BROKEN BOW- A lengthy agenda awaited the Custer County Board of Supervisors when they met in regular session Tuesday morning.
Up for discussion was resolution #17-2023, which would allow a 1% increase on 2023-2024 restricted funds authority in addition to the 2.5% that is initially allowed. The resolution was approved.
In Board of Equalization talks the board heard one property valuation protest hearing regarding a property in Broken Bow, with which the board voiced their intention to review the property before moving forward.
James Callaway appeared representing the Broken Bow Airport Authority, seeking completion of the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement. He gave a brief update on the airport which included word that the expansion on the west ramp area had been completed. The project was largely funded by grant money and added five parking spaces as well as some lighting. Callaway also made mention of well over 30,000 gallons of fuel being sold in the last year and that upgrade projects such as a new roof on the terminal and ground light updates were on the horizon. The $15,000 agreement was approved.
The Sargent Airport Authority agreement for $2,500 was also approved by the board.
A third interlocal agreement was approved for cooperative law enforcement mental health services to continue from Adams County.
Road armor coating bids were next on the agenda. One bid from Figgins Construction of Red Cloud was received, reading of a charge of 66 cents a yard. A discussion ensued which brought up the fact that the county has the equipment and materials to do it themselves, but in order to do so other projects would have to be put aside in order to complete the armor coating when temperature conditions are best. The board voted to refer the matter to the highway committee for a recommendation.
Resolution #18-2023 was approved, authorizing Chairman Barry Fox to sign the county annual certification of program compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads.
Representatives from Applied Connective Technologies came before the board for renewal of an IT services contract set to start August 1st and run to August 31 of 2024. Concerns were raised from county employees in attendance citing the need for more in-person support. Other employees referred to problems they had had in the past that had been worked through, stating they had no current issues with the service they were receiving. The board approved the contract renewal, which had a $3,600 increase over the previous year.
County Supervisor emails moving to ne.gov designation at a rate of $11.60 a month was approved, a price that includes email security via IronScales.
The long-discussed railroad crossing safety project near Anselmo was the next subject for discussion. The board approved the authorization of Chairman Barry Fox to sign a BNSF agreement which starts the process towards changes to the crossing site which will increase safety.
A 1.306 acre piece of land behind AgLand ATV and the Department of Health & Human Services office was discussed next, regarding setting market value before the bid process for purchase. A motion to value at $1.70 a square foot failed due to votes of “no”, as did a proposal to value at $1.40 a square foot. The item was ultimately tabled for a later agenda.
A semi-annual CDBG program income report for Economic Development revolving loan funds was approved. Also approved was the semi-annual CDBG housing program income for re-use.
The board ended Tuesday’s meeting with early discussions on the upcoming property tax request and budget as well as the quarterly visit to the jail.
The board adjourned just after 12:30 pm.
