Bronson Alan Gerloff September 14, 1985 December 27, 2021

 Bronson Alan Gerloff, 36, Ayr, passed away on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings. Graveside service will be Thursday, Dec. 30, 2 p.m. at the Blue Hill Cemetery with Rev. Jeffrey Kuddes officiating. There will be no visitation.

Memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department and EMT’S. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, is in charge of arrangements.

Bronson was born on Sept. 14, 1985 to Bruce A. and Marilyn F. (Stevens) Gerloff in Omaha. He attended Ayr Elementary School and Blue Hill Public Schools. He loved to play video games and liked his cats and dog.

Bronson is survived by his father and mother, Bruce and Marilyn Gerloff of Ayr; brother and sister-in-law, Aaron (Robin) Gerloff of Juniata; niece and nephews, Ainsley, Beck and Blake Gerloff; aunts; uncles; cousins; and friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Maxine Gerloff, Wendel and Ruby Stevens; and uncle, Tim Stevens.

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS December 21, 2021

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, December 21st, 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, by zoom (District Three), Tim Gilbert (District Four), and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five). 

Vice Chairman Ratzlaff gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made and seconded and approved to accept the minutes of the December 7th, 2021 meeting. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to pay claims and payroll. All voted in favor therefore the motion carried

 Highway Manager, Paul Stoner reported that tubes that were ordered have arrived but are the wrong ones. The bridge north of Kohmetscher’s is being replaced. Parts ordered for the Peterbuilt truck arrived.  Road crews are very busy. NextEra has been working on their projects. 

 Board discussed the HVAC System. Tim Gilbert reported Barton is ready to start building the fence. 

 The Board discussed the Employee Handbook. The Handbook will be completed and sent to the Board for their January meeting to approve and sign. At 9:15am, the Board went over the bids submitted on 2022 Adams County Resurfacing & Bladen Avenue Reconstruction. Bids were received from Vontz Paving & Werner Construction. The board approved Vontz Paving..

. The Christmas Party was discussed. It will be held January 16,2022 at the Red Cloud Golf Course. 

 Clerk Petsch presented the unpaid Claims Report submitted each year in June and December stating there were no unpaid claims. No report on COVID money or Jail/Sheriff Building. 

 Assessor Sonja Krueger met with the board on Tax Corrections. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to go into Board of Equalization Hearings. Voting in favor: Vance (by zoom), Ratzlaff, Gilbert, Karr and Shipman. Voting nay, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. 8 Tax Corrections were gone over and approved by the Board. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve and sign the Tax Corrections. Voting in favor: Vance (by zoom), Ratzlaff, Gilbert, Karr and Shipman. Voting nay, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Gilbert to go out of Board of Equalization Hearings. All members voted in favor: 

 Webster County Assessor Sonja Krueger requested the Boards permission for an estimate from County Surveyor Thomas Krueger to surveying property in Red Cloud that needs correction. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to contact Thomas Krueger and report cost to the Board. All voted in favor.

Rick Calkins from Alma, NE and Gene Horne met with the Board on EMS services. They discussed how to attract people to serve as EMTs and Drivers for the Ambulance Services. He suggested maybe working with the Fire Departments, rural Fire Boards and City/Village Boards. 

Webster County has a shortage of EMS people and need something formed in order to serve the people with ambulance services. 

Jennifer Reiman from Glenwood met with the Board to discuss fiber network in the Guide Rock area. They have applied for a Grant to give the area better service. The Board called Rod Johnson, Public Service Commissioner to let him know the Board is interested in this type of service. 

 Total Wages - $149,505.42 

GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Health)-$7400.62; Black Hills Energy (Utility)- $73.38; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Premium)-$20,285.22; CEI Security (Repairs)-$381.00; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)- $2158.24; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Dues)-$225.52; S.S. (Fica)-$7882.43; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)- $230.46; First Concord Benefits Group (Fees)-$17.50; First Concord Benefits Group (Buydown)-$225.00; Hometown Market (Supply)-$402.74; IAAO (Dues)-$225.00; Kenny’s Hardware and Home Center (Supply)-$19.98; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$31.19; Midland Area Agency on Aging (Transit)-$1777.00; Mips (Support/Supply)-$681.50; Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc (Phones)-$49.80; Petsch Electric, LLC (Repairs)-$572.31; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$2904.00; Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$783.36; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$24.56; Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$2565.00; Ken VanWey (Mowing/Trimming)-$645.00; Viaero Wireless (Phones)-$19.38; Webster County Hospital Clinic (Flu Shot)-$50.00. 

ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Health)-$2704.82; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$30.25; Village of Bladen (Utility)-$59.68; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Premium)-$10,330.10; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel/Supply)-$2366.65; S.S. (Fica)-$3014.65; Fleetpride (Supply)-$41.50; J&A Auto Supply (Supply)-$374.35; Jim’s OK Tires (Repairs)-$705.00; Kenny’s Hardware and Home Center (Supply)-$8.00; L&M Tire (Supply)-$77.95; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$4.10; Matt Friend Truck Equip, Inc (Repairs)-$335.42; NAPA Auto Parts (Supply)-$650.77; Nebraska Tractor & Equip Co (Supply)-$222.00; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs/Supply)-$6400.85; Oak Creed Engineering, LLC (Fees)-$952.50; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel/Repairs)-$7294.03; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$918.00; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$2112.99; St of NE-Dept of Administrative Services (Supply)-$42.23; Timm’s Service (Fuel)-$1274.56; Western Pathology Consultants (Supply)- $28.25. 

ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: Oak Creed Engineering, LLC (Project)-$4188.70. 

SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Sean M Daly, D.D.S. (Dental)-$368.00; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$2547.96. 

COUNTY MEDICAL/RELIEF FUND: NE Health & Human Services System (Lincoln/Beatrice)-$186.00; Williams Funeral Home (Co. Burial)-$1500.00. 

NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Health)-$238.19; S.S. (Fica)-$269.96; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)- $3.15; Nebraska Weed Control Assn-Region (Dues)-$210.00; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$34.00. 

5502 RC AMBULANCE SERVICE #1 FUND: Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$119.47; Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc (Supply)-$28.00; McKesson Medical-Surgical (Supply)-$96.95; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$133.38. 

5503 BH AMBULANCE SERVICE #2 FUND: Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$258.50.  

Vice Chairman Gary Ratzlaff adjourned the meeting at 11:05am.

 The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 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. 

Ramona Lucy Arterburn Buschow December 19, 1932 to December 8, 2021

 Ramona Lucy (Arterburn) Buschow was born Dec. 19, 1932, to Albert (Tate) and Florence (Durdin) Arterburn on a farm in Webster County. On Dec. 8, 2021, she left this world to be with God for eternity; she was 88.

Ramona was baptized and confirmed at Holy Trinity Church in Blue Hill. Ramona started her education at School District #63 and finished at Blue Hill Community School.

She was married to Homer (Jake) Buschow on Oct. 28, 1950 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Blue Hill; four boys were born from this union: Mike, Roger, Keith, and Jim.

During the first 10 years of her marriage, she was involved in the farming operation with her husband and started a family. In the early 60’s, Ramona started working in the school cafeteria preparing lunch for all the students (when meals were made from scratch). She enjoyed being around all the children and finally retired some 40 years later. Always willing to help, she made many trips to the nursing home to visit the residents and help them play bingo. The home acknowledged her dedication by presenting her with a certificate of appreciation.

Ramona was very involved with her family, taking the four boys to 4-H, scout meetings, and a bus load of sporting events. There was practice and games and a ton of dirty uniforms. At one point in her life, she would have six football uniforms a week to wash, and there was no way she would let a single grass stain remain.

Birthdays were important to her. It didn’t matter how old the guest of honor was, mom would insist on a birthday party with cake and ice cream.

Ramona loved being a grandma. She especially enjoyed rocking the babies, making them cookies, and spoiling them rotten. She would never miss a birthday.

Ramona loved family get-togethers. In the earlier days, we would have family reunions out at the farm. She would start preparing for the reunion months in advance. Pretty much driving us crazy with the work she wanted done before the reunion day. There would be mowing and painting and a list that seem to never stop. She began cooking days ahead of time to make sure we had plenty of desserts to go around. But it was all worth it to see her smile while hugging all those family visitors.

Ramona is survived by her four sons and their spouses, Mike and Liz Buschow, Keith and Patti Buschow, Jim and Julie Buschow all of Blue Hill, and Roger and Lynn Buschow of Alpine, WY; nine grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren.

Ramona is preceded in death by her parents; and her husband.

Rosary will be Sunday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. at Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, and Mass will be Monday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Blue Hill, with Father Adam Sparling officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Blue Hill.

Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 12, from 1-8 p.m. at Merten-Butler Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the church. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Webster County Board of Commissioners December 7, 2021 meeting.

