Commissioners Approve New Keno Permit

In the county commissioners meeting Monday, the commissioners met as as the Board of Equalization, approving a $2,964 tax correction for the City of Sidney.

The commissioners reconvened as the board of county commissioners, meeting with John Fahey, operator of Cheyenne County Keno. A new location for Keno was approved. Ol Pals, doing business as The Rock Sports Bar & Grill, will be offering the game, bringing the number of outlets to five.

The commissioners also reviewed an audit of June to July Keno transactions. The fund started with a balance of $34,344 and ended July with a balance of $38,168, an increase of $3,824. Keno funds are used for community betterment, according to county clerk Beth Fiegenschuh.

The commissioners met with Tourism Director Heather Hausmann, who is working on the application process for two grants available locally. The commissioners stressed these are grants available through Hausmann and the tourism board; she is not applying for grants individually. The grants are a Promotion Grant and a Major Improvement Grant. The Promotion Grant is as it states, for the promoting of an event. Hausmann said the application must be submitted no less than 60 days prior to the event. The intent is to promote a specific event.

The other grant is a Major Improvement Grant. Major Improvement Grants are awarded for $5,000 or more. She said the Major Improvement Grant is for brick and mortar projects.

Commissioner Philip Sanders encouraged Hausmann to design an accountability system, a “post project summary” as county attorney Paul Schaub called it, to design a paper trail for the grants.

Hausmann said the tourism board is in a position it can promote all of Cheyenne County. As part of that effort, she is applying for a $25,000 state grant.

“I think we need to slow things down, make sure we’re doing things appropriately,” Sanders said.

Sanders led the commissioners in assuring Hausmann her performance as tourism director was never in question.

“You were never under fire,” he said. “I want to remind you, you are the tourism director. You answer to no one but this board.”

She thanked the board for their support while noting the Visitors Center records an average of 4,000 visitors per year for the last three years. Some of her frustration, she said, is promoting Cheyenne County but then hearing of people stopping and the Center is not open because she is promoting the area at regional events.

Among the local events occurring the season is the Christmas House Lighting, Hausmann said residents are encouraged to decorate their homes to the holiday theme. Judges will tour Sidney neighborhoods the nights of Dec. 7 and 8, weather permitting. Awards will be given for first ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50), and the “Griswold Award ($100).” Honorable mentions will also be awarded.