Putting the Patient in Control

We live in an age of information. We have access to more information than at any other time in history. With a touch on your phone or click of a mouse, a search for an answer to any question will be met with millions of results. This information has great value, sometimes more than we realize. Information has the power to improve lives and save them.

But when Nebraska families make critical decisions on medical treatments, access to information on cost disappears. Patients who seek procedures or medication often aren’t aware of the full cost when they agree to the treatment. This lack of transparency leaves families feeling like they have no control and are powerless to large hospitals and big insurance companies. 

It’s common sense: if you are going to purchase something important, you should have an opportunity to look at the price tag first. 

For example, when a young girl needs an MRI after she twists her knee playing soccer, she and her mother should be able to consider a variety of options. They should be able to “shop” for the time, price, and location that works best for them. They might find that they want to stay up late and drive further from home for a more affordable option. They should have the flexibility to schedule the appointment where and when they want, instead of being forced into a choice without knowing the cost. 

Americans deserve simplicity and clarity in their health care choices. By increasing competition and transparency, we can address the skyrocketing costs that families have endured for far too long. With this in mind, I’m cosponsoring three bipartisan bills in the Senate that will help put Nebraskans back in control of their health care choices.

First, I supported the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act. It’s no secret that drug prices are quickly rising. Today, nearly one in four patients say they haven’t filled a prescription due to the excessive cost. Many Americans rely on generic medications that are more affordable. Some bad actors in the health care industry employ tactics to delay, or sometimes block, competing generic drugs from entering the market.

This solution would create a new civil action that generic developers could bring in federal court if brand-name companies fail to provide a generic developer with sufficient samples of a drug. The CREATES Act would also grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more discretion to approve alternative safety protocols, rather than require parties to develop a shared safety protocol themselves.

Second, the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act would bar insurers or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from using what’s known as “gag clauses.” These secret contracts prevent pharmacists from informing patients that they could pay less for a drug if they paid out-of-pocket, rather than through their insurance plan. Many stories have surfaced of customers paying more for medication under their insurance plan, when they would have owed only a fraction had they paid out-of-pocket. I was proud to vote in support of this bill as it passed the Senate.

Finally, the Know the Lowest Price Act goes further. The bill would also prevent insurers or PBMs from using these gag clauses. This would apply to entities offering prescription drug plans under Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage. This bipartisan measure recently passed the Senate unanimously.

Without transparency, special interests can rig the system behind closed doors to get between you and your doctor. Families are simply paying too much for health care and prescription drugs, ultimately taking hard earned money out of Nebraskans’ pockets. I am committed to working with my colleagues across the aisle to provide much-needed relief to Nebraska families.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

Lending a Helping Hand

One of the most fulfilling parts of representing the people of Nebraska’s Third District in Washington is advocating for their best interests. Whether it’s ensuring farmers and ranchers enjoy the benefits of tax reform like other businesses or keeping essential air service alive and well at our regional airports, we have many interests which must be safeguarded through each reauthorization and funding measure considered by Congress.

While legislative goals are important to large cross-sections of Nebraska, it’s the individual case work which helps the most from day to day. Residents of the Third District can visit either of my Nebraska offices in Grand Island or Scottsbluff during business hours to request help with all kinds of federal matters. These might include advocating on your behalf to ensure fair treatment by the Department of Veterans Affairs or finding out why your Social Security check is late.

My staff can also help constituents with immigration and travel issues such as visas and passports. If you have an unexpected need to travel, such as a death in the family, and you realize your passport has expired, my staff can help to expedite the replacement process. If you have family living abroad who plan to visit the U.S., we can reach out to our embassies and consulates to ensure the visa process functions as smoothly as possible.

Young people who wish to attend one of our service academies for college need an appointment from a member of Congress. Each year, my staff collects applications from students and their parents who we then help to attend schools such as West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy, among others. We can also help service members to enlist, reenlist, or work out disagreements with the Department of Defense.

All the services mentioned above, in addition to many others, are available at my Grand Island and Scottsbluff offices, as well as through mobile offices which I advertise on a monthly basis. I strive to make staff available in each of the 75 counties throughout the sprawling Third District at least once per Congress. In other areas where we see an inordinate number of casework concerns, my staff holds events called Caseworker in Your Community to keep people from having to drive as far.

For information on these events or to learn more about the services we offer, please feel free to call my Grand Island office at 308-384-3900, my Scottsbluff office at 308-633-6333, or visit my website at AdrianSmith.House.Gov. My staff and I strive to lend a helping hand to constituents of the Third District and we look forward to serving you in your time of need.

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS September 4 2018

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:40am on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). Absent: Roger Bohrer (District Three). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Shipman, second by Karr, to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2018 meeting. Upon roll call vote, voting to approve the minutes: Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none.
 At 8:35am, Jeff Kuhn, Road Maintenance Coordinator, met with the Board. Kuhn has reconfigured the districts for the Road Department to make the operations of maintaining the Roads more efficient. The Road Crews have been working on reshaping ditches at 1400 Road and County Line. The heavy rains have changed schedules. Project #651 will be completed this week. Kuhn and Montgomery have been taking pictures around the county of issues with tree and brush removal. Kuhn presented a Webster County Tree and Brush Policy for the Board to approve. Kuhn presented an Agreement for Professional Services for Structure No. C009114210 between Oak Creek Engineering, LLC and Webster County. After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Reiher, to approve this Agreement. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Reiher, Shipman and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed the Agreement. The transportation bus has sold on Big Iron Auctions for $6,000.00.
Street work is beginning in Blue Hill so the Blue Hill ambulance will be parking in the County Shop. A land owner has said that he appreciates the work done on the County Line Road to Campbell. Discussion was had on the reduction of the Road Budget for the 2018/2019 Budget Year.
 At 9:20am, Brad Schick, Extension Educator, discussed reductions to the Extension Budget originally submitted for the 2018/2019 Budget Year.
 At 9:35am, Troy Schmitz, Webster County Sheriff, discussed reductions to the Sheriff’s Budget for the 2018/2019 Budget Year.
 At 10:20am, motion was made by Reiher, seconded by Shipman, to convene as the Board of Equalization. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Reiher, Shipman, Karr and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none.
 Sonja Krueger, Webster County Assessor, presented Protest Number CE18-16 and CE18-17 for Clerical Errors. After discussion, Chairman Buschow signed the Protests. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Reiher, to adjourn as the Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Board of Commissioners. Upon roll call vote, all present voted in favor.
 At 10:30am, discussion was had concerning Budget reductions for the offices of Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor.
 At 11:30am, Tami Scheuneman, Planning and Zoning Administrator, met with the Board to discuss the proposed budget for Planning and Zoning for the 2018/2019 Budget Year.
 At 11:35am, Ron Sunday, Emergency Manager, met with the Board to discuss the proposed budget for the Civil Defense/Emergency Management Fund for the 2018/2019 Budget Year. At 12:30pm, Teresa Young, Director for the Webster County Museum, discussed reductions in the Museum budget. Budget discussion continued. A Budget workshop was scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 4pm. Commissioner Shipman left the meeting at 1:45pm. The following claims were approved for payment:
Wages for 8 part-time and 21 EMTS $10,810.88
 General Fund
Alexander Motors, Inc Repairs $ 88.47
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 456.46
Central District NACO Registrations 280.00
Charm-Tex, Inc Supply 428.32
Cooperative Producers, Inc. Repairs 12.90
DAS State Accounting/Central Finance Fee 448.00
S.S. Fica 493.09
Eakes Office Solutions Supply 2,132.84
Glenwood Phone 10.00
 Hometown Leasing Lease 258.00
Jared’s Auto Expert Repairs 2,659.97
 Trevor Karr Expense 563.05
Sonja L. Krueger Expense 102.73
Carol Kumke Expense 144.97
Leaf Capitol Funding, LLC Lease 424.45
 Neofunds by Neopost Postage 1,000.00
Red Cloud Chief Subscription 31.50
City of Red Cloud Utility 2,007.38
Tami Scheuneman Expense 175.06
Bradley Schick Expense 182.04
Secretary of State Supply 5.00
 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Registrations 150.00
Ken VanWey Repairs/Mowing 1,232.50
Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund Replenish 198.08
William’s Exterminating, Inc Pest-Control 88.00
Woodward’s Disposal Service Utility 5.00
 Road/Bridge Fund
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 46.47
Black Hills Energy Utility 42.01
 Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc Gravel 10,722.56
 City of Blue Hill Utility 86.99
Cencon of Kansas Utility Contractors Gravel 4,022.21
Central District NACO Registration 40.00
S.S. Fica 52.67
Glenwood Telecommunications Phone 154.33
Village of Guide Rock Utility 70.18
Hastings Outdoor Power, LLC Tools 761.31
 Kucera Construction Culverts 2,645.00
Lawson Products, Inc Tools 305.15
 LRNRD Rural Water Project Water 22.21
 Nebraska Machinery Company Repairs 923.50
 R & M Disposal, LLC Utility 33.00
 City of Red Cloud Utility 10.00
 Trausch Dynamics Repairs 28.90
Verizon Wireless Phone 47.34
 Windstream Phone 66.53
  Road/Bridge Const Fund 
B-3 Dirt, LLC Culverts 2,090.00
 JEO Consulting Group, Inc Fees 5,500.00
Kucera Construction Culverts 22,660.00
Oak Creek Engineering, LLC Fees 4,342.48
  Self-Insured Dental Fund
Larry Baker Dental 272.00
Sean M. Daly, D.D.S. Dental 120.00
 Webster County Dental Clinic Dental 115.00
 County Medical/Relief Fund
Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Medical 5,501.34
  Inheritance Tax Fund
Julie Rickertsen, Trustee Refund 18,663.59
 Hospital Bond Fund 
Union Bank & Trust Company Int 524.00
 Ambulance Fund 
S.S. Fica 281.37
Optum360 Supply 43.95
Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 3:00pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 8:30am.
A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 4th day of September, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk

