Gage County ends routine roadside shredding by county crews, keeps safety exceptions

The Gage County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to stop routine roadside shredding by county crews, but said county staff may still clear vegetation immediately around county structures or when a documented safety concern exists.

The action, moved by Supervisor Adams and seconded by Supervisor Haxby, passed with five votes in favor and one vote opposed (Supervisor Dorn). The board defined the policy change to cover “any vegetation” along county rights-of-way, with the explicit exception of vegetation immediately adjacent to county structures and other imminent safety hazards.

Board members debated the balance between taxpayer responsibility and safety. Supervisor Haxby cited Nebraska statutes assigning certain upkeep to landowners and said the county should not “subsidize those that don’t” comply with those duties. Road operations staff described how high vegetation can interfere with the county’s reclamation equipment and create maintenance and safety problems if left uncut before roadwork.

Supervisor Adams moved the measure, saying simply, “I will make a motion to end roadside shredding.” The motion was clarified during debate to allow county crews to continue maintenance that addresses imminent safety threats and to preserve routine maintenance around county-owned bridges, culverts and other structures.

The board and road staff discussed alternatives including formal notices to landowners and using contractors or township crews when removal or more extensive tree work is required. County counsel and staff said the board may still pursue statutory remedies for persistent noncompliance, including notices, assessment processes and, if necessary, bids for removal that could be assessed against properties per the law.

The change responds to years of discussion, supervisors said, about inconsistent upkeep along rights-of-way, staffing limits in the highway department and limits on county authority. The board instructed staff to continue addressing immediate safety hazards and to follow legal notice procedures when landowner compliance is required.

The board recorded the vote as five in favor, one opposed; supervisors did not provide a roll-call breakdown for each yes vote in the meeting minutes besides noting Supervisor Dorn’s recorded opposition.

The policy will take effect immediately; staff said they will use existing notice and assessment procedures when property-level enforcement or contractor work is required.