Commissioners approve new stipulations for county improvement fund

Organizations and non-profit groups in Antelope County applying for funding through the county’s Antelope County Visitors Improvement Fund will need to familiarize themselves with new rules regarding improvement fund disbursements.

Antelope County commissioners, during a March 7 meeting, approved and authorized chairman, Charlie Henery, to sign a resolution that will “hold fund-request applications until the balance of the fund is above $5,000, at which time the application requests will be considered to be paid by a vote of the board of commissioners.”

The fund, along with a county visitors promotion fund, was established in 2007, pursuant to Nebraska State Statute 81-1255. At that time, county supervisors established a 2% sales tax charged for occupancy earmarked for the promotion fund with another 2% lodging tax targeting the improvement fund.

Promotion funding, up to $350, is available to assist with advertising costs for events within the county. Improvement funds are available to assist with construction and improvements at Antelope County tourism and visitor sites.

On the table for discussion since the Nov. 7, 2022, commissioners’ meeting, local leaders have worked toward a solution for dwindling dollars in the improvement fund account.

At the aforementioned meeting, commissioners approved two improvement grants, denied one and returned a fourth application for clarification. Commissioners agreed to hold improvement fund payments until the fund balance is greater than $5,000.

Antelope County Clerk Lisa Payne said the promotion fund has approximately $49,000.

Per the resolution, to promote fairness of disbursement, “the board of commissioners will pool the applications and divide all requested amounts by the balance of the fund leaving $1,000, by the number of applications.”

Following passage of the resolution, commissioners approved one improvement grant, submitted by Bev Krutz, for Orchard’s Old School Thrift Store, to help defray cost of a new heater.

The Antelope County Visitor Committee approved the grant, pending availability of funds.

Three other improvement grants were denied by the visitor committe, due to funding and other criteria not being met.

Requests from the Antelope County Historical Society; Neligh Park Foundation, for an inclusion playground; and Neligh Chamber of Commerce, for a lighting display were denied, following a motion and second by commissioners Regina Krebs and Eli Jacob, respectively.

Payne said, "If they had the funds, I think everybody would have a yes. If we don't limit it, we'll never have enough money, enough funds.