Counties to study cooperation

Red Willow County commissioners and commissioners from Frontier, Furnas, Hitchcock and Hayes counties will investigate how their counties can cooperate and and save money.

Red Willow's county board started the process during its regular meeting Monday morning, inviting commissioners to a brainstorming session and creating a new committee called the "Southwest Nebraska County Cooperation Committee" or "CCC."

"Surely there are some ways we can see benefits," said Red Willow County board chairman Earl McNutt. Frontier County Commissioner Robert Jack said, "There's a lot to be pursued."

Leigh Hoyt, Red Willow County's District 3 commissioner, asked whether the counties could share equipment, cooperate on services or consolidate offices. Could the counties, for example, purchase a big scraper or excavator and share it, rather than it sitting idle a great deal of the time in one county?

Leon Kolbet, Hayes County commissioner, said his county could not afford a scraper, and contracts with private companies for the completion of the county's major road work.

So, would it be less expensive if the counties worked together to purchase the scraper, or even to hire a contractor?

Could the counties share officials, such as a veterans' service officer? Robert Jack of Frontier County said, "The secret is that the people know who to call."

Red Willow County Assessor Sandra Kotschwar asked if the counties could share a full-time appraiser to determine the value of commercial and oil/mineral properties for which Red Willow County has to hire an outside appraiser. Kotschwar said she thought it might be less expensive to hire someone to share, rather than hiring someone on contract.

Other services that could be shared by more than one county include those of zoning administrator, weed supervisor, roads supervisor or emergency management coordinator.

Frontier County Commissioner Kevin Owens asked about the possibility of building and operating a multi-county regional jail.

McNutt admitted to the group that he is concerned that the new jail being investigated by Red Willow County would impact jail operations in Hitchcock and Frontier counties.

Leon Kolbet, Hayes County commissioner, said his county is content to use jail facilities in Trenton and Curtis. "We could haul 10 to 15 prisoners a month and still be way ahead," Kolbet said, explaining it is not feasible to even think of reopening jail facilities in Hayes Center.

Kolbet said Hayes County already shares a county attorney with Perkins County.

McNutt and fellow commissioner Steve Downer agreed they would talk about the idea of a regional jail with representatives of the firm completing Red Willow County's jail study.

Owens suggested creating the committee of board representatives to keep the talks moving forward. None of the commissioners from outside Red Willow County took any action to appoint their representatives at this informal 1 1/2-hour brainstorming meeting, but each board will discuss it at its next meeting.

Hoyt volunteered and was appointed to represent Red Willow County on the new CCC.