Buffalo County Courthouse (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Buffalo County Commissioners granted American Rescue Plan funds to Buffalo County Community Partners and the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation during their meeting on Tuesday, July 9.
“Under the American Rescue Plan, Economic Development Administration was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks,” per the U.S. EDA.
The ARPA funds were distributed across the country and recipients included local governments and municipalities, such as county boards. Recipients must obligate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024, and spend them by Dec. 31, 2026.
There had been three applications regarding ARPA funds from Buffalo County submitted by Buffalo County Community Health Partners, Kearney Catholic High School Foundation and the Village of Shelton.
Representatives from Buffalo County Community Partners (BCCP) appeared and said their plan to use the funds would be to address the “crisis” regarding the lack of quality childcare options in Kearney and the wider county.
Through their work with current providers helping get new providers licensed and trained, 186 new spots have been added to the capacity.
It was also noted that Buffalo County sees a higher expulsion rate among children and one of BCCP’s goals is to reduce this number.
The commissioners approved granting $40,000 to BCCP.
The next applicant for ARPA funds was the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation.
Jonathan Nikkila, the co-chair of the campaign to raise the funds for the modernization of the Miles Field athletic complex, appeared at the meeting and said the facility was in need of updates.
The ideal facilities that KCHS envisions include modern restroom facilities, bleachers to accommodate 1,000-1,500 fans, an eight-lane track, artificial turf on the football field, equipment storage, a machine shed under church property, concession stand, ADA accessible facilities and a field training room.
Work has already begun on the facility, with a groundbreaking being held on Nov. 16, 2023.
The goals for the community use of the space in the future includes a welcoming and bureaucratic-free approach to making the space available to community organizations and county schools that require turf and track access.
The commissioners voted to grant $50,000 in ARPA funds to the KCHS Foundation.
The application from the Village of Shelton was tabled until a future meeting to allow local officials more time to discuss funding sources.
During the meeting there was an update from Jon Cannon, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO).
Cannon emphasized NACO’s mission of serving the elected officials of all 93 counties across Nebraska and work to provide resources and education to help make local government function more efficiently.
Cannon noted to better serve the western areas of the state, they are building an office space in Ogallala. This avoids having to send NACO staff from Lincoln, potentially eight hours to the other side of the state.
Speaking to the recent legislature session, repealing the inheritance tax had been presented but failed to pass. Where the inheritance tax goes to the counties, NACO was aware of what losing this revenue stream could do to many Nebraska counties.
More advocacy was what Cannon suggested as he noted some of those elected to the Legislature may not fully understand how county boards operate or the different obligations and stresses, they are under.
When asked about Governor Jim Pillen’s push to have a special session, Cannon said that nothing has been put in writing yet, 16 days ahead of when Pillen hinted, he would want to call the session.
During the Highway Department section of the meeting, John Maul, Highway Superintendent, appeared with a recommendation regarding a decision on closing Evergreen Road between 220 and 235 Rds.
Maul noted that there is no roadway through the area, but the county has maintained a right-of-way. If closed, the right-of-way would be vacated to the neighboring landowners.
A public hearing was set for 10 a.m. on Aug. 13 to hear comments from the public regarding the proposed closure.
During the board of equalization meeting, the commissioners approved a report of destroyed real property owned by Kerri Taylor.
Assessor Roy Meusch said the structure was destroyed by a fire on April 6 and the valuation would change to $40,010; $10,000 for the foundation and $30,010 for the land.
During the zoning discussion, the commissioners approved sending proposed zoning and subdivision regulations back to the county planning commission for some changes and added verbiage to several items.
During the regular agenda, Sheriff Neil Miller appeared regarding 911 surcharges for wire lines.
Miller said setting the surcharge comes up every year and it has remained at 75 cents for the past 10 years, when it was last raised from 50 cents. He recommended keeping it at the current rate, which the commissioners approved.
