WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS August 17 2021

 WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, August 17 2021 for their regular Business Meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud, Nebraska. 

The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), TJ Vance (District Three), Tim Gilbert (District Four), and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five).

 The board voted to pay claims and payroll. :

Highway Road Manager, Paul Stoner met with the Board. He informed the Board he has been looking at trucks. Road 1500 is being worked on. Billy Wilkins and Joe Yona from Nextera met with the Board. They discussed with the Board and Paul Stoner some things that would have to be addressed jointly on road surfacing in order to be done correctly. They discussed Road 300 being heavily traveled  Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Yona will make it a point to report to the Board often in order to keep up with the progress. 

 Treasurer Janet Knehans and Deputy Clerk Abbey Harig went over improvements and changes made with the various budgets with the Board. 

 County Clerk Louise Petsch met with the Board and gave a report on abandoned cemeteries. The  to allow individuals to mow an abandoned cemetery 3 times a year instead of 2 times in order to better keep the cemeteries clean and make mowing them easier.

Noxious Weed Supt, Brian Pedersen met with the Board on his budget and discussed several things going on pertaining to his office. 

 Hospital Administrator, Mirya Hallock met with the Board and reported on the Hospital Operations. It was a very thorough report. The Board discussed where the situation was going as far as remodeling or building new. The Board voiced their opinion on both options and suggested they meet at the next Board meeting with Administrator Hallock and all of the Hospital Board Members. No one wants to lose our hospital in Red Cloud but a lot of things financially need to be considered to make the best possible decision. Hallock reported the Hospital Thrift Shop is doing good and encourage people to keep bringing items to sell. They received an anonymous donation to help pay for COVID shots. Anyone getting one will receive $20.

 Gene Horne and Marlys Schmidt met with the Board on Ambulance. They would like to split the two Ambulances into separate entities and budgets. The board voted in favor.  They will be budgeted as Red Cloud Ambulance One and Blue Hill Ambulance Two. Liz Petsch will keep separate records of wages, withholdings, expenses, income, number of runs, etc.

 Assessor Sonja Krueger met on a Tax Correction.  Assessor Krueger presented Tax Correction No. 2021-28 concerning Adam Pavelka. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Ratzlaff to allow this Tax Correction. Motion carried. Tax Correction No. 2021-28 was approved. 

 County Attorney Patrick Calkins met with the Board on his budget and Diversion Program Fund budget. 

Museum Budget was presented to the Board by Teresa Young.

  Extention Educator Beth Janning met with the Board on her budget and replacing the flooring in her office. The Board will check with Rod Hunter to see if he can incorporate this when he does the flooring elsewhere in the Courthouse.

 Sara James met with the Board to go over final review of budgets after corrections and changes have been made. Sara will meet at our September 7th meeting for final Budget approval. She informed the Board she will be leaving her position of doing budgets for the County. Since we are still under contract with Lutz & Associates, Sara introduced Kayla Schulte to the Board as her replacement. Sara has done an excellent job for the County. The Board expressed their regrets in losing Sara, but congratulated her on her new appointment and wished her well. 

. A letter was received from Gans Family Farms LLC for the Board to know they also oppose the establishment of 49 County Heritage Area and the 30 x 30 programs. They agree with Webster County in opposing both of them. 

 Clerk Petsch presented Employee time sheets for the Board to review. 

, Veteran Service Office, Gary Ratzlaff presented a FY20 Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures Report for the Board to go over. Webster County has been successful in helping our Veterans in the County thanks to Gary. The Board thanked him for the work done through his office.

 Certifications of Taxable Value for tax year 2021 were presented for the various Political Subdivisions in the County for the Board to review.

