County OKs dispatching contract with city

McCOOK, Neb. – Red Willow County Commissioners approved an agreement with the City of McCook for dispatching services at Monday’s regular county commissioner meeting. The agreement calls for a 3 percent increase over last year, which will bring the cost for the services to $71,401 annually or $5,950.14 per month.

Sitting as a Board of Equalization, commissioners approved changes to property valuations that were presented by Red Willow County Assessor Kristi Korell, and some tax roll corrections presented by Red Willow County Treasurer Crystal Dack. Korell explained that some changes were due to changes in agricultural land from irrigated to dryland or vice-versa, and some were due to adjustments discovered by the assessor’s office.

Steve Barenberg of EIA Gravel asked commissioners about hauling gravel for the six miles of armor coating that will happen later this year. Chairman Earl McNutt told Barenberg that the armor coating gravel was outside the bidding that was awarded for road gravel, and bids for the armor coating would be opened on June 6th. McNutt referred Barenberg to the specifications for the armor coating that were drawn up by Miller and Associates. Barenberg said there was a possibility that gravel supply wouldn’t be available later, and McNutt replied, “That’s really nothing new.”

In the consent agenda, Commissioners also scheduled a special meeting for May 24 at 9 a.m. for the sole purpose of approving and paying any health insurance claims before the new plan year begins. The plan renews June 1.

The consent agenda also included approving $29,152.20 in accounts payable claims, authorizing McCook Public Power District authority to bore power lines on Drive 391, and approving a resolution vacating a portion of Road 404. Correspondence from the county’s insurance was also received regarding a property damage claim at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.