Commissioners Approve Grants, Technology Transfer

SIDNEY--On Monday, March 18, the Cheyenne County Commissioners met for their regular meeting and approved a number of agenda items. Commissioner Darrell Johnson was absent for this meeting. After approving the previous minutes and approving the monthly fee reports, the commissioners got to the business of the meeting, with the first agenda item being the approval of a proposed Public Defender's Agreement and a Guardian Ad Litem Agreement for the 2024-28 term. Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub spoke about both issues, and said these agreements would be continuations of previous agreements, except the Public Defender's Agreement includes a 2.75% fee increase every year while the Guardian Ad Litem Agreement contains a 2% fee increase per year. The commissioners had no objection to the new contracts and noted that both Public Defender Don Miller and Guardian Ad Litem Audrey Long had been doing outstanding jobs for the county.

Kiersten Richards next addressed the commissioners, looking for a Special Designated Liquor License for the annual Spring Expo Event, which will be held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 13 and 14 of this year. Richards said as usual, they were planning on just having mimosa's and juice and energy drinks available. The commissioners had no objection and approved the Special Designated Liquor License.

County Treasurer Shelley Bowlin gave the commissioners a report on the 2024 Tax Sale results. Bowlin said the effort was very successful, with this year's change in state law that allows the names of delinquent taxpayers to be published making a big difference in collection efforts. She said of the 222 delinquent parcels, 84 were addressed prior to the sale and four during the sale. She estimated the recovery amount at $77,113.80. Commissioner Miller said that although many people didn't like to see their names in the paper with delinquent taxes, it made a big difference in collections this year.

Next, an application was made from David E. Wills for a subdivision known as Tract 1, Wills Subdivision located in the Southeast quarter of Section 7, Township 16 North, Range 51 West of the 6 P.M., Cheyenne County Nebraska. This tracts contains approximately 6.02 acres of land and the application is to change zoning from Agriculture to Residential Real Estate. All of the information, surveys and other details required for this change were properly presented, and the change was approved without objection. The commissioners also approved an application by James Popovich for a Conditional Use Permit for a cemetery situated on .72 acres within a tract of land located in part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 4, Township 12 North, Range 52 West of the 6 P. M, Cheyenne County, NE. The commissioners noted all zoning restrictions have been complied with and noted as this will be a private cemetery, the county will not be building or maintaining any roads going into and out of the cemetery.

Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell and Visitors Center Chairman Brooke DeNovellis next addressed the commissioners, looking for approval on two separate grants and to inform the commissioners about upcoming customer service and tourism industry-related seminars.

The first grant was an improvement grant for $2,000 for the Dalton Senior Center. After clarifying the tax-exempt status of the structure, as it listed as tax-exempt but owned by a single individual, the commissioners approved the grant. The next grant was a City of Sidney incentive grant for this season's "Downtown Sounds" Concert Series. This year, the Chamber of Commerce will no longer be sponsoring the event, as it will be hosted by the City of Sidney and 98.7 The Big Boy. Although the commissioners were curious about the change, they did not receive any definitive answers. They approved the grant for $4,500. Mitchell and DeNovellis also talked to the commissioners about two upcoming customer-service and tourism focused seminars. The first is on April 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center and the second is on April 24 from 6-8:30 p.m. The events are free of charge and sponsored by the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce.

Cheyenne County District court Clerk Mindy Weigand and County Court Clerk Magistrate Chelsie Sparks next addressed the commissioners concerning ownership transfer of courtroom technology items provided by the Nebraska Administrative Office of Courts and Probation to Cheyenne County. Although the equipment was installed by the State, Cheyenne County now must take on ownership of the projects as part of the agreement. The commissioners approved the action unanimously. City of Sidney Manager David Scott introduced new City of Sidney Economic Development Director Brandy Stone to the commissioners. Stone thanked the commissioners for their support and said that the position covers all of Cheyenne County, and not just Sidney. The commissioners said they were looking forward to updates on Stone's progress.

Cheyenne county Highway Superintendent Doug Hart spoke with the commissioners and said that currently he is looking to get a price for a rebuild of an injector pump, which should cost around $6,000 to rebuild. He also said the road workers are continuing to gravel the roads and that he has received more road reflectors for the roadway and bridge areas which will be put up soon. The current condition of the county roads are good with major repairs taken care of and a few hot spots being worked on to smooth out the roadway for local residents.