BROKEN BOW— The Custer County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday morning for a regular meeting. All board members were present.
During committee reports, several supervisors touched on a meeting that was held with communities in the county on August 11 regarding finding a solution to the ongoing discussion of funding the recycling center through a team effort rather than it solely falling on the county. The brainstorming session reportedly brought forth some interesting avenues and some legalities are being checked into ahead of the next meeting in the first week of December.
Two entities came before the board regarding starting monetary support or levy discussions.
The Custer County Museum is requesting the same $8,500 as last year. During their presentation, they indicated they had taken the board’s advice last year and started several new fundraising efforts through the year in addition to bringing some back. Events like their car show, a bus tour, pie social, and workshops and how-tos brought in around $3,900. They also reported the museum was visited by about 3,300 people from near and far and plans for a drone photography fundraiser. No decision was made by the board.
Brian Palmer and Scotti Ross came before the board representing the Custer County Ag Society. The two expressed that their board has been working hard to define and set goals for their finances, which includes working toward a point where the fairgrounds are adequately insured (as they are underinsured now). Ag Society expenses have been organized into three categories, said Palmer and Ross: Fair, buildings and grounds, and business activities.
The Ag Society is requesting $197,352 in levy allocation of the board, and they indicated that some of the main feedback they received after fair was regarding infrastructure. Palmer closed by saying that it’s not feasible to believe that the buildings that are on the fairgrounds will be there in 10 to 15 years, saying their board is being proactive to avoid having a fairgrounds without quality structures.
The supervisors praised the Ag Society for bringing what they described as one of the most comprehensive pictures of their finances they had seen to the meeting and also gave general praise for their efforts at the fairgrounds. No decision was made.
The board renewed their contract with Applied Connective Technology at a rate of $9,715.98 per month. The company assists the county with items including internet, security door access, IT, computers, and more. The board intends to pursue a grant they have utilized in the past to help with the cost of the contract.
Candace Meredith with the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) gave a presentation to the board, overviewing upcoming meetings, workshops, and informational opportunities for boards such as Custer County’s. She also touched on bills that the group has a particular interest in when a new session begins, while also recapping what happened with some from the previous session.
Meredith also shared graphics to help understand the county’s share of property taxes along with a county profile indicating demographics, economy and taxes, infrastructure and technology, and education and childcare.
In other board business from Tuesday
- In Board of Equalization talks, one tax list correction was made. Levy allocation requests for subdivisions for fiscal year 2026-2027 were also approved unanimously.
- An application to cross county right of way for Custer Public Power District was approved for underground boring to take place of an overhead line
- A public hearing was set for September 29 at 10 AM regarding the vacation of a road north of Sargent. Pictures of the road at the meeting showed a single driving path bordered by heavy vegetation. It was confirmed through a road study that the vacating of the road would not strand the property of citizens nearby it.
- MIPS was designated as the printer for joint public hearing postcards, should they be needed
- The inventory for all county offices for 2026 was approved
After adjourning the regular session, the board acted on behalf of the Corner Township. During the short township meeting, they approved the last meeting’s minutes and claims before also approving the 1% restricted funds authority and a preliminary levy allocation request of $20,500.
The meeting adjourned at 10:53 AM. The next Board of Supervisors meeting is on September 15 at 1:30 PM.
