McFaul Interim Tourism Director

The Kimball County Board of Commissioners met for its first October meeting on Tuesday Oct. 4.

Natasha McFaul from the High Point Welcome Center of Western Nebraska topped the agenda items. After a report on the center, McFaul was appointed interim county Tourism Director.

McFaul said that the center still averages 30 visitors a day, with weekends being a few less. New hours for the center will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Paint classes continue at the center, and the souvenir and gift shops are still open.

Following McFaul’s update was an update on KCTS with Christy Warner, county transit administrator.

KCTS reported that total rides in July, August, and September were up for the fiscal year 2022-23. July rides increased by 385. In August, the gain in rides was 798, and September had a surge of 974 additional rides from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Top destinations for KCTS for the first quarter were Kimball to Potter with 106 rides, Kimball to Scottsbluff with 92, Kimball to Cheyenne with 61, and Kimball to Sidney with 49.

Employment leads the reasons for rides, followed by wellness, social, and recreational, and 92 rides were taken in the first quarter for preschool out of the county.

KCTS has received emails from Clean Harbors and Kimball Health Services to discuss transportation options for employees and patients.

Finally, KCTS has made numerous trips to Denver International Airport. One-way routed scheduled trips cost $75, and on-demand trips to DIA are $125 in each direction with half off for three or more people in the same party.

Discussion/action items approved or authorized during the meeting were Highwest Energy Application for Permit to Occupy County Right of Way (CR 46 and 29), Certificate of Cost Allocation Plan for Kimball County, which includes County Attorney at 29.9%, and Clerk of the District Court at 35.64%.

The commissioners approved the continuing Stanard Appraisal maintenance agreement between the commissioner and the assessor, and Stanard.

Oct. 18 is the next regular commissioner meeting.