Updates, annual reports, quotes for the cost of several projects and bids for lawn care were among the items on the agenda when the Wayne County Board of Commissioners met for a nearly two hour meeting on Tuesday.
Opening the meeting was an update from Heidi Borg, a representative of Congressman Adrian Smith's office.
Borg explained to the commissioners some of Congressman Smith's responsibilities he has and the committees he serves on. She also told the commissioners that constituents can contact the Congressman's office for assistance with issues they may have involving the government.
Deb Hammer with Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (NNCAP) was at the meeting to talk about the organization.
Weed Superintendent Doug Deck presented his yearly report at the meeting.
He told the commissioners that there are six reports he is required to submit to the state each year and the evaluation that takes place based on these reports.
He talked about the 12 noxious weeds in the county that he is responsible for controlling. He told the commissioners that he is waiting for grant funding to be available to assist with getting rid of these weeds and talked about the use of helicopters and drones to assist with the spraying.
Deck also told the commissioners he has recently attended training in Norfolk, will attend a meeting in Kearney in April and assist with a training for youth in Yankton, South Dakota in May.
Commissioners accepted a quote from B's Enterprises for $19,850 for a culvert and materials for a bridge in District 2.
Highway Superintendent Kyle Huff explained the materials that would be used and the slight differences between two quotes that were received.
County Treasurer Lisa Lindsay and Assessor Dawn Duffy spoke to the council on quotes they had received for security upgrades in their respective offices. They stressed that the work that is done has to meet the State Historical Society guidelines.
Following the comparison of the bids, commissioners voted to accept a quote of $36,673.30 from JMB Contracting LLC. Lindsay will contact the firm to make sure all the necessary items are part of the quote.
Commissioners spent considerable time going over the four bids received for spraying and lawn care at the courthouse.
Bids were received from Y & Y Lawn Service (fertilizer and spraying) for $2,000 for the season; White Dog Lawn Service for $200 per mowing and $410 for each of the four applications of fertilizer and spraying; Karsky Lawn Care for $250 for each mowing and Ping Lawn Service for $238 for each mowing.
Following discussion and some clarification, commissioners voted to award the bid to White Dog Lawn Service.
Commissioners heard from County Attorney who was at the meeting asking for guidance in advertising for an employee for her office.
She explained in detail some of the work that was part of the position and the training necessary for it. She asked the commissioners about a starting wage, the number of hours the position could offer and benefits.
Miller said it is difficult to find someone to fill this position if it were part-time, with no benefits. She also said she is hoping to fill it with someone who would stay in the position to avoid having to re-train another employee.
Commissioners gave approval to move forward with advertising the position at a starting wage of $18 an hour for 30 to 37 hours a week.
Information was shared with the commissioners on several areas of the outside of the courthouse where the mortar is coming loose.
Maintenance Supervisor Pat Brentlinger explained what was happening and possible ways to fix the problem. Commissioners will check into what can be done and when the problem can be solved.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
