Candace Meredith, Deputy Director with the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) was on the agenda when the Wayne County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday.
Meredith talked to the board about a recent legislative conference in which the NACO board outlined 28 priorities the group had identified. Through discussion, 10 of these items will be moved forward for future discussion with state legislators.
In addition Meredith talked about the challenging special legislative session, LB34 and budget caps in coming years.
She also touched on a salary study for county employees, broadband tool kits which will become available in December and Operation Green Light which begins Nov. 4.
Also on Tuesday's agenda was an update on security measures being put into place in both the County and District Court offices.
Diane Pieper and Ashley Siebrant spoke to the commissions and said the current renovation project is three-fourths of the way completed and made a request for a door to be installed between the two offices.
Commissioners approved the request, which would cost $5,340, pending approval from the State Historical Society. This is necessary so the county does not lose state funds for the building.
In other action, the commissioners approved Lodging Tax Grant applications for the following:
Little Red Hen Theatre, Playhouse Production, Oct. 5-6 ($500); Little Red Hen Theatre, Playhouse Production, Nov. 22-24, ($500); Little Red Hen Theatre, Elvis at Christmas, Dec. 5-6 ($500); Majestic Free Movies, Holiday movies - November and December ($980); A Country Christmas, Country Christmas, Nov. 15-16 ($3,000); Humanities NE Speaker, Speaker Sue McClain, Nov. 9 (1,000); Christmas In Wayne, Holiday Dinner, Nov. 23 ($750); Winside Park Lighting, Park Lighting and Santa, Dec. 8 ($750); Christmas in Wayne, Main Street, Nov. 21 - Dec. 31 ($4,000); Christmas -N-Carroll, Craft Show, Nov. 22-23 ($750).
The final item on the agenda involved discussion on the need to replace water lines that run from the courthouse on the west side of the building to Lincoln Street.
Commissioner Chair Terry Sievers told the board that the city charges an additional fee because the current water meters can not be read remotely.
All three commissioners were in agreement that upgrading the line, which could be as old as 100 years, would be beneficial. They also talked about getting water to the Sheriff's Office and having water for irrigation of the courthouse lawn.
Commissioner Dean Burbach will visit with those firms who might be able to complete work and look at options available to the county.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will next meet in regular session on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
