[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6519953,"mediaKeyId","5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2","parentId",5340809,"title","Scotts Bluff County commissioners approve consent items, property adjustments and several contracts; set multiple policy changes","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",5334000,"endMs",5499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2&start=5334&end=5499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2/thumbnail_5334000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519953/Scotts-Bluff-County/Nebraska/Scotts-Bluff-County-commissioners-approve-consent-items-property-adjustments-and-several-contracts-set-multiple-policy-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519953-101f2b66d93f25d057732eaefd8502d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148215&Signature=LqHs6GnTCVuoWZ9ydkWtSdaV5rqn~4aCNBcCTHjtenZ60g3Hw7onNMPqdTFG~rrNFAmu-AQ4q6ucjOLW4eKVMh1qx0IsXkgOBImdvcKygnUSyudQkmwmJDXGdEPOzYhY5O6t2vkunnf4ss5Wt4QaYKavB042ORoyd052aZi7hin6CUTmhMpjoTg9uBmDYaYgmlmZ2pT0e9bYA9e49dX9YIn0T6SWAaRFQluL8WlWYUNDBMg9rqFWmHePS~nlZyMWWzrbq~PxwRu9B1DpNbcU7rj8z52qRwvVIhh0zs9ZXiwNwp6VPvzNqup2yufOHNB6qwYIoD4j7r0jT-FUiK55vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Scotts Bluff County, NE","date","2025-07-09T22:22:57.1Z","article","The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners voted on a series of routine and substantive items during its July meeting, approving agenda changes and multiple board actions including motor-vehicle tax exemptions for Regional West Medical Center, two destroyed-property adjustments, an exemption application for Region 1 Office of Human Development, adoption of a distracted-driving personnel policy, approval of an inmate communications contract and ratification of federal grant awards.

The board approved the consent agenda after correcting minutes from a June 27 Board of Equalization meeting. The Board of Equalization then considered and approved three motor-vehicle tax exemptions for Regional West Medical Center (two late renewals and one new vehicle described as a 2024 Ford Explorer). Commissioners approved two reports of destroyed real property—parcel 010331484 (Williams) and parcel 010007202 (Leffler)—removing the assessed values of buildings damaged by high winds (value reductions cited in staff reports as $5,555 and $20,285, respectively). The board also approved an exemption application for a property purchased between Jan. 1 and July 1 by the Region 1 Office of Human Development to be used as a residential home for individuals with developmental disabilities (real property value listed as $102,005.75 and personal property $10,000; staff recommended approval for tax year 2025).

On the general agenda commissioners adopted a countywide distracted-driving personnel policy for employees who drive county-owned vehicles; the policy will allow departments with existing driving policies to follow those department-specific rules and changes the policy text from “should” to “shall” in one provision. The board also approved a change to the appointed-officials performance-evaluation process requiring evaluations of appointed officials be reviewed and signed by the board chair or the chair’s delegate; in the chair’s absence the vice-chair will sign.

The county approved a contract with Inmate Communications International Corp. (operating as NCIC in presentation) for inmate telephone and communications services after the vendor offered pricing structured for a recently proposed but not implemented FCC rate rule. The board also ratified the chairman’s signature on two federal grant awards: a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grant and a 2026 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award; both were presented to the board for ratification after the chairman had signed to meet grant timelines.

