The Wayne County Commissioners discussed plans for new courthouse windows, deliberated an ARPA fund application and went into executive session during their short Tuesday, April 4 meeting.
Sandra Hansen, disaster recovery specialist who has been handling the distribution of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds, presented the board with an ARPA application for $481,250. Currently, plans are in the works for the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD) to purchase the former Magic Wok building next to the office at 215 N Pearl St. in Wayne. These funds would aid in renovating the new space to fit the needs of the department.
Currently, the department uses multiple storage facilities and many of its staff work from home. The added space will better accommodate the staff and allow for better service of the communities in Northeast Nebraska, Hansen said.
The Commissioners approved a motion to allocate $125,000 toward renovation costs with the stipulation that both Cedar and Dixon Counties also match that amount. The NNPHD covers the counties of Cedar, Dixon, Thurston and Wayne. Hansen, during the meeting, explained Thurston did not plan on providing funds.
Wayne County currently has $460,742.93 in ARPA funds available, according to Hansen.
In total, the NNPHD needs around $1.4 million for the purchase of the building and renovations. They have already received $550,000 from state ARPA funds, a $50,000 grant from the USDA and $150,000 from the state’s general budget which will be given over the course of three years.
Jill Brodersen outlined progress on the Wayne County Courthouse’s window replacement project. The bid for updating around 103 windows will open on May 2. Another bid will need to be set for updating the blinds. Brodersen advised the board to do the two bids separately.
The Commissioners then went into executive session to meet with the Veterans Service Committee. No action was taken.
The Wayne County Commissioners will meet again on Tuesday, April 18 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
