Dix Road Becoming A Fixed Road

In a few weeks, County Road 59 South, otherwise known as the Dix road, will receive two coats of chip seal.

At the present time, the tubes or culverts have been installed, and there are about 3½ miles left to patch before the chip seal project begins. The badly needed repairs will help improve the life of the blacktop and hopefully repair potholes.

Randy Bymer, road superintendent, said the packer price is set to increase for the chip seal project.

In other news discussed at Tuesday’s Kimball County Commissioners meeting, Bymer said the Road Department is blading, fixing washouts and checking roads. He also said there had been lots of overtime due to the rains and trying to get caught up.

The commissioners went into executive session for contract negotiation, strategy and guidance from legal counsel regarding terms of sale of the High Point Welcome Center of Western Nebraska. After about a 20-minute executive session, the commissioners returned to an open session with no comment.

Natasha McFaul, interim county tourism director, told the county board that she hired two part-time employees for the duration of the summer, and that the visitors center is hosting about 50 tourists per day.

McFaul expressed concern about the Visitors Committee due to the past four scheduled meetings not being held because of a lack of quorum. Letters are going out to individuals on the committee, and if they are unable to attend, then they will attempt to get new board members.

Sheriff Dave Hottell met with the commissioners for his quarterly report. The Sheriff’s Office received 515 calls for service and 444 911 calls, and 35 people were arrested/booked into the facility. From 2022, the number of 911 calls has increased to more than 50 calls per quarter, the number of persons arrested has increased, and the number of inmate days increased from 383 in 2022 to 671 in 2023.

Budget season is just around the corner, and Kimball County Budget Officer Josi Morgan discussed meeting dates and deadlines with the commissioners.

Finally, the Kimball Hospital Foundation received approval for a Special Designated Liquor Liquor for their Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament.

The next Kimball County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 18.