The Custer County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday morning for just over an hour and a half before entering into closed session for possible litigation (no decisions were made in that session). Supervisor James Markham was absent but excused.
Road bond sold quickly, funds created
After the last supervisors meeting where discussions on a bond for asphalt resurfacing were pinpointed to $2.1 million in combination with $1 million from the county’s inheritance fund, it was announced during Tuesday’s meeting that the bond had been sold. All purchasers were local banks and the bond sold within an hour.
Two resolutions on Tuesday were used to create funds for bond use specifically. The first payment will be due in December and the proceeds are expected into county accounts by May 21.
Heritage Bank sign approved for placement along highway in Broken Bow
After being brought before the supervisors last meeting and being tabled, the placement of a sign for Heritage Bank in Broken Bow was approved unanimously by the board. One option (seen as the preferred option) will only be moved on from if not acceptable due to the accessibility of utilities. The motion carried approved placement in one spot in addition to giving an ‘OK’ to the second location option if needed, while also expressing the need for liability and other paperwork.
The sign will include an indicator to the Judicial Center as a part of the approval as well, and the bank will be responsible for upkeep and utility costs with the sign.
Behavior health county match, employee matters approved
Approved unanimously was the county’s match with Region III Behavioral Health Services, totaling $27,409.01. The match was slightly less than last year.
A nod was given to the county’s Blue Cross/ Blue Shield dental subgroup renewal. There were no changes compared to last year, and it was stated that nearly half of county employees are signed up.
The board also approved unanimously a request for 18 days from the sick bank for an employee.
An application period for the Highway Superintendent position had an end date of May 23 placed on it. Chris Jacobsen announced his resignation at the last board meeting. Applicants will be narrowed by the roads committee before a few finalists are interviewed by the board itself.
Other items from Tuesday’s meeting
- During committee reports, it was stated that during an attended Loup Basin Public Health Department meeting that LB759 (which includes regulations on pool inspections) that discussions are ongoing as to whether municipalities themselves will handle inspections or if the health department will
- Register of Deeds Christie Trumbull reported that new programs her office is utilizing have them far ahead of where they were at this time last year, adding that they are paying for themselves and are more convenient for citizens as well.
- Weed Superintendent Tim Conover came before the board indicating that when he put new tires on his county truck recently, the shop indicated it needed front end work that would prevent them from wearing down unevenly. He added that he had previously done several other repairs to the truck. The discussion spurred a desire for a list of county vehicles to be made to establish a system for replacing them before they get so old that they have constant repair costs. Conover was encouraged to have the truck fixed this time.
- Two applications to cross right-of-way for fiber internet lines were approved
- Janice Harrop came before the Supervisors to speak on behalf of her sister Angel Fiorelli, a former county employee. She said her sister had developed brain tumors earlier this year and that paperwork was quickly submitted for leave and disability benefits. She said the county failed to process the paperwork in a timely manner, which created delays that affected Fiorelli’s access to benefits, Medicaid, and medical care during her health crisis. Harrop asked the county to review how her sister’s case was handled, provide accountability for any failures, and improve procedures so that other employees don’t face similar issues in the future. “This is about accountability, it’s about fairness, and it’s about making sure that the systems that are supposed to support employees actually work when they are needed the most. My sister upheld her responsibility to the county highway department. It’s reasonable to expect the same in return,” said Harrop, who acknowledged the help of Supervisors Parliament and Blowers, who she says helped when progress stalled even though it didn’t ‘right the ship’.