The board authorized an interlocal Veteran Service Officer (VSO) agreement with Kimball County; the packet cites a total amount of $13,800 for the agreement, computed from a monthly figure described in the staff presentation. Commissioners also received a TimeClock Plus payroll implementation update and multiple staff reports during the meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (including corrected June 27 BOE minutes): approved, vote recorded as 5 yeses.
- Board of Equalization: enter and exit BOE, and items below: approved, 5 yeses.
- Three motor-vehicle exemptions for Regional West Medical Center: approved, 5 yeses. Staff noted one vehicle was new (2024 Ford Explorer) and two were missed renewals.
- Report of destroyed real property, parcel 010331484 (Williams): recommended removal of building value $5,555; approved, 5 yeses.
- Report of destroyed real property, parcel 010007202 (Leffler): recommended removal of building values totaling $20,285; approved, 5 yeses.
- Exemption application for Region 1 Office of Human Development (residential home for developmental disabilities): real property $102,005.75, personal property $10,000; recommended and approved for tax year 2025, 5 yeses.
- Distracted-driving personnel policy (personnel file acknowledgment and change from “should” to “shall”): adopted, 5 yeses.
- Appointed-officials performance-evaluation policy (chair/vice-chair sign-off requirement): adopted, 5 yeses.
- Inmate communications contract with Inmate Communications International Corp. (NCIC): approved, 5 yeses.
- Ratify chairman signature on 2025 HIDTA grant: ratified, 5 yeses.
- Ratify chairman signature on 2026 JAG award: ratified, 5 yeses.
- VSO interlocal agreement with Kimball County (staff cited $13,800 total): approved, 5 yeses.

The board held no formal votes on staff reports and received public comments with no members of the public speaking during the allotted time. Commissioners indicated some items will return for future follow-up, including a postponed item previously removed from the agenda.

Ending: County staff and commissioners said they will proceed with implementation steps for the approved policies and contracts, and will follow up on scheduling and budget items in upcoming sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Scotts Bluff County Commissioners Meeting, Monday, July 7th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners approved a package of consent and substantive actions at its July meeting, including motor-vehicle tax exemptions for Regional West Medical Center, two destroyed-property adjustments, adoption of a distracted-driving personnel policy and approval of a county jail inmate communications contract.","taxTitle","Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska","taxId",69685,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519939,"Juvenile diversion coordinator says state guidance may eliminate fees; county attorney favors continuing charges until law changes",252,6464000,6716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2&start=6464&end=6716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2/thumbnail_6464000.jpg","/articles/6519939/Scotts-Bluff-County/Nebraska/Juvenile-diversion-coordinator-says-state-guidance-may-eliminate-fees-county-attorney-favors-continuing-charges-until-law-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519939-b0945d6e291f4b354b224408f2487e5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148215&Signature=HrnZ3rjrJsYB5uOv0s7-JEZGL~pIMmGNABHJpo6tJleEZePOPhVkc3JZsDg9Bg~xZ-BCqGpgEd7rd2~FB21bzh~PNzGUyyzGPnggi95VGY1um2Op8iVpb9fGCugnlWQK7QXAbcbUIVDxapcGE7mww1eii5WsgwR5Y36DHRo-lKkZwEa700zaM-ajauZSjOi4q8m-Vq72dGaV3Ocat93SB~g7LJgioXlAYlqIrUcsJVpOHyK68fEmkysqB1WfzmeNRXNiv51FKWIga2fVTmkx4kl6Kdw-QQlmQ4xLEY0iubu21MdUfUraodlZrSoyvAq6ZxmbcVF-KWcVlUFGDjgK6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tammy, Scotts Bluff County\riversion coordinator, told commissioners that the Nebraska juvenile-justice commission and new statewide guidance encourage discontinuing diversion fees for juveniles and that pending legislation could eliminate juvenile diversion fees altogether.

Tammy said the standard county diversion fee for juveniles is $75 and $150 for persons over 18. She told the board she routinely waives or reduces fees for low-income families and has authority to do so. Tammy estimated annual fee revenue at roughly $5,000–$6,000 and said fines are sometimes used to determine whether a participant completes diversion satisfactorily; if fees remain unpaid the county typically classifies the diversion outcome as unsatisfactory, which can affect future court handling.

State guidance favors lower-fee approaches and increased use of warning letters and tailored diversion programming for low-risk youth. Tammy said she has already modified the local diversion model to rely more on workbooks, online classes and direct one-on-one intervention rather than extended community-service hours in some cases. She said juvenile risk screening (NSAT) helps tailor the length and content of diversions.

