Police To Use Old Hospital To Train

At the Tuesday commissioner meeting, the Kimball County Commissioners voted to approve Kimball Police Chief Jose Ruiz’s request to use the former Kimball Health Services hospital for training purposes.

The approval is for training on Aug. 28 that will focus on clearing buildings. Ruiz must provide a certificate of liability for the training to be conducted at the former hospital building, which is owned by the county and up for sale.

In other business, Kimball County Treasurer Cindi Rahmig and Dave Hottell, county sheriff, explained the total distress warrants. Rahmig sent the distress warrants to the sheriff, and he attempted to collect overdue taxes. Hottell was sent $11,294.66 to be collected, and he collected $10,496.87, which includes interest. Only $1,333.18 was not able to be collected.

In another matter, Hottell asked the commissioners for direction on installing a laundry facility for the county jail inmates’ laundry. KCTS is doing the laundry for $250 a month, but KCTS informed the sheriff that its prices will increase significantly to around $900 a month. Hottell will get bids for the electrical, water lines and cost of the machines. The laundry will be in the custodian office area on the first floor.

The retirement of County Attorney Dave Wilson continues to be felt.

According to the bylaws of the Park and Recreation Board Executive Board, the county attorney represents the county along with the three commissioners. As county attorney representing the commissioners, Matt Turman said he was uncomfortable filling the position and felt he would find it hard to be objective because he represents both the county commissioners and the City Council.

Another elected official could sit on that board instead of the county attorney by amending the bylaws. Elected officials were to be contacted to find out if they are interested in being on that board.

The commissioners approved the construction change order from Community Building Solutions to replace the courthouse’s 10 fan coil unit control values and thermostats, thus completing the HVAC upgrades.

The All-Class Reunion is scheduled for 2025, and Kim Baliman updated the commissioners on the events.

Jacob Alishouse, executive director of Nebraska Land Trust, met with the commissioners to discuss and explain the purpose of the trust. Alishouse is working with Banner, Kimball and Cheyenne counties to get a public meeting organized to explain the Nebraska Land Trust and to select an advisory board to implement the program. Operated through NRCS, about $1.9 million is available for conservation easements.

The commissioners continued to meet in budget sessions throughout the week. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3.