Gusman Resigns as County Veterans Service Officer

After serving Cheyenne County veterans for several years, Ron Gusman is resigning.

He will remain on the job through Dec. 31. The discussion Monday with the Cheyenne County Commissioners focused on how to appoint a new Veterans Service Officer trained and ready to meet the needs of the county’s veterans.

The discussion started with Larry Nelson of the Veterans Service Committee commending Gusman for his service.

“I want to publicly thank and commend Ron (Gusman) for his level of commitment,” Nelsons said.

Nelson, Gusman and the board discussed how to ensure the new veterans service officer is trained and ready by the time Gusman leaves office. The Veteran’s Service Officer was budgeted as a part-time position, as was the office assistant. Both positions were increased to full-time for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

“I’ve yet to find someone who can just step in there and do what Ron has done,” Nelson said.

Nelson suggested a two-month transition, a time when the new Veterans Service Officer could learn the dynamics of the office, what services are available to veterans and their families.

“There’s a lot involved in that job,” he said.

Gusman said the new Veterans Service Officer needs to enter the job better prepared than when he accepted the responsibilities.

“I don’t want the new service officer to walk into what I did,” Gusman said. “I’m in agreement with Larry. We need a training period.”

The commissioners and County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh also questioned if the county has the money to pay the new officer for the training period. The challenge is the department’s budget does not have excessive funds to easily hire an additional person for the couple of months. The commissioners questioned if Gusman will need the training budgeted or if the funds can be directed toward a service officer in training. The commissioners did approve a revised job description for the Veteran Service Officer. The commissioners talked about the one year residence required by the State of Nebraska and how the residence requirement used to be five years. The job description does not require an applicant to live in Cheyenne County.

The commissioners also met with Anita Pennel of the Cheyenne County Fair Board. The commissioners met with Pennel regarding a proposal to increase Fair Board petty cash to $46,000 for the months of June, July, August and September. Pennel admitted the Petty Cash fund was overspent this year, because some of the events need to be paid before invoices could be processed. One example is the rodeo results where the Fair Board pays the vendor who then pays PRCA who pays the competitors.

The commissioners approved changing the Fair Board’s petty cash fund for June through September to $46,000.

The board also discussed its membership in High Plains Weed Management . Commissioner Philip Sanders questioned if the county should renew its membership with the organization, citing frequent meetings that can’t reach a quorum, decisions made by email and a lack of paperwork verifying decisions.

“I just don’t feel comfortable making decisions for other counties,” Sanders said. “I’m not happy with the way it is ran.”

He referred to a lack of investment in Cheyenne County while river bottom projects are funded. He said he will continue not voting on claims until he receives documentation. The commissioners directed Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Shaub to send a letter to High Plains Weed Management requesting copies of claims, bylaws and “anything you might think we need.”

The commissioners also approved a request by Tracie Diedrich for up to $1,500 in burial assistance, approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Deuel and Kimball counties regarding 2019 Community-based Juvenile Services Aid, a Cost Allocation Plan from Sequoia Consulting Group, tabled discussion on a Keno Operator Agreement with Rich Fahey and approved an agreement with Security First Bank for Insured Cash Sweep to manage the county’s funds.