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Presenting Marlene Rezac a check for over $5,400.00 is Alisa Schmitz and Lisa Kerner from the IOOF Lodge. The fund-raiser was held to help raise money for medical expenses for Marlene.
The regular meeting of the Gregory County Board of Commissioners was held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the Gregory County Courthouse.
If it’s good enough for the state, it’s good enough for the county
In line with Governor Noem’s decision to grant all state employees a paid holiday for Good Friday and Easter Monday, April 2 and 5, the board agreed to grant the same to all county employees.
Shaffers are one step closer to a new home
The commissioners convened as a board of adjustment to review and approve a variance application for Patrick and Claudia Shaffer to build a house on a parcel of land less than 40 acres in an Ag District. The parcel is located in the Soesbe Addition in the Gregory Civil Township.
County doesn’t have a lot of options
Larry Jirsa, the architect who put the bid specifications together for the courthouse roof, was available to answer questions by the commissioners about the $82,796.00 bid from Great Plains Roofing. After the discussion, the board accepted the bid.
Herrick Lake to get a new bridge
The board adopted a resolution to replace the Herrick Lake Bridge. The bridge is currently listed in poor condition and is eligible for funding through the Federal Aid Bridge program at an estimated cost of $450,000.00. The county’s share is estimated at $81,225, or 18.05% of the total cost.
Farm use and precipitation are hard on roads
David Gnirk attended the meeting to discuss his concerns about CR 35 north of the Petersen Cemetery bridge and the road east of the archery range. Gnirk uses these roads frequently in his farming operations. The board agreed to discuss these concerns with the highway superintendent.
Flat land is hard to drain
Brad Stanghor of Ulteig Engineering reported his recommendations for alleviating the drainage problem at the north end of the City of Gregory. He suggested that culverts and sloping could be replaced and changed to assist with drainage, but keeping water away from the Berean Church will continue to be difficult; the land involved is extremely flat. Kent Hogrefe also joined in on the conversation, noting that water moves east and south and then pools without a way to drain away.
Ulteig Engineering will put together a cost estimate for the project for the board to review at the next regular meeting. The project could begin as early as this summer.
Parking lot hasn’t swallowed any cars ... yet
Ulteig Engineering also reported that a project plan to repair and upgrade the courthouse parking lot will be available at the next meeting.
Red tape is finally cut
After an extensive wait, the county has received SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) clearances for a number of projects and will begin the process of bid letting soon. Ulteig Engineering will put together proposals for the board to review before advertising for the bids. The long-awaited projects include Buryanek Road, Mule Head Road, Haiar Ranch Road, Paul Vaughn Road, and Petersen Cemetery Road.
Track loader bid letting coming soon
Although a track loader is budgeted for purchase this year, the estimated cost will exceed the bid limits per statute. The board agreed to advertise for bids, to be opened April 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
Tipping could be a danger
The board approved the purchase of a 2011 Smithco Side Dump Trailer from Joel Sinclair Trucking. The purchase price is $40,000, and has been budgeted for. Commissioner Lance Matucha opposed the purchase, citing liability concerns that if the department employees aren’t properly trained in the use of a side dump they might accidentally tip it over.
Annual report is filed
The commissioners received a copy of the 2020 Annual Report that has been filed with the Department of Legislative Audit. The next regular meeting of the board will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the courthouse.