Judge throws out Webster County Rape Case over recorded attorney-client calls.

A 56-year-old registered sex offender spent 18 months in the Red Cloud jail, staring at a possible life sentence on charges that he violently raped a 15-year-old girl before Webster County District Judge Stephen Illingworth dismissed the felony and misdemeanor sexual assault and child abuse charges. Illingsworth said the state’s case was fatally tainted by recordings of jail phone calls between the defendant and his lawyer that were obtained by the lead criminal investigator.

Also troubling to the judge were videotaped statements of Webster County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dianne Nichols who said she was “skirting a few things” to take down the rapist.

The Judge said “The court finds that dismissal of the charges is the appropriate remedy for Sgt. Nichols’ deliberate intrusion into the attorney-client relationship, It will chill and strongly discourage future intrusions of this fundamental constitutional right.”

Illingsworth said: “To rule otherwise would send the wrong message to law enforcement.”

A spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, whose office had assisting in the prosecution of the case, said Friday that the ruling was being evaluated for potential Appeal.  

Defense attorney Ben Murray of Hebron said his client was released from jail late Friday afternoon.

The man was not identified because he is related to the young woman who accused him of the crime.  She didn’t report the sexual assault for several years, she said it took place in 2013 when she was 15.

Although there have been several other recorded phone call cases addressed by Nebraska courts in recent years, this marked the first that resulted in dismissal of serious felony charges.

“We can’t have police officers out there who are willing to skirt the law,” the defense attorney said. “If somebody cuts corners or cheats, it takes the possibility of a fair trial off the table.”

Murray showed that the Sheriff’s Office had downloaded 60 recorded phone calls placed by his client from the computer server that stores recorded calls at the jail. Inmate calls are routinely monitored by jail officials, and recordings of all conversations — except those with lawyers — can legally be turned over to investigators or prosecutors.al appeal.

Three of the calls in the Webster County case were placed to Murray’s office and one captured about five minutes of the two discussing trial strategy. Under the Sixth Amendment of the constitution, legal counsel, conversations between attorneys and clients are to be confidential.

Nichols testified that she knew that she wasn’t supposed to listen to attorney-client calls, so she stopped once she realized that they had been placed to Murray’s office. But she testified that she didn’t know that she was obligated to report the existence of the calls, so she never wrote up a report.

When prosecutors realized that the privileged calls had been obtained by Nichols, the calls were turned over to the defense.  There was no evidence of misconduct by the prosecution.

The judge rejected the state’s argument that the intrusion was unintentional and did not reveal prejudicial information . In essence, he said he couldn’t believe the investigator.

“How does the court know if this is true?” the judge said. “The only evidence the court has to gauge her credibility is her words and actions. Her statements ... clearly show she was willing to cross the line to convict the defendant.”

Leona Mae Wittfoth Kumke February 1, 1929 to August 29, 2018

Lenora Mae Wittfoth Kumke, daughter of Frederick William Wittfoth and Rixte (Hemmen) Wittfoth, was born Feb. 1, 1929, at home in the Freewater School District south of Wilcox in Harlan County. She was baptized on March 20, 1929, by Pastor T. Seinkeisen. On May 28, 1944, Lenora was confirmed by Pastor A. G. Trost at St. Paul Lutheran church in Hildreth. 
 Lenora died at the age of 89, Wednesday August 29th, at the Blue Hill Care Center in Blue Hill.  Funeral services were held Monday September 3, 2018 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill.  Rev. Jeffrey Kuddes officiated.  Burial was in the Blue Hill Cemetery.
Lenora attended rural elementary school in Harlan and Franklin counties and graduated from Hildreth High School in Hildreth on May 14, 1946.
She attended Kearney State Teachers’ College during the summer of 1946 and received a 3rd Grade Elementary teaching certificate. She continued her education during the summer months and attained the Nebraska Initial General Elementary certificate, the Provisional General Elementary certificate and the Nebraska Junior Elementary certificate.  She also obtained a two year college diploma from KSTC.
She taught for 13 years in rural schools: Lynce District #59, Pleasant View District #36, Smokey Hill District #17, Blake District #62, Ferguson District #31. After getting her two year diploma she taught grades six, seven, and eight in the Upland Elementary School. 
Lenora worked for Kumke Construction, Dutton Lainson, and the Blue Hill Leader before retiring in 1996.
 Lenora Mae Wittfoth was married to Duane Fredrick Kumke June 14, 1957 at St. Paul Lutheran church in Hildreth. Their first home was in Campbell where they were members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church.
They had three children, Mariann, Mark and Janet. They loved in Minden, Campbell and since 1966 in Blue Hill  Her husband, Duane, passed away Dec. 15, 2007.
Lenora was a member of Blue Hill Trinity Lutheran church and LWML, and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Bloodmobile.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Duane; daughter, Mariann; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Lee Johnson; brother, William Wittfoth; brothers and sisters-in-law, Delton and Mabel Kumke, Loren and Alice (Kumke) Waterbury, Orville and Joan (Kumke) Kuhlman, and Raymond Kumke.
Survivors are her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Karen Kumke of Blue Hill; and her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Daniel Lonowski of Hastings; sister-in-law, Wanda (Raymond) Kumke of Hastings; and brother and sister-in law, Jim and Lorna (Kumke) Dealey of Grand Island; seven grandchildren, Emilee (Lonowski) and Carter Pratt of Gretna, Nicholas Lonowski and Brock Kumke of Blue Hill, Kaitlin Kumke and Rick McEntee of Burr Oak, KS, Hailey Lonowski and Hannah Lonowski of Hastings, Derek and Jillian Lonowski of Kearney; two great-grandsons, Miles and Holden Pratt of Gretna; great-granddaughter, Kinsley McEntee of Burr Oak, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 7, 2018