County Attorney Dave Uebanks told Tammy and the board he wants staff to continue charging fees until the Legislature passes a law removing or limiting them. Commissioners acknowledged competing advice from state juvenile-justice authorities and the county attorney and did not take immediate action; they were briefed so they could anticipate possible revenue and program changes.

Ending: Commissioners accepted the update for information; staff will continue collecting fees under current local policy while monitoring state law changes and guidance.","Scotts Bluff County juvenile diversion staff reported that state guidance and pending legislation could remove juvenile diversion fees; the county attorney advised continuing current fee collection until state law changes, and staff described program adjustments and typical annual fee revenue.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519943,"Scotts Bluff County board sets Sept. 9 recall election date for District 3 commissioner",586,3717000,4303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2&start=3717&end=4303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2/thumbnail_3717000.jpg","/articles/6519943/Scotts-Bluff-County/Nebraska/Scotts-Bluff-County-board-sets-Sept-9-recall-election-date-for-District-3-commissioner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519943-1dc5739aeb70b5ed0f2eaff4d7d9569e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148215&Signature=Lkh8jqmEttzzQilfl3Waqjahh~WCTViPJoZPhrLpF5LSmA9XzijpKQFBBgHaOZp81X4oRFldL~qeyNAurzWFAcqglTyWHvtyWMOvIDrCJiAfRRjbxvcpOToJjBKrPSzmrwVWHiso3LWzJb3fq3YdDsgWFQcxzdrZZBJeTzQ17j-n8KlUlwdI8ucIHWkVMvbwOoYaOn7EuV~lbHb7~0S3XAUY8tY8q16B8joCz45V49XKuC3EQ4l3XtjyiUdAB1fffUI2I1FeYhICo~V1kazvOmhMZO1uQ4fPV4IuYTKX8g23FVdyiCSvVWxLlV9-Nx93Abrg9gKMnyNhr15Jv7bZZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners on July 8 adopted a resolution setting Sept. 9, 2025, as the date for a recall election in County Commissioner District 3.

County Clerk Kelly Sides read the certification included in the resolution: a recall affidavit was filed, petitions were issued and returned, the clerk certified the required number of valid signatures had been collected (the packet listed 745 total signatures submitted, 35 rejected and 710 valid signatures) and service was completed on the subject of the recall and the governing body on June 27. The governing body declared the signature threshold met for recall purposes and the board set the recall election for Sept. 9, 2025, in the voting precincts of County Commissioner District 3.

Commissioners discussed whether the vote on the election date presented a conflict of interest for Commissioner Charlie Knapper; county civil counsel Jason Ocean and the county attorney advised that the action to set an election date is a ministerial/procedural duty required by statute and not a discretionary decision that would require recusal. Commissioners emphasized the vote was procedural: the governing body must order an election within statutory timelines or the matter will proceed through court processes.

Commissioners moved to adopt the resolution as presented and unanimously approved it, recorded as 5 yeses.

