County Prepares to Submit Budget Proposal

The Custer County Board of Supervisors heard multiple budget requests at its Tuesday morning meeting. The Board of Supervisors will submit a budget proposal to the state by September 20 and will make all decisions before then. Scott Reynolds and Travis Schauda with the Custer County Ag Society presented last year’s improvements that were made at the fairgrounds, completed with the help of the capital improvement funds from the county. The two representatives also estimate that between the nearly 60 events the fairgrounds hosts each year, approximately $1,150,500 tourism dollars are spent in Custer County (number based off 11,505 event attendees spending $100 per day). Last year the board approved $113,850 plus $35,000 for capital improvements. Barry Fox and the board plan to look into the levy applied before making any decisions. The Ag Society was also approved for a special designated liquor license to be used during the Mid-State Finals September 15-17. Other items approved included the semi-annual County Treasurer statement and an updated Child Support Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services. Amy Oxford said the updated plan deals with a contract for services and federal and state reimbursement. The LLNRD Hazard Mitigation plan was also approved. Donna Glendy with the Seven Valley Historical Society thanked the board for past support and requested $6,000--$2,000 more than last year. Glendy said the museum has updated the building and recently added a display room and a website. The Sargent Airport requested $2,500 from the county, same amount as last year. Two public hearings were held and Road #1246 has been relinquished to the Custer Township. More than 10 people came for the public hearing of Road #1543 and they were against closing the road. The board denied the petition because closing the road would land lock properties. Dee Adams with the Custer County Historical Society requested $8,000, same as last year. Emory Haynes appeared for budget review on behalf of the Veteran’s office. Three petitions to the Tax Equalization Review Committee (TERC) were discussed. Grassland Area I and Home Site/Farm Site studies were not approved to move forward with a petition. Matt Eggleston spoke on behalf of the Callaway Residential study and argues that the method for collecting data was not as effective as it could be. He made a motion to move forward with the petition to express to TERC what the county believes some of the values should be. According to County Attorney Steve Bowers, the petition needs to be submitted by tomorrow if the board has enough information. At the July 11 Supervisors Meeting, the board approved to temporarily close a three-mile section of the Cozad-Callaway County Road for the One Mile Shootout Race on Friday, August 11 at 8am. On Saturday, August 12, the Arnold-Dunning Road will be closed for the Sandhills Open Road Challenge Race at 8:30am.