County recalculates tax support for historical society

Red Willow County commissioners approved recalculations in the amount of tax support for the High Plains Historical Society and in income guidelines for county medical assistance during their weekly meeting Monday morning.

Nebraska's state auditor spotted a miscalculation in the historical society's lid limit, and reduced the amount of tax support it will receive from $16,658.78 to $15,441,46, and its levy from $.002476 to $.002295. Commissioners unanimously approved the $1,217.24 reduction in taxes.

Working with Nebraska Health and Human Services, commissioners agreed to a 6 percent increase in gross income for participation in the county's medical assistance program. For one person, the increase amounts to an additional $26.80 per month, from $446.66 to $473.47. The three-month base gross income would increase from $1,340 to $1,420.40.

Commissioners and social service worker Barb Hinz of McCook will continue to discuss the medical assistance program at the commissioners' Nov. 9 meeting, at 10:15 a.m.

In other action, commissioners:

* Approved changes in the county employee personnel manual to introduce new expense worksheets that must be accompanied by proper receipts and documentation to be approved for reimbursement; this change becomes effective Thursday, Nov. 5. Other changes spell out meals allowed for reimbursement; legal holidays on weekends and the preceding Friday or following Monday off; and vacation time and hours allowed to be carried over to the next year.

* Approved the renewal of the agreement with Indianola for sheriff's officers to enforce municipal codes. The agreement runs from Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, and is paid at $500/month or $6,000/year.

* Approved an agreement with Community Hospital of McCook to borrow the communications trailer/command post owned by Red Willow County and the City of McCook.

* Designated the sheriff as the animal control authority for unincorporated areas of the county.