Gage County Meetings

By Don Schuller 2/16/21 Committee:I was not available to attend this meeting. I learned there were people in attendance who spoke during the Planning and Zoning discussion about concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). Both those in favor of extending setbacks, and those in favor of leaving them as is, spoke.2/21/24 Regular meetingChairman Tiemann read the consent agenda. I requested that item 7, approval for reappointing Terry Acton on the Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-year term ending 1/27, be removed and placed on the regular agenda. I explained my position that the board needs to establish a better process for applicants to the commission. I made the motion to table this for one month allowing the board more time to review and discuss. The motion failed due to a lack of a second. Supervisor Haxby said the board should proceed with approval of Acton’s appointment. I made a motion to go into executive session and requested the presence of P & Z Administrator Lisa Wiegand and P & Z chairman Jeff Argo. They were both present. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Jurgens and carried unanimously. With a unanimous vote the board re-entered the regular meeting. The motion was made by Haxby and seconded by Dorn to approve Terry Acton for a three year term, expiring 1/27. The motion carried unanimously.Bids closed for the purchase of two pickups. Four bids were reviewed. Road and Bridge Chairman Terry Jurgens made the motion to accept the bids and refer them to the highway department for review. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.Public Comment:Pattie Barnard, retired farmer of rural Liberty, presented to the board 42 signatures from Island Grove Township and the village of Liberty requesting larger setbacks for concentrated animal feeding operations.Ralph Bodie, carpenter of rural Liberty, told the board his biggest concern is water contamination. He strongly told the board to have a backbone and vote no to any CAFO operations in Gage County.Haden Otto, farmer and livestock producer, defended the current setbacks. Extending setbacks restricts and discourages the younger generation from pursuing livestock production, he argued.Jim Ensz, Gage County farmer and livestock producer, says the setbacks need to remain as they are. He proclaimed livestock producers are feeding the people of Gage County, and that they are too busy producing food to feed us to attend these meetings. Mr. Ensz quoted from the county’s planning and zoning regulations: Article 5 Zoning Districts, page 15, 5.1 Agriculture District: 5.11 INTENT: “This district is designated for general agricultural use and intended to preserve and protect agriculture production from encroachment by incompatible uses.” Ensz went on to say that this means if you live in an Ag 1 District you have agreed to agricultural smells and other agricultural by- products. Ensz stated he is affiliated with a 12,000-pig operation (double the size of Summit Pork operation) less than a half mile southwest from the Countryside Venue in Lincoln Township. This venue is popular for weddings/receptions and other such public gatherings. A new house is planned by a neighbor within the half mile setback to his operation. Permission waivers from Ensz’s operation were signed by the owners of the venue and the new house to be built within the half mile setback. Another new house is planned just beyond the half-mile setback. Ensz stated these people are not concerned about his large swine operation. Ensz also addressed water contamination. He stated there is no business more regulated than the livestock business. He hires an environmental engineer to do the paperwork required by law. It is too complicated and time consuming to do himself. He further argued that there is no regulation on corn producers and the use of commercial fertilizers. A corn producer can currently apply any amount of nitrogen desired with no responsibility by law (other than in a well head protection area which protects municipal wells). Ensz asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to review CAFO regulations. He noted his operation pays about $1.00 per head in taxes each year.Bids were closed for the purchase of rock. Road and Bridge Chairman Terry Jurgens made the motion to accept the bids and refer to the highway department for review. Motion was seconded and approved unanimously.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke described his review of the motor grader bids. Bids were received from John Deere, Caterpillar and Sany for two machines, one four-wheel drive and the other six-wheel drive. The John Deere was the only one meeting all the specs. Sany is new to the market. Chairman Tiemann stated the lowest bid was by Sany which is a Chinese manufacturer. Supervisor Jurgens recommended purchase of the Caterpillar machines. They are a lower price than John Deere. He explained he is skeptical about purchasing a product not tested in the area. He is concerned about service and availability of parts. He would like more knowledge about Sany’s reliability. The Sany machines are $155,000 less than the Caterpillar machines. Kuhnke said he talked to a county road department in Kansas currently running numerous Sany machines. He learned parts have been readily available, but service has been a little slow. Otherwise, they have been satisfied with the machines. Kuhnke was undecided on his recommendation between Caterpillar and Sany. Supervisor Lytle requested guidance from County Attorney Harris. Harris explained that since the board is unfamiliar with the Sany product, it is permissible to go with a higher priced product with proven reliability. Lytle remembers the county being burned in the past by going with cheaper, unproven equipment. There was discussion with the Sany machine being built in China. I noted that much of the Caterpillar machines are made in China as well. Jurgens moved to purchase the two Caterpillar machines and trade in two machines for 542,000+. Motion seconded by Dorn. Motion carried with a 4-3 vote with Lytle, Swavely and me voting nay.This highlights the portions 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.aspxFacebook: Don Schuller – Public Servant.

Aaron Mitchell

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