Gage County approves consent agenda, juvenile plan, landfill bond acknowledgment and several claims

The Gage County Board of Equalization on Dec. 11 approved its consent agenda, several vendor claims and a series of administrative items, and authorized a five‑year juvenile community plan and related Crime Commission grant application.

The board opened by approving the consent agenda, which included the meeting agenda, Nov. 27 minutes and claims through Dec. 10 totaling $2,111,919. The board voted 6 in favor to adopt the consent agenda as presented.

Two separate claims drew explicit disclosure from the chair. The chair read claim #2412‑0123 to Hard Rock Quarry LLC for $330.66 and claim #2412‑0132 to RLTM Construction Inc. for $74,741.82, both for township hauling and gravel work, and stated, “These are 2 companies I'm involved with.” After discussion, the motion to approve those claims was moved and seconded and carried (the transcript records 5 in favor with Teaman abstaining). The board later approved claim #2412‑0126 to Johnny's Welding Inc. for $205.22; the total claims paid through Dec. 11 were reported as $2,187,197.70, including internal transfers. That motion passed (record shows 5 in favor with Durgin abstaining).

On juvenile services, Christina presented the county’s required five‑year Juvenile Community Plan, citing local and state data sources including the Nebraska SHARP survey, Juvenile Justice Institute data and local hospital and school information. She listed four priorities: maintain collaborative juvenile services infrastructure, address chronic absenteeism, curb illegal substance use and underage drinking, and respond to mental and behavioral health needs. The board voted 6‑0 to approve the plan and authorized the chairman to sign.

Closely related, the board authorized submission of the Community‑Based Juvenile Services Aid application to the Nebraska Crime Commission, a primary funding source for local diversion and alternatives to detention. Christina said the county’s MAPS receives a small administrative share; the board approved authorizing the chairman to sign the application (vote recorded 6 in favor).

The board also approved Resolution 24‑23 acknowledging issuance by the Beatrice Area Solid Waste Agency of up to $16 million in revenue bonds (Series 2025) to finance a new landfill and related equipment. The chair described this action as an acknowledgement of the agency’s plan; the city had passed similar language earlier. The board voted 6‑0 to adopt the county resolution.

A building entrance agreement allowing Unite (the university network/provider) to trench and supply Internet service to the extension office was approved by unanimous vote (6‑0). The board discussed the agreement in committee prior to the meeting.

The board recessed for a closed session at 9:36 for an FOP (police union) negotiation update and possible personnel discussion; the chair said no action would be taken after closed session. The board returned to open session at 10:41 with no reported formal action resulting from the closed session. The meeting adjourned at 10:48.

Votes and recorded tallies in the transcript: consent agenda (6‑0); claims and individual claims approvals (votes recorded with several abstentions noted in the transcript: Teaman and Durgin in separate motions); juvenile plan (6‑0); juvenile grant application authorization (6‑0); resolution 24‑23 (6‑0); building Internet agreement (6‑0); closed session motion (vote recorded in transcript as 5 in favor to enter closed session).