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud.
The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Roger Bohrer (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Bohrer, second by Reiher, to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2018 meeting.
 Upon roll call vote, voting to approve the minutes: Bohrer, Reiher, Shipman, Karr, and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none.
 At 8:35am, Jeff Kuhn, Road Maintenance Coordinator, met with the Board.
 Kuhn reported that the transportation van is listed to sell on Big Iron. The used culverts will be collected at the Cowles Yard, advertised and sold at the iron price of the day plus 10%.
Kuhn shared a letter concerning a fence that was damaged by road crew while clearing trees from a fence that is on the County right-of-way.
After discussion, the Board approved of a letter to reply to that complaint. Inspections of trees along County roadways are being done. Times will be set up with land owners to discuss issues. The road crews will be working on mowing roadsides. Projects #522 and #627 have been completed. Kucera Excavating will be completing Project #630. Van Kirk Construction will be starting on Project #651. Lance Harder, Webster County Highway Superintendent, met with the Board to discuss the concrete testing being done on Project #647. Harder presented plans for Project #579 which is a low water crossing. After discussion, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr, to approve RESOLUTION 24 – 2018: RESOLUTION 24 – 2018 
WHEREAS, on the 7th day of August, 2018, Webster County Board of Commissioners met in regular session; and WHEREAS, this segment of Road F between Road 1800 and Road 1900 has a State Functional Classification of Minimum Maintenance; and WHEREAS, the current Rules and Regulations of the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards allow for 35 mph design speed with reference to Section 001.03P of the Standards; and WHEREAS, for Project Number C91-579, it is in the best interest of the public to relax the standards to allow for 20 mph design speed; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of Webster County, Nebraska, to request the Board of Public Road Classifications and Standards approve the relaxation of standards. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 24 – 2018.
Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr, to approve RESOLUTION 25 – 2018: RESOLUTION 25 – 2018 
WHEREAS, on the 7th day of August, Webster County Board of Commissioners met in regular session; and WHEREAS, this segment of Road F between Road 1800 and Road 1900 has a State Functional Classification of Minimum Maintenance; and WHEREAS, the current Rules and Regulations of the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards allow for Low Water Crossings to be constructed but shall be submitted to the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards for review prior to construction with reference to Section 001.03P of the Standards; and WHEREAS, for Project C91-579, it is in the best interest of the public to construct a Low Water Crossing; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Webster County, Nebraska, to request the Board of Public Road Classifications and Standards approve the request for construction of a Low Water Crossing. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 25 – 2018. Kuhn presented a Change Order, Certificate of Substantial Completion and Contractor’s Application for Payment for Project #C91(35) and C91(637). Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr, to approve these documents. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none Project #651 will be added to the One Year Plan. Motion was made by Bohrer, seconded by Reiher, to approve RESOLUTION 26 – 2018: RESOLUTION 26 – 2018 WHEREAS, The 2018-2019 County Budget provided for the transfers of funds in the total of $300,000.00 from the Inheritance Fund to the County Road Construction Fund (#800); WHEREAS, Sufficient funds are available in the County Treasurer’s Inheritance Fund (#2700) to allow for this transfer; WHEREAS, There are pending bridge replacement projects that require funding; WHEREAS, There is sufficient cash balance in the Inheritance Fund to make the transfer of the aforesaid budgeted amount for the current fiscal year; BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that $300,000.00 be transferred from the Inheritance Fund (#2700) to the Road Construction Fund (#800) pursuant to the requirements set forth in the 2018-2019 County Budget. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the above designated transfer of funds shall be made by submitting a claim from the Inheritance Fund Account (2700-990-7.0206 Expense) and issuing an Imprest Check to the Road Construction Fund (0800-590.03 Revenue). Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Bohrer, Reiher, Shipman, Karr and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 26 – 2018. Because of Budget restrictions, the Road Department will be doing more road maintenance, not designing construction projects. Commissioner Buschow commented that Road 200 between Road X and Z needs maintained. Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk, presented RESOLUTION 27 - 2018: RESOLUTION 27 – 2018 APPROVAL OF PLEDGES SECURITIES BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that SOUTH CENTRAL STATE BANK be permitted to Pledge the following security, held in escrow by the Webster County Clerk (trustee) to secure deposits in the County in said bank, to wit: FHL BANK-TOPEKA IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT #51242 AMOUNT: $100,000.00 EXPIRATION DATE: 07/24/2019 Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Reiher, to approve RESOLUTION 27 – 2018. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Reiher, Shipman, Bohrer and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 27 – 2018. At 9:15am, Janet Knehans, Webster County Treasurer, met with the Board. Knehans presented the Webster County Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Statement for January 1, 2018 thru June 30, 2018. Knehans will be preparing for ten County Tax Sales.
 At 9:25am, Sonja Krueger, Webster County Assessor, met with the Board. Discussion was had on repairs to the 2005 Mazda Tribute. The cost of the repairs is $732.38. After discussion, the decision was made to do the repairs. Krueger presented the 2019 Plan of Assessment for Webster County which included the 2019 Review Cycle. Krueger estimates the Webster County valuation to be $1,057,755,843.00. Krueger presented the Board with the Statutes pertaining to the funding for the Agricultural Society. Krueger presented the 2018 Webster County Cemetery List.
At 9:50am, Sarah James, Account Manager for Lutz, met with the Board. James presented a proposal to the Board for preparation of the 2018/2019 Webster County Budget. After review of the proposal, Chairman Buschow signed an Engagement Letter.
 At 10:10am, the Board recessed for a break. The Board reconvened at 10:30am with 5 members present.
At 10:30am, Tami Scheuneman, Planning and Zoning Administrator, met with the Board. Tami presented the revised Comprehensive Plan. The Joint Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on September 6, 2018. Scheuneman shared the resignation of Shannon Schriner from the Joint Planning Commission. Motion was made by Bohrer, seconded by Reiher, to appoint Scott Schmidt to the Joint Planning Commission. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Bohrer, Reiher, Shipman, Karr and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none.
 At 10:30am, discussion was had concerning approval of the 2018/2019 Webster County Agricultural Association Budget. The request was $74,847.77. Rob Wilson, Vice-President of the Webster County Agricultural Association Board shared that the money is used for 4H, FFA and Open Class premiums, improvements to our fairgrounds, supplies, advertising and other operating expenses. Motion was made by Bohrer, seconded by Shipman, to approve this budget. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Bohrer, Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none.
At 10:45am, Dennis VanWey, Noxious Weed Superintendent, and Paul Moyer, Inspector for the Southeast Region of Nebraska for the Department of Agriculture Animal/Plant Health Protection Division, met with the Board. Moyer outlined the responsibilities of the Nebraska Weed Control Association and the local Weed Control Authority. Moyer reviewed the reports and requirements that counties have to submit. These reports include inspections, office evaluation, various county reports and continuing education. Moyer commented that with the Webster County Board of Commissioners committing to force control of weeds, it has decreased the noxious weeds in the County. He reported that VanWay has done an excellent job in keeping up with reporting, paperwork and continuing education.
 At 11:00am, Tony Martin and Philip Jensen, Great Plains Communication, presented a proposal to replace the existing phone system in the Courthouse. After discussion, this was tabled to the August 21, 2018 meeting.
At 12:15pm, the Board recessed for lunch.
 The meeting resumed at 1:00pm with all members present. Discussion concerning the 2018-2019 Webster County Budget was had. Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk, presented the proposed budget for Clerk, Register of Deeds and Elections.
 Janet Knehans, Webster County Treasurer, met with the Board to present the budget request for the Treasurer’s office.
Sonja Krueger, Webster County Assessor, met with the Board to present the budget request for the Assessor and the Appraiser offices.
 Troy Schmitz, Webster County Sheriff, presented the Budget Request for the Sheriff’s office and the jail.
 Jeff Kuhn, Road Maintenance Coordinator, presented the Budget Request for the Road Funds.
The Board reviewed proposed budgets for the following funds: County Board, Planning and Zoning, Building and Grounds, Fund Transfers, Miscellaneous, Dental, Medical/ Relief and Grant Expense funds.
 The following claims were approved for payment:
Wages for 6 part-time employees and 12 EMTS $12,397.53
 General Fund 
 Adams County Clerk Funding $ 2,539.00
Christa Alber Expense 46.27
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 543.89
Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt Counsel 399.00
Black Hills Energy Utility 85.48
Blue Hill Leader Publish/Subscription 123.15
Clay County Sheriff’s Dept Housing 315.00
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 1,603.27
 DAS State Accounting/Central Finance Fees 225.52
DAS State Accounting/Central Finance Fee 448.00
Dell Marketing, L.P. Supply 305.98
 S.S. FICA 691.82
Eakes Office Solutions Supply 449.48
 Election Systems & Software Ballots 2,009.10
 Energized Electric, LLC Repairs 150.00
 First Concord Benefits Group Health 1,160.02
First National Bank Omaha Support/Lodging 288.77
 Franklin County Memorial Hospital Medical 337.00
Glenwood Fee 10.00
Great Plains Communications Phones 160.25
Hanna: Keelan Associates, P.C. Fee 5,000.00
Marvin Hartman Expense 20.90
Troy Himmelberg Expense 35.07
Hometown Market Supply 800.41
J & A Auto Supply Supply 8.78
Elizabeth Janning Expense 196.20
Jared’s Auto Expert Repairs 1,163.94
 Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Repairs 99.56
Carol Kumke Expense 19.62
Jerry Langer Expense 20.90
Leaf Capitol Funding, LLC Lease 424.45
 Lieske Law Firm Counsel 173.00
Mips, Inc Support 2,159.97
Neofunds By Neopost Postage 1,000.00
 NIRMA Training 390.00
NSA/Poan Conference Fund Training 100.00
Ray O’Herron Co., Inc. Supply 702.32
R & M Disposal, LLC Utility 130.00
Red Cloud Chief Publishing 125.91
City of Red Cloud Utility 2,216.53
Bradley Schick Expense 160.78
Skalka & Baack Law Firm Counsel 2,366.40
Abbey Skarin Expense 24.42
Paul Stoner Expense 21.99
Theobald Law Office Council 4,672.90
Thomson Reuters- West Supply 305.00
US Foods/The Thompson Co. Supply 493.59
Ken Van Wey Repairs 975.00
 Verizon Wireless Phones 248.16
 Village Pharmacy Medical 206.89
 Keith Waechter Expense 40.52
Web Co Clk of Dist Court Fees 126.00
Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund Petty-Cash 19.00
Webster County Court Crt Costs 254.00
Webster County Hospital Testing 62.00
Wiliiams Exterminating, Inc Pest Control 88.00
Woodward’s Disposal Service Utility 35.00
 Road/Bridge Fund 
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 531.58
 B-3 Dirt, LLC Main 1,976.00
Black Hills Energy Utility 44.25
 Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc Gravel 33,391.27
Village of Bladen Utility 53.93
City of Blue Hill Utility 79.30
Cencon of Kansas Utility Contracts Rock 81.38
Century Lumber Center Supply 2.38
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 1,454.41
 Country Corner Fuel 269.30
 Diamond Lime, LLC Surfacing 5,535.67
S.S. Fica 125.50
 Glenwood Telecommunications Phone 154.33
Gottsch Feed Yard Misc 35.00
 Village of Guide Rock Utility 71.20
 City of Hastings Fee 672.22
 Hometown Market Supply 66.46
 Jim’s OK Tires Repairs 365.00
Joe’s Fence & Welding, LLC Main 939.25
John Deere Financial Supply 7.03
Ken Kort Trucking Rocks 193.93
 Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Repairs 34.98
LRNRD Rural Water Project Water 20.00
Meridian Agriculture Distribution Chemical 903.80
Mips, Inc Support 108.98
Monica Montgomery Expense 14.39
Napa Auto Parts Repairs 238.33
NCK Quarries, LLC Rock 1,225.29
Nebraska Machinery Company Repairs 16,124.31
Oak Creek Engineering, LLC Main 10,729.08
Olson Enterprises, LLC Fuel 10,830.24
 Ben Pavelka Trucking, Inc Repairs 188.77
Quill Corporation Supply 94.66
 R & M Disposal, LLC Utility 33.00
 R M Bridge Company, LLC Main 3,622.50
 Scott Kort Trucking Fee 259.29
 Sunbelt Rentals Rental 289.82
 Superior Fire Extinguisher Co Repairs 834.00
Superior Outdoor Power Center Repairs 334.10
The Baking Room Fee 65.00
Timm’s Service Fuel 2,248.06
Verizon Wireless Phone 47.34
Webster County Hospital Testing 42.00
Windstream Phone 65.83
 Kary Winslow Expense 86.64
 Road/Bridge Const Fund Ace/Eaton Metals Culverts 13,813.48
 B-3 Dirt LLC Grading 7,899.50
 Diamond Lime, LLC Surfacing 19,226.01
JEO Consulting Group, Inc Fee 4,569.50
Norfolk Contracting, Inc Culverts 170,016.00
Shipman Dozing, LLC Main 6,000.00
Van Kirk Contracting Culverts 193,959.47
Modern Records Fund Mips, Inc Fees 217.96
 Self-Insured Dental Fund
Kory L Bumgardner, D.D.S. Dental 141.60
 Mark E Bush, DDS Dental 76.50
 Central Dental Group Dental 105.60
 Mark Driscoll Dental 127.60
Pediatric Dental Specialists Dental 792.80
 County Medical/Relief Fund
Midwest Medical Transport Co, LLC Transport 1,835.95
 Diversion Program Fund
 National Patent Analytical Systems Equip 452.84
 Inheritance Tax Fund
Webster County Treasurer Transfer 300,000.00
 Noxious Weed Fund
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 222.78
 First National Bank Omaha Supply 80.23
Great Plains Communications Phones 47.42
 Ambulance Fund 
Black Hills Energy Utility 12.47
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 81.84
S.S. Fica 131.14
 Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Repairs 5.88
Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc Supply 53.92
Olson Enterprises, LLC Fuel 59.86
 Platte Valley Comm of Hastings Repairs 172.50
 Red Cloud EMT’s Training 259.70
Stryker Sales Corporation Supply 10,410.41
Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 3:00pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 7th day of August, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 1, 2018

