County Board Proceedings

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30 am on Tuesday, August 4th for a regular business meeting. The following Members were present for roll call: Jeff Ord, John Soucek, Roger Bohrer, Keith Buschow and Mary Delka. Motion was made by Delka, second by Buschow to approve the minutes of the July 21st, 2009 business meeting. All Members voted to approve the minutes. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Soucek to approve the minutes of the Board of Equalization Hearings held on July 7th, 21st and 22nd. Voting to approve those minutes were Buschow, Soucek, Delka and Ord. Bohrer abstained. The Board discussed payroll dates for county employees. Robert Willicott, Webster County Emergency Manager, met with the Board and reported on his various activities. They reviewed grant funding. After discussion, motion was made by Buschow, second by Delka to adopt Resolution 30-2009: WHEREAS, it has been determined that a Webster County Local Emergency Operations Plan has been developed in order to provide for a coordinated response to a disaster or emergency in Webster County, the City of Red Cloud and other cities and villages of Webster County; and BE IT RESOLVED that the Webster County Local Emergency Operations Plan be, and hereby is, approved. Upon roll call vote, all Members voted to adopt the resolution. County Attorney McDole met with the Board on an agreement with Region 3 for EPC costs. The new agreement would require a 1.5% rate increase for the County to pay on EPCs that have a confinement stay of six or more days. The new daily rate is $687.03 with Region 3 paying for the first 5 days. After review, motion was made by Delka, second by Soucek to approve of the EPC Letter of Agreement with Region 3 Behavioral Health Services. All Members voted in favor of the motion. The Board received a new three year contract from Contryman Associates to perform the County Audit for fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Clerk Knehans discussed an offer from the State Auditor to perform a one year audit that would cost up to $15,000. The State has not audited the County since 1989 and they perform a more thorough audit complying with state statutes. This offer may be considered for the 2010/2011 when possible new officers would be involved. After discussion, motion was made by Buschow, second by Delka to approve of a two year contract with Contryman Associates to perform County Audits for fiscal years 2008/09 and 2009/10. All Members voted in favor of the motion. Linda Grummert, Highway Superintendent, met with the Board. Due to nonuse on some roads and to some bridge closings by the State of Nebraska, consideration should be given to closing portions for three county roads. This lengthy process should begin with a study of the sites in question. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Bohrer to adopt Resolution 31-2009: WHEREAS, a clear and unambiguous description of the roads to be relocated, vacated or abandoned, is as follows: Road #86: The County Road running east and west between the 22 and 27-T3N-R12W Road #87: 110 ft of the County Road between the SE¼ SW ¼ Section 1 and the NE¼ NW¼ Section 12-T1N-R10W Road #88: The west 0.35 mile of County Road between SW¼ Section 4 and NW¼ Section9-T2N-R9W WHEREAS, the vacation or abandonment of said roads is for one or more of the following reasons: Said public road is not used by the public and is of no value to the public, and it therefore serves no purpose for it to remain open to the public; The board cannot foresee any reason that the said road would have to be reopened in the future if it were vacated or abandoned; The board believes that this roadway being left open constitutes a nuisance to the adjoining property owners. BE IT RESOLVED, that the public interest may require the vacation and/or abandonment of said public roads described above. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Webster County Highway Superintendent be directed to study the use being made of such public roads and to submit in writing to the Webster County Board of Commissioners, within 30 days from this date, a report upon the study made of her recommendation as to the vacation and/or abandonment thereof. Upon roll call vote, all members voted to adopt the resolution. Grummert and the Board discussed the recent armorcoat project on the 1.5 miles of county road north of Bladen. Clerk Knehans and the Board discussed the 2009/10 County Budget. The Board proposals would be made at the August 18th meeting and, if necessary, the next day after recess. Pursuant to Nebraska Law §23-122, the following monthly salaries and hourly wages with job descriptions shall be published: Elected Officers (4) $2,812.02/mo, Commissioners (5) 1,107.25, Sheriff $2,922.21 Board Chair (additional) $50.00, Dist Crt Clk (additional) $100.00, Chief Jailer (additional) $400.00, Chief Deputy Sheriff $2,485.00, Deputy Sheriffs (3) $2,400.00, Deputy Sheriff $2,100.00, Chief Dispatcher $2,140.00, Dispatchers (2) $1,890.00, Dispatchers (2) $1,655.00, Office Deputies (2) $2,140.00, Office Deputy $1,712.00, Highway Superintendent $2,812.00, Road Equipment Operators (9) $2,205.00, Office Clerks (2) $1,890.00, Veteran Service Officer $792.00, Secretary $1,420.00, General Assistance Adminstr $100.00, Weed Control Superintendent 12.73/hr, Office Deputy $12.23, Extension Office Manager $12.35, PT Office Clerks (4) $10.91, Clerical Aide $8.00. The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 10 part-time employees and 11 EMTs - $10,018.74 GENERAL FUND Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $323.49, NE DAS Centrl Ser telecom $448.00, Robert Beardslee maintnce $220.00, Richard Calkins counsel $104.50, Cash-Wa Candy supply $75.02, Central Dist NACO register $100.00, Vet Ser Assoc’n register $75.00, Social Security FICA $387.85, Eakes Office supply $98.56, Election Systems software $179.00, Galls Inc. supply $119.81, Great Plains Comm phone $44.60, Jared Auto Expert repairs $350.69, Myrtle Knehans service $25.00, Duane Lienemann expense $715.96, McDole Law Off phone $57.11, Jerry McDole mileage $8.80, IPS, Inc. support $1,119.09, Neopost, Inc. rental $567.00, Olson Enterprise repairs $254.41, Postmaster postage $88.00, Quality Red D Mix concrete $489.00, Red Cloud Chief subscrip $28.00, R.C. Hardware supply $94.93, Red Cloud City utility $1,614.29, Reliable supply $145.15, Donna Rose expense $80.79, Timothy Schmidt counsel $664.58, Seiler & Parker counsel $28.50, Simply Whatever contract $1,325.00, SourceGas utility $111.12, Theobald Law Off counsel $ 1,320.50, US Postal Ser postage $300.00, UNL Extension register $100.00, Web Co Sheriff petty cash $257.92, Whelan & Scherr counsel $288.72. ROAD FUND ACE Machine Shop bridges $285.29, Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $58.91, Barco Municipal signs $629.26, Bladen Sand-Gravel gravel $5,669.99, City of Blue Hill utility $87.77, Gene Buettgenbak pickup $2,500.00, Catherland Auto Supply repairs $830.57, Central Dist NACO register $25.00, Century Lumber supply $80.13, Country Corner fuel $120.16, Deisley Dozing maintnce $1,120.00, Social Security FICA $66.77, Figgins Constr’n armorcoat $39,301.88, Glenwood Telephone 3 phone $128.74, Linda Grummert expense $92.12, Guide Rock Village utility $41.42, Island Supply Co supply $33.12, Lang Diesel repairs $236.33, LRNRD Rural Water water $25.61, Nebraska Machinery repairs $715.10, Newman Traffic Signs signs $393.00, R & K Service tires $138.25, R.C. Hardware supply $24.83, SourceGas utility $194.59, Ardell Talkington service $14.00, Timm’s Service repairs $3,725.53, United Suppliers chemical $1,459.80, Windstream phone $51.82, ZEE Medical medical $566.90. VISITOR PROMOTION FUND W.C.Visitor Bureau salary $500.00 SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND Charles D. Bauer dental $133.60, Chris Birkestrand dental $592.40, Timothy Lebsack dental $244.00, Ken C. Pedersen dental $331.80. NOXIOUS WEED FUND Ameritas Life Ins retirement $51.56, Central Dist NACO registration $25.00, Social Security FICA $58.44, Timm’s Service fuel $82.61. AMBULANCE FUND Social Security FICA $253.41, Linweld rental $51.50, Olson Enterprises repairs $551.88, Platte Valley Comm repairs $328.75, SourceGas utility $13.24. Being no further business, Chairman Ord adjourned the meeting at 12:05 pm. The next regular business meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Dated this 4th day of August, 2009.