Emergency director provides update to county supervisors

Holt County emergency manager, Deb Hilker, provided supervisors with an update about the vaccination process during the board's Jan. 29 meeting at the Holt Count Courthouse.

Vaccines developed by Moderna are being distributed in the area. Hilker said the North Central District Health Department requested use of the county's emergency response trailer "to push out the vaccine to the district," beginning the week of Feb. 7.

According to Hilker, the vaccine must be kept at a temperature of minus 14 degrees.

Hilker' also reported her department had received grant funds for a livestock emergency trailer, which will be stored at the O'Neill Fire Hall.

It includes 20 cattle panels, snow fence and equipment to round up livestock that escape from a vehicle, in the event of a crash.

County road superintendent Gary Connot told supervisors the majority of the south bridge on the Naper project has been removed from the water.

Supervisors also discussed establishing policy concerning vacation day usage.

Holt County Clerk Cathy Pavel said days are to be used within a calendar year, and in the past, employees have been able to take the days in the following January or February.

"We need it to be clear in the handbook," Connot said.

Supervisor chairman Bill Tielke instructed Pavel to add it to the next meeting's agenda.

In other business, supervisors:

• Approved all county depositories. Pavel told supervisors the motion was "a formality before we can invest with them." A copy will be on file in the clerk's and treasurer's offices.

• Signed a Highway 20 interlocal agreement. Holt County sheriff's deputy Ed Nordby said the agreement originated in 2004 and includes all cities and counties between Neligh and Gordon.

"The agreement allows all agencies to come together to help in case of a big event," Nordby said. "It's never been used, except for a few trainings."

• Accepted an emergency action plan for the courthouse annex.

• Granted a surety bond for Michelle Ross, who was appointed to fill the role of Holt County treasurer.

• Learned funding for the STOP program will now go through the claims process, per a suggestion from the state auditor. Supervisors approved the motion.

• Established a bid date for 2021 culverts and grader blades. Bids will be opened, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m.

• Learned start dates for asphalt overlay projects, including the Page north project. Connot said the schedule will need to be revised.