Gage County Newsletter

By Don Schuller 8/5/24 Committee meeting:Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand told the board the broadband company, Viaero Wireless, is applying for a special use permit to place a tower in Filley township. Nextlink is considering putting up a tower in Liberty township. These towers would provide broadband service.Sheriff Gustafson was questioned about the trailer house that broke down near Liberty, in transport to Liberty. The total cost of removal was agreed upon by the Sheriff and the salvaging contractor of $15,000. In, what was considered an emergency situation due to liability, the sheriff approved the amount with no other companies readily available. He was under pressure to get it moved for liability reasons.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke reported the construction company is moving in today to begin construction of the box culverts on the Pickrell road east of Pickrell.I asked Kuhnke about progress on the letters to landowners with trees in the road easements. He said letters are going out. He noted it is past the due date for landowners to mow their road sides the first time. State statute requires two mowings with the last in late August. 8/7/24 Regular meeting:Supervisor Jurgens absent.Supervisor Haxby moved to approve the consent agenda with removing the claim for the $15000 to salvage trailer house from county road near Liberty and to approve all other claims. Second by Swavely, six in favor.The board proceeded with the approval/disapproval of paying for the trailer house removal. Paul and Joel Fossler of Fossler Excavating were present. Supervisor Haxby questioned the amount charged in comparison to similar jobs in the county. The sheriff said the job was an emergency and needed to be completed as soon as possible. Fossler said their equipment was two hours away; the work was done on a Holiday costing more for employees. They offered to do the job for $15,000. The sheriff didn’t have time to collect bids considering the liability involved it needed to be done. Therefore, he approved the project.Chairman Tiemann explained he gave the task of removing the trailer to the sheriff’s department versus the road department. He was concerned the road department didn’t have the experience to dismantle the trailer causing a liability issue. It gave the sheriff no choice but to hire someone.I made the motion to approve the payment of $15,000 to Fossler Excavating. Seconded by Swavely. Motion carried 5 to 1 with Haxby voting nay. In my opinion the cost is high, but due to the circumstances, the sheriff needed the job completed so he approved it. Fossler Excavating did the job, they need to be paid. The county attorney will take the necessary steps to recover costs from the trailer house owner.Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand said P & Z will conduct a public hearing on the reopening of Prairie Hill Cemetery in Paddock township, 7:00 pm, Supervisor’s room, August 15th. The expansion of the Beatrice Well Head Protection Area will be discussed.An agreement with Extension has been sent to attorney’s office for review. The only change is labor costs provided by the county will now be paid directly to the University. The employees will be university employees and not county employees, which is an improvement for the county and employee. Sharing employees creates issues with supervising the employees, benefits, etc. Claims for supplies and other items will still come to the county board as before.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke said good progress has been made on the Pickrell Road box culvert project.Accepting bids for six culverts closed. Four bids were received and opened. Kuhnke was asked to review the bids and provide his recommendation later in the meeting.Prohaska & Associates, Curtis Field, presented a needs assessment for the Detention Center. A citizen’s jail committee existing of appointed community members has been established. State Department of Jail Standards requires a needs assessment, even if a small remodel job is proposed. Purpose of the study is to determine jail inmate capacity required, growing population, liability incurred with design and condition of existing jail. Goal: Identify future, space, programming, staffing needs, impact on operating costs.Gage county shows a steady and trend of inmate growth. Exceeding its approved 30 bed capacity since 2015. The county has had additional expenses for boarding inmates in Washington county, KS. The county has only 2 cells for females. Female inmates’ population has a trend of increasing.An assessment for a juvenile facility is not included in this assessment. Juvenile facilities have to be assessed separately. Juvenile facilities have to be completely separate from adults. Including buildings and staff.Kuhnke returned with a recommendation for the six culverts from ACE Eaton at the lowest bid of $265,617.80 Motion to approve made by Haxby, seconded by Dorn. Motion approved unanimously.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.

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