 GENERAL FUND:

 Ameritas Life Ins (Retirement)-$7289.94; 

Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$55.14; 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health)-$21,224.32; 

Blue Hill Leader (publish)-$898.39; 

Ron Brumbaugh (repairs)-$520.42; 

Burt County Clerk (registrations)-$150.00); 

CPI (fuel)-$1,682.31;

 CVSOAN (dues)-$60.00; 

DAS State Acctng (fees)-$225.52;

S.S. (Fica)- $7797.79;

 Eakes (supplies)-$536.54; 

Empower Ret Services (deferred comp)-$50.00; 

Energized Electric (repairs)-$178.75;

 First Concord Benefits (health/life)-$642.15;

 Hometown Leasing (leasing)-$153.98;

 Hometown Market (supplies)- $198.13;

Jared’s Auto Expert (repairs)-$1736.04;

Kenny’s Hardware & Home Center (supplies)-$12.58;

Madison Life (life)-$37.13;

McGill Restoration (contract)-$45,415.00; 

MIPS, Inc (support)-$2543.83;

Nebr Tech & Telecom (phone)- $78.59;

Gary Ratzlaff (supply)-$40.97; 

Red Cloud Chief (publish)-$658.01; 

Region 3 Behavioral (funding)-$2299.60;

 SelfInsured Dental (premiums)-$2938.00; 

Thomson Reuters (subscription)-$174.25; 

Turner Technology (network)-$157.50; 

Viaero Wireless (phone)-$19.42; 

Web Co Clk Dist Crt (fees)-$35.00;

 Webster Co Crt (fees)-$169.00;

Zee Medical Ser (supplies)-$78.90; 

ROAD FUND:

 Ameritas Life Ins (retirement)-$2694.02;

Black Hills Energy (utility)-$22.81;

 Bladen Sand & Gravel (gravel)-$5450.40;

 Village of Bladen (utility)-$59.68;

 Blue Cross Blue Shield (health)-$10330.10;

Blue Hill Leader (publish)-$282.15; 

C & D Service (repairs)-$40.85;

 Cencon of Kansas (rock)-$1353.80; 

CPI (fuel)-$2859.31;

S.S (Fica)- $8931.73;

Eakes (supply)-$20.38;

 First Concord Benefits (fees)-$5.00;

 Village of Guide Rock (utility)-$81.95;

 Hastings Outdoor Power (repairs)-$41.97;

 J & A Auto (repairs)-$152.72;

 Jim’s OK Tires (tires)-$1101.00;

 Krueger Land Surveying (surveys)-$375.00;

 Madison Life (Life)-$4.10; 

Midwest Service & Sales (posts)-$2040.00;

 MIPS, Inc (support)-$113.34; 

Nebraska Salt & Grain (gravel)-$1507.00;

 Nebr Machinery Co (repairs)-$2022.15;

 Olson Ent (fuel)-$9901.27;

 Self-Insured Dental (premiums)-$918.00;

 SCPPD (utility)-$23.36;

 Timm’s Service (fuel)-$2336.15

; Michael Todd & Co (flags)-$261.90;

 Web Co Hospital (testing)-$88.00. 

COUNTY MEDICAL/RELIEF:

Dept of Admin Servs (funding)-$129.00;

 DIVERSION PROGRAM FUND: 

Transunion Rick & Alt Data (online services)-$900.00;

 NOXIOUS WEED FUND: 

Ameritas Life Ins (retirement)-$238.19; 

CPI (fuel)-$125.85; 

S.S. (Fica)-$269.96; 

J & A Auto (repairs)-$143.62; 

Madison Life (life)-$3.15; 

SelfInsured Fund (premium)-$34.00; 

AMBULANCE FUND:

Bio-Electronics (Agreement)-$265.00; 

Olson Enterprises (fuel)- $34.22. 

 Salaries for Employees: (Monthly) 5 County Commissioners: $1,909.62;

 3 County Officials: $4,685.64; 

1 County Official: $5,039.27; 

1 County Official: $5,133.40;

 1 Office Jailer: $400.00; 

1 Chief Deputy Sheriff: $4,150.00;

 3 Deputy Sheriff: $3,750.00;

 1 Deputy Sheriff: $3,550.00;

5 On-Call Compensation:  $50.00;

 3 Deputy County Officials: $3,378.27;

 4 County Officials Office Clerks: $3,088.80; 

1 County Official Office Clerk: $2,600.00; 

1 Chief Dispatcher: $3,350.00;

 1 Dispatcher: $2,950.00;

 1 Dispatcher: $2,730.00;

 1 Veteran Service Officer: $1,267.57;

1 Emergency Manager: $700.00; 

1 Noxious Weed Supt: $3,059.33; 

1 Highway Supt Manager: $4,506.66;

 2 Road Operators: $3,250.00; 

1 Road Operator: $3,163.33;

 1 Road Operator: $3,076.66;

 2 Road Operators: $3,189.33;

 3 Road Operators: $3,206.66;

1 Road Operator: $3,033.33;

 1 Office Manager/Road: $3,163.33; 

1 Office Deputy: $19.49 an hour; 

1 Office Clerk: $17.82 an hour.

 Being no further business, Chairman TJ Vance adjourned the meeting at 12:20 pm. 

