Gage County Newsletter

By Don Schuller 12/23/24 Committee Meeting:I attended the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Convention in Kearney, Dec. 18th to the 20th. I learned of a mass communications company called, Everbridge, the City of Beatrice and the 911 call center will be subscribing to. This morning, I asked Lisa Wiegand, Emergency Management Director, if she had heard of this. She said she has known Beatrice will be a subscriber. She said she will be inquiring for the county. She said some surrounding counties currently use it and there will be more to come. Everbridge can connect all counties with mass communications. In Kearney I spoke with an emergency manager from another county. He thinks it is the most wonderful tool he has access to. He said the cost is not expensive and was enthusiastic to talk about it. This would satisfy my quest to have mass communications capability in our county.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke summarized the road and bridge department’s activities. He said they have been grinding down shrubs in county easements. They will be treated later with a chemical to kill the roots. I commented that it may work better to foliar spray after the shrubs sprout new growth. Supervisor Dorn asked about roadside mowing. He said there is a road in his district he is concerned about. It hasn’t been mowed all year and is obstructing vision, plus will likely cause snow removal difficulty. Kuhnke said he will send letters next summer. 12/24/24 Regular meeting:Jurgens, Swavely absent.During public comment, Margaret Haith of Beatrice spoke to the board. She stated, like Nebraska, Gage County has different terrain, land uses and population from corner to corner. She encouraged the board to review the county zoning regulations. She referenced my comments from a previous meeting in regards to the Filley telecommunications tower, which was turned down. I expressed my fear that companies will not attempt to come to Gage County because it is not worth spending thousands of dollars to prepare to invest here only to be turned down. Mostly due to tweaking the regulations to suit each special use permit application. Haith would like to see the process changed so this doesn’t happen. Currently the process discourages companies from investing in the county. Chairman Tiemann said he has had a discussion with Planning and Zoning Administrator Lisa Wiegand about hiring a consultant to review our process and regulations. Several companies have been contacted.I took this opportunity to remind the board of my suggestion, in my first year of my term, of dividing the county into two or more zoning districts. I inquired with NACO about the legality of creating zoning districts with in the county. I was told this is legal. Boundaries are entirely up to the board’s discretion. As Ms. Haith stated, Gage County is not the same from corner to corner. Therefore, zoning regulations should be different to suit the area.The board moved into closed session to discuss personnel negotiations, then back into open session.Supervisor Lytle, chairman of law enforcement committee, moved to disapprove the proposal of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union representing Gage County Sheriff's Office employees. Seconded by Supervisor Dorn. Motion carried 5-0. The board will make a counter offer at the next regular meeting, January 8th. 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 https://www.facebook.com/DCSchuller

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