National Heritage Area, 1935 flood county topics for commissioners

McCOOK, Neb. –– The controversial National Heritage Area proposal and cleaning up property lines scrambled by the 1935 flood were among topics for Monday’s meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners.

Dale Cotton of McCook Army Air Base Historical Society spoke in support of the National Heritage Area proposal, an idea opposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts and others concerned about government overreach.

The Red Cloud Tourism & Commerce is seeking nonprofit status for a proposed Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership, which would raise money for a feasibility study for the possible creation of a Kansas Nebraska National Heritage Area. It would include the southern three tiers of counties in Nebraska, from Red Willow and Frontier Counties on the west to Gage County on the east, and the northern three tiers of counties in Kansas, from Decatur and Sheridan counties on the west to Marshall and Pottawatomie counties on the east. More information is available at www.visitredcloud.

Proponents see it as a way to attract funding to promote tourism, while opponents fear it could impinge on landowners’ rights.

The board approved a resolution for a study and public hearings to establish property lines, county easements, abandoned property and a bridge constructed after the 1935 flood. The county highway superintendent will have 30 days to complete a study in preparation for public hearings for landowner input.

In the consent agenda, commissioners:

-- approved accounts payable claims for $148,827.85

-- Created a budget line item for anticipated American Rescue Funds, pandemic funding expected to be received in May and designated for specific uses.

-- Approved a request from the McCook Public Power District to cross a road with an underground electric cable.

-- Approved a two-year contract with attorney Ryan Wilcox as public defender for $78,000 a year or $6,500 a month.

Commissioners also met as a board of equalization to approve two tax-roll corrections concerning a homestead exemption that was denied and personal property with accelerated taxes.