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, August 1, 2018, for a business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud.
 The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Roger Bohrer (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws.
Members representing the Fire Districts in Webster were present.
Discussion was had on the legislation that passed in 2015 that states that the levy for the Fire Districts is no longer set by a vote of the people. Budget Year 2018/2019 will be the first year for implementation. Fire Districts must file budgets by August 1 with the County Clerk. After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to approve
RESOLUTION 19 – 2018: RESOLUTION 19 – 2018 RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PRELIMINARY LEVY ALLOCATION FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board; and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Bladen Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $64,244.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2018/2019 for the Bladen Rural Fire Protection District. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Bohrer, Reiher and Buschow. Abstaining: Shipman. Voting no or absent: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 19 – 2018. After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to approve RESOLUTION 20 –
2018: RESOLUTION 20 – 2018 RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PRELIMINARY LEVY ALLOCATION FROM THE COUNTY BOARD WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board; and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Blue Hill Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $38,950.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2018/2019 for the Blue Hill Rural Fire Protection District. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Bohrer, Reiher and Buschow. Abstaining: Shipman. Voting no or absent: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 20 – 2018.
 After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to approve RESOLUTION 21 – 2018: RESOLUTION 21 – 2018 RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PRELIMINARY LEVY ALLOCATION FROM THE COUNTY BOARD WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board; and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Guide Rock Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $24,480.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2018/2019 for the Guide Rock Rural Fire Protection District. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Bohrer, Reiher and Buschow. Abstaining: Shipman. Voting no or absent: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 21 – 2018. After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to approve RESOLUTION 22 – 2018: RESOLUTION 22 – 2018 RESOLUTION REQUESTING A PRELIMINARY LEVY ALLOCATION FROM THE COUNTY BOARD WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board; and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Red Cloud Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $52,530.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2018/2019 for the Red Cloud Rural Fire Protection District. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Bohrer, Reiher and Buschow. Abstaining: Shipman. Voting no or absent: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 22 – 2018. Discussion was had concerning requests for levy allocation for the Budget Year 2019-2020. After discussion, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Bohrer, to approve RESOLUTION 23 – 2018: RESOLUTION 23 – 2018 WHEREAS, recent legislation designates the manner in which Webster County and its various political subdivisions may levy taxes for support of their various operations; and WHEREAS, all Rural Fire Districts within Webster County which would be entitled to an allocation of property tax authority not to exceed a total of 10.5 cents of valuation on any parcel or item of taxable property have filed a preliminary request for levy allocation as required by law; and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board of Commissioners finds that it would not be possible to continue the necessary functions of County government if the preliminary requests for levy allocation were granted; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webster County Board of Commissioners hereby denies preliminary requests for levy allocation from: Bladen Rural Fire District Blue Hill Fire District Guide Rock Rural Fire District Red Cloud Rural Fire District Webster County Agricultural District FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the Chairperson of the governing body of each of the Fire Districts which submitted a preliminary request for levy allocation. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Bohrer, Reiher, Karr and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 23 – 2018. Wade Gibson presented the 2018/2019 Budget for the Webster County Agricultural Association. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to accept the Budget. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Bohrer, Reiher, Shipman and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Bohrer, to accept the requested amount of $74,847.77 for the 2018/2019 Budget for the Webster County Agricultural Association. This amount will be reviewed at the August 7, 2018 meeting to accept this budgeted amount. Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 8:00p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 8:30am.
 A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at  www.co.webster.ne.us.
 Dated this 1st day of August, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS July 17 2018

