Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The Cheyenne County Commissioners Monday approved upgrading the road department’s fleet of motor graders with a Caterpillar and a John Deere.
The commissioners opened several bids from Caterpillar and John Deere representatives in the previous meeting. Monday’s discussions centered around what kind of a machine is being offered from each vendor and how well is it equipped.
Commissioner Randal Miller said the goal is to upgrade the county’s “aging fleet.”
“That’s why we buy two used units instead of one new one,” Miller said.
The commissioners approved the purchase from Nebraska Machinery Company in Gering of a 2013 140M Caterpillar for $127,776 with trade, and a 2015 John Deere 770G for $138,500 with trade from Murphy Tractor and Equipment in Gering.
The commissioners also approved a proclamation defining Tuesday, April 2, as National Service Recognition Day. The promotion is designed to encourage local leaders to honor AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers by participating in recognition events, including signing of proclamations, according to http://www.nationalservice.org. The program is led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties and Cities of Service.
Bridget Whittredge, volunteer coordinator for Plains West CASA, also met with the commissioners. Whittredge said April is designated as Child Abuse Awareness Month. As such, CASA volunteers asked to design pinwheel gardens in public locations, including the Cheyenne County offices. The board unanimously approved the plan, with Board Chairman Darrell Johnson encouraging her to meet with the building and grounds supervisor on the best place to put the pinwheel displays. Pinwheels were placed at the north and south sides of the Cheyenne County Courthouse and a larger garden of pinwheels placed at Sidney Regional Medical Center today (Friday).
The board also approved purchase of new lighting for the fairgrounds. One bid and an alternate bid were submitted for the project. The bid is for $59,252 and the alternate bid was $42,524. The commissioners discussed the bid and the budgeted funds for the fairgrounds. County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh confirmed the Fair Board has $60,000 budgeted for building improvements. Fair board member Troy Kurz said some of the lights may be salvageable and could be moved to other locations on the fairgrounds. He added the new system will allow the county to expand lighting in the future. Kurz said the new LED lights are brighter and use less energy.
The commissioners approved the alternate bid of $42,524. Kurz said the lighting has to be installed by fair time.
The commissioners also approved an Exemption Application for Tax Exemption on motor vehicles owned by Sidney Regional Medical Center and Regional West Medical Center, and approved the transfer of $64,835 from the County Road Fund to the County Road Sinking Fund.
The board also held an executive session regarding a performance evaluation for Highway Superintendent Doug Hart.
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