Engstrom Back At The Helm

The Kimball County Board of Commissioners at their Jan. 7 annual reorganizational meeting moved unanimously to keep the 2020 structure of county government status quo with 2019.

Ryan Stearns of the architectural firm Joseph R. Hewgley and Associates also updated the commissioners on restoration work at the new county transit building. The downtown facility remains on schedule for May completion with a new roof and temporary indoor heating for interior work this winter.

Starting at the top in the reorganization, Larry Engstrom returns as board chairman, Brandon Mossberg as vice chairman and Daria Anderson-Faden as the other board member.

“If you’re chairman of any organization and the other two commissioners have their faith in you (to elect you chairman), that’s pretty important,” Engstrom told the Observer. “That’s nice for somebody else to have confidence in you.

“The other commissioners have the same power. I don’t believe I’m better than the other two commissioners. I’m just the one who calls the meeting to order.”

Engstrom, who has been chairman several years and is serving in his third four-year board term, said a main focus of his as commissioner is “to listen to people, not get caught up in emotions” during heated issues. “You need to be level-headed and calm, think things over, look at the issues and consider putting them on the agenda.”

Commissioner meetings will continue at 9 a.m. on first and third Tuesdays at the courthouse. The Western Nebraska Observer was designated to again serve as the official newspaper for county public notices regarding board meetings and other business.

The commissioners also retained the county’s team of appointed officials. They are:

Randal J. Bymer, highway superintendent.

Jim Calvin, building and grounds superintendent.

James R. McDonald, veterans service officer.

Sheila Newell, zoning administrator.

Jessica Rocha, tourism director.

Cathy Sibal, contact, Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association.

Rick Wangler, weed superintendent.

Christy Warner, human resources advisor and transit service administrator.

Darcee Wheeland, county general assistance.

The commissioners also reappointed themselves to serve on these committees:

Engstrom: Panhandle Weed Management Association, Region 21 Emergency Management, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Local Emergency Operations Plan, County Tourism, County Veterans Service Office.

Engstrom/Anderson-Faden: City/County Park & Recreation Operating Board, Panhandle Area Development District, Aging Office of Western Nebraska, Panhandle RC&D.

Engstrom/Mossberg: County Highway Department.

Mossberg: South Platte Natural Resources District, Integrated Management Planning Workgroup, Panhandle Public Health District, County Safety Committee, County Transit Service, County Manor.

Mossberg/Anderson-Faden: Region 1 Behavioral Health/Panhandle Health Group, County General Assistance.

Mossberg/Engstrom: County Weed Department.

Anderson-Faden: Panhandle Development Disabilities Services, County Hospital/Ambulance Service, County Zoning, County Human Resources Department.

Anderson-Faden/Engstrom: Region 1 Office of Human Development.

Anderson-Faden/Mossberg: Community Action Partnership, County Buildings & Grounds.

Meanwhile, the county’s bank depositories remain FirsTier Bank of Kimball, Points West Community Bank of Kimball, the Kimball State Bank branch of Potter State Bank, and the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust.

The commissioners next meet 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21.