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Roger Bohrer (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Shipman, second by Reiher, to approve the minutes of the July 3, 2018 meeting. Upon roll call vote, voting to approve the minutes: Shipman, Reiher, Karr, Bohrer and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none.
At 8:35am, Jeff Kuhn, Road Maintenance Coordinator, met with the Board. The Road Crews had the roads in good shape for wheat harvest. The crews have been working on cleaning weeds from the sides of county roads. It is time for the rural residents to mow their ditches. Commissioner Shipman commented that the trees need trimmed at Road F and 1900 Road. The crews have been collecting used oil. Project 618 is near completion. The final walk thru for Projects 357 & 637 will be on July 18, 2018. A Bridge #1806 has been replaced by a culvert at Road 800 and Road U. Work has been done on the Bridge #2212 east of Bladen. Kucera Construction will begin work on Projects 629 and 630. Kuhn presented the Annual Certification for the funds received by Webster County thru the Highway Street Buyback Program (STP) and the Highway Bridge Buyback Program (HBP). Discussion was had concerning the low water crossing north of the Diversion Dam.
Discussion was had on selling a van for Webster County Transportation, desks and other furniture on Big Iron. Discussion was had on equipment purchases for the 2020/2021 Budget year. The Road Department has been cleaning up projects and completing the One Year Plan. The Road Department got a big Thank you for preparing the entrance for the tank float.
Janet Knehans, Webster County Treasurer, reported to the Board that the County will receive $38,887.88 for the name plate capacity tax for the wind turbines in 2018. Starting in April, 2019, the County will be receiving $313,102.00 annually for the name plate capacity tax to be divided up between the districts in the County with the County General receiving $59,035.74.
At 9:30am, Tami Scheuneman, Webster County Zoning Administrator, presented the Sound Level Compliance Evaluation Report for the Cottonwood Wind Project. The report shows that the sound pressure levels meet the Webster County sound level limit. Commissioner Buschow reported that he had spoken with the City of Red Cloud about the zoning of the Courthouse building. He was told that commercial buildings can be in a residential zone.
At 10:00am, Mary Delka, Director of Webster County Senior Services and Webster County Transportation, presented an Agreement between Webster County and the State of Nebraska Department of Transportation for the purchase of a seven passenger Dodge Caravan Minivan. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Reiher, to sign the Agreement. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Reiher, Karr, Bohrer and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none.
The Webster County Senior Services and Transportation has moved to a new location at 309 N. Webster in Red Cloud. Meals are still available in the Red Cloud area by ordering a meal one business day ahead to be delivered to your home or eaten at the 309 N. Webster location or by using a voucher at Fat Fox’s.
 At 10:08am, the Board recessed for a break. The Board reconvened at 10:25am with all members present. During open forum, Audrey Berns addressed the Board with a concern that a tornado warning was issued on June 19 and the wind turbines on the west end of the project did not turn off. Her concern was that Nextera was not in compliance by not turning off the turbines. Berns also asked about the progression of the Cottonwood II (Little Blue Project). The Board assured her that nothing has been filed concerning this project. Berns inquired about the audit of the Primary Election.
 Steph Hamel presented to the Board a report of the noise levels of the turbines at her house that she has recorded.
 At 10:35am, discussion was had concerning the preparation of the 2018/2019 Budget. At 11:20am, Sara Bockstadter, Webster County Attorney, Dustin Gay, Energized Electric and Paul Krieger, Krieger Electric, met with the Board. On July 3, 2018, the three entities had signed an Agreement for the HVAC Installation at the Courthouse. Attorney Bockstadter presented a Mutual Rescission of Contract to rescind that Contract. After discussion, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Bohrer, to approve the Mutual Rescission of Contract. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Bohrer, Reiher, Karr and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. All parties signed the Agreement. Bockstadter presented a revised HVAC Installation Agreement. After discussion, motion was made by Reiher, seconded by Bohrer, to approve this Agreement. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Reiher, Bohrer, Shipman, Karr and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. All parties signed the Agreement.
The following claims were approved for payment:
Wages for 45 Salaried Employees $126,435.50.
 General Fund
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire $ 5,975.56
Black Hills Energy Utility 266.27
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health/Life 22,704.50
 Blue Hill Leader Publish/Subscriptions 886.61
Boarders Inn & Suites Lodging 202.30
Comdata Universal MasterCard Fuel 52.44
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 2,087.60
Dunmire, Fisher, Hastings & Pauley Counsel 11.50
 S.S. Fica 6,297.07
 Eakes Office Solutions Supplies 1,314.75
 First Concord Benefits Health 559.50
First Concord Benefits Group Fee 22.50
First Concord Benefits Group Fees 234.00
Franklin County Memorial Hospital Medical 408.00
 Furnas Co Sheriff’s Office Fees 37.30
 GIS Workshop Software 5,440.00
Great Plains Communications Phones 774.74
 John V Hodge Counsel 1,957.68
 Hometown Leasing Lease Pmts 1,548.00
 Hometown Market Supplies 1,596.65
J & A Auto Supply Supplies 555.32
 Jack’s Cleaning 1,500.00 JDS Support 2,200.00
 JEO Consulting Group Fees 643.75
Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Repairs 159.21
 Janet Knehans Expense 104.64
 Lieske Law Firm Counsel 63.50
Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc Life 18.90
 Mailfinance Postage 303.00
Midland Area Agency on Aging Handibus 1,908.10
Mips, Inc Support 2,219.97
Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc Phones 202.20
 Postmaster Box Rent 62.00
Red Cloud Chief Publish 2,622.11
Region 3 Behavioral Health Services Funding 2,248.26
 Sam’s Club Equip 588.08
 Edward Schurman Repairs 162.90
Self-Insured Dental Fund Premiums 2,770.00
Skalka & Baack Law Firm Counsel 2,147.90
South Central Pub Power Dist Utility 27.43
USDA, Aphis, Wildlife Services Funding 1,497.03
 Road/Bridge Fund
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 2,618.79
 Black Hills Energy Utility 46.83
 Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc Gravel 12,743.44
 Village of Bladen Utility 55.98
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health/Life 11,806.34
Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 3,007.87
Country Corner Fuel 138.26
 Diamond Lime, LLC Gravel 5,917.88
 S.S. Fica 2,907.46
Eakes Office Solutions Supplies 36.49
 Fastenal Repairs 363.40
First Concord Benefits Group Fees 15.00
 Great Plains Communications Phone 209.78
Jim’s OK Tires Repairs 394.00
 Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Supplies 969.71
L & M Tire Repairs 14.00
 Mips, Inc Support 108.98
 Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc Phones 10.85
Nebraska Machinery Company Repairs 6,694.72
 Olson Enterprises, LLC Fuel/Repairs 10,995.58
Self-Insured Dental Fund Premiums 1,106.00
South Central Pub Power Dist Utility 139.06
Timm’s Service Fuel 3,421.12
Wiarcom, Inc Trackers 275.40
 Road/Bridge Const Fund
Diamond Lime, LLC Surfacing 40,496.44
Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Rental 124.99
 Modern Records Fund 
Mips, Inc Support 103.00
 Self-Insured Dental Fund
Central Dental Group Dental 415.40
 Sean M Daly, D.D.S. Dental 220.60
 Mark Driscoll Dental 205.25 
 Noxious Weed Fund
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 152.19
 Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health/Life 908.18
 Cooperative Producers, Inc Fuel 246.60
 S.S. Fica 172.48
 Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc Phone 3.99
 Self-Insured Dental Fund Premium 111.00
 Ambulance Fund
Black Hills Energy Utility 36.39
Village of Campbell 911 Fee 210.00
Brad Frey Repairs 154.21
Great Plains Communications Phone 48.19
 Inst-A-Tech LLC Eqip 1,800.00
Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center Repairs 230.42
Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc Oxygen Rental 79.88
 Stryker Sales Corporation Supplies 18,324.84
Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 12:10p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 17th day of July, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk

Rape case thrown out

 Attorneys for a 56-year-old Myron C. Nichols of  Red Cloud who is accused of raping a teenager are asking a judge to throw out the case due to the recording of privileged telephone conversations at the Webster County Jail.

