Valley County approves short‑term hotel payment for employees amid Highway 95 closure; further planning requested

The Valley County Board of Commissioners on March 24 approved payment to cover two county employees’ hotel stays after a recent closure of Highway 95 left workers unable to reach home.

Commissioners and staff said two employees were housed locally when they could not get home and that the county had already paid for two rooms; a motion recorded at the meeting directed staff to pay the hotel bill. The meeting record shows a motion to pay for the two employees’ overnight stays at a local hotel (referred to in the discussion as “Novo/Nobo Hotel”); the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Discussion at the meeting focused on an upcoming, more significant closure associated with pile‑driving work to repair or shore a retaining section on the highway. Staff said contractors will need large equipment that could require a “hard closure” of the road while work proceeds and that the county expects the closure could last up to three weeks in the worst case. Staff said final drawings were being completed and that county staff would receive a schedule update from contractors the following day.

Commissioners discussed short‑term accommodations for employees who must be present during the week and suggested options including using less expensive local lodging, arranging different start times, or using the county plane for shuttles. Commissioners requested staff (including Dan and Kevin) to report back with the number of employees likely affected, the anticipated nights required, and options to reduce lodging costs. The meeting record does not show a final multi‑week accommodation plan; commissioners asked staff to return with more information and to place follow‑up items on a future agenda.