 Webster County board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, December 7,2021 for their regular Business Meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud, Nebraska. 

The following Board Members were present: Dan Shipman (1), Trevor Karr (2), TJ Vance (3), Tim Gilbert (4), and Gary Ratzlaff (5). 

Motion was made and seconded and approved to accept the minutes of the November 16, 2021 meeting.

 Motion was made by Gilbert, seconded by Karr to pay claims and payroll. All voted in favor.

 Highway Manager, Paul Stoner met with the Board. Paul and the Board discussed the bid letting for Bladen Road and other matters concerning this project. The crews are busy putting in tubes, repairing more equipment, improving roads with dirt and doing culvert work.

The Board reviewed the Interlocal Agreement with Adams County. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve Resolution 44-2021 and sign the document. All voted in favor.

The Board discussed new Official Salaries for 2023 thru 2026 4-year term. 

Two different Resolutions had been looked. 

Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Ratzlaff to go with new salaries for all county officials effective January 1, 2023, through 2026. Voting in favor: Vance, Ratzlaff and Shipman. Voting no: Gilbert and Karr.  Motion carried. 

 The Board discussed the HVAC Fence. 

The Board discussed their Bid Letting for Adams County Resurfacing & Bladen Ave Reconstruction. 

County Clerk/Ambulance Accountant, Liz Petsch presented Ambulance Reports for Red Cloud and Blue Hill for quarterly reviews. 

Clerk Petsch and Abbey Harig discussed with the Board County Burial Cremations. The Board felt the remains of the previous burial would be given to the family as they qualified for the guidelines to receive assistance in this case. 

Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Ratzlaff to this decision. 4 members voted in favor with 1 member voting no. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Gilbert to rescind previous motion of County Officials new 4-year term salaries for 2023 through 2026. Voting in favor: 4 members voted in favor of this motion. 1 member voted no. Motion carried. 

Motion was then made by Vance, seconded by Gilbert to give County Officials (excluding County Commissioners) the 3.2% increase in salary for term of 2023 through 2026. Voting in favor: 4 members. Voting Nay: 1 member. Motion carried. 

Resolution 45-2021 was signed with no increase in salary for the County Commissioners new 4-year terms. 

Assessor Sonja Krueger met with the Board on Holiday days off. Since Christmas Day falls on Saturday this year, employees will be given the day off on Friday the 24th. Since New Year’s Day falls on Saturday, the Courthouse will remain open to the public on the 31st . 

Clerk Petsch discussed surplus items with the Board. Items to be disposed of will be placed on first floor of Courthouse to accept bids on. We will publish this in advance. 

The Board discussed the Christmas Party. It will be Sunday, January 16th. More details later in December payroll. 

Treasurer, Janet Knehans presented an application for appointment for County Depositories and an Application for exemption for Head Start.

 Deputy Tami Scheuneman presented 2 Tax Corrections for the Board to approve. 

Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to go into Board of Equalization. All voted in favor.

 Treasurer Knehans presented an application from Head Start for a vehicle to be tax exempt. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve of this exemption. All voted in favor.

 Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Gilbert to approve of 2 Tax Corrections on name change Deputy Scheuneman presented to the Board. Voting in favor: Vance, Ratzlaff, Gilbert, Karr and Shipman. Voting nay, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried.

 Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to go out of Board of Equalization. All members voted in favor.

 COVID money will hopefully be discussed at the NACO Convention this week. 

Clerk Petsch submitted the Clerk of District Court Fee Report and the Imprest Account for review. 

Assessor Krueger met on the Personnel Policy. This meeting continued after the Board meeting was adjourned. 

 Total Wages - $14,828.27. 

GENERAL FUND:

 Ameritas Life Insurance Crop (Health)-$563.35;

 Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Premium)-$939.10;

 Blue Hill Leader (Publish/Subscription)-$290.82;

 Katie Bolte (Expense)-$63.84; 

Business World Prod/Hastings (Supply)-$64.58;

 Calkins Law Office (Contract)-$1000.00; 

DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Dues)-$448.00; 

S.S. (Fica)-$607.36;

 Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$699.56;

 First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$361.53; 

Great Plains Communications (Phones)-$1048.82;

 Holling Plumbing (Repairs)-$183.98;

 Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$129.00; 

IAAO (Dues)-$225.00;

 Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$15.00; 

Kenny’s Hardware and Home Center (Supply)-$3.24;

 Lancaster County Sheriff (Fees)-$7.77;

