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PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 30, 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in special session Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting was opened at 7:01 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate- Messenger and notice was given prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Stearns, Mike Klabenes, Kelly Kerkman, Steve Hankla. Others present: Lauren...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Aug. 17, 2021 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at the Orchard site. President Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the Aug. 11 newspapers, to order at 7 p.m. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act poster in the room. Roll call was taken. Present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Ed Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steven Thiele, Jeremy Wagner. Absent: none. Motion by Thiele, seconded by Hoke, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES August 9, 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regularsession Monday, Aug. 9, at 7:30 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate- Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Steve Hankla, Steve Stearns, Kevin Filsinger, Mike Klabenes. Others present: Lauren...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska Aug. 10, 2021 Notice of meeting published as required by statute. A complete record of these minutes as well as all resolutions and agreements are on file at the county clerk’s office and are open to the public. Chairman opened meeting. Approved agenda. Minutes of Aug. 3, 2021 BOC meeting were approved. Pledge collateral and correspondence were reviewed. July fee reports from CDC, treasurer, sheriff were reviewed. Heard report from grounds and maintenance. Review of claims. A...
Don't be alarmed if a bat swoops through the air in the hallways of the Antelope County Courthouse. Commissioners learned from July 25 to 31, five bats were captured in the courthouse. "There's been one daily since," Marlene Schindler, courthouse custodian, told commissioners during Tuesday's meeting. "It's time to do something," said Ed Schindler, building and grounds personnel. Commissioner Charlie Henery questioned how the bats are getting in the annex. Theories included from the attic,...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska August 3, 2021 Chairman opened meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved minutes of the July 6 and July 13 BOC and July 13 BOE meetings. Correspondence was reviewed. Discussed with landowner’s road conditions and dust. Discussion of 150th Anniversary of Antelope County. Treasurer presented and discussed distress warrants, semi-annual report, return of distress warrants, sheriff’s report and two outstanding 2020 delinquent taxes. Sig...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES July 12, 2021 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session, Monday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7:29 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate- Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Steve Hankla, Steve Stearns, Kevin Filsinger. Others present: Lauren Sheridan-Simonson,...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION JUNE 15, 2021 Summerland Board of Education met in regular session, Tuesday, June 15. President Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the June 9 paper, to order at 6:03 p.m. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Roll call was taken. Board members present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steven Thiele and Jeremy Wagner. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the boardroom. Possible motion on board member absence. All members were present. Moti...
The Legislature debated several of my bills last week. On Tuesday afternoon, we debated my amendment to my LB 561, a bill to further define and implement the voter-approved initiative on casino gaming at racetracks. As 70% of the tax revenue derived from these casinos is dedicated to property tax relief, it is important to get this done right. Gambling is a divisive issue in our Legislature and the debate reflected that. After the question was divided on the issue of electronic keno, we spent a...
SEN. TIM GRAGERT The Legislature gave the budget bills second-round approval this past week, making only minor adjustments. After the budget is passed, the speaker plans to schedule taxation and spending measures. The session is more than two-thirds complete, but we still have many significant issues to discuss. As introduced, LB 406 focused on flood-control infrastructure projects along the lower Platte River. Senator Mike McDonnell, the primary sponsor of LB 406, has offered an amendment to...
The work of the Legislature is now about getting bills to the floor for debate by the entire body. And that generally means a priority designation. Priority bills, one per senator, two per committee and twenty-five for the speaker, have now been designated. Senator Geist prioritized my LB 408, which provides for a 3 percent limit on annual increases in property tax askings. It may be debated on the floor of the legislature next week. Senator Slama prioritized my LB 139, which provides a measure...
Governor Ricketts testified before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee this past week, expressing his support for LB 388, the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act. The purpose of the program is to facilitate and fund the development of broadband networks in unserved and underserved areas. LB 388 contains intent language to appropriate $20 million annually to the Public Service Commission to be distributed as grants. Providers, cooperatives or political subdivisions could apply for the...
