The Wayne County Board of Commissioners considered the One and Six Year plan for county roads and the use of ARPA funds for brand-new grandstand seating at the fairgrounds during their Feb. 21 meeting.
The Commissioners took a scheduled recess to discuss 22 priority numbers in the One and Six Year Road Improvement Plan with Highway Superintendent Mark Casey. Casey said he feels hopeful some of the projects will finalize by the end of this year.
With the conclusion of the recess, the Commissioners then approved the plan. They also approved the purchase of a used motor grader for District Two. The equipment, a 2019 model Caterpillar from Stanton County, will cost $241,000 through NE Machinery.
Casey also brought forth a program agreement for DNOT County Bridge Match Program (CBMP) Project Seven, which the group signed the resolution for.
Brad Wieland, current Veteran Service Officer for the county, spoke once again about hiring parameters for his replacement after his planned retirement in early May. The discussion resolved with the position advertised through early March as full-time with benefits and an $18 per hour starting wage.
Wieland plans to have an active role in the job search and training of the new position, stressing the importance of finding a candidate who cares and has a great passion for veterans.
Summit Carbon Solutions updated the Commissioners with a map of upcoming projects including a new fenced-in pump station with electrical pumps and communication system.
Rob Latimer said about 22.12 miles of pipes run through Wayne County with 11 of those miles just acquired recently. The firm has paid $1.7 million in easement payments for land acquisitions, the latest which has brought Wayne County to 50% of its available miles. In the whole state of Nebraska, that number is 55.4% with $28 million in easement payments.
"We originally planned to begin in August of this year,” Latimer said. “But now we are looking at March of 2024. We have to be realistic about our timetable.”
The Wayne County Fair Board brought an updated proposal for new seating and prices for consideration. The plan will replace the current grandstand seating with new bleachers seating 2,500-3,000 people.
A company from McCook would install the seating, priced at $385,100. Another $10,800 would be required to finance 108 feet of concrete to connect the sidewalk to handicap bleachers and parking.
An agreement was reached with Lutz & Company PC to consult about ARPA fund requests, approving the almost $400,000. The County, if the funds become approved for use, plans to begin construction as early as possible to finish before the County Fair on July 27 – 30.
Next, an affiliate of First National Bank of Omaha, First National Capital Markets, presented their services of investment opportunities with counties to the Commissioners. Among many other examples, the group recently assisted Dodge County with Highway Allocation Bonds after the 2019 floods caused major damage to roads.
Several county offices offered updates on recent happenings. County Attorney Amy Miller introduced Jamie Muhs as the new Child Support Enforcement Worker. A DHHS official from Fremont will train the new position.
Miller also said two individuals have already signed up for Juvenile Diversion this year, with three more pending.
Deb Finn, county clerk, outlined the numbers from the recent election in November of last year. A total of 66% of eligible voters in rural areas voted by mail-in ballots. The election cost $36,372, but $6,600 was paid back to the county from government entities.
The election ballots for the Wayne County Schools Bond were sent out Tuesday. Those ballots are mail-in only and need to be sent in by March 14 at 5 p.m.
County Treasurer Lisa Lindsay talked about the large outflux of 2023 license plates. Lindsay also said the office is prepping for the County’s annual Tax Sale. Set for March 6 onsite, the sale will feature 43 parcels at around $70,000.
The Board of Commissioners will meet again for regular session on Tuesday, March 7 at 9 a.m.
