The possibility to working with the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department on a building project and information on a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline through Wayne County were among the items on the agenda when the Wayne County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday.
Julie Rother with the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD) spoke to the commissioners on the department's need for additional space.
The agency serves 30,000 people in four counties in Northeast Nebraska and are currently housed in a 4,300 square foot building in Wayne.
"At the present time we have four people who are working off-site. We have nine office spaces and four cubicles, but need 17 work spaces. We are also renting storage space now and need to have supplies in a climate controlled space," Rother said.
She also said she would like to explore the possibility of sharing space with the Health and Human Services department if a space could be found that the two entities could co-occupy.
Rother said NNPHD has ARPA funds to pay for a portion of either finding a larger building in Wayne or building. However, she estimates an additional $300,000 would be needed.
Commissioner Terry Sievers indicated he would be more interested in obtaining a building already in existence, rather than building new.
Rother also spoke on the benefits NNPHD brings to Wayne, including employees and having a variety of meetings at the facility.
Rother asked the commissioners what they felt was the best way to move forward with obtaining a larger building and several options were discussed, but no decision was made.
Rother will keep the commissioners updated as the process moves forward.
Rob Latimer with Summit Carhon Solutions presented updates on plans to install a 10 inch pipeline through 22 miles of Wayne County.
He shared information on the entire system which travels through five states to Bismark, North Dakota where the carbon dioxide collected from ethanol plants will be sequestered permanently in rocks.
"In Wayne County seven miles of easements, which as of today represents 32 percent of the project in the county, have been acquired. Our plan is to start construction in August of 2023," Latimer said.
Discussion was held on road agreements with the county and the differences between this project and the Keystone Pipeline, which runs through Wayne County.
Following his presentation, Latimer told the commissioners he would be providing updates every three months as the project moves forward.
Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz presented updates on the air conditioner in the Emergency Operations (EOC) trailer.
Kemnitz noted that during this year's Wayne County Fair, the air conditioning unit in the trailer had difficulties keeping the trailer cool. He said several options are being explored and he will bring additional information to the commissioners at a future meeting.
Commissioners signed Resolution 22-15, which is the county's Annual Certification of Program Compliance in regard to the One and Six Year Road Plan.
Approval was given to move forward with the grant application form for agencies within the county, fire/rescue departments and the health department to request American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Information was shared on what to do if the requesting agency did not use the money in the designated manner.
Commissioners also used part of Tuesday's meeting to hold a budget work session for the next fiscal year's budget.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. in the courtroom at the Wayne County Courthouse.
