Welcome Center's Future In Focus

The Kimball County Commissioners’ first item of business on Tuesday, May 16, was to enter into an executive session. The subject of the session focused on real estate negotiations related to the High Point Welcome Center property. No decision was made after the session.

The recent rains have nearly washed some country roads out, according to Kimball County Highway Superintendent Randy Bymer, but no one is complaining about the much-needed moisture. The road department is fixing the washouts, most in the area north of Dix. There was a reported 5-6 inches of rain in the last week.

Prior to the rains, the department was hauling gravel south of Bushnell, but that operation has ceased due to the weather. In addition, the rock hauling for the Dix Road project has been suspended because the Dix Road yard was so muddy that trucks had to be towed out of the yard. About 1500 tons of rock still need to be hauled.

Bymer suggested that the remaining two road department employees take a course for their CDL Class A license. The course is five days a week, a 4-week course, and the county would have to provide them transportation to Scottsbluff.

The department has nine employees with a CDL Class A to drive the trucks. No special license is needed to run a road-grader. No action was taken on the idea, but it was pushed back for a time period to make sure that the county wanted to invest in this program.

Bymer’s final item on the agenda was the approval of High West Energy’s under-cross on Road 45E.

The agenda continued with Rick Wrangler, county weed superintendent update, and he explained he had been out to spray Scotch thistle and musk thistle. He is looking to hire an employee to help spray, and he has been doing inspections.

Wrangler explained a program available to the county that would use a helicopter to assess and survey the Lodgepole Creek floodplain. The county could prevent the spread of weeds through the floodplain. Letters will be sent to landowners in the flood plain, and they will be required to approve the project for their land. Wrangler suggested this is a great way to eliminate one of the county’s problem areas.

The handicap ramp continues to be an item of discussion on the agenda. Four different options were presented to the commissioners, ranging in price from $137,000 to $21,000. Federal funds are available to alleviate some of the cost, but the ADA requirements are strict and precise. Steve Warner was asked to obtain two specs and quotes for a ramp on for the east side of the building and a ramp on the north side of the building.

Christy Warner, KCTS administrator, reported the arrival of the new Ford transit van which will be one of the route vans beginning July 11.

Only one bid was received for the replacement of two wheelchair vans for KCTS. The bid for $71,500 was received by Master’s Transportation. The bid was approved for two new wheelchair vans.

The next Kimball County Commissioners meeting will be June 3.