The Custer County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning, October 28 at the Custer County Courthouse. All members of the Board were present for Tuesday’s meeting.
Board Approves Patrol Cruiser for Sheriff’s Department
An item generating significant discussion among the board, two bids were received and reviewed to provide an updated vehicle for the Custer County Sheriff’s Department.
Gene Steffy Auto Group in Fremont, NE provided a bid for a Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicle. Price for the Durango was $33,732 after a $9,000 trade-in on the Department’s 2019 Dodge Ram pickup.
Gregg Young Chevrolet of Omaha bid a 2026 Chevy Tahoe for $41,925 after a $12,000 trade-in on the same Ram pickup.
Sheriff Dan Osmond was on hand to discuss the potential vehicles and recommended purchase of the Chevy Tahoe over the Durango. Osmond noted that the Tahoe was a purpose-built police package, and explained that the additional equipment provided from the dealership on the Tahoe was superior to that in the Durango.
Further, Osmond stated the Tahoe had a lower projected cost of ownership over the duration for which the vehicle would be in service with the Department, and have a higher trade-in value than the Durango when time came to acquire a replacement.
There were no local bids – Gateway Motors was unable to provide a bid for the Tahoe due to corporate limitations from General Motors. A comparable Ford Explorer from Ranchland Ford did not meet Osmond’s requirements. In particular, the Explorer is a smaller vehicle than the Tahoe, and would unacceptably limit transportation of larger prisoners.
The board voted unanimously to authorize purchase of the Chevrolet Tahoe for the Sheriffs Department. The vehicle should be in service in about two months.
New Wireless Internet Tower to be installed south of Broken Bow
The Board heard from Lucas Osborn of Nextlink and accepted the proposal for a potential tower to be installed near Highway 21 between Broken Bow and Pressey WMA.
The tower is designed to provide wireless broadband internet access to rural customers of Nextlink, within a 6-10 mile radius of the tower.
However, Custer County Emergency Manger Mark Rempe also spoke in favor of installation of the tower. Rempe told the board that that Nextlink had been “nothing but accommodating” in working with Emergency Management on the possibility of installing communications equipment on and near the tower. This would improve coverage for emergency services along the Sumner Road area, a current dark spot for the county.
Address Correction Committee Established
Rempe was also at the meeting of the Supervisors to request establishment of a new county committee designated to coordinate correction of addresses throughout the county. There are currently at least three different databases in use in the county for purposes including dispatching of emergency services and law enforcement, and taxes and valuation.
Often, these databases are not consistent, and do not match the address on file with the postal service. Further, at times, roads are shown in the 911 dispatching system that are no longer in use, creating confusion and delay in the arrival of emergency personnel.
The committee will include personnel from the Custer County Treasurer, Clerk, Registrar and Attorney’s offices, as well as Emergency Management. These groups will meet regularly to ensure all information on addresses throughout the county are synchronized, and contact landowners with corrections or updates if needed.
Other Supervisors Activities
- The supervisors approved the construction of a third home and shop for Camarie Wamsely on property off of Ryno Road 11 miles south of Broken Bow. Generally, only two homes are permitted within a quarter section.
SORC’s Clay Mohr discusses potentially running on Arnold River Road next year with the Supervisors. - Initial approval for road closures for the 2026 Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC) was provided. With road conditions on Cozad Road deteriorating, SORC is looking to hold the race on Arnold River Road on August 7 as well as Dunning Road on the 8th next year. The supervisors noted hosting the SORC races was a major boon to the county economy.
- A credit card for the Custer County Assessors Office was approved. The card was requested to cover travel and equipment expenses currently put on a personal card, according to County Assessor Elise Taylor. The Board noted updates to the County Employees Handbook will be required to accommodate the change.
- Claims and Right-of-Way crossings were approved. Supervisor Anne Gibbons was the lone no vote to approve claims on the County General Fund.
- Board Chair Charles Blower noted work on the railroad crossing near Anselmo may finally be moving forward again with approval of a contract for BNSF to install concrete panels in the crossing. The Nebraska Department of Transportation will then need to finish filling the concrete approach up to the crossing. Crossing arms will require yet another contract to be negotiated.
- Supervisor Tammy Kleeb has been in contact with State Senator Tanya Storer’s office regarding the requirement to evaluate space in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services building, and to cover all expenses related to that office by the county. Storrer’s office indicated the county “was not supposed to have received that notice”. Further clarification in writing is being sought.
- Final action to vacate Road 1094 was taken after Cliff Township indicated they were not interested to take ownership of the route.
- Gibbons provided a communication from one of her constituents noting that land owners need to be cautious about placement of electric fences. Fences need to be away from the roads and right-of-way. Snow plows may run through fences next to roads, causing damage and potentially releasing animals in fields.
The meeting of the Custer County Board of Supervisors adjourned at 10:28 AM. The next meeting of the Supervisors will be Wednesday, November 12 due to Veteran’s Day on Tuesday.
