From a Supervisor’s Desk
By Don Schuller
I was out of town for the 9/1/23 committee meeting.
9/6/23 Equalization meeting
The board unanimously approved two appraisal maintenance agreements:
Standard Appraisal Services, Inc. effective 8/1/2023 – 6/30/2024
Josh Garris, Cardinal Assessment Group, LLC, effective 9/1/2023 – 6/30/2024
9/6/23 Regular meeting
Public Comments:
Gage County Foundation Chairman Don Vetrovsky thanked the board for their support of Big Give, a 24-hour fundraiser to support Gage County 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.
Landowner Dean Otto asked who is currently liable for the condition of Township Road 176. Otto will benefit from the sale of his land on that road to Summit Pork. He noted that present road uses are by grain semis, school buses, and other traffic. Opponents have expressed concerns that the road will not safely accommodate additional truck traffic from a large-scale swine operation.
The county board is not allowed to converse with those speaking during public comment.
Supervisor Gary Lytle asked Vetrovsky to return to the podium to explain how to contribute to Big Give. Contributions can be made at www.biggivegage.org after Sept 6th or in person at Vintage Venue, 7th and Court St., Beatrice, where booths will be set up on September 14th.
Sheriff Millard Gustafson reported the department has received roughly $20,000 toward the care of the horses removed from an owner due to animal neglect. Gustafson said the horses are gaining weight and doing well.
The Sheriff’s department is currently down four deputies due to one in training, two on military duty, and one opening.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand reported that the public hearing for the Otto/Summit Pork operation resulted in tabling the special use permit due to the concerns about 176th road by Island Grove Township, Village of Liberty, and Lewiston Schools. Their next hearing is 6:30 pm Sept 26th, Supervisors room, second floor of the courthouse.
Also on the 26th is a public hearing to approve or disapprove a seed sale facility in Holt Township.
Road and Bridge:
Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke said 80th Road south of Highway 8 was currently being spread with new gravel.
Kuhnke reported that he has been working with John Deere dealer Murphy Equipment to get free training for road patrol operators.
Upon questioning, County Attorney Roger Harris has not been able to confirm whether Road 162 adjoining the village of Virginia is annexed into the village as state statute indicates.
I asked Harris about the dust control policy for township and county roads. He is hoping to get a response from our insurance carrier within a couple of weeks.
Kuhnke said the word is getting out about the county cracking down on trees that pose safety hazards in county and township road easements. The next task is to enforce state safety statutes for roadside mowing.
I requested a site visit at the location of the proposed swine operation on 176th Road to discuss the issues with the road. This was agreed to and will include a followup meeting at the courthouse on the same day. The meeting will include representatives of the Island Grove Township Board, county government including engineer Mark Mainelle, P & Z, and the relevant schools.
The county budget hearing will be Sept. 18 following the committee meeting. Board Chairman Erich Tiemann stated the county tax request will go down.
This highlights the parts of the county meetings I feel are most relevant to my constituents. Use the link below to view the actual minutes and hear audio of the board meeting, when posted. https://gagecountynebraska.us/board_meetings/enhanced_minutes.aspx
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