From the Desk of a Gage County Supervisor

By Don Schuller This is not complete minutes of these meetings. It is highlights I feel most relevant to my constituents. Use the link provided at the end to view the actual minutes once they are posted.On June 16th, I spent the evening at the Southeast 911 Communications Center. It was an interesting experience I will never forget. Many calls came in. I am impressed how the three dedicated dispatchers on duty worked so well together. They worked in unison to handle calls. Each one performed essential duties helping each other and making the process go faster. They are very professional and proficient. The computer programming allows them to monitor everything at once including location of patrol cars. Everything imaginable is monitored and recorded. It is crucial for dispatching the agencies served. It allows them to manage calls for 22 agencies in Gage County, the city of Crete: police, fire and rescue; the Richardson County Sheriff’s department. On average, this communications center fields over 136,000 calls per year.I rode with the Sheriff’s department accompanying Sergeant Jason Sharp the evening of June 18th. Sgt. Sharp explained his routine preparations before leaving the office, the computer equipment in the patrol car, etc. He did an excellent job educating me. After serving papers in Beatrice we headed to rural Gage County. I particularly noticed how observant he was. He was continually checking traffic speeds, license numbers, and anything unusual. He drove the streets of each of the small towns in the area checking on businesses and residences. The deputies work closely with other agencies. Sgt. Sharp assisted the Wymore Rescue Squad with a call that evening. His knowledge of the area and people is an asset to the department, as for all deputies. He has served the area for 14 years, making it apparent to me the value in longevity. I enjoyed the conversation and learning from Sgt. Sharp.Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand reported a formal application for a special use permit was received from Dean Otto for the Summit Pork operation proposed in Island Grove Township. P & Z discussion of the Island Grove Summit Pork operation is undetermined at this time. Wiegand predicts the public hearing date with P & Z will be in August.In a recent review of the pending application for a special use permit on the Gage Hanover 11 swine operation project, a technical oversight on formal notice to a small number of titleholders was discovered. In an abundance of caution, it was decided that Gage County would resend the notices and redo the public hearings regarding the permit application process. The P & Z public hearing is scheduled for July 19th at 4:00 pm, supervisor meeting room, second floor of the courthouse. It is anticipated that the final vote on the application request can still be held on July 26th, 9:30 am, same location, as previously scheduled by the Gage county Board of Supervisors.Building and Grounds Manager David Jones informed us that three trees in the Courthouse yard were removed because they were damaged. New trees will eventually be planted.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke reminded the board of the request for permission by an individual to pay for and apply dust control product on a county road in front of their house. Some board members expressed concern about using a corrosive product and changes in patrolling the road at the location. Kuhnke was instructed to consult our insurance provider about liability.Kuhnke discussed truck traffic complaints through Holmsville on the county road. He consulted our engineer and it was suggested to put up stop signs in town to discourage truck traffic. We discussed how we determine where a stop sign is needed for other situations. The engineer said he can justify a stop sign in Holmsville. No decision was made.6/28/23Equalization meeting:Senator Myron Dorn spoke to the board about information shown on the property tax statement. He explained how the property tax credits work. I recommend you listen to the audio of his explanation using the link provided at the end of this write up.Regular meeting:We took public comment from Clint Rule of rural Liberty. He requested that an engineer look at safety issues on the road by the proposed Island Grove Summit Swine operation. Four people from Island Grove Township were present.Buildings and Grounds Committee met with Applied Connective, our Information Technology contractor, to determine what can be done to update technology for Zoom meetings etc. in the supervisors meeting roomWiegand informed the board that landowner Dean Otto has filed an application for a special use permit for a swine operation in Island Grove township.Supervisor Emily Haxby reported Barneston, along with other Gage County towns, were selected by the Public Service Commission for a grant with the Capitol Project program to fund installation of broadband fiber by Nextlink.Kuhnke reported that Nebraska Integrated Risk Management Association (NIRMA), the county insurance organization, had no comment regarding dust control products and liability. Chairman Erich Tiemann expressed the need for proof of insurance from the landowner.I requested that the board have our engineer, Mainelli Wagner & Associates, look at 176th Road by the location of the proposed Summit Pork swine operation to provide us with recommendations and a cost estimate to assure a safe road for semi and school bus traffic. Chairman Tiemann directed Kuhnke to contact the engineers.I asked Kuhnke about the rating of the bridge on 176th Road near the proposed operation. It is a 32-ton bridge. There are no plans for bridge improvement. Chairman Tiemann appointed Supervisors Haxby, Dorn, and me to a CAFO review committee.Check out my Facebook page Don Schuller – Public Servant. You can find my press releases and other information.The minutes and the audio of the Board meeting, when posted, can be found at:https://gagecountynebraska.us/board_meetings/enhanced_minutes.aspx

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