The Custer County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning on the top floor of the courthouse.
Two county residents, Shirley Trout and Chip Bullock, addressed the Board with their concerns regarding Ryno Road.
“I’m here today, representing more than 50 citizens who are part of the four year old Ryno Road restoration citizens group, to encourage the roads committee, the highway department, and the entire board, to prioritize the Callaway Northeast hot-mix project and the upcoming one year plan that will be approved in February” said Trout.
The road, which extends south and west of Broken Bow, was destroyed by a bomb cyclone storm in 2019. Trout pointed out that the beginning and ending miles of the road have been paved, but the most dangerous middle portion of the road offering many curves and hills, hasn’t been paved. Trout requested the board approve funds for a hot-mix pavement upgrade for the miles of dangerous road in the middle.
Bullock mentioned that with the extremely dry conditions lately, the road has become extremely dusty and that has contributed to a couple of recent rollover accidents.
“It’s kind of a lifeline for several farms that use our road. I did witness a semi almost rear-ending a tractor just because of the dust. Jeff(the driver) was driving the semi and I talked to him a little bit and he said he did not see the tractor until it was almost too late just because of the dust.”
Bullock asked the commissioners to drive Ryno Road so they had a better idea of what he was talking about.
During committee reports, District 7 supervisor Sara Parliament stated that the communication department has concerns with aging equipment. Emergency manager Mark Rempe told the board later in the meeting about applying for a grant which, if approved, would enable the county to begin much needed upgrades to the county’s repeater system and funding the dispatch center.
If approved, the county would be required to match 25% of $1,153,000 . There is also just under $400,000 in a county communication account which could be applied toward the grant.
The board asked Rempe to confirm with the Public Service Commission that the money in the county’s communication account can be used toward the grant. Rempe said he will contact the PSC and report back to the board.
District 2 supervisor Tammy Kleeb said she learned from her committee that Head Start has quit operating in Broken Bow because they lack enough help. Later in the meeting, Director of Custer County Economic Development Corporation Scotti Ross, told the board that a newly hired director had stepped down from Head Start and they were having trouble finding qualified people to run the program.
Also from committee reports, District 3 commissioner Barry Fox mentioned some electrical issues have been identified at the courthouse. Fox said the City is looking into it and is in the process of obtaining a bid for placement of a new transformer and backup generator. Fox emphasized the City will initiate the upgrades.
The Board heard an update on two Broken Bow school properties which are currently being rented out to teachers. Elise Taylor, County Assessor, said after learning the school is charging the teachers less than fair market value, and discussing the situation with state officials, she will determine whether the property will be added to the tax roll for 2025. Should the properties become taxable, a notice of intent to tax will be mailed out to the owner of the properties by March 1.
Supervisor Fox expressed his disappointment with the State Department of Revenue for not taking a stance on the situation. In making the determination, the state asks first “is it for a public purpose?” which Fox said was conveyed as the first determination for tax eligibility before fair market value rent was even considered.
The Board approved tax list corrections which were presented.
Treasurer Sheri Bryant read Resolution 6-2025, which asks Pinnacle Bank, Arnold, to provide additional securities through a government funded bond of $55,000. The resolution passed.
Treasurer Bryant also presented the Board with the department’s semi-annual statement. The statement shows the treasurer’s office with $16,058,950.69 as the year-end balance for 2024. Investments make up roughly 92% of the funds.
Scotti Ross presented the Board with the Community Development Block Grant Annual Program income report for economic development revolving funds, as well as the CDBG Annual Housing Program income report for re-use revolving loan funds. Both reports were approved by the Board.
Next, an engagement letter from Susan Maline was read by the Board. The Board has hired Maline to review the fiscal year 2025-26 budget for an amount not exceeding $6,500. The Board approved the letter.
Also at the meeting, the Board authorized the signing of the 2025 Paving Improvement Contracts, which had previously been approved.
The Board heard a letter from broadband informational representative Amy Tharp. The letter came with a map of Custer County showing which areas of the county were either unserved or underserved by internet service providers.
Brandon Peterson with Applied Connective spoke to the Board about a State Local County Government grant, which will pay $9,000 of the $9,818 total cost. The grant would provide malware protection for the county’s e-mail accounts, including an assessment of needs and policy review.
Peterson told the Board they are looking at quotes for laptops for each Board member.
The Board adjourned at 10:35am, then opened their quarterly meeting of the Corner Township.
The minutes from their October meeting and claims were approved. Then Board members James Markham and Barry Fox volunteered for the county’s quarterly jail visit.
The Township adjourned at 10:40am.
The next Board of Supervisors meeting is February 11th at 9am.
