County hears hopes for youth services

Red Willow County commissioners reappointed Earl McNutt their chairman and OKd the county's survey of and plan for juvenile services during the new board's first meeting Tuesday afternoon. This was new commissioner Leigh Hoyt's first meeting.

An independent auditor also gave commissioners a good report on 2001-2002 records.

Sheriff Gene Mahon and Sheila Ruble, director of CEDARS/Southwest Nebraska (formerly Southwest Nebraska Youth Services), told commissioners the $10,046 grant for which they have applied would be used to reach more schools with DARE classes.

The juvenile services plan indicates Red Willow County has a total population of 11,448; 5,278 housing units and 3,190 family households.

A total of 2,925 age 3 and over are enrolled in school. The median family income is $40,279; 244 families are living in poverty.

Problems identified included:

- Domestic violence's effects on youth.

- Parental apathy toward youth activity.

- Significant abuse of alcohol and drugs within the community.

- County cannot fund youth programs adequately.

It was pointed out in the survey that several schools in the county do not have access to DARE education. Mahon told commissioners, "Several schools feel the need for drug and alcohol education, preferably with a uniformed officer."

Auditor Don Wilson gave commissioners a good report on their 2001-2002 audit, with one comment. "The county attorney is holding $400 in evidence money since 1998," Wilson said. "He needs to dispose of that according to state statute."

Wilson told commissioners this is the second time he has commented on the same $400.

Wilson commented, for the second year, too, on a lack of segregation of duties within county offices. What this means, Wilson said, is that one employee can handle a transaction from beginning to end. This is a "material weakness," he said, but admitted there is not a lot the county can do about it because of a lack of staff and resources. "There is no evidence of noncompliance with state statutes," Wilson said.

Wilson told commissioners there were no overdrawn budgets for the fiscal year. "We like to have it that way," McNutt said.

Sitting as a board of equalization, commissioners approved annual renewals of tax exemption applications for religious, education and charitable reasons for these entities: First Assembly of God Church, Association for Retarded Citizens of Southwest Nebraska, Peace Lutheran Church, Southwest Area Training Services, Good Samaritan Hospital of McCook and Hillcrest Nursing Home.

In other action, commissioners:

- Approved the fifth payment, $85,029, to J.L. Construction for work on the Kiplinger Equestrian Arena on the fairgrounds in McCook.

- Adopted a resolution in support of an effort by the National Association of County Officials to retain 2003 Congressional appropriations for "Help America Vote," which would enable states and counties to update election equipment.

- Appointed Jim Hall of McCook and reappointed Orion Fritz of Bartley to four-year terms on the Hillcrest Nursing Home board of directors.

- Adopted a resolution to approve these banks for use by the county: McCook National Bank, Wells Fargo, AmFirst, Union Bank and Trust, First Central Bank, Adams Bank and Trust of Indianola, State Bank of Bartley and Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust of Lincoln.

- Appointed Miller and Associates as the county road supervisor.

- Made these committee appointments: commissioner Leigh Hoyt to the Hillcrest Nursing Home board, Veterans Service Commission, County Visitors Board, County Health Board, E911 Board and Work Ethic Camp Community Involvement Committee.

Commissioner Steve Downer as board vice-chairman and to the RC&D board, Economic Development Corporation board, CDBG Program Income Administration Board, Area Six Agland Board and Grant Writers Project.

Earl McNutt as commission chairman and chairman of the board of equalization and to Region II governing board and Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.

- Approved a security bond for Frankie Lou Nicholson, clerk/treasurer of the Village of Lebanon.

- Reviewed and filed the county clerk's monthly revenue reports.