Loan papers updated by county commissioners

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County, Nebraska, commissioners Monday morning approved the removal of one name from a county loan, a co-signer assuring board members that the change in the membership of the LLC won't affect repayment of the loan.

Commission chairman Earl McNutt told fellow commissioners, county attorney Paul Wood and Cal Siegfried of Willow Creek Meats LLC, "I just want somebody to pay back the loan. And I'm sure they will. Two or three (names on loan papers) doesn't matter to the board."

Siegfried and partner Scott Carlin are in the process of buying out Leigh Hoyt's share of Willow Creek Meats and have asked commissioners to approve the removal of Hoyt's name from a $124,145 loan made to Willow Creek Meats in May 2008. The company has always been current on its payments.

Wood said that a loan modification agreement written by Cody Siegfried, Cal Siegfried's and Carlin's attorney, "looks satisfactory," that removing one name still leaves "other signatories on the hook," both as individuals and as members of the LLC.

Siegfried told board members that the operation of Willow Creek Meats won't change, nor will their ability to repay the county loan.

Commissioners unanimously approved the removal of Hoyt's name from loan papers.

In other action:

Commissioners heard from weed control specialist Bill Elliott that improvements were made last year in some perennial thistle problems. "Most people did well," Elliott said. "Some really bad spots got sprayed. One that's been a headache for quite a while got double sprayed."

Elliott forewarned commissioners that the weed killer 2,4-D and other products containing 2,4-D are going to be "real hard to get," not necessarily because of cost or resistance issues, but because of availability from domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Commissioners heard from Wes Bradish and Nate Eckloff of RBC Capital Markets of Denver, Colorado, proposing their company for financing services if commissioners should decide to build a county jail. Eckloff said interest rates are the lowest in 40 years, and he told commissioners now may be the time to build. "It won't be any cheaper," he said.

Bradish said it's a priority of his company to sell as many bonds locally as possible.

Jeff Kinney, a former McCook resident and MHS and University of Nebraska football standout, works for RBC Capital Markets in its Denver office, and would be involved in the jail financing project, Eckloff said.

Commissioners signed a memorandum of understanding for the Juvenile Services Aid Program for 2012-13, for Red Willow County's juvenile diversion program coordinated in McCook by Lutheran Family Services and funded with a Nebraska Crime Commission County Aid Juvenile Justice Grant.

Red Willow County surveyor Gary Dicenta told commissioners that 22 bridges inspected have no major concerns, just normal maintenance and removal of trash. He recommended that some trees be cut and taken out of the channel. The county has about 44 bridges, half of which are inspected on a yearly rotating cycle.

Commissioners signed an agreement with the Nebraska Department of Roads to obtain federal aid funding of $1,153.70 for a 2012 fracture critical bridge inspection on a bridge in far southeast Red Willow County over the Silver Creek. The county's share of the inspection will be $288.43.

Commissioners approved the appointment of Keri Waddle to the Red Willow County Health Board, replacing Mary Eklund. Waddle's term will expire January 1015.