Attorneys Ben Murray and Don Theobald represent  Nichols in a Webster County District Court case alleging one count of first-degree sexual assault, one count of intentional child abuse and three counts of third-degree sexual assault.

By mutual agreement, the hearing Friday was heard at the Adams County District Court.

Murray filed a motion to dismiss the case April 2 after learning that protected phone conversations had been recorded by an automated system at the Webster County Jail in Red Cloud. Attorney-client privilege protects conversations between an attorney and a client are under the Sixth Amendment.

Murray asked District Judge Stephen Illingworth to dismiss the charges because the lead investigator in the case had possession of a compact disc containing recordings of three calls to Murray’s office  .He said those calls would have contained trial strategy about the defense’s case, which was scheduled to go before a jury in April. “The prosecution being in possession of these recordings is presumptively prejudicial,” Murray said.

Prosecuting attorneys in the case, George Welch with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and Webster County Attorney Sara Bockstadter, argue that the prosecution didn’t gain an unfair advantage from the recordings.

In his opening statement, Welch said the prosecution didn’t have knowledge of the recordings or the contents until notified by law enforcement six days before the trial was to start.“Nobody learned of any confidential communication because there was never any review of the recordings,” he said.

Webster County Sheriff Troy Schmitz testified Friday that about 60 phone conversations between Nichols and Murray’s office were recorded between the time Murray was appointed in June 2017 to help represent Nichols and the time Schmitz discovered the recordings in March 2018.

Schmitz explained that Webster County Jail inmates wishing to talk to an attorney usually request a cordless phone from jail staff. Conversations on this line are not recorded and the phone is made readily available to inmates unless the phone is in use. But Schmitz said inmates also have access to two phones in the day holding area of the jail. Calls on these phones are paid for using pre-paid phone cards, and conversations are recorded. At the beginning of each call, users on both ends of the line are notified that the conversation may be recorded.

During a visit Murray made to the jail, Schmitz realized it was possible that Nichols had been making phone calls to Murray over the recorded line. He asked Chief Deputy Sheriff Ron Sunday to check and found those conversations had been recorded.  Once the recordings were discovered, Schmitz said, Sunday notified the Webster County Attorney’s Office, who alerted Murray and Theobald.

Schmitz explained that a Texas company is contracted to provide the recording service and storage of the recordings. Phone numbers can be manually excluded from the recordings. Schmitz and Sunday are the only two with access to the computer system besides the contracting company.

Sunday testified that he handles the maintenance of the system for the Webster County Sheriff’s Office. He said each of the files is monitored and any access is noted in the system. He pulled up the list of recordings in the presence of attorneys in the case and found that three of the recorded conversations had been accessed.

Sunday said he had downloaded the recordings as part of a search request from Webster County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dianne Nichols. The three recordings were among 31 that Sunday downloaded to a CD for the deputy.

Sgt. Nichols testified that she had asked for a week’s worth of calls placed by Myron Nichols as part of an investigation into a witness tampering case. She said one of the alleged victims had received a threatening text message. She said she reviewed each of the calls during her investigation, but once she realized some of the calls were to an attorney, she forwarded the playback to the next call. She said that in two of the calls between Myron and Murray’s secretary, the secretary said Murray wasn’t in the office. On the third call, the secretary said Murray was in and said she would put him on the line. Dianne said she forwarded the recording before Murray got on the line.

Sgt. Nichols explained that she didn’t report that she had stumbled upon the recordings because she didn’t realize she should. “I knew I couldn’t listen to it, but I didn’t know I couldn’t have it,” she testified.

Illingworth took the case under advisement and gave each side two weeks to submit briefs with final arguments. Each side will have an additional two weeks to submit a rebuttal brief if desired.

According to the arrest affidavit, Myron Nichols is accused of sexually assaulting a girl in Red Cloud sometime between May and July 2013, when she was 16 or 17. The alleged victim told authorities that Myron provided alcohol and marijuana to herself and other children before carrying her to his room where he raped her.

First-degree sexual assault is a Class 1B felony punishable by 20 years to life in prison. Intentional child abuse is a Class 3A felony punishable by up to three years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Third-degree sexual assault is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Rev. Elton H. Temme September 17, 1932 to July 1, 2018

Rev. Elton H. Temme, age 85, of Blue Hill, entered his heavenly home on July 1, 2018, at the Blue Hill Care Center. 
Elton Herbert Temme was born on Sept. 17, 1932,  near Barnes, Kansas, where his father was serving as pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He attended Christian Day Schools in Barnes and Independence, KS, and attended high school in Warrenton, MO. He completed his preparatory work for the ministry at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas before graduating with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in 1958. He recently celebrated his 60th year in the ministry after serving as Pastor at the following parishes:
St. John’s Church in Tyler, ND and First English Church in Fairmont, ND from 1958-1960, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Barnes, KS from 1960-1962, Reformation Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC from 1962-1965, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oberlin, KS, from 1965-1974, Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, from 1974-1978, Grace Lutheran Church in Larned, KS from 1978-1986, and Zion Lutheran Church in Farmington, NM from 1986-1992. He retired in Hastings to be close to family.  Pastor Temme occasionally assisted on Sundays at Zion Lutheran Church.
Rev. Temme served as Circuit Counselor during his ministry in Oberlin, KS. requiring him during that time period to fill in as vacancy pastor in every church in this circuit. During his time in Larned, KS, he served as Chairman of the Kansas District Pastoral Conferences and was District LWML Advisor for two terms. He loved teaching confirmation classes and interacting with the youth group and often organized such activities as baseball games, summer picnics and homemade pizza dinners.
Rev. Temme met his wife, Virgina, during his vicarage at Calvary Lutheran Church in Kansas City, MO, where she was teaching at the Day School. They were married on Sept. 3, 1958, in Birch Run, MI. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage. They had three daughters, Ann, Lori and Teresa.
Rev. Temme shared his love of fly-fishing, gardening, and playing baseball with his daughters. He could often be seen hunting pheasant with his daughters and his faithful dog Pepper.
Rev. Temme is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughter, Ann, and her husband, Greg Auten, and their three children, Tim, Lindsey and Tyler of Blue Hill, Lori and her husband, Evan Halsey, of Jacksonville, FL, and Teresa and her daughters, Annalise and Alayna of Annapolis, MD. He is also survived by three sisters, Carol Bryant and her husband Ron of Charlotte, NC, Lois Frick of Warrenton, MO, and Anita Carter of Georgetown, TX; brother, Harold Temme, of Warrenton, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services  were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, with Interment following at the Blue Hill cemetery . 

