Seward County Commissioners on Sept. 1 endorsed the Staplehurst Village Board’s application for a Community Development Block Grant application to install a new water main and water supply well.
The commissioners approved a letter indicating the village’s water system faces significant challenges with supply. The village’s water quality and its ability to sustain groundwater resources in the long term were cited by the commissioners.
The village has elevated levels of nitrates and arsenic, which can pose health risks and could exceed regulator safety limits without improvements.
A block grant, with the local match the village has committed, would allow Staplehurst to meet current needs and allow further growth.
The commissioners also voted 3-2 to approve a one-year lease/re-purchase agreement with NMC CAT for a mini-excavator with Commission Chair Misty Ahmic and Commissioner Raegan Hain opposing the move.
The agreement has been discussed in recent commission meetings and the county has objected to the description of the agreement as a lease. Hain and Ahmic indicated they do not oppose the Seward County Roads Department acquiring the mini-excavator, but voted against the measure because of the language.
When voting, Ahmic said she knew the measure would be approved and supports the purchase in general.
On another recurring discussion topic, the board recommended actions on two cases where property owners had either built structures different than they received a building permit for or built a structure without a permit.
Deputy County Attorney Barbara Armstead told commissioners it is the property owners’ responsibility to figure out how to bring the structures into compliance and bring their solution back to the zoning administrator for approval. The zoning office is working to issue cease and desist orders for both properties.
In other action Sept. 1, the commissioners:
Approved a resolution certifying the completion and final reimbursement of $250,000 for the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Bridge Match Project for an $805,556 bridge replacement on Raymond Road west of 350th Road.
Discussed a roadside vegetation complaint and discussed with a family representative the area where they are establishing native prairie grass.
Authorized entry into a state program agreement for the Public Transit Program to purchase a new lowered floor minivan.
Approved the creation of an administrative plat to be called Fiala Acres in which three acres of land in Township 12 north near 210th and Davey Roads will be transferred by Martin and Tammy Loga to Mark and Laura Fiala, giving the owners tracts of nine acres and 11 acres, respectively.
Heard an introductory presentation and update on Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership President and CEO Jordan Diedrich and Director of Administrative Operations Megan Forbes.
