Submitted by Nicole Lee

County Clerk

The Board of Brown County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 5, with the following members present: Chairman Lucas Heinen, Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and Commissioner William Pollock. Also present was Brown County Clerk Nicole Lee. Chairman Heinen opened the meeting at 1 p.m. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Commissioner Tesoriero.

Department Reports

Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Roberts discussed replacing the Rescue Squad boat, possible medical release policy, and needed repairs to the County-owned Rescue Squad building. Quotes for the Rescue Squad boat were as follows: All Hands Fire Equipment LLC, a Whaly Boat 435R for $9,950; Inmar Marine Group an inflatable boat with SOLAS panels for $8,480.19; and Grainger, a transom-style rescue boat without motor for $9,279.77. The board accepted the quote from Inmar Marine Group in the amount of $8,480.19 for the purchase of an inflatable rescue boat, with payment from the Capital Improvement Fund, and to submit the expense for reimbursement related to the June disaster.

Chris Denner and Vicki Hubin with Community Corrections presented the commission with the following revisions to the Salary and Wage Scale:

Director/Co-Director: $54,580-$108,367.09

Office Manager: $23.58-$38.20

ISO: $23.63-$46

ISO II: $27.11-$54.21

The commissioners approved the revisions to the Community Corrections Salary and Wage Scale effective immediately.

The commission discussed consolidating Road and Bridge employee classifications and establishing wage ranges. The board approved the following revisions to the Road and Bridge Wage Scale, effective immediately.

Crewman: $18.50-$25

Assistant Foreman: $25-$27

Foreman: $26.50-$28.50

Superintendent: $30-$32

Also at the meeting:

The commissioners discussed Brightspeed property tax recovery charge, Jeschke, reinterviewing applicants, and the comment period for the Highway 75 expansion study.

The commissioners recessed into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing compensation of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employee. Interim Appraiser Kerri Koch and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The commission agreed to extend the executive session for an additional 10 minutes The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The board agreed to amend the compensation of Interim Appraiser Koch to $29.49 per hour until a County Appraiser District can be formed by resolution between Nemaha County and Brown County.

The board approved the Sept. 30 meeting minutes as presented.

Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce requested use of Courthouse Square and electricity for the annual Halloween Frolic on Oct. 31. The board approved the use of the Courthouse Square and electricity for the annual Halloween Frolic on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The commissioners agreed to reappoint Jim Scherer to the 2027 NEK-CAP Multi-Board of Directors.

The commission recessed into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the qualifications and compensation of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the applicants. Road and Bridge Secretary Tami Lehmkuhl and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The commissioners agreed to extend the executive session for an additional 10 minutes The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

Commissioner Tesoriero proposed a Purple Heart mural project in Hiawatha at Sixth Street and Oregon Street. The board agreed to proceed with the Purple Heart mural project.

The board recessed into a five-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the performance and compensation of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employees. Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken by the board following the executive session.

The next regular meeting was held on Monday, Oct. 12. These minutes were not available at The Herald’s press time.

Work Session

The Brown County Commissioners convened at 1 p.m. at the Brown County Courthouse for a work session with Chairman Heinen, Commissioner Tesoriero and Commissioner Pollock present, along with County Clerk Lee. The following topics were discussed: upcoming interview schedule, plan for noxious weed spraying, hot patch, chip and seal process, misuse of sick leave, possible Tribal Council meetings, applying for grants for road reclamation, Courthouse lawn maintenance, HFED/RHID project, employee benefits, 2029 Highway 246 project, and Road and Bridge structure. No action was taken. The work session adjourned at 2:47 p.m.