The Wayne County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of hiring a museum director, reviewed pipeline permit applications and more during their Tuesday, June 6 meeting.
After a short Board of Equalization meeting, where they approved a personal property tax correction and a over/under value property report, the board members moved onto their regular agenda.
Mark Casey, highway superintendent, presented two lengthy permits filled out from the Summit pipeline project. The first discussed placing pipelines under county roads and the second offered temporary driveway permits for the large equipment.
No approval occurred as only 50% of land has been acquired and a road use agreement has yet to come forth.
Casey also brought forth the prospect of hiring an assistant highway superintendent, as he plans to retire in the near future and wishes to have an active role in the training process for a new hire.
The position advertisement will be in the paper for a two week period. Casey and the Commissioners will examine applicants during their first meeting in July.
On the FastWyre project, Casey re-clarified the depth of bore under ditches and sizes and depths of the culverts. No representative of the company attended the most recent meeting, awaiting the completion of preliminary work from its engineers.
Rachel Kunz, a board member for the Wayne County Historical Society, spoke on behalf of the museum, asking for funding to hire a part-time museum director.
Currently, the Historical Society receives $5,000 yearly, split equally between Wayne and Winside.
Museum savings already have been designated to replace balcony spindles and the roof on the second floor pending talks with contractors.
The Museum Board asked for $20,000 to pay a director over a 12-month period. This paid position would alleviate strain on the board, made completely of volunteers, and allow for more events throughout the year, Kunz said.
The museum opens its doors on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and by appointment.
Commissioners tabled discussions until their end of July- early August meetings where they will hold budget sessions.
Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz summarized the recent tornadoes which took place on May 12 in the area the National Weather Service of Omaha covers.
A total of 19 tornadoes touched down on that day, two of these doing so in Wayne County.
The first tracked along the east side of a farm, damaging several buildings, trees and a grain wagon. The EF0 (the lowest classification of tornado strength) tornado carried debris up to 150 yards.
Another EF0 tornado touched down in the county uprooted trees, but missed nearby buildings.
The Wayne County Emergency Management team surveyed the damage and sent information to Omaha for confirmation on the tornado label.
On June 8, the National Weather Services of Omaha hosted a training presentation regarding the identification of different levels of storm damage, including what they want to receive in terms of photographs and information.
For other upcoming events, a Mass Evacuation Table Top Exercise for evacuating long-term care and assisted living facilities will take place in South Sioux City on June 13.
On June 14, the Wayne County Emergency Operations Center will participate in a Rural Region One Medical Response System (RROMRS) exercise.
Two allocation funds and two liquor license applications passed unanimously.
A Wayne County, Highway Allocation Fund Pledge Refund Bonds, Series 2019 for a total of $11,042.50.
A Wayne County, Highway Allocation Fund Pledge Refund Bonds, Series 2021 for a total of $1,955.
Liquor applications for the fair grounds during the upcoming fair. One for the beer garden and the other for the fenced-in area during the concert, rodeo and derby.
Heidi Borg, from the Office of Third District Congressman Adrian Smith, provided a yearly update.
The next meeting of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners will take place on June 20 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
