Commissioners discuss grant work contract

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By Morgan Cardenas

editor@wayneherald.com

 

At Tuesday's meeting, the Wayne County Commissioners took action on different proposals.

During the Wayne County Board of Equalization, the board took action by approving some personal property corrections.

The Board of Commisioners meeting started by looking at nine Lodging Tax Grant Applications. They approved seven of them, which were $1,500 for Elkhorn Valley Bank Northeast Nebraska Shootout held on December 28-30, 2021; $500 for Winside Fire & Rescue Omelet and Pancake Feed on February 13, 2022; $375 for the Wakefield Party sponsored by Wakefield Progressive on June 4, 2022; $375 for “Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday” performed at The Little Red Hen Theatre on March 11, 12 and 13, 2022; $375 for “Elvis Rock N’ Remember with Joseph Hall” performed at The Little Red Hen Theatre on April 22 and 23, 2022; $1,300 for Cars-N-Carroll Show & Shine on September 25, 2022 and $500 for Carroll Volunteer Fire Department Pancake & Omelet Feed on March 13, 2022. The two that were denied are 'That Ain’t Right,' Wayne Area Women for Humanity celebration on June 19, 2022 and the St. Mary’s Fish Fry on April 1, 2022.

Next, the Highway Superintendent, Mark Casey, gave an update on the county bridge match projects. He submitted a total of five projects that either were led by Wayne County or involved the county but only one of the applications was accepted so far and a couple more are still being processed. Based on the CBMP applications, Casey will be updating the One & Six Year Plan. He will also be at the public hearing for the next meeting at 10:30 a.m. about the the One & Six Year plan as well.

Sandra Hansen then discussed the proposed grant work contract for American Rescue Plan Act funding. She explained the different categories that the money can be used for. The county received the money for the economic impact of COVID in the county. The deadlines for this is to be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024 and the projects need to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. Hansen would like to get this done in the next year or two if possible. There are seven main categories for spending the money.  Seven, is for administrative requirements. Six is revenue replacement which are mainly for the counties in the United States that own liquor stores. Five is infrastructure like water and broadband issues that the county is responsible for. Four is premium pay but nobody in the county qualifies for this because they would have to be working directly with COVID patients. Three and Two are services to disproportionate communities and negative impacts. This would be if the county wanted to give money to something like the Food Panty or the Food Truck or social program in the county. One is public health. Hansen was hired to be in charge of this and will be looking into it more.

Finally representatives from Haystack Wind Energy gave updates on the project

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courthouse.