Commissioners approve updates to courthouse ladies room

On September 6, the Kimball County Commissioners met for their regular bi-monthly meeting covering many aspects of the county’s welfare.

In commissioner reports Board member Daria Faden reported a possible art contest to decorate the shuttle, as well as specific hours for the shuttle to run.

Board member Tim Nolting reported that Oliver Reservoir had a successful year, remaining full nearly all summer and bringing in over $3,000 in donations. He said that there was an overall consensus that Sheriff Gillway was well received and a welcome component to the peaceful enjoyment of the lake throughout the summer. Nolting said that the NRD was “pleased” with the running of the lake and recreation area and that although everyone would like the lake’s water level to be higher, that currently, it most certainly will remain at its natural level. As in the past, the Game and Parks will continue to stock it with fish.

The Sheriff’s report for July was submitted to the board, detailing 958 total number of calls to the department, total 911 calls of 171,128 locally, 12 persons booked into jail and a total of 13 arrests made.

After Dave Hottell, county highway superintendent gave his monthly report, Faden asked Hottell about the road north of the tennis courts going towards the cart barn at the golf course area.

“It’s pretty bad,” she said.

Hottell agreed and said that he had previously brought that up to the city administrator and said told him that another load was needed. Hottell told the board that he figured it would take a full load, possibly even two and had told the city the same thing.

“At that time they said they didn’t have the money, so I didn’t know where to go,” he said, “He (the city administrator) wouldn’t even talk to me about it.”

Board Chairman Larry Engstrom suggested that they pay for a load and “Swing that amount to next year and see if the city will take up the $2,000 somewhere else.” Engstrom discussed the idea with the board’s legal council, Matt Turman, who agreed that intergovernmental agreements could be made, as long as all parties were aware of it.

Engstrom said, “It needs done and sounds like something that needs to be done before fall.”

Although it is a joint venture of the city and county at the recreation area, it is a county road, so after discussion, the board approved maintenance of Gilliland Drive.

County weed superintendent, Rick Wangler gave his monthly account, reporting that he is looking to replace the motor for the sprayer because the carburetor is going out, it’s old and he’s not even sure he can get parts for it. He is currently looking at an 8.5 hp Honda for $750.

He then gave an account of the PWCA meeting he attended several weeks back where he discussed with other county weed superintendents how they go about contacting land owners. Wangler said that pretty much everyone has the same issues. He showed some examples of how Kimball has been doing it, how some other counties send out weed notices and then showed how he would like to send them out. Wangler has a digital camera that has GPS so that when he sends a photo of the noxious weeds it will have the longitude and latitude on the photo so that there is no dispute over the weeds location or existence.

Building and grounds superintendent, Jim Calvin presented a proposal from Robinson Electric for $2,095 for updating the electrical on the second floor as the first step in getting hot water to the second floor women’s rest room. The board approved the estimate as well as an amount around $500 for the purchase of a hot water heater. When this is complete, according to Calvin, it will be the first time in decades that there will be hot water in the women’s bathroom.

The next County Commissioner’s meeting is scheduled for September 20 at 9 a.m.