Commissioners hear road flooding damage estimates

McCOOK, Neb. — Needed road repairs resulting from the Memorial Day weekend downpour will add to Red Willow County commissioners’ worries for months to come, not to mention how to pay for them.

Five structures costing about $230,000 to repair could qualify for an 80-20 federal match since they lie on “major collector roads,” provided Gov. Jim Pillen declares the flooding to be a natural disaster, which commissioners had not heard of yet at Monday’s meeting.

But there are at least seven other structures on non-qualifying county roads needing repairs, including a concrete box culvert that could cost $128,000 or more, according to a telephone call from Kevin Petross of Miller & Associates, the county’s engineers.

Most of the other structures are metal culvert tubes, which were washed out, plugged up or otherwise rendered unusable.

Such was the case of a driveway issue brought to the commissioners by rural resident Roger Moreau during the public comment portion of the commissioners’ meeting. Chairman Ted Gans explained that two culvert tubes were washed out for Moreau’s property and a neighbor and will require repair and replacement.

Despite a state auditor’s concerns about other counties making what he called unauthorized donations to non-profit organizations, commissioners approved support to the Family Resource center to be increased from $6,500 to $7,000 for the next fiscal year.

During an annual report, Executive Director Kathy Haas said the center, from July 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, provided parenting support to 43 families, nearly 600 people in the children’s clothing exchange program and more than 200 families with clothing giveaways, school supplies for more than 90 children, support for 54 foster families, free food, baby food and formula to nearly 70 families, books for 107 families and myriad other services.

She said one of the main goals was to reduce stress to families and lower the likelihood of abuse.

On a modest budget of about $58,000 a year, the Family Resource Center serves an average of 25 to 40 families a week.

Last year’s income included $5,534 from fundraisers, $10,095 from donations, $8,916 from Big Give McCook 2022 and $4,964 set aside from the previous year, $25,400 from counties, $3,000 from grants.

Kyle Joyce, executive director of Region II Services, and Mary Lawson, director of the Southwest Area Training Services updated commissioners on their organizations’ activities, Region II currently serves 151 people with developmental disabilities in 17 counties, including 28 in Red Willow County.

SWATS is celebrating 50 years of service this year, and in conjunction with Vocational Rehabilitation, supports workers in cleaning services and fast food, as well as regional factors, as well as volunteering at the McCook Pantry, Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.

Clients participate in the community mural project, use the YMCA, are working with the McCook Art Guild to create products for sale have taken or plan trips to South Dakota, Branson and Chicago.

After a presentation by representatives of 20/20 Technologies and Viaero Wireless, commissioners voted unanimously to use ARPA funds to pay $8,098 to 20/20 to provide and set up cell phones, GPS and payroll software for county road crews. The new system will allow employees to clock in on those cell phones while helping supervisors coordinate the work they are doing. Commissioners cited examples where such information could have saved time and money by keeping track of where workers are.

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the state regarding a plan to update Webex and zoom equipment in the county and district courtrooms. The state will provide the equipment, which will be turned over to the county after five years, but the county will be required to upgrade wiring, at an estimated cost of about $5,000.

Val Jansante of U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith’s office said he attended meetings regarding the Bureau of Reclamation’s plans for Hugh Butler and Swanson reservoirs and was forwarding information to Washington, saying there were some 160 homes on those lakes. He also said the congressman was working on improving access to medical care including home dialysis and allowing more providers to order specific treatments, as well as eliminating tariffs on baby formula.

On the consent agenda, Commissioner Randy Dean pulled one item from accounts payable, a payment to Honor Bound IT, until user names and passwords could be obtained. Another item was delayed for approval until Sheriff Kevin Darling explained later in the meeting the plans for taser replacement.

He said nine tasers for officers and jailers had “sunsetted” — no longer supported with software — and would be traded in for new models. A suit used for dog training was also declared surplus.

Commissioners also corrected an armor coating bid to designate the proper product, officially awarding a bid of $129,337.50 to B & H Paving for MC3000 oil, which is a lower diesel content paving material than an alternative.