Webster County Board of Commisioners July 3, 2018

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Roger Bohrer (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Shipman, second by Reiher, to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2018 meeting. Upon roll call vote, voting to approve the minutes: Shipman, Reiher, Karr, Bohrer and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. At 8:35am, Monica Montgomery, Office Manager for the Road Department, met with the Board. Montgomery shared a thank-you note from the City of Blue Hill for cleaning up the Webster County Road Yard. Van Kirk is finishing Project No. 357. The Construction Crew will be completing 1400 Road, south of the feedlot. Kucera Construction will start on Project No. 629 and 630 next week. Discussion was had on the road east of the Blue Hill golf course. The Road Department is having a lunch on August 2, 2018 for Kary Winslow who has been employed by Webster County for 40 years. Discussion was had on the scope of responsibility of Webster County and the landowner when reclassifying a minimum maintenance road to a local road for construction of a house. After discussion, the Board agreed to Webster County completing the dirt work and placing culverts up to $10,000.00 while the landowner is responsible for first surfacing of the road with rock/gravel. County would be responsible for maintenance after construction. There will be an electronics recycling in Guide Rock in October, 2018 and tire recycling in Red Cloud in November, 2018.
At 9:00am, Monica Montgomery met with the Board to discuss the installation of panic buttons in the four offices on the first floor of the courthouse. Motion was made Karr, seconded by Reiher, to approve the installation. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Reiher, Shipman, Bohrer and Buschow. Voting no, absent or abstaining: none. At 9:15am, Sheriff Troy Schmitz met with the Board concerning a hospital bill for an inmate that was hospitalized for a possible heart attack. Sheriff Schmitz discussed the effects on the jail budget. The Board accepted and reviewed the Sheriff’s Quarterly Fee Report. At 9:30am, Dan Rutt, Director and Carol Harrenstein, Office Manager of Revive Ministries, met with the Board. They shared the activities and budget for the past year. The funding request for $2,000.00 was tabled to later in the meeting.
 At 9:45am, Election Commissioner Debra Klingenberger has been in contact with the Secretary of State’s office for auditing the 2018 Primary Election but no date has been set. Commissioner Buschow shared with the Board that he had spoken to a Pella Window representative. He got an estimate of approximately $100,000.00 to replace the windows in the Courthouse building. At 10:15am, Dustin Gay, Energized Electric, met with the Board to sign the Agreement for the installation of the HVAC System in the Courthouse. After discussion, all members signed the Agreement. This Agreement is on file at the Webster County Clerk’s office. At 10:45am, discussion was had on the Budget for fiscal year 2018/2019. Commissioner Buschow is having a phone conversation with Woods & Durham Accountants following this meeting. The decision was made to not support South Central Economic Development. The decision was made to reduce the support to the other entities by 10%. The support for the other organizations will be: CASA of South Central Nebraska: $3,000.00; SASA Crisis Center: $1,800.00; Area Substance & Alcohol Abuse Prevention (ASAAP): $4,500.00; Revive Ministries/Horizon Recovery: $ 1,800.00; Region 3: $8,993.04; Midland Area Agency on Aging: $4,860.00; USDA Predatory Animal Control: $6,719.93.
 At 11:00am, Dennis VanWey, Webster County Noxious Weed Superintendent, met with the Board to ask for the approval of the Board to use the County Weed pickup to pull his trailer to transport County Fair materials to the County Fair location and to the Nebraska State Fair. The Board approved.
 The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 3part-time & 18 EMTS $9,628.64. General Fund
Adams County Dues $ 100.00
Christa Alber Expense 5.23
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 347.68
BDY Cabinets and More Repairs 351.31
 DAS State Accounting/Central Finance Fee 448.00
S.S. Fica 465.56
Eakes Office Solutions Fee 60.50
Election Systems & Software Supplies 5,678.22
 Glenn Plumbing & Heating Repairs 30.00
Glenwood Fee 10.00
 Grace’s Locksmith Service Repairs 240.00
Hometown Leasing Lease 129.00
Elizabeth Janning Expense 119.90
Jared’s Auto Expert Repairs 1,174.93
JEO Consulting Group Surveys 950.00
 Carol Kumke Expense 389.51
 Jerry Langer Expense 20.90
 Leaf Capitol Funding, LLC Lease 424.45
Neofunds by Neopost Postage 1,000.00
 Quill Corporation Supplies 405.31
 Red Cloud Chief Publishing 1,822.46
 City of Red Cloud Utility 1,714.53
Bradley Schick Expense 6.54
Paul Stoner Expense 21.99
Theobald Law Office Counsel 617.50
US Foods/The Thompson Co Supplies 269.50
Ken Vanwey Repairs/Mowing 487.50
Village Pharmacy Medical 464.74
 Keith Waechter Expense 40.52
Web Co Clk of Dist Court Fees 144.00
Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund Petty Cash 480.23
 Williams exterminating, Inc Fee 88.00
 Woodward’s Disposal Service Fee 5.00
Zee Medical Service Supplies 42.35
 Road/Bridge Fund
ACE/Eaton Metals Culverts 7,740.00
 Ameritas Life Insurance Corp Retire 90.65
 Black Hills Energy Utility 43.80
 Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc Gravel 21,580.26
 City of Blue Hill Utility 80.11
C & D Service Center Supplies 66.28
 Caterpillar Financial Services PMT 23,858.10
 Country Corner Fuel 80.53
 Diamond Lime, Inc Gravel 18,321.31
 S.S. Fica 102.74
First National Bank Omaha Fuel 278.09
 Glenwood Telecommunications Phones 154.33
 Village of Guide Rock Utility 70.52
 Island Supply Welding Company Supply 127.00
 J & A Auto Supply Supplies 149.70
John Deere Financial Supplies 32.65
Kully Pipe & Steel Supply Steel 56.82
 LRNRD Rural Water Project Water 22.21
Napa Auto Parts Tools 564.84
NCK Quarries, LLC Gravel 6,032.25
 David Niles Expense 84.73
 Nebraska Machinery Company Rental 7,232.32
 Patchmaster Central Surfacing 7,757.75
 R & M Disposal, LLC Utility 33.00
Red Cloud Chief Publish 385.85
Verizon Wireless Phone 55.05
 Windstream Phone 66.45
 Road/Bridge Const Fund Ace/Eaton Metals Culverts 26,670.86
 JEO Consulting Group, Inc Fees 3,618.00
NCK Quarries, LLC Culverts 5,308.81
 Visitor Promotion Fund
Webster County Ag Association Adv 2,500.00
Self Insured Dental Fund 
Dentistry Dental 224.00
Minden Dental Clinic Dental 163.00
Webster County Dental Clinic Dental 2,664.20
 County Medical/Relief Fund
Adams County District Court Hearing 157.50
 Inheritance Tax
 Energized Electric, LLC Equip/Repairs 56,432.95
 Noxious Weed Fund
 Red Cloud Chief Adv 126.00
 Ambulance Fund 
S.S. Fica 168.36
Brad Frey Repairs 1,790.43
Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc Rental 27.10
Moore Medical, LLC Supplies 454.31
Stryker Sales Corporation Equip 23,648.28
 Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 11:38am. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 3rd day of July, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 19, 2019