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us.

Ardyce Mae (Reis) Burge July 1, 1930 to August 2, 2021

 

Ardyce Mae (Reis) Burge was born July 1, 1930, at the Glasco Hospital, Hastings NE to Frank and Minnie (Gartner) Reis of rural Blue Hill NE. The family moved to the Reis farm near Ayr, NE in 1939. She attended the Batin School, Webster, Co., Science Ridge School and graduated from Roseland High School, both in Adams Co. in 1947. She married Calvin L. Burge September 25, 1948 at Rural Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hastings, NE.  Five children were born to this union – Clinton, Rex, Diana, Janelle and Robin. Their early years were spent in Ayr, Kearney, Topeka, KS, Minden and in 1960 moved to Blue Hill where they raised their family. She was the bookkeeper for Burge & Son Motors & C-L School Buses.

She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church, was a member and officer of WELCA and taught Sunday School. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 176, P.E.O. Chapter W, Blue Hill Chamber of Commerce, now the Community Club. 

After Cal & Ardyce retired, Ardyce enjoyed her time with friends “at coffee”. She liked to keep her scrapbooks and family books, to read, attend all the Blue Hill sporting events, NE volleyball and anything involving her children or grandchildren.

In May 2018 when her kidney disease had advanced she started dialysis at the DaVita Center in Hastings with her son Clint or daughter-in-law Terry taking her to Hastings and her 3 daughters taking her home. She still enjoyed activities, services and Sunday School at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, NE.

She is survived by sons Clint (Terry) Burge of Blue Hill, and Rex (Anita) Burge of Grant; daughters Diana (Bruce) Domeier of Sutton, Janelle (Rob) Lambie of Hastings, and Robin (Dick) Gilbert of Clay Center; grandchildren Carmen ( Mark) King, Krystal (Pat) Vaughn, Nick (Sarah) Burge, Christopher Burge, Timothy (Anna) Burge, Trisha (Randy) Dietz, Renae (Chad) Hart, Brock (Brandee) Domeier, Kiley Domeier, Amy ( Dave) Stevens, Mitch (Abby) Lambie, Jeremy (Erin) VanBoening, Simon (Susan) VanBoening, Josh ( Stacey) VanBoening; step grandchildren Jason (Vicki) Gilbert, Melissa (Brian) Stolley, Danielle (Matt) Anderson; 34 great-grandchildren, 8 step great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother Wilbur Reis of Cincinnati, Ohio, sister-in-law Shirley Allen (Bob Tharp)of Hastings; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Calvin Burge; brothers and sister-in-laws Ryal (Virginia) Reis, Franklin (Ruby) Reis, Janet Reis; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Ron (Sharon) Burge, Marcie (Gene) Coutts, Donna (Paul) Goedert, Wanda (Lee) Wright, Vern Allen; great-grandson Cody Ruegge; niece Rhonda Cox and nephew Eddie Doyle. 

 

Kenneth Gerhard Kirchner January 30, 1928 to July 30, 2021

 

Kenneth Gerhard Kirchner, age 93, passed away at Blue Hill Care Center on July 30, 2021 after a short illness. He was surrounded by his family as he walked into eternity with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Kenneth was born on his family farm south of Lawrence, Nebraska on January 30, 1928. His parents were John and Clara Kirchner, who made the farmstead home for 8 children.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings (Eleanora, Walter, Lydia, Wilfred, Robert, Donald, and Mildred).

Ken graduated from Lawrence High School in 1945. He took over the family farm at age 19 due to his father’s early death.  He applied himself to his farm duties and was content raising his family with Mom and serving his church and local community. Ken served and attended Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont.

