Help wanted: Red Willow County still looking for jailers

McCOOK, Neb. — With the last of the $2 million in pandemic relief funds expended or committed, Red Willow County Commissioners grappled with expenses associated with a shortage of jailers and a damaged semi- trailer.

In the accounts payable claims, Commissioner Randy Dean pulled a $26,535 bill from the Lincoln County Jail for housing Red Willow County prisoners.

After discussion among commissioners and Sheriff Kevin Darling, the item was modified to be paid from the budget of the sheriff’s department, which is understaffed by about eight jailers and several deputies.

The jail was shut down for a time while rust in jail cells were repaired, but in the interim, a number of jailers left for other employment.

The sheriff said two new jailers had to go to the state training center.

The North Platte jail charges Red Willow County $55, $65 and $75 a day, depending on the amount of security required for each prisoner, with most at the $55 rate.

After modifying the payment, commissioners approved accounts payable as $486,611.44.

After discussion about a damaged semi trailer, County Fair Manager Jiles Bowman agreed to contact a repair business to see if repairs are possible or if it would make more sense to replace the trailer.

Commissioners also talked with Teresa Thomas of the extension office, and awarded a $12,740 contract to 2020 Technologies for new cabling in the office. Applied Connective Technologies submitted another informal bid for $15,059.08.

Projects over $50,000 require formal sealed bidding process.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following corrects a reference to McCook Housing Partners:

Correspondence included notice that the McCook Housing Partners had appealed to the state Tax Equalization & Review Commission the $1.3 million valuation on Kelley Creek Apartments and the City of McCook notified the county that tipping fees will increase from $83 a ton to $86.