Commissioners approve budget measures

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners approved several items on Tuesday morning’s meeting agenda.

The board began by approving the 2015-16 increase of restricted funds revenues by an additional one percent, set this year’s tax levy, and approved a resolution of adoption and appropriations of this year’s Cheyenne County budget at Tuesday morning’s meeting.

The 2015-16 Cheyenne County tax levy has been set at 0.429895, compared to last year’s levy at 0.479580.

According to Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh, the 2014-15 total assessed valuation was $1,308,558,584 whereas the new valuation is $1,481,372,007.

During the review of the resolution of adoption and appropriations for 2015-16 Cheyenne County budget, local and former commissioner Ken McMillen has concerns about the budget of the highway department.

“We put $35,000 in for a distributor oil truck, which can be used to chip seal our paved roads, so we don’t have to hire outside. We allowed $15,000 for a trailer to allow for hauling,” explained Commissioner Philip Sanders. “Those were the two big ones.”

Another item reviewed and discussed included the approval of the special designated liquor license for the 2015 Oktoberfest celebration, approval of available grant funds to install warning sirens in Brownson, Sunol and Lorenzo and the installation of a security system at the Cheyenne County Visitors Center.

Ron Leal, the county’s emergency manager told the board in order to get approval for the grant a letter of commitment was needed. He added that the construction for the emergency warning sites would be $24,800 with an additional needed $1,500 for electrical meters.

The grant is expected to cover 75 percent of the cost and the county will be responsible for 25 percent remainder.

All of the sirens are activated from the county’s communications center.

According to Leal the sirens run tests every Wednesday from March to September.

“I think we should take care of the people in the small towns the same way we do for the larger communities,” said Commissioner Darrell Johnson.

Also at the meeting:

• County Attorney Paul Schuab reviewed the proposal of a juvenile diversion program that would be offered to juveniles 18 years old or younger that have committed a misdemeanor in lieu of going to court.

• A letter explaining the commissioners concerns will be submitted by Schaub to the Nebraska Department of Roads regarding the road construction of Brownson East and Brownson East Crossovers. Three phases of construction beginning in the spring of 2018 and ending in the summer of 2020 would close the Interstate 80 from Potter to Sidney.

• Schaub reviewed a contract for appraisal services by Stanard Appraisal Service, Inc., as well as the possible sale of county property.

• Glenna Phelps-Aurich updated the Commissioners regarding Cheyenne County Chamber activities and accomplishments throughout the last year.

• The meeting concluded with Doug Hart officially being appointed the new Cheyenne County highway superintendent.

• The next Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 a.m. at the Commissioners’ Room in the Cheyenne County Courthouse.