County Commissioners Approve ARPA Administration Agreement

SIDNEY--The Cheyenne County Commissioners met Monday morning with a light agenda, focusing on a consulting services contract and road issues. The Commissioners approved a contract with Core CPA's, formerly Lutz CPA, for consulting and auditing services regarding American Rescue Plan Act funding. Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh explained that the company was seeking an hourly rate increase to administrate ARPA funds. The changes in price went from $415 to $445 per hour for a partner, $255 per hour to $295 per hour for a manager and $155 to $180 per hour up to $175 to $200 for a senior staff member. Fiegenschuh said that the county has been dealing with a manager, so the increase in cost would go from $255 per hour to $295 per hour. Chairman Darrell Johnson said that the company had performed good work so far, and had no objection to the increase. The Commissioners approved the new agreement unanimously.

The other topic that was discussed was road maintenance and preparation for the winter driving season. Cheyenne County Highway Superintendent Doug Hart addressed the commissioners, saying that his team had been working on patching jobs on roadways throughout the county, and that they were preparing to do some graveling on key areas of roadway. He also stated that culverts for road 111 had been delivered to the shop in Sidney, and that his workers should start installation work by the end of the month.

Commissioner Philip Sanders told Hart that he had received calls about the condition of roadway 19A, with complaints of cars sliding off shoulders on the roadway in certain locations. Hart said that these areas had been repaired a few years ago and that there's a curve on that roadway that needs to be widened and filled. He suggested using millings for filler as rocks and gravel settle in and wear away quickly, causing the problem to reappear. Hart noted that the county uses sand and salt on the roads to clear the roadways. Commissioner Randal Miller asked if the Highway Department could use chloride for clearing ice and snow, but Hart said the cost would be prohibitive, and that the county does not have the equipment to use chloride. Miller then asked if it would be possible to contract with the state to use chloride in the problem area, and Hart said the state would not agree to that, as then they would have to agree to contract with other counties in the same way, which would be very expensive and require more equipment than they have on hand. Hart then asked if he should put out bids for motor-graders with broader specifications for the Highway Department, and the commissioners said that it would be a good idea to do so. The County currently has two motor-graders in operation.