Gage County board approves solar contractor reassignment, engineering contract, highway certifications and foreclosure resolution

In routine business on Oct. 29 the Gage County Board of Supervisors approved a series of contracts and resolutions affecting county infrastructure, records and tax collection.

The board approved an MOU reassigning contractor responsibility for a small county solar array to Norris Public Power and ISI Solar. The reassignment motion passed 6–0.

The board also approved an amended contract with Manelli Wagner and Associates to serve as the county’s engineering consultant for CPF grant projects (Christ Lutheran and Odell blacktop overlay). Mark Manelli, who identified himself as part of Manelli Wagner and Associates, told the board environmental review and grant approvals remain pending and that construction is likely in spring or summer 2026. The amended contract clarifies lump-sum vs. hourly billing within the grant-approved scope; the motion carried 6–0.

On highway business, the board approved Resolution 25‑11 certifying the County Highway Superintendent for year‑end certification tied to state incentive payments and approved the year‑end certification process. The board also approved Resolution 25‑12 directing the county attorney to institute foreclosure actions on delinquent real estate taxes; the motion passed (vote recorded as 5 in favor).

The board authorized pursuing liquidated damages for the Volkscapes culvert project after the contractor missed contract deadlines; the recorded figures in the discussion varied (transcript references $143,700 and $134,400). The board approved signing a letter and processing the payment once finalized.

The board set May 1 as a target date to move or digitize court records from the 4th floor; Building & Grounds chair will coordinate with the district court on specifics and logistics. The board noted that some court records must remain in original form per state archives and that options include targeted digitization and transferring records offsite.

Votes at a glance: MOU with Norris/ISI Solar — approved 6–0; Manelli Wagner contract — approved 6–0; Resolution