Commissioners Proceedings Statement - Tuesday, September 15, 2020
The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met at the Courthouse on September 15, 2020. Present at the Courthouse were Chairman Loren Paul, Commissioners Bruce Messsersmith and James Krotz, Clerk Sindy Coburn and Treasurer Renee Thies. 

At 9:00 a.m. the Board opened a public hearing to present and review the proposed 2020-2021 County Budget.  Citizen Rick Herian was present for the hearing but offered no testimony.The Commissioners subsequently approved resolutions adopting the budget and appropriations as proposed; setting the final tax request for the fiscal year; approving a 1% increase in restricted funds; and authorizing petty cash funds of $500 for the County Court, $50 for the Treasurer and $50 for the County Clerk.  The full texts of those resolutions are available for review in the office of the County Clerk. 

Road Superintendent Richard Cross reported that the Gordon Airport bridge project may be delayed until next year because of the approval process by the Army Corps of Engineers. 

Supt. Cross and Rick Herian, a representative from Road District 31 north of Antioch, reported on a cost-share proposal for a short section of 396th Trail near Palmer Lake.  Cross hopes to secure millings from the state at $5/ton and apply a 3-inch layer to the much-degraded asphalt strip to test its durability. 

The Commissioners considered and approved a resolution declaring that beginning January 1, 2023 the office of Sheridan County Public Defender will no longer be an elected position.  

After that date the Public Defender will be appointed by the Board of Commissioners from a list of qualified applicants submitted by a Policy Board of two attorneys and one layperson. 

Building Superintendent Jeff Davis reported that the bat removal and clean-up project in the Courthouse attic has been completed and the re-surfacing of floors in the jail and public safety building stairwell has begun. Sheriff Jeff Brewer reported that the floor resurfacing project at the jail has required the relocation of several inmates.   Brewer also reported that his department is in the process of acquiring a drone aircraft with the substantial assistance of a grant from the Ukena Foundation.  The drone should be especially helpful in search and rescue operations in rough terrain. 

The Commissioners met briefly in closed session to discuss a personnel issue. 

Jeremy Harris of MANNA Systems visited with the Board about information technology issues and recommended the purchase of a wireless, omni-directional microphone for the Commissioner's office.  The microphone should substantially improve the sound quality of meetings broadcast from the office over the internet.  The Commissioners approved the $300 purchase. 

The next scheduled meeting of the Commissioners will be Tuesday September 22 at 9:00 at the Courthouse.  The minutes of this and all meetings of the Board of Commissioners will be available to the public at the office of the Sheridan County Clerk and now are available online at sheridancounty.ne.gov. 

All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the public is always welcome.  

Written by James Krotz
Posted by Jack Andersen
All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the public is always welcome.