The Custer County Supervisors met on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, on the top floor of the Courthouse for a regular session. All members were present except Anne Gibbons, who participated by phone. Some of the Supervisors reported on their committee activities after the minutes and middle-of-the-month claims from the previous meeting were approved.
During the Board of Equalization session, Custer County Assessor Elise Taylor submitted a list of recommended changes to Assessment Taxable Valuation and Property Classification notices that have been protested. The Supervisors approved all corrections, including over, under, and omitted valuations.
Arnold Township board member Tony Eggleston appeared before the Supervisors to request a disaster loan extension. The County loaned Arnold Township funds following the flood in 2019 to repair damaged roads. The Township applied for approximately $700,000 in aid from FEMA and NEMA and has received some funding, and they expect the final Federal payment. However, Eggleston said the funding had been delayed due to complications and red tape. A final Federal inspection of the road repairs will also be required. Eggleston said the Township could pay the County $30,000 now and asked for the Board’s forgiveness and approval of an extension. The Supervisors unanimously approved a one-year extension.
Custer County purchases property, liability, and worker’s compensation insurance through the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA). The supervisors approved the renewal for 2024-2025, with a contribution of $260,501, a 7.4% increase from last year.
The Supervisors approved an application to cross the right-of-way to reconstruct access drives on the Jacobsen property, 4 miles West of Broken Bow on Cramer’s Canyon Road.
Resolution #14-2024 was approved by the Board to declare the County’s old vibratory steel roller machine surplus and allow its sale. The County recently purchased a new roller machine for $61,500.
Bids for materials to repair a county bridge southwest of Mason City were opened. Out of Kearney, Ace Eaton submitted the lowest bid, $19,960, which was accepted.
The Supervisors approved a Conditional Use Permit for a Batch Plant operated by Werner Construction. The temporary site will be along Highway 70 in Township 16 and used for asphalt production to resurface Highway 183 north of Ansley. The project will begin in early July. The Board also approved a Conditional Use Accessory Permit for constructing an additional dwelling on the property of Craig and Kelli Safranek west of Merna on Rd 431. The planning and Zoning Administrator, Darci Tibbs, said both applications met all requirements, and there were no objections to the projects.
The Supervisor unanimously approved a resolution establishing new fees for ten- and fifteen-day noxious weed notices to landowners created by the Custer County Weed Control Authority Board. Under the new fee schedule, landowners who receive an inspection and official notice to control noxious weeds on their property and fail to take action will be charged a $250.00 management fee per parcel. If the County is forced to hire a spraying service, the landowner will be charged the standard fee times two. Mileage charges, court costs, sheriff-to-serve notices, and other miscellaneous costs will all be applied.
Custer County Register of Deeds Christie Trumbull updated the Supervisors on the new and increased fees to customers for Plotter costs for mapping. The Supervisors and Trumbull also discussed the options for replacing an outdated postage machine used by all the departments. After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved the purchase of a new Pitney Bowes postage machine for $9,379.95
