Commissioner reorganize at first meeting of the year

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners gathered for their annual reorganization and discussed various other matters Tuesday, in a regular meeting delayed a day by the weather.

Doug Terry, the county surveyor, and Roger Nelms were among the citizens who shared their thoughts during the public participation portion of the meeting.

Terry raised concerns about damaged or missing government corners during his surveys, leading to a discussion about budgetary considerations for resetting these corners.

Nelms suggested blacktopping Road 719 from U.S. Highway 83 to East 11th to address dust issues caused by heavy traffic.

The meeting proceeded with routine items, including reviewing miscellaneous accounts payable claims and addressing tax roll corrections and motor vehicle exemption renewals.

Crystal Dack, the treasurer, presented tax roll corrections and motor vehicle exemption renewals, which were approved by the commissioners.

The Board of Commissioners underwent its annual reorganization, retaining current officers including chairman and vice chairman of the board and board of equalization, and appointments to various committees.

Ted Gans was reelected chairman and Randy Dean vice chairman, with Randy Dean reelected chairman of the board of equalization and Charles Fritsche vice-chairman.

Other noteworthy appointments included Chairman Gans being reappointed to the Board of Health, Southwest Health Department, Fair Board, County Health Board, and E911 Committee.

The meeting covered several appointments for the upcoming year, such as the renewal of the contract with County Road Superintendent Chris Miller and the designation of Billy Cole as the Household Hazardous Waste Director and Sonya Prentice as Noxious Weed Superintendent.

Additionally, the commissioners reviewed audit findings, addressing issues related to child support budgeting and delays in submitting inventories for hazardous waste and noxious weed departments.

Concluding the meeting, the Consent Agenda included approving accounts payable, signing agreements related to bridge inspections, and authorizing various chair signatures on important documents.

Notable decisions included the approval of a road occupancy permit agreement with a telecom company and the selection of Midwest Services for the purchase of motor grader blades, accepting a bid of $33,075.71.

The commissioners also discussed plans to replace an aging backhoe and shared correspondence, including a notification from BNSF about bridge replacement on Dr. 717. The meeting wrapped up with reports from the District Court Clerk and the Sheriff’s Office, detailing revenue generated in the previous month.

The courthouse will be closed Jan. 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the commissioners’ next regular meeting is Jan. 22.