Ending: The county clerk will proceed with election scheduling tasks, including consideration of whether the election qualifies for mail balloting under state law; staff provided an estimate of election costs at about $10,000, subject to actual materials and final accounting.","Following certification of recall petitions, the Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners set a recall election date of Sept. 9, 2025, for County Commissioner District 3 after county clerk verification and counsel review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519947,"County auditors give Scotts Bluff County a clean cash-basis opinion, note segregation-of-duties weakness and ARPA spending",702,1342000,2044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2&start=1342&end=2044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5340809-e71047e5932add8f919dd5954e8315a2/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","/articles/6519947/Scotts-Bluff-County/Nebraska/County-auditors-give-Scotts-Bluff-County-a-clean-cash-basis-opinion-note-segregation-of-duties-weakness-and-ARPA-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519947-16f84ddac59758663360818e6baff802/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148215&Signature=Cqc2JJ8waS1iftewHpJl8xwmrTdA94jfRjf36lpLjqm8Of6-ugPWWP7sP8cbw5O3dsTPaIdKFFyGRGfQXyGI4k9w4fs~hWJTDF4FUpU~DXBHSYMDVmY-tJEqzHZUnP0kMfbGFKYt2jpfDA3fLjVg0iAwWy7vZrYBpAtbAIvB18~1vdiCYaLO33kR3dngYVXDwk63jA4CqlCBHNvo8nrXu9FOwb1F6285pnQcx0V1E24B-mmszJcapkLcPca2AkMWBcPW9TionwRZcGRAC70wf7bmJG8MJpCdgy~0PiDbjCc8a~OfNBma11BvJdn8RRXyvl2ET3GgxKs-PSLKRxgh4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dana Cole & Company presented an independent financial audit of Scotts Bluff County for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, concluding the county\u000financial statements presented fairly on a cash basis while reporting a material weakness related to segregation of duties.

Kevin Sylvester, partner with Dana Cole, told the Board the audit produced a clean opinion on the county\fash-basis financial statements, meaning the statements \"present fairly in all material respects\" on a cash basis. Sylvester emphasized the statements are prepared on a cash basis and therefore list cash and fund balances rather than fixed assets or long-term liabilities in the statement of net position.

The audit reported total cash of about $14 million at year end, with roughly $6.6 million restricted and $7.4 million unrestricted. Total disbursements for the year were reported at roughly $39.2 million. Sylvester noted a net decrease in cash of about $5.4 million largely attributable to spending from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that the county received in earlier years: approximately $33.3 million of ARPA funds had been expended since receipt.

On internal controls, Sylvester said auditors identified a recurring material weakness (finding 2024-001) tied to insufficient segregation of duties in some county offices. He described the condition common in smaller local governments: a small number of staff sometimes perform multiple accounting functions (authorizing, recording, reconciling) and recommended mitigation through more independent review, cross-training, periodic oversight and, where necessary, additional staffing.

Commissioners questioned long-term debt levels and timing of repayments. Sylvester reviewed debt schedules: long-term debt decreased in the fiscal year as bonds and capital leases were paid down; he cited around $10.9 million in outstanding bonds and leases after payments that included a large payoff related to statewide radio/radio equipment financed via Motorola and reimbursed partly through ARPA. He also discussed capital leases for road graders and notes payable for an aircraft hangar recorded by the county and the arrangement whereby other political subdivisions reimburse the county for shared equipment payments.

On reserves, Sylvester said cash decreased but that much of the change reflected ARPA drawdown, not operating shortfall. He recommended that counties maintain cash reserves of at least four months of operating costs and suggested six months would be preferable in current interest-rate conditions. Commissioners discussed fund-level cash, the county's practice of reviewing disbursements at board meetings and the practical limits of continuous oversight.

Sylvester also described the audit\fommunication and compliance reporting required by government auditing standards and the single-audit \"uniform guidance\" reporting for federal awards; he reported no instances of reportable noncompliance with major federal programs for the audit year.

Ending: Commissioners accepted the audit report; no formal action was required beyond receipt. The board asked staff to continue to monitor internal controls and report corrective steps for the segregation-of-duties finding.","Dana Cole & Company presented the county\u000financial audit for the year ended June 30, 2024, issuing a clean opinion on cash-basis statements while identifying a recurring material weakness in segregation of duties; auditors and commissioners discussed debt, ARPA spending and recommended cash reserves.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Scotts Bluff County commissioners approve consent items, property adjustments and several contracts; set multiple policy changes

Juvenile diversion coordinator says state guidance may eliminate fees; county attorney favors continuing charges until law changes

Scotts Bluff County board sets Sept. 9 recall election date for District 3 commissioner

County auditors give Scotts Bluff County a clean cash-basis opinion, note segregation-of-duties weakness and ARPA spending