Gage County Newsletter

By Don Schuller 4/15/24 Committee meeting:Discussion continued from the last meeting on an overlap created by two taxpayer-funded grants covering geographic areas that overlap. A Public Service Commission grant to Pinpoint Communications for fiber installation overlaps an area already covered by Nextlink, the recipient of a Gage County grant. Supervisor Emily Haxby opposes the approval of the Pinpoint permit for overbuild that uses taxpayer-funded grants. I need to do more investigation.Highway Superintendent Mark Kuhnke informed the board that portions of the 162nd Rd (Virginia Road) were being closed one mile at a time for crack sealing.The bridge east of Pickrell across the Little Indian Creek is closed because a bridge inspection turned up deficiencies with the deck. The board discussed options to fix or replace. It is not known how long the bridge will be closed.Supervisor Haxby told the board Nathan Mueller, UNL Extension Educator, sent emails to Gage County farmers saying they will be charged a fee for Extension services because the board has not signed an updated inter local agreement. The previous agreement is being honored and funding continues. The board is considering a different approach in the funding method, which has delayed an updated agreement.4/17/24 Regular meetingPresent: Eddie Dorn, Dave Swavely, Emily Haxby, and Don Schuller. Absent: Terry Jurgens, Gary Lytle, and Erich Tiemann.Building and Grounds Assistant Manager Adam Sudan reported that the courthouse tower maintenance will start in May and take a month to complete.Remodeling the boardroom will begin to accommodate the installation of TV monitors and broadcast equipment by Applied Connective. The new equipment will make it possible to view PowerPoint presentations and conduct Zoom meetings in the boardroom. Screens will be installed for the attending public to view. When finished, the public also will be able to watch board meetings live from home.Road and Bridge:The county received bids from four companies to complete six box culverts. Superintendent Kuhnke and our consulting engineer reviewed the bids. They recommended awarding the contract to the lowest bid, from Vogtscapes of Bennet, NE for a total cost of $2,377,532.30. Motion by Dorn, seconded by Schuller with motion approved 4-0. Money from the Road and Bridge Sinking Fund and possibly the Inheritance Fund will be used to complete the project. The Inheritance Fund presently has more than 5 million dollars. Construction will begin between July and October, 2024.After inspection of the Rockford Road (94th Rd) Superintendent Kuhnke determined that the asphalt needs to be cored to determine how thick it is. If it is not thick enough to patch/mill and have enough asphalt remaining to endure traffic until it is overlaid, we will need to consider other options. Timeliness of the overlay depends on state assistance. At the last meeting I commented I would like to see repairs completed by the first of June. Traffic will be heavier when lake weather arrives and after schools dismiss for the summer.I told the board I contacted Loel Brooks of the Brooks, Pansing-Brooks law firm, who was involved with negotiating the contract with Nextlink on behalf of the county. Brooks has discussed the overlap issue with Pinpoint counsel, and he asked us to leave the Pinpoint permit tabled until he can continue the discussion. He believes this can be resolved appropriately for everyone.This highlights the portions of the county meetings I feel are most relevant to my constituents. Use the link below to view the actual minutes and hear audio of the board meeting, when posted.https://gagecountynebraska.us/board_meetings/enhanced_minutes.aspxFacebook: Don Schuller – Public Servant.

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