Welcome Center Sale Date Near

At the Feb. 6 Kimball County Commissioners meeting, an update on the sale of the High Point Welcome Center was provided. After completing its due diligence, Big D Oil Company of Rapid City, S.D., will complete the purchase of the High Point Welcome Center and surrounding acres on Feb. 12.

The county will lease the welcome center back for $500 a month until Big D is ready to start construction. The center and additional eight acres were sold to Big D for $500,000. The company plans on developing the area as a truck stop.

Other business in front of the commissioners was a proposal for foundation repair of the courthouse. Jacob Hurla from Community Building Solutions spent months assembling a team of reputable contractors, engineers and qualified experts capable to perform the foundation repair.

Built almost 100 years ago, the courthouse has settled 1 inch on the northwest corner and there are cracks in the treasurer’s office.

The foundation repair project includes installation of 31 push piers on the north side of the building up to 40 feet deep to stabilize the building. The concrete apron around the building will be removed and new concrete will be installed after completion of the push piers. The estimated cost of the foundation repair was $133,705.

A prolonged discussion on when, where and how the courthouse settled led to the issue being tabled until next meeting.

Meanwhile, two individuals were appointed to county boards, and the new Veterans Service Officer was introduced.

Kathy Shoemaker was appointed to the County Visitor’s Committee and Trevor Anderson was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Kimball County Manor Board of Trustees.

Veterans Service Officer Matthew Meyers was introduced. Meyers is the Scotts Bluff County Veteran’s Service Officer but will also serve Kimball County veterans.

The board received updates from county highway superintendent Randy Bymer and Kimball County Manor administrator Sarah Stull. Stull told the commissioners that they have a number of projects to update the facility. The new LED lighting has been completed, and the HVAC system is continuing to progress. A new generator has been ordered.

In other news, Kimball County Treasurer Cindy Rahmig explained that state statute requires that names and addresses be listed on the delinquent real estate tax list. The tax sale for delinquent taxes will be March 4. The list appears in a public notice on Page B6 of this week’s Observer.

And finally, two candidates for the Buildings and Grounds Department were interviewed in open session at the Feb. 6 meeting.