The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Tuesday February 28, 2023, at the County Courthouse. Notice of the meeting was published on the county website sheridancounty.ne.gov. The meeting was open to the public and a ZOOM connection was also available. Present were Chairman Bruce Messersmith, Commissioners Dan Kling and James Krotz, County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Clerk of the District Court Carol Stouffer, and Treasurer Renee Thies. 

There was no business to come before the Board of Equalization. The Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to approve the proposed lease for office space in the Courthouse Annex to Senior Service Inc/Open Plains Transit for the Handi-Bus program. The rental value of the office space, for which the County receives no cash payment, is credited as part of the local match required by the Federal/State grant. 

Road Superintendent Richard Cross met with the Board to discuss requests from citizens for re-imbursement for removing snow from county road. The Commissioners agreed that no such reimbursement will be made unless there is a prior, written agreement approving the work. The Board and Cross discussed the ongoing campaign to clear the roads of snow. Citizens should know that there is an orderly plan in place for the opening of roads and then the widening of those trails. That plan may not be to everyone’s liking, but it was designed to ensure that each area is treated equitably. The goal is to open the roads to the greatest number of homes as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Board received and approved a grant request from the Department of Roads for $175,144 from the ARPA fund for the purchase of a snowblower and quick hitch attachment. The grant was approved. The County does not expect delivery for several months. 

Clerk of the District Court presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) proposed by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation (ACOP) and the County that effects the transfer of upgraded audio/visual equipment for use in the District Court room. The equipment is being supplied at no cost to the County. 

The Board approved the MOU. The Elected Officials met to review and discuss possible updates to the County Employee Handbook. No action was taken, and the discussion will continue on March 21. 

The next meeting of the BOE/BOC is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2023. 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