Submitted by Mary Kay Schultejans, County Clerk

The Board of Nemaha County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Feb. 27, in the Commissioner’s Room of the Nemaha County Courthouse. The meeting was called to order with Chairman Jason Koch leading the flag salute. Present also were Commissioners Ben Glace and Dylan Keim, and County Clerk Mary Kay Schultejans recording the minutes.

Department Reports

Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor Adam Kuckelman, along with Office Manager Kathy Haverkamp, advised the board that:

• The guys are hauling rock on Spiker Road and Steele Road at this time.

• The State is getting started with the sign replacement project for the northern part of the county.

• A wind tower needs to be repaired along the Goff-Oneida Road. Kuckelman stated he is instructing them to stay on the heavy haul route when traveling to the site.

• Kuckelman has talked to KDOT about compensating the county for the use of the detour that the local people will take when Kansas Highway 9 is closed at V Road to replace a box culvert.

Jim Woolsoncroft came before the board to speak to the commissioners about the hiring of a County Administrator and about other issues involving the amount of taxes collected by the county.

District Court Clerk Amy Entrikin came before the board to speak to the commissioners about getting a credit card for her department. The board approved a credit card for the Clerk of the District Court with a limit of $1,000. The commissioners also stated they would like Treasurer Janell Niehues to look into increasing the county’s overall limit for the Visa credit cards to $20,000.

Emergency Preparedness Director Eddie Aldrine advised the board that:

• Next week is Severe Weather Awareness week.

• He was able to get the Health Department an 800-megahertz radio.

• Aldrine requested an executive session with the commissioners. The board held a 10-minute executive session to discuss matters relating to security measures regarding hazardous materials being transported through Nemaha County. Present for the executive session were the commissioners and Aldrine. The meeting returned to open session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

County Attorney Brad Lippert came before the board to present to the commissioners a draft of a resolution that would allow the Nemaha County Treasurer to refund the deposits paid for the rental of the Nemaha County Community Building. Following review, the commissioners approved and signed Resolution 2023-2 as presented.

Lippert let the board know that he has drafted a contract for the sale of property to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Lippert stated he will get this contract to the hospital for their review.

Also at the meeting

Jim Buser with the Kansas Furharvesters Association came before the board to speak to the commissioners about holding their annual conference in Seneca this fall at the Nemaha County Community Building. Buser also asked for use of the Recycling Building for vendors to set up in. The commissioners advised Mr. Buser that they will let Kuckelman know to have the Recycling Building cleaned out for this event.

Rob Quellmalz, with VanGuard Renewables, and others came before the board to speak to the commissioners about the possible establishment of an Anaerobic Digester in Nemaha County north of Baileyville. This project would utilize food waste and manure to produce methane gas. This company would like to have the commissioners sign off on the Solid Waste Processing Facility Certification form to submit to KDHE along with their permit application for this project.

Donna Elder and a group of concerned citizens came before the board to speak to the commissioners about the need in our community for the continued services provided by the Seneca and Sabetha Nutrition Program. Senior Services/Public Transit Director Tammy Epple also was present for this discussion. Keim explained that the county is not wanting to make any changes to the Meals on Wheels Program, but are looking at trying to cut costs involved with the Congregate Meal Program, due to the fact that the county is currently spending $15.20 per meal and serving 32,300 plus meals each year. Those present suggested ways to keep the Congregate Meal Program active due to the socialization that it provides to the seniors in our community.

Tim Rowland came before the board to discuss with the commissioners an issue with the location of a turbine that is part of the Soldier Creek Wind Farm.

The board held a 15-minute executive session to discuss the disciplinary action of non-elected personnel. Present for the executive session were the Board of Commissioners, Epple and Transit Driver Regis Feldkamp. The meeting returned to open session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The board held a 20-minute executive session to discuss the disciplinary action of non-elected personnel. Present for the executive session were the Board of Commissioners, Epple and Transit Driver Don Strathman. The meeting returned to open session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The board held a 10-minute executive session to discuss the performance of non-elected personnel. Present for the executive session were the Board of Commissioners and Epple. The meeting returned to open session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The board members accepted the resignation of Ron Heinen from the Goff Fire District No. 1 Board and appointed Luke Sourk to replace him on this board. The commissioners signed the letter of appointment as presented.

The commissioners signed the 2023 Mental Health Contract with Kanza Mental Health and Guidance Center as presented.

Chairman Koch signed add/abate orders as presented.

The board approved the audit engagement letter with Varney and Associates to conduct the 2022 audit and prepare the 2022 financial statement for Nemaha County. Chairman Koch signed the engagement letter as presented.

The board approved the minutes from the Feb. 13 regular meeting as amended, as well as the Feb. 21 special meeting as presented.

The board held a 10-minute executive session to discuss the hiring of non-elected personnel. Present for the executive session was the Board of Commissioners. The meeting returned to open session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The next regular meeting will be 9 a.m. Monday, March 6. These minutes were not available at The Herald’s press time.