NOTE – this story has been corrected with a revision to the Cash in Lieu amount and a new meeting date of December 30 for the Board of Supervisors
The Custer County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at the Custer County Court House on Tuesday, December 9. The meeting began at 9:00 AM with all current members present.
It was noted at the meeting that a single application had been received to fill the District 3 seat vacated by Barry Fox. The committee to appoint a new board member for the seat expected to do so soon. In the meantime, the board voted to appoint District 4 Board Member James Markham as the Vice Chair of the body.
No Detailed Discussion of Recycling
At the end of the Supervisors meeting, in Public Comments, Supervisor Markham asked why the Recycling Center was not on the agenda. County Clerk Kelly Jacobsen stated simply that the form to request items to be added to the agenda had not been filed with her office.
It was noted that this form had been updated in the prior meeting of the Supervisors, but that it was not clear whether the Supervisors themselves needed to complete the form to have items added for consideration. By the end of the discussion, this was still not entirely clear, but it was almost certain that the Recycling Center would be placed on the agenda and discussed at the December 23 meeting of the Custer County Supervisors.
Computer Aided Dispatching a Hot Topic of Discussion
Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe appeared before the board seeking guidance and possible approval to move forward with a new Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) system to enhance emergency services provided to the public.
Public service software company CentralSquare Technologies, L.L.C. and Rempe have been in communication for some time discussing the integration of company’s CAD software into Custer County’s dispatch service.
The CAD software is designed to allow emergency services dispatch operators to more efficiently gather information and provide that information back out to emergency responders.
Rempe noted the current software system for dispatching – and particularly for emergency medical services – is inadequate, costing time and potentially lives. However, the software solution being proposed was described as a “big ticket item”, and CentralSquare is pushing hard for a decision from Rempe, who stated he doesn’t like to move fast on such issues.
Rempe had been able to negotiate a significant savings on the product, with a contract ready to purchase the system for a $95,000 initial outlay, followed by a $49,000 initial annual maintenance fee. Rempe noted the system would normally be in the range of $219,000, and that the Emergency Management department would be able to make the transition with no change to their annual budget.
Likewise, Rempe noted if additional emergency management organizations work with Custer County, the annual fee would be split between the groups. Additionally, as the system is cloud-based, no other equipment for emergency services vehicles would be required – just a software log-in.
At the meeting, a large group of emergency services personnel were in the crowd, speaking in favor of an upgraded system in principle, but urging hesitancy in moving forward rapidly with this particular company.
Arnold Fire Chief Andrew Tickle advised the assembled group to continue being progressive and move forward. Tickle noted that while agencies often purchased large, new pieces of equipment that can be seen by the public, without a modern dispatch system, those vehicles cannot be efficiently used.
Broken Bow City Councilman and EMS member Paul Holland however wanted to know whether other systems had been examined, and was concerned about the short time frame in which this decision was being pushed. Holland noted that neither Broken Bow Fire nor EMS leaders had been involved in recent meetings with the company or demonstrations.
Broken Bow Paramedic Mason Holmes was more concerned by this latter issue, noting an ongoing pattern of poor communication between the different emergency services groups in the area. With the city of Broken Bow contributing up to 49% of the communications budget, Holmes was concerned about a lack of visibility into how that funding was being spent.
That said, Holmes, like most present, offered a full endorsement of upgrading the dispatch system to some form of Computer Aided system, just with greater collaboration and due diligence.
Broken Bow Police Chief Chris Anderson noted that in a recent demonstration of the product, information was streamlined, but stated for the purposes of the Department, the current system works as well. The primary feedback Anderson noted was a “horrendous” record of support by CentralSquare Technologies.
Custer County Sheriff Dan Osmond agreed that support is a concern, as is a likely increase in records management labor under the new system. Osmond stated he viewed the decision as between buying this system, now, at a good price, or doing more leg work, and having to buy a system later at a higher price. In either case, Osmond stated he would support Rempe and the decision made.
In response to a question from District 2 Supervisor Tammy Kleeb, Rempe stated the company has requested a signed contract by the end of the week, December 12, and that the current offer is good until the end of the year at best.
Kleeb and District 1 Supervisor Anne Gibbons both noted their discomfort that not all of the service providers had been able to review the system in detail. Gibbons noted that the lack of a vendor representative at the meeting felt odd, but Rempe responded he wasn’t sure the present conversation should be had with the company present.
Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers recommended forming a broader committee to complete further review of the product and alternatives. Gibbons noted that as processes go forward, communication fences need to be mended, ensuring everyone is working together toward the same goal.
The Board tabled the issue for now, advising Rempe to review other options to ensure due diligence and open communication with all affected organizations.
BOE, Treasurer, Highways Discuss Current Activities
Following a short break after the emergency services discussion, the Supervisors considered Board of Equalization issues. Custer County Assessor Elise Taylor noted that updates made at the last meeting to tax rolls required a correction as School Tax Credits had not been calculated correctly. The Supervisors approved additional tax changes in Districts 1, 5, and 6.
As a formality required in state statute, Custer County Treasurer Sherri Bryant requested permission to begin mailing tax statement.
Bryant also requested authorization to transfer funds from the general fund to cover expenses for road work, an annual requirement. The Supervisors approved transfers of $3,261,553 to the Roads Fund, and $716,500 to the Road Hard Surfacing Fund.
Custer County Highway Superintendent Chris Jacobsen provided an update on the railroad crossing southeast of Anselmo. Jacobsen stated that at this time, BNSF had completed a temporary fix to the track work on the crossing, but that the final completion with concrete crossings is being slowed by a federal contracting delay.
In the meantime, the crossing can be opened, following installation of additional signage required by the State Engineer. The board approved a Change Order authorizing the installation of the signage in order to open the crossing.
Healing Hearts and Families, Weed Superintendent Provide Updates
Completing the business on the Agenda, two further organizations appeared before the Supervisors.
Healing Hearts and Families administrator Suellen Koepke presented a Diversion Program Memorandum of Understanding with Custer County as the lead county for a state grant application. The funding allows Healing Hearts and Families to run a youth diversion program, which last year served 80 juveniles, keeping them out of the court system.
Annual funding for the program from the grant, which Healing Hearts has administered since 2014, currently runs to as much as $172,000. County Attorney Bowers noted that keeping these juveniles out of the court system saves attorney fees of around $150 per hour for each case.
Custer County Weed Superintendent Tim Conover provided his end-of-year report. Conover stated he had conducted 123 inspections through the year, covering 19,300 acres, and that Custer County is currently in compliance with Nebraska Department of Agriculture requirements.
Among his duties, Conover is the Chair of the Sandhills Weed Management area. He stated that in 2025, the group had received $339,100 in grants from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for various weed abatement projects.
This year Conover was awarded the 2024 NDA Region 3 Inspector Award for making “a substantial impact on controlling and preventing the spread of noxious weeds, protecting agricultural productivity and safeguarding the environment for future generations.” The Supervisors agreed with this assessment and lauded Conover’s efforts on their behalf.
Committee Reports, Other Actions
Supervisor Markham noted work was ongoing to get repairs started on roof of the Health and Human Services building. Other repairs were conducted to various county facilities.
Supervisor Gibbons indicated she is still engaged in the Sargent ECAP process, with another meeting scheduled for Monday (December 15). Grants are being sought to fund improvements forwarded through the process. Gibbons noted the village of Gibbon received nearly $500,000 in grants through a similar process.
Supervisor Kleeb had attended a meeting of the South Central Area on Aging with Gibbons. It was noted that the district was the only one in Nebraska that provided publicly-available blood pressure stations.
However, Kleeb reported there was no increase in funding for senior centers from the State this year. Kleeb urged those present to visit and use those centers to help boost the funding that they receive.
Kleeb also commented that grants for transfer station funding in 2027 would not be open until April or later. She clarified though that cardboard processed through the center is recycled, and is not simply placed in the landfill.
In claims and fees for the month, all members voted to approve the expenditures presented.
Employees who do not take the County-provided health insurance policy may be eligible to take a payment to help defray premium costs if they obtain coverage from another company. Kleeb noted the Area on Aging indicated at least $500 per month of cash in lieu funding would be needed for this assistance. A motion to provide employees $600 per month was defeated with Kleeb, Gibbons, Parliament, and Markham voting against. A proposal for $500 by District 7 Supervisor Sara Parliament passed with only Longmore voting no.
The Custer County Board of Supervisors adjourned at 11:45 AM. The next meeting of the Supervisors is scheduled for December 30 at 9:00 AM at the Custer County Courthouse.
