Hall County Commissioners meet on Tuesday, April 23, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Hall County commissioners are going to submit a two-year grant application to the Federal Transit Administration to fund rural public transportation in Hall County.
Corinne Donahue, a senior planner for transportation for Olsson in Omaha, gave a presentation Tuesday, April 23 to Hall County commissioners about the grant.
Through the grant, 75 percent of operating costs and 90 percent of nonoperating costs are reimbursed.
Donahue said the goal is to provide full services by mid-May. The system will operate from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Commissioners approved submitting the grant application by a 7-0 vote.
Donahue gave a PowerPoint presentation about the grant program. Public transportation was provided for many years through Senior Citizen Industries.
“When Grand Island became urbanized, transit funding changed, separating urban funds from rural funds. For the last several years, the city of Grand Island has provided rural Hall County services through a contractor.
Hall County’s grant application will be for $280,000 for 2023-2024 and $276,200 for 2024-2025.
In other business, the commissioners:
*Voted 7-0 to award a bid to Holiday Express as the rural transit contractor.
*Voted 7-0 to have the Hall County Transportation Selection Committee continue negotiations with the rural transportation provider.
*Heard a request from Grand Island resident Mike Garrett concerning placement of a mural depicting a train at Stuhr Museum on the old YWCA building downtown. Supervisors did not take action on the matter, because the building may be torn down.
*Voted 7-0 to award a bid for $41,040 to State Glass to install replacement windows on Hall County Road Department buildings.
*Voted 7-0 to approve a liquor license for Quality Inn at 7838 S. U.S. Highway 281.
*Heard a presentation from Mat Wullenwaber from Mid-American Benefits concerning the county employees’ 2024-2025 benefits. Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve agreements with Mid-American Benefits concerning life insurance, medical insurance, and dental insurance.
*Discussed replacement of a bridge near the school in Wood River. The Board voted 7-0 to purchase right of way and replace fence at the site.
*Voted 7-0 to reapply for a surplus tire pickup grant. The last grant application the commissioners submitted was not approved.
