MRNRD board OKs bond
CURTIS, Nebraska -- The Middle Republican Natural Resources District board of directors approved a bond for permanent financing of a project to increase stream flows in the Republican and Platte rivers.
At Tuesday's Board meeting, the directors gave formal approval to the Bond Resolution authorizing the issuance of the district's Limited Obligation Occupation Tax Supported River Flow Enhancement Bond, Series 2013.
This action will provide security for payment of a bond to be issued by the agency for the permanent financing of the project. The district's portion of the bond will be issued for no more than $25 million with a 25 year payment schedule. This approval will allow N-CORPE to move ahead with the refinancing of the interim bank loan.
General Manager Dan Smith presented a draft budget of about $5 million for the 2013-14 financial year. This draft is the first step toward a final draft for public hearing in September. The numbers on both the spending and income side may go up or down as circumstances and valuations change. About $2 million of the budget covers general operating costs and the remaining $3 million is occupation tax that will be used for projects to help the district remain in compliance with the Integrated Management Plan. The district is nearing the end of its $5.7 million budget
The board heard a request for a pooling agreement variance from Malmkar Farms. Speaking on behalf of Malmkar farms was Jarrot Malmkar. He explained to the board that his farm, along with several other farms owned by family members had been farmed as if they were pooled but did not have a formal pooling agreement in place, though, they do have a pending agreement in the District office. The board denied the request.
The board considered a rules and regulations change put forth by board member Benji Loomis. Loomis proposed that the District change the current allocation set for 2013 from 18 percent of the base allocation to 20 percent or a change from 10.8 inches to 12 inches. The motion failed.
The board approved six summer camp scholarship applications for 2013. One camper will be attending the NRD sponsored ACE camp, the other five will be attending the Youth Range Camp sponsored by the Nebraska Section of the Range Management Society. Applications came from Red Willow, Hitchcock, and Frontier Counties. The scholarships cover the full registration cost for each camper.
Lastly, under personnel, Smith reported that the District hired Amanda Shuler as the new Field Office Secretary for the Trenton Field Office. Carol Lashley, the current secretary, is relocating to the McCook Field Office, replacing Betty Fritsche who retires at the end of May.