The Custer County Supervisors approved an amendment to the Employee Handbook during their March 12th meeting. The board members have been wrestling with possibly adding a Death Benefits Policy to the handbook for some time and after another long and detailed discussion on Tuesday morning, the Supervisors approved the amendment on a 5 to 1 vote. The Death Benefit Policy will go into effect immediately and, if needed, will provide a payment of 50% for either up to 120 unused sick days or 960 hours to the deceased employee’s family.
Loup Township Board Treasurer Darrel Entz attended the meeting to speak to the Supervisors about road damages southeast of Cumro on the Loup River Road near a river bridge. Entz said that after the 2019 floods, the river has continued to erode the bank and road, so repair is needed. According to Entz, permits from the state have been prepared, bids from possible contactors have been received, and the Township is ready to proceed. On the low end, the estimated cost of the project is $40,000. Entz asked the Supervisors if the County would consider providing money for a portion of the project. The Supervisors said they could not loan or provide extra revenue to a Township unless there has been a public disaster declaration. After further discussion, it was determined the Loup Township would need to obtain a bank loan and pay it off by using unused budget authority.
Custer County Weed Administrator Tim Conover submitted the 2023 Nebraska Department of Ag Yearly Evaluation to the County Board. The board members complimented Conover for his job performance, signed, and approved the Evaluation.
The County Board approved an application from AMG Technology Investment Group to cross the right away on a county road 16 miles north of Gothenburg and also approved an application from Consolidated Companies to cross right away to install fiber in the Grandview area near Anselmo.
Jerad Reimers, Assistant to Congressman Adrian Smith, was on hand to provide updates for the Third District and to introduce his replacement, Audrey Worthing. The Safety Committee provided more information concerning possible improvements to the west parking lot of the Courthouse and Custer County Emergency Director Mark Rempe provided an overview of Custer County’s role in fighting the Betty’s Way Fire that started near North Platte on February 26th and spread into Custer County.
The next Custer County Board of Supervisors meeting will be held March 26, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
