With Chairman Larry Engstrom unable to attend the meeting due to illness, Vice Chairman Carl Stander stepped into the role as chairman for the meeting.
When outgoing Sheriff Harry Gillway gave his last update, he was also recognized for his 14 years of service to the Kimall County. Gillway said, "I embrace the electoral system," and he said he wished him well, referring to the Sheriff-elect Dave Hottell.
In discussion items, the commissioners approved and adopted a Resolution to transfer funds from the Inheritance Tax Fund to the General Fund for $250,000.
Discussion items continued with an exchange about a resolution to execute a Master Agreement between the Nebraska Department of Transportation and Kimball County for a period of five years, the resolution was tabled.
The contract for Kimball County Guardian Ad Litem with Audrey Long was approved for $24,000 a year. The previous contract had expired, and the county was paying for Guardian Ad Litem on a case-by-case basis.
The board met with country appointed officials, including Country Highway Superintendent Randy Bymer, County Veterans Service Officer Coordinator Darcee Wheeland, and Kimball County Transit Administrator Christy Warner.
KCTS administrator Warner updated the board on the transit system. Today, KCTS has 12 vehicles and will have 20 vehicles in 2023. Over 27,000 annual one-way trips have been provided.
The local network includes Kimball and Deuel counties. The extended network is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2023 and will cover Scotts Bluff, Banner, and Cheyenne counties. KCTS regional network began with the Red Line Airport Service on November 1, and late in 2023, an additional line will include Cheyenne, Fort Collins, and Loveland.
Warner also updated the board on transit advertising stressing that the vehicles travel over 9,000 miles every week, and the ads are one method that works. They will be eye-catching and mobile.
Finally, after finding out that the two previously purchased Sprinter vans were not 70% Made in America and the county would not be reimbursed for them, Warner asked to purchase two additional Ford Transit vans with wheelchair lifts to replace the Sprinter vans.
Vice Chairman Stander motioned to approve the purchase of 2 Ford Transit vans, but the motion died for lack of a second. Member Rich Flores stated he wanted to wait for the full board to make the decision. Stander said he disagreed with waiting for a decision for the full board.
Bymer updated the commissioners on the road department. Bymer said, "They were blading and hauling gravel." He continued to explain that the 2012 M Cat grader had a broken front axle and the grader had to be towed in. It is out of warranty, and the parts were $3000-3500. Also, the 1990 mower has been fixed for about $300.
Murphy Tractor informed Bymer that the two new road graders are still scheduled for delivery in February and March of 2023.
Bymer's search for a new road department employee has stalled as three people were scheduled for interviews, but two were no-shows. Bymer explained that many times when they do a DMV check on individuals, it turns out there is a problem, also many individuals are not qualified for the position or have no grader experience.
The discussion eventually turned to the paved county road south of Dix. Bymer contacted the appropriate Air Force individuals to gain information on possible financial help to repave the road. Bymer found out that the Air Force will provide maintenance only on gravel roads.
If the road is ground up and returned to gravel, the Air Force will add that road to its inventory. It may take a few years to add a new road to the inventory. The conclusion reached was that there was no chance of any funding from the Air Force to help grind the paved road to make it gravel. Bymer estimated it might take up to $400,000 to put the road back to gravel.
County Veterans Service Officer coordinator Wheeland presented the Aug.-Nov. monthly veteran reports.The office currently serves 220 local veterans and helps them secure services, which include pensions, medical and dental, burial services, home loans, and housing.
The final commissioner meeting for 2022 will be on December 20 at 9 a.m.