Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
When a system doesn't work, you change it. That is one of the discussion items that occurred in the Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting recently.
Among the agenda items in the nearly four-hour meeting Jan. 6, the commissioners met with Weed Superintendent Cris Burke. Burke is under contract with Cheyenne County, not a county employee. She is also under contract with Deuel and Garden Counties. She met with the Cheyenne County commissioners Monday to present her annual report. While giving the report, she asked the commissioners if they were interested in a new weed control district. She said it could offer opportunities for new grant funding.
Commissioner Philip Sanders said he is frustrated with the High Plains Weed Management and its parent organization. He said there is seldom a quorum, yet there are projects getting approved.
“I want to know who is making these decisions,” Sanders said. “They never have a quorum.”
He said when he asks for information, he doesn't receive it, and is often told to just approve the proposal. Sanders said he refused to vote on claims he didn't have information for.
Burke said there is a $15,000 grant recently announced. Sanders questioned the grant with seven counties vying for a portion of it.
Burke said she is researching a new weed district, one of counties with like issues and concerns, and geography. She suggested a three-county district with a board primarily made up of a commissioner from each county. Burke and the board discussed a collaboration of Garden, Deuel, Cheyenne and possibly Kimball counties. The commissioners suggested Cheyenne, Deuel and Kimball counties because they all have similar concerns: Lodgepole Creek.
Burke also asked if the county could budget her a raise as it did others. Commissioner Randy Miller said the county likely could budget an increase similar to what employees received: 2 ½ to almost 3 percent. Burke's contract overlaps fiscal years, running from March to February of the next year. Cheyenne County operates on a fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30.
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