 LEAF (Lease)- $424.45; 

Midwest Connect (Supply)-$54.00;

 Mips (Support)-$37.50; 

Mips Inc (Support)-$2405.83; 

Alexa Pedersen (Expense)-$58.24;

 Premier Custom Building (Repairs)-$1700.00;

 Red Cloud Chief (Publish)-$787.88; 

City of Red Cloud (Utility)-$1248.05

Sam’s Club (Supply)-$64.24; 

Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$34.00; 

South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$24.55; 

Superior Publishing Co Inc (Supply)-$335.00; 

Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$570.00; 

Thomson Reuters – West (Legal Search)-$174.25; 

Tru-Built Construction (Repairs)-$14611.39; 

Tyler Technologies (Support)-$449.00; 

Veterans Information Service (Supply)-$28.00; 

Village Pharmacy (Supply)-$101.84; 

Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund (Petty Cash)-$130.72; 

Webster Co Clk District Crt (Fees)-$71.00; 

 Williams Exterminating, Inc (Pest Control)-$88.00; 

Woodward’s Disposal Service (Utility)-$25.00. 

ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: 

Heath Arterburn (Expense)-$120.00; 

Nevin Arterburn (Expense)-$120.00; 

Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$44.57;

 Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc (Gravel)-$90,327.95;

 City of Blue Hill (Utility)-$113.46;

 Country Corner (Fuel)-$99.51; 

Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$11.65; 

First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$105.99; 

Fleetpride (Supply)-$81.89; 

Monte Garvin (Expense)-$120.00; 

Glenwood Telecommunications (Phones)-$105.58; 

Great Plains Communications (Phones)-$50.08; 

Linda Grummert (Prior Service)-$57.00;

 Village of Guide Rock (Utility)-$82.65;

 Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$86.37; 

Michael Hunt (Expense)-$120.00;

 John Deere Financial (Supply)-$521.06;

 Ken Kort (Expense)-$120.00;

 Pat Kucera (Expense)-$135.50; 

LRNRD Rural Water Project (Water)-$22.21; 

Matt Friend Truck Equip, Inc (Supply)-$335.42; 

Mips Inc (Support)-$113.34; 

Monica Montgomery (Expense)-$120.00;

 Newman Signs, Inc (Signs)-$559.67;

 David Niles (Expense)-$120.00; 

Nebraska Machinery Co (Supply/Repairs)-$6800.27; 

R&M Disposal LLC (Utility)- $55.00;

 Michael Reiman (Expense)-$120.00; 

South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$138.49; 

Starlite Supplies Inc (Gravel)-$499.00; 

 Paul Stoner (Expense)-$120.00;

 Marvin Webber (Expense)-$120.00; 

Windstream (Phones)-$79.58; 

Kary Winslow (Expense)-$120.00.

 VISITOR PROMOTION FUND:

 Blue Hill Community Club (Grant)-$330.00. 

MODERN RECORDS FUND: 

Mips Inc (Support)-$138.00.

 SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND:

Minden Dental Clinic (Dental)-$252.80; 

Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$1040.60; 

RC Wilson & SA Wilson D.D.S., PC (Dental)-$110.00.

 COUNTY MEDICAL/RELIEF FUND: 

NE Health & Human Services System (Lincoln/Beatrice)- $186.00; 

Williams Funeral Home (Co. Burial)-$1500.00. 

COVID AMERICAN RESCUE ACT FUND:

 LUTZ (Support)-$1836.25. 

 INHERITANCE TAX FUND:

 Whitney, Newman, Mersch, Otto, Grafton (Refund)-$721.34

. HOSPITAL BOND FUND:

 Union Bank & Trust Company (Fees)-$137.00. 

NOXIOUS WEED FUND: 

Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$99.01;

 Brian Pedersen (Expense)-$407.72. 

5502 RC AMBULANCE SERVICE #1 FUND: 

S.S. (Fica)-$226.40; 

Great Plains Communications (Phones)-$49.27;

 Ostdiek Printing (Supply)- $54.00;

 Petsch Billing (Contract)-$250.00. 

5503 BH AMBULANCE SERVICE #2 FUND: 

Bound Tree Medical LLC (Supply)-$83.02; 

S. S. (Fica)-$293.87; 

Ostdiek Printing (Supply)-$54.00;

 Petsch Billing (Contract)-$250.00. 

 Being no further business, Chairman TJ Vance adjourned the meeting at 11:30am. 

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 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.