On November 2, 1952, Kenneth married Margaret Dorothy Heineman and shared many adventures over the next 65 years. They raised seven children: Marvin (Carol) Kirchner – Kevin, Scott and Lisa; Wilbur (Patricia) Kirchner – Rebecca, Matthew, Rachel and Hannah; Connie (Courtney) Meyer – Caleb, Joshua and Anna; nephew Randall (Cindy) Linke – Misty, Mandy and Randall; Linda (Kyle) Hollman – Nora and Trent, James (Jackie) Kirchner – Joseph, Jami and Tara; and Beth (Scott) Bowman – Christine, Nathan and nieces Abigail and Olivia. Over the years Ken and Margaret delighted to watch their kids, grandkids, great-grandkids (14), and one great-great grandchild begin their own adventures in life, which was “icing on the cake” of lives well lived!

Kenneth had broad interests. He was a dreamer/doer - widely read in Christian & world history, economics, politics, technology, poetry, philosophy…and farming.  He was opinionated and vocal but loved the polemic (discourse) as much as the politics.  You could pick the topic and the position, and he would debate the other side.  He was a “go to” guy in the community for many construction/trade skills…as well as general wisdom.

Ken was a servant leader.  He was Sunday School superintendent in his church for over 25 years, representative to national church conventions, taught shop skills in 4-H, served on the local school board for 12 years, served on the Rural Electric Association BOD for 28 years…did the dishes and was always a ready hand to help neighbors.  He was Mom’s primary care giver during her illness until her death in 2018.

Dad loved Jesus…but wouldn’t say it that way.  He led his family as a Godly father - baptized and confirmed, disciplined and encouraged, cheered and celebrated, sacrificed and supported.  Family devotions were never missed.  He rarely said “I love you” which is just “not the German way”.  He occasionally said, “I’m proud of you”, but showed it much more frequently in other ways…bragging effusively about his children when they were not within ear shot.  He brightened when any of his children or grandchildren called and was an encourager as they faced life’s challenges.

Ken blessed his family.  Love was unconditional, encouragement genuine and timely, and wise counsel available whenever needed.  He will be sorely missed by his kids and grandkids, extended family and many, many friends. He was at peace as his final days approached and believed with all his heart Jesus’ words to Martha in John 11: 25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (NIV)

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am Saturday August 7, 2021 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont, Nebraska. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery near the intersection of Rd 2400 and Rd S in Webster Co.  Visitation will be Friday 5-7:00 pm at Merten-Butler Funeral Home in Blue Hill, Nebraska.  The family requests you bring/send a card with a special memory of Ken, rather than flowers. Donations may be made in Ken’s honor to Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

 

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Louan J. Meyer December 7, 1931 to August 1, 2021`

 Blue Hill resident Louan J. Meyer, 89, passed away Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Memorial Service will be 10:30 am, Friday, Aug. 6, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating. Inurnment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Blue Hill. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

Louan was born on Dec. 7, 1931, in Blue Hill, the daughter of Alfred and Evelyn (Borcherding) Frahm. She graduated from Blue Hill High School with the class of 1949. Louan married Marlin Meyer on Feb. 19, 1950. Early in their marriage, they lived in Portland, OR. In 1954, they moved to the Sheridan Ranch near Ayr, and then to Lone Oak, the Meyer family farm, near Blue Hill, where they farmed together and raised their family. Louan worked at WB Pack in Blue Hill, and the Blue Hill Bank. In 1990, Marlin and Louan returned to the west coast where he worked for Hewlett-Packard. They later retired to The Blumenthal Farm near Ayr. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings. Louan enjoyed birdwatching, canning, and spending time outside in her flower garden.

Louan is survived by her children, Wesley (Christine) Meyer of Milwaukee, WI, Pat (Warren) Evans of Ayr, Sue (Ken) Parr of Kenesaw, and Ron (Peggy) Meyer of Blue Hill; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings, Arlys Kranau, Thomas (Mary) Frahm, and Gerald (Cindy) Frahm; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Karen Schleeter; and brother, Randy Frahm.

Memorials may be given to her family for a later designation.

Condolences can be left at www.dewittfuneral.com.