In the Annex next to the Courthouse building, the Wayne County Commissioners approved the purchase of new computers and received updates from Summit Carbon Solutions, among other items.
The Board of Equalization meeting lasted only a few minutes as no community members sent in valuation protests.
The regular portion of the meeting began with updates from Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz.
Kemnitz attended the Nebraska State Training Team Meeting in Lincoln on July 19.
He also is working on meeting with the emergency managers from Cedar, Cuming and Dixon counties for help with the upcoming Wayne County Fair. Those dates are July 27 - 30.
As for drone updates, Kemnitz met with representatives from Advexure, which sells drones out of Norfolk. This company sells the same type of drone the surrounding counties use.
"We would like to get the same drone as the surrounding counties because then we know they will be compatible," Kemnitz said. "The drones would have the capabilities to talk to each other through radio and sync up when in range."
The "public safety" model runs around $17,000 with infrared cameras. Kemnitz and a few other county personnel would need to first receive training and pilots licenses. Then, specialized software would need installed into county computers.
Further decisions regarding the purchase of a drone for the county will continue during the Commissioner's budget meetings.
Rob Latimer from Summit Carbon Solutions, presented the board with further updates on the carbon pipeline project.
Back in February, when the board last met with the company, the percentage of easement miles resided at about 50%. That number has jumped to about 60% of required easement miles.
In Wayne County, easement payments, including easement rights, temporary work space rights and prepaying for damages, has totaled $2.3 million.
Previously, the change in pipeline at the pump site went from 12 to 16 inches. Now, the pump location has not changed, but the pipeline will go from eight to 12 inches.
Highway Superintendent Mark Casey also spoke during this session, recommending Latimer to plan to dig at least 96 inches under ditches and even deeper under roadways in the county.
Latimer said he would take the information back to the company and keep the board notified on any updates.
On July 19, Summit Carbon Solutions held a pipeline informational meeting for any community member to attend from 4 to 7 p.m.
Latimer said the company hopes to begin installation near Atkinson in the spring of 2024.
Deb Allemann-Dannelly officially submitted her letter of resignation from her position of clerk of district court effective Sept. 8.
She also asked the board to replace her computer when she leaves for the next person, since hers has began running slow. The Commissioners passed a motion allotting $911 toward the purchase and shipping.
County Attorney, Amy Miller, has also faced computer problems in recent months. After a lengthy back and forth with the technology company that services the courthouse, Miller needed to purchase a new computer from elsewhere with more memory since all court documents need e-filed as well as printed.
The Commissioners passed the motion to finance a new computer and pay for installation of the technology.
Highway Superintendent Mark Casey updated the board on two upcoming bridge projects and the moving of the houses near Wayne State College. The houses will move July 20 and 21.
The meeting ended with the approval of the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau Committee's recommendations on Lodging Tax Grant Applications. 13 facets, including money toward the Chicken Show, Bressler-Fest Music in the Park Series, Little Red Hen Theatre showings and more, passed.
The next meeting of the Wayne County Commissioners will take place on Aug. 1 at 9 a.m.
