Commissioners Approve Changes to Comm. Center Bylaws

The Cheyenne County Board also approved changes to the Emergency Communications Center bylaws, and the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement. Emergency Communications Director Heidi Gillespie said the interlocal agreement will be adjusted as of July 1, reflecting the percent each agency serviced pays. Gillespie said the changes to the agreement include adding the Deuel County Sheriff to a voting member of the communications board. Previously, the Deuel County Sheriff served as an ex-oficio member of the board. She also said there will be adjustments in the fee schedule. Deuel County will include slightly while Cheyenne County and Sidney will decrease.

The Emergency Communications Center serves Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, Regional West Emergency Medical Service, Potter Volunteer Fire Department, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, Gurley Volunteer Fire Department, Dalton Volunteer Fire Department, Lodgepole Volunteer Fire Department, Chappell Volunteer Fire Department, Big Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Chappell Ambulance Service and Region 21 Emergency Management. The Communication Center also provides communications services for the Handibus service in Sidney and serves as the after-hours contact point for all City of Sidney Utilities as well as the county roads departments and the local contacts for Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).

The commissioners also approved an agreement to sell scrap metal and aluminum by bid.

The commissioners opened bids for the purchase of scrap metal with one bid received. Scrap Co, owned by Bob Van Vleet, submitted a bid for $700 per ton of scrap aluminum, and $105 per ton for scrap metal.

The commissioners also opened one bid for an asphalt overlay project about miles of County Road 17a from the Railroad bridge to County Road 32S.

A bid of $799,775 submitted by Simons Construction was accepted at $799,775, under the engineers estimate of $845,750.

The board also discussed realigning some of the office space within the courthouse. The Region 21 Emergency Management office is moving to a county building on Grant Street. The office space is currently being updated for Region 21 use. In the April 5 meeting, the commissioners met with Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Tom Payne about moving the Department of Motor Vehicles to the current Region 21 office. With that move, the commissioners meeting room would be a conference room when the commissioners are not meeting.

The board also approved a Designated Liquor License for the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for April 23 at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds.

The board also met in executive session to review a confidential Court House Security Assessment.