The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently shared their assessment of conditions at Seward County’s 18 abandoned cemeteries, but now the county needs to figure out who will do the work, when it will be done and how they will pay for materials.
Seward County Commission Chair Misty Ahmic told commissioners the plan was to absorb the personnel time into the Seward County Roads Department’s work, and the county budget would have to fund the $4,000 in materials needed.
“We need to plan on budgeting for these items,” Ahmic said at the commission’s April 21 meeting.
The commissioners some time ago decided that each abandoned cemetery should have two signs, one indicating the cemetery name and the other indicating it is an abandoned cemetery. The DAR assessment notes which cemeteries have these and which may need signs repaired or replaced.
But Road Superintendent Jon Regnier said he would prefer to order both signs for each cemetery at the same time so the department would have any that are not installed now ready to be installed when needed.
Those 36 signs run about $75 each, he said, or $2,700 total.
He said he needs to measure the fencing recommended, but it runs about $90 per roll, which would be $450 for five, and 150 posts costing about $855.
However, Regnier said he would want to measure the actual fence needed and asked whether commissioners intended for the department to get into trees that border the cemeteries to fix or replace fencing.
He also said would want his staff go into one cemetery at a time, do the work that is needed and move on to the next rather than doing the signs and coming back later for fencing and tree work.
“I do not want to do things twice,” he said.
The board indicated if the trees lined the border of the cemetery, a fence may not be needed unless safety is an issue.
Commissioner Raegan Hain said in recent years, the county has not expended funds for the abandoned cemeteries except for mowing.
She has worked with the 4-H office to possibly have classes showing 4-Hers how to care for the old cemetery stones.
Ahmic pointed to the amount of work the DAR members had done in Seward County and told commissioners the group was planning to present a program at the Seward 4th of July Celebration.
“I just want to say how thankful I am for them and Mary (Dolan). She has gone far and above,” Ahmic said.
Insurance rises
16 percent
The board also discussed and accepted a 16% increase in the cost of its employee health insurance for 2026-27 with representatives from Point C Insurance.
Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki said he did not recall having a double-digit increase in premiums before, but Jamie Olsen and Hannah Pares of Point C said the rates reflect the county’s use of the health plan.
Hain said that increase is challenging given the anticipated 3% merit increases for employees.
The board authorized Ahmic to sign the insurance renewal documents.
In other action at its April 21 meeting, the board:
• Heard a report from Elaine Menzel of the Nebraska Association of County Officials related to NACO events and recent legislation.
• Approved a request to hold the Seward Farmers Market on the north side of the courthouse lawn from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays from May 16 to late October.
• Authorized renewal of the Geo-Comm contract for mapping maintenance services for the E911 center, which is paid from the E911 Wireless Fund.
• Authorized a $20,000 rental agreement for a smooth drum roller owned by Hartman Construction Co., for the Road Department to use on Missile Base Road and at the fairgrounds.
• Tabled a request for funding for use of Opioid Fund money to pay for Seward County District Court staff attendance at a Rise26 Treatment Court Conference, pending materials outlining conference programs that would show its connection to the opioid issues.
• Approved a utility permit for Windstream Nebraska to bore fiber optic line on Rokeby Road from west of Cordova to 476th Road.
• Opened a single bid for a used motor grader for the roads department, on which a decision will be made April 28.
• Approved amendments to the Seward County Aging Advisory Board bylaws.