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), Keith Buschow (District Four) and JoAnn Reiher (District Five). Absent: Bohrer. The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Shipman, second by Reiher, to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2018 meeting. Upon roll call vote, voting to approve the minutes: Shipman, Reiher, Karr and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none.
 At 8:35am, Jeff Kuhn, Road Maintenance Coordinator, met with the Board. Kuhn presented three Agreements with Oak Creek Engineering, LLC for approval for engineering services. The first one is for the Grading of K Road at 900 Road and 1000 Road intersection. The second one is for the low water crossing that replaces Structure No. C009123415. The third one is for the replacement of Structure No. C009123025. After discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman, to approve these three Agreements. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Shipman, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed the Agreements. Dam Inspections were discussed. Kuhn had received bids from Hines Construction and Figgins Construction for crack sealing the asphalt on Z Road east of Blue Hill, 800 Road north of Bladen and four miles of Showboat Road. Kuhn shared with the Board a listing of working hours for each motor grader. Project 357 will be finalized today. Project 614 is Road 1400 south of the feedlot where culverts are being replaced. Bridge replacement will begin on 1400 Road by the Red Cloud Golf Course. Project 642 is ready for seeding. The construction on Bridge No. 12710 will begin soon. The Road crews have been getting roads ready for harvest.
The Road Department will be having a demonstration for a used John Deere 700J dozer.
 Discussion was had on the condition of the Batin Cemetery.
At 9:15am, Stephanie Creech-Will, Executive Director of Area Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention (ASAAP), Kerry Huber, Project Director of ASAAP and Joe Hubl, K-12 Counselor for Blue Hill Public Schools, met with the Board. Creech-Will and Huber reviewed the projects and budget for the last year. Hubl shared how the program is used in the Blue Hill School. The funding request is $5,000.00. This was tabled to the July 3, 2018 meeting. At 9:30am, Janet Knehans, Webster County Treasurer, presented RESOLUTION 17 – 2018: RESOLUTION 17 - 2018 WHEREAS, South Central State Bank is designated as a Depository Bank for Webster County; WHEREAS, the Webster County Treasurer, acting in the best interest of Webster County is authorized to deposit funds and invest excessive monies of Webster County; WHEREAS, while doing these duties, the Webster County Treasurer is required to do a weekly back up of the transactions on a tape using Shadow Protect. These tapes must be stored outside of the Courthouse building; WHEREAS, the Depository Bank, South Central State Bank, offers safety deposit boxes to store such tapes; BE IT RESOLVED, That a safety deposit box measuring 10inches by 10-1/2inches will be rented by the Webster County Treasurer at South Central State Bank. There will be no charge for the renting of the box. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the Webster County Treasurer, Janet Knehans and the following employees will have access to the safety deposit box: Penny Witte, Deputy Treasurer Monica Schmitz, Clerk Cassandra Olson, Clerk After discussion, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Reiher, to approve RESOLUTION 17 – 2018. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Reiher, Karr and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 17 – 2018. Treasurer Knehans presented RESOLUTION 18 – 2018: RESOLUTION 18 – 2018 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that SOUTH CENTRAL STATE BANK be permitted to Pledge the following securities, held in escrow by the Webster County Treasurer (trustee) to secure deposits in the County in said bank, to wit: FHL BANK-TOPEKA IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT #50745 AMOUNT: $1,000,000.00 EXPIRATION DATE: 08/15/2018 After discussion, motion was made Reiher, seconded by Shipman, to approve RESOLUTION 18 – 2018. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Reiher, Shipman, Karr and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Chairman Buschow signed RESOLUTION 18 – 2018. At 9:45am, Lisa Mahin, representative for On the Brix, met with the Board for the approval of a Special Designated Liquor License. Upon discussion and finding that the Webster County Board of Commissioners have jurisdiction in this matter, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr, to allow for and approving the State issuance of a Special Designated License for On the Brix allowing for the sale, use and consumption of beer, wine and distilled spirits in the designated areas of 1757 Road 2500, Lawrence, Nebraska, on July 14, 2018 from 9am to 4pm for the Junk Jaunt Tour. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Shipman, Karr, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. Discussion was had concerning the zoning of the Webster County Courthouse. Chairman Buschow will contact the City of Red Cloud to discuss the zoning. At 10:00am, Jarrod Reimer, representative from Congressman Adrian Smith’s office, met with the Board. He shared information from committees and activities that the Congressman has been involved in. At 10:15am, the Board recessed for a break. The Board reconvened at 10:30am with 4 members present. Absent: Bohrer. At 10:30am, Jada Thompson and Linda Erickson, CPA’s with Contryman Associates, P.C., met with the Board. Discussion was had on preparation of the Budget and the Audit for Webster County. At 11:00am, Sara Bockstadter, Webster County Attorney, discussed opioid litigation in Nebraska. At 11:15am, Dustin Gay, Energized Electric, met with the Board to discuss the contract for the installation of the HVAC System in the courthouse. County Attorney Bockstadter was also part of this discussion. The start date for the installation will be October 1, 2018 and completion date will be February, 2019. A down payment of 15% of total cost will be paid when the contract is signed. First payment will be made 30 days after the beginning of the project; second payment in 30 days and final payment on completion of the project. Contract will be submitted to the Board for approval on July 3, 2018. Discussion was had concerning the levy request for the Webster County Agriculture District that was on the Primary Election ballot and did not pass. Election results discussion was tabled to the July 3, 2018 meeting. Funding discussion for the 2018/2019 Budget was tabled to the July 3, 2018 meeting. Discussion was had concerning the EPC Letter of Agreement between Webster County and Region 3 Behavioral Health Services. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Reiher to approve this Agreement. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Shipman, Reiher and Buschow. Absent: Bohrer. Voting no or abstaining: none. The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 53 salaried employees $125,068.23 GENERAL FUND Ameritas Life Insurance Corp retire 5,879.20 Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt counsel 1,459.68 BC/BS health/life 22,704.50 Blue Hill Leader publish 1,610.32 Sara Bockstadter lease 390.00 Buffalo Co Sheriff fees 30.34 C & D Service Ctr repairs 149.76 Charm-Tex Inc supplies 397.70 DAS State Accounting/Central Finance fees 238.52 SS Fica 6,192.45 Eakes Office Solution furniture/supply 2,376.89 Energized Electric LLC repairs 60.00 First Concord Benefit Group health 500.00 First Concord Benefit Group fee 15.00 First Concord Benefit Group fees 234.00 Fleet Safety equip 1,935.20 GIS Workshop software 5,440.00 GPC phones 935.65 Hampton Inn lodging 196.00 Harlan Co Sheriff fees 30.20 Hometown Market supply 45.64 Jack’s cleaning 1,500.00 Jared’s Auto Expert repairs 628.29 Kenny’s Lumber supplies 120.54 Deb Klingenberger expense 232.54 Janet Knehans expense 332.56 Katie Krueger research 164.60 Carol Kumke supply/equip 546.65 Lieske Law Firm counsel 428.50 Madison National Life Ins Co Inc life 18.90 Midland Area Agency on Aging handibus 1,139.19 Mips support 1,428.80 Mips fees 12.00 NE Tech & Telecom Inc phones 250.59 Postmaster box rent 144.00 Quill Corp supply 323.71 Gary Ratzlaff expense 91.71 Red Cloud Chief subscription 31.50 Sam’s Club supply 48.15 Bradley Schick expense 703.31 Monica Schmitz painting 237.50 Self-Insured Dental premiums 2,770.00 Skalka & Baack Law Firm counsel CPPD utility 24.80 Joe Strickland expense 20.71 Sullivan Shoemaker P.C. LLO counsel 1,070.17 Theobald Law Office counsel 2,418.60 US Foods/Thompson Co. supply 303.14 Ken VanWey mowing/repairs 775.00 Village Pharmacy supply 2.23 Web Co Crt crt costs 51.00 Woodward’s Disposal Service fee 5.00
ROAD/BRIDGE FUND
Ace/Eaton Metals culverts 7,740.00
Adams Co Highway Dept. culverts 1,915.04
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. retire 2,618.79
Bladen Sand & Gravel Inc. gravel 19,885.36
BC/BS health/life 11,806.34
Blue Hill Leader publish 315.43
 Burmester Inc. armor coating 4,400.00
C & D Service Ctr. repairs 747.42
Century Lumber Ctr. supply 289.15
 Country Corner fuel 218.41
 SS Fica 2,907.46
Eakes Office Solutions supply 242.19
Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust payment 34,376.82
 First Concord Benefits Group fee 10.00
Garrett Enterprises Inc. repairs 2,381.00
 GPC phone 209.96
 J & A Auto Supply repairs 42.31
 Kenny’s Lumber supply 203.90
Lawson Products Inc. tools 96.34
Mips Inc. support 108.98
 Monica Montgomery expense 10.00
NCK Quarries LLC culverts 4,550.03
NE Tech & Telecom Inc. phone 16.03 NE Machinery Co. repairs 1,973.52
 Olson Enterprises LLC fuel/repairs 11,743.46
 Ben Pavelka Trucking Inc. repairs 2,500.00
City of Red Cloud utility 30.00
Self-Insured Dental Fund premiums 1,106.00
 SCPPD utility 136.75
Speece-Lewis Engineers fees 2,725.00
 Sunbelt Rentals rental 162.54
Timm’s Service fuel, etc. 6,456.31
Michael Todd & Co. equip 1,080.30
Wiarcom Inc. trackers 275.40
ROAD/BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION FUND
Ace/Eaton Metals culverts 35,898.45
 JEO Consulting Group Inc. fees 1,700.00 Speece-Lewis Engineers fees 6,316.64
MODERN RECORDS FUND
Deb Klingenberger expense 58.05
 Mips support 103.00
 SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND
Mark Driscoll dental 71.81
Minden Dental Clinic dental 389.40
Webster Co Dental Clinic dental 350.40
COUNTY MEDICAL/RELIEF FUND NE 
Health & Human Services System Beatrice/Lincoln 366.00
 NOXIOUS WEED FUND Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. retire 152.19
 BC/BS health/life 908.18
C & D Service Ctr. repairs 20.00
CPI fuel 132.97
SS Fica 172.48
GPC phone 47.48
 J & A Auto Supply repairs 11.31
NE Tech & Telecom Inc. phone 9.59 
Self-Insual Fundred Dent premium 111.00
AMBULANCE FUND
 Bound Tree Medical LLC supply 351.72
 CPI fuel 229.3
0 GPC phone 48.24
 Being no further business, Chairperson Buschow adjourned the meeting at 1:30pm.
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s office and at  www.co.webster.ne.us .
 Dated this 19th day of June, 2018. Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Debra Klingenberger, Webster County Clerk