Supervisors reject merger

In response to discussion from the Beatrice City Council, the Gage County Board of Supervisors quickly rejected the notion to consider merging law enforcement with the city of Beatrice.

Chairman Rex Adams said it was proposed that three entities — the Beatrice Police Department, the Gage County Detention Center and the Beatrice Fire and Rescue — be housed in one location.

The idea was discussed at Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting after surfacing at Monday night’s Beatrice City Council meeting.

Councilman Ted Fairbanks originally brought up the idea at a council subcommittee meeting and said he favored further discussion on the matter.

“I think it’s inevitable, in the long run it’s a cost saving measure,” Fairbanks said. “I would like to be a part of the discussion to lay the groundwork for it …” he said in the Monday night meeting.

Council members agreed to delay further discussion on the matter until the county considered the idea.

Supervisor Dennis Byars immediately announced his stance.

“I am one who totally disagrees with this,” he said. “I think there are some people out there, politically, who’ve convinced themselves that this would make law enforcement more reasonable economically.”

Byars mentioned several issues including the vast difference in county deputy versus city police wages as well as the requirement for the sheriff to step up and be in charge of all departments as noted in state law enforcement statute.

Supervisor Gary Barnard asked if there was “any merit for them all being in the same building.”

“I don’t believe it’s viable for fire and police to be in the same building,” Adams said.

He said the number of traffic coming from such a facility would be far too much for Beatrice.

Adams also expressed concern for what a joint facility would do for two years of work already done on a possible new Gage County Detention Center.

“It’s already been two years we’ve waited for a new jail. I’m not against the conversations. But it stops the jail is what it would do,” he said. “It puts a hold on the jail facility we desperately need.”

“If they’re thinking that neither (a new jail or a new fire department) would pass — I just don’t think it’d pass if they were all together,” Supervisor Shirley Gronewold said. “I’m not in favor of any more discussion on that.”

Barnard said he was in favor of the three being housed in the same building, but the consensus was that the board would not discuss the matter further with the city.

The county did agree to further discussion on economic development and possibly partnering with the city for that purpose.

Supervisors Barnard, Dave Anderson and Matt Bauman will meet with a council subcommittee to discuss partnering on economic development.

In other news from Wednesday’s County Board meeting:

— Supervisor Ron Fleecs said the slate delivered to the county for the courthouse roof was only 1/4 inch when the requirement was 3/8 inch. The slate is too thin to put on the roof due to possible breakage. New slate will have to be sent at no cost to the county.

— Dave Jones, Gage County Courthouse custodian, recommended choosing Tiemann Construction for concrete work at the courthouse triplex. The bid was for $4,886.

— The board approved a resolution to vacate the road between sections two and 11 in Island Grove Township near Virginia.

— The board approved bids by B’s Sign Company for rural 911 address signs. The bid came in at $46,332 with 50 blanks at $4.13. The board chose the more expensive galvanized posts for longer life. Emergency Manager Mark Meints said this is consistent with Saline, Lancaster and Johnson counties. A white border was added to the blue signs at no cost. A grant from NRMA, the county’s insurance, for $2,500 was used as partial payment for the signs. The signs will be placed at rural addresses on the right side of every driveway. The Highway Department will do the installation.

— The board approved reconsidering resolution on Special Use Permit No. 09-01 for a Rock Quarry in Rockford Township. Letters will be sent to all parties involved letting them know the issue has been tabled. Supervisor Gary Barnard abstained from voting on the reconsideration due to his business relationships with parties involved.

— Kerri McGrury read the proclamation for National Crime Victims Rights Week. The week is designated as April 26 through May 2. McGrury said over 33 million Americans are victims of crimes each year. The week provides an opportunity for the country to notice the Victims of Crime Act which allows for victim compensation. Gage County will be joining forces with victim’s rights groups to keep the public aware.

— Lori Warner gave the Visitors Committee quarterly report. Warner said the group is down about $7,000 from 07-08 in hotel/motel revenue. Warner announced that eight resumes were turned in for the Visitor’s Bureau director position. An advisory committee narrowed the choices down to three individuals that will be interviewed. She hopes for a decision by mid-May.

— Chris Kelly with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program gave his annual weed control review for Gage County and Weed Superintendent Emily Rosenthal. He gave Rosenthal 3380 points out of 3400. He said the average superintendent receives 3200 points.

— At 9:30 a.m., informal quotes were opened for asphaltic concrete. Only one business—Constructors—gave an informal quote for a recycled mix asphalt. The bid was for $1,019,942 for three inches of asphalt overlay on two different county road projects.

— Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang discussed with the board a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Beatrice with regards to stimulus money from the Department of Justice to go for the SEADE task force. The board approved the MOU.

— County Clerk Dawn Hill discussed changes in the employee handbook. Vacation will now be made accessible as time is earned. The board will review the handbook changes and take action next meeting.