Governor Pete Ricketts delivered his State of the State address to the Legislature this past week. He highlighted 2021-23 state budget recommendations for senators. This will be his last biennial budget proposal, as his eight years in office will be completed at the end of next year. Ricketts recounted the devastating flood in 2019 and coronavirus pandemic that followed in 2020. He commended Nebraskans for responding in the Nebraska Way - by working together to overcome challenges. The...
istory, the Holt County Board of Adjustment held an organizational meeting, Sept. 24, to elect a chairman and set parameters for an Oct. 29 public hearing on the TC Energy pipeline construction permit application appeal. O’Neill resident Gene Kelly was selected chairman and presided over the meeting, which ran approximately two hours. Board members opted to hold the hearing at the O’Neill Community Center, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., with sign-up scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. A list of cri...
PROCEEDINGS Summerland Public School Board of Education Budget Hearing Sept. 14, 2020 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a budget hearing, Sept. 9, 2020, at Summerland Public School in Orchard. President Ed Nordby called the tax request hearing that was duly published in Antelope County News on Sept. 9, 2020, to order at 7:05 p.m. President Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the room. Roll call was taken. Present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Ed Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steve Thiele and Jeremy Wagner. No public...
Despite a 4% increase in valuation and property tax request, Clearwater village’s tax rate will remain at 50 cents. Board of Trustees members approved the budget and final tax request during a hearing held Monday at the fire hall. The village will request $61,691.59 in property taxes. The village’s operating budget totals $6.955 million. Valuation increased from just over $11,875,227 to $12,338,322. While presenting budget information, accountant Regina Krebs said, “I’m still working on the sew...
Holt County Supervisors faced a Shakespearean-like conundrum during the group’s Aug. 31 meeting at the Holt County Courthouse. To include $2.5 million, monies promised by TC Energy for a road-use agreement, or not to include that amount in the upcoming road and bridge budget, dominated more than an hour of discussion. Without payment in hand, the proposed levy would cost taxpayers an additional eight pennies, jumping to 36.25 cents, a 31% increase. In the end, supervisors agreed to pursue a $...
Antelope County Commissioners will look at potential road projects, Sept. 1, during the one- and six-year road plan hearing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., in the commissioners’ meeting room. Antelope County road boss Aaron Boggs said he is “not 100% sure” which projects will be approve. Boggs and highway superintendent Brian McDonald, will share a list of current projects and future upgrades. “Basically, we submit a wish list,” Boggs said. Commissioners will determine which projects get the green...
As the 2020-2021 fiscal year neared its second month, Antelope County leaders started their annual budget work with a special workshop meeting last week at the courthouse in Neligh. The budget must be submitted to the state by Sept. 20, with a public hearing required prior to its adoption. Although values won't be certified until later in the month, Assessor Kelly Meuller-Oltjenbruns has unofficially reported about a 3% decrease in valuation countywide. Commissioners reviewed department's...
The Legislature passed the budget bills this past week, containing their recommendations for adjustments to the biennial budget that was passed last year. Now it will be up to the governor whether he signs the legislation or uses his line-item veto authority. Earlier in the week, senators gave second-round approval to the budget bills after a lengthy debate. An amendment to LB 1008 was offered by Omaha Senator Machaela Cavanaugh to direct how the remaining funding from the federal Coronavirus...
Luna Stephens and Katie Anderson Nebraska News Service During the Nebraska Legislature’s second week back in session, senators advanced the state’s budget to final reading. Senators also attempted to bring new pieces of legislation to address pandemic-related issues like evictions and regulations for meatpacking workers. State budget Senators advanced two state budget bills to final reading on July 28 including $55.2 million for damage from the 2019 floods, $10 million to the rural workforce housing investment fund and $3.7 million inc...
The Antelope County commissioners voted, last week, to issue $3 million in bonds to repair county roads. All five commissioners voted aye to a motion made by commissioner Carolyn Pedersen, seconded by commissioner Eli Jacob, late in an eight-hour meeting at the courthouse in Neligh on July 14. Proceeds from bonds will allow county employees to complete projects totaling more than $2.5 million yet this calendar year, road superintendent Aaron Boggs told the Advocate-Messenger. "Big-money" overlay...
The Holt County supervisors finalized seating of a board of adjustment when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 30. Vice chair Steve Boshart presided, due to the potential for board of adjustment action related to TC Energy matters, with which chairman Bill Tielke has a declared conflict of interest. Clayton Goeke of Atkinson was selected, by written ballot from a pool of three interested citizens, to serve as the alternate board member. Goeke garnered three votes, Cheri Frisch of Atkinson, two, and Tom Schaaf of Lynch, non...