Darling resignation officially accepted

McCOOk, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners has accepted the resignation of Sheriff Kevin Darling, effective April 13. The timing ensures the board can meet its statutory obligation to appoint a replacement within 45 days, while placing that deadline after the May 12 primary election.

Darling initially submitted his resignation on Monday, March 24, recommending Deputy Blaine Varney as his replacement. Varney is a candidate for Red Willow County Sheriff in the Republican primary. At that time, the board declined to act, citing concern that an appointment ahead of the election could be perceived by voters as an endorsement.

By delaying acceptance, the board sought to allow voters to weigh in at the polls and pledged to abide by the outcome. Chief Deputy Burton Pianalto is currently serving as interim head of the department.

The vote to accept the resignation was taken as part of the consent agenda.

Earlier Monday, the board called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m., then reviewed and approved accounts payable claims.

At 9:00 a.m., the board opened the floor for citizens’ comments. Former Red Willow County Deputy James Wright addressed the board, taking exception to remarks made at an earlier meeting suggesting that personnel had left the department for higher pay with the City of McCook. Wright assured the board that his departure was motivated by professional development opportunities and potential for advancement, rather than solely by financial considerations.

Chairman Gans thanked Wright for voicing his concerns.

The Board of Equalization was then convened, and County Assessor Lori Stevens presented a series of tax roll corrections for the board’s consideration. All corrections were related to homestead exemption adjustments, with nine exemptions from 2022 and 2023 totaling $7,045.14.

After approving the adjustments and holding a brief discussion on commercial reappraisal services, the Board of Equalization adjourned.

The Board of Commissioners reconvened at 9:30 a.m., opened bids for the county’s annual armor coat project, and, after review, awarded the contract to B & H Paving for $175,100.

Commissioners then discussed a proposed change to the county payroll schedule, moving from the current monthly system to a semi-monthly payment to employees. After a lengthy discussion about the definitions of the terms semi-monthly and biweekly, the issue was tabled pending further study of the costs associated with the transition.

Commissioners also considered the appointment of an interim emergency manager following Sheriff Kevin Darling’s resignation. An initial motion to appoint Billie Cole failed for lack of a second. The board then voted to appoint Chief Deputy Burton Pianalto to the position, with the motion passing on a 2–1 vote.

Commissioners also reviewed an invitation to participate in a Section 106 consultation process related to the Red Willow Reservoir. The board took no action.

Before the consent agenda was presented, Commissioner Gans pulled one item: the Countryman Associates, PC contract for services and tabled it pending further discussion.

The remainder of the consent agenda, including a road occupancy permit for John Ahlemeyer, an interlocal agreement with Dundy County for housing inmates, a county road occupancy permit for the Nebraska Public Power District and the acceptance of the resignation of Sheriff Darling, was approved.

Correspondence received by the board included a decision from the Tax Equalization and Review Commission, a handout from the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, and the Jail Standards Board’s annual evaluation.

Departmental reports were also acknowledged, including the Household Hazardous Waste quarterly report, the County Clerk’s monthly report, reflecting $9,402.81 in revenues for the month, and the Clerk of the District Court’s monthly report, which indicated receipts in the amount of $1,720.53.

With no further business brought before the board, the meeting adjourned.