Commissioners Approve Oktoberfest Liquor License

The Cheyenne County Commissioners recently approved the Oktoberfest Committee's application for a Special Designated Liquor License for the annual Oktoberfest Celebration.

Oktoberfest is planned for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Traditionally, the celebration starts with the “tapping of the kegs” followed by entertainment and a variety of food booths. Craft vendors are also expected.

A four-person golf scramble is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at Hillside Golf Course. Running of the Wieners will be Sunday afternoon in the pavilion.

Sally Harris told the commissioners in case of inclement weather the event will be moved into the pavilion.

The commissioners also approved a 1 percent increase to the base amount for restricted funds authority for 2022-2023. At the end of the Sept. 19 meeting, County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh and the commissioners said the 1 percent is an annual agreement, an increase in budget authority, not the budget.

During the discussion, Fiegenschuh added that the county has uncontrollable costs related to the county jail. If a person is taken into custody, regardless of the department, and held in Cheyenne County, Cheyenne County is responsible for that person's well-being: medical, food, and clothes.

She said in 2021-2022, the county paid out more than $95,000.

“We had no choice,” she said.

The commissioners also approved the Tourism committee proposed change to bylaws. Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell said Sept. 19 that the tourism board needs the option of a mid-term election in case a board member resigns. Mitchell also said the board intends on retaining the name Visitor Committee.

County Treasurer Shelley Bowlin was in attendance. The commissioners approved her turning over matured County Tax Sale Certificates to County Attorney Paul Schaub for foreclosure.

The commissioners also met in executive session to discuss recommended valuations in cases pending before the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) regarding Bass Pro doing business as Cabela's Inc.

The commissioners also recently heard from Emergency Manager Ron Leal regarding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Siren Project Application. Leal said the cost share has changed to the federal government carrying more of the cost, 90:10.

The immediate impact is the sirens planned for Lorenzo and Bronson will cost the county $5,035 out of a project cost of about $58,000.