OGALLALA, Neb. — The Keith County Board of Commissioners met in a regular session and completed several routine approvals and funding actions while hearing updates on roads, tourism and grant activity.

Commissioners approved a contract related to planning services after Cody, who reported on zoning matters, presented a contract from MPC and said Rory and Marvin had provided edits. Commissioner Irvin moved to approve the Marvin Planning Association contract and directed the chairman to sign it; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The board also approved a resolution authorizing use of inheritance-tax funds to support a Southwest Nebraska Juvenile Services project tied to a Nebraska Crime Commission grant (CB0516). Commissioner Kraske moved for approval and Commissioner Irvin seconded; the resolution passed on roll call. Commissioners noted the resolution includes repayment language for those inheritance funds, and staff said the resolution would be typed and signed as corrected before finalization.

In other formal actions, the board accepted Don Wilson’s engagement letter as the county auditor for the coming year (motion by Irvin; second by Schroeder) and approved the 2024 year-end certification for the county highway superintendent that determines incentive payment, authorizing the chairman to sign the certification form after the resolution was adopted.

The board declared a nonworking Electrolux refrigerator at the jail surplus and authorized its disposal following a motion and roll-call approval requested by the sheriff’s office.

During the meeting staff and committee representatives gave updates: Tommy reported that mowing season is winding down and crews are addressing culvert and road-capping work in areas of the sand hills; Sean from the chamber said lodging-tax receipts are up (about $14,409 ahead through four months and roughly $28,800 ahead year over year) and described marketing investments including higher-quality late guides, QR-enabled table covers for trade shows and preparations for the 2025 Lincoln Highway National Convention in Ogallala. County staff also discussed revising CV grant-budget language so transfers occur "in and out of inheritance" rather than creating a separate general-line item.

Commissioners recognized Barb Shafer for her recent NERMA convention honors and briefly celebrated her birthday. Board members also reviewed results from a recent county auction (about 90% of items sold) and confirmed a travel authorization and a routine motion to approve minutes and payments.

The meeting concluded after the board handled the agenda items and confirmed the planned schedule for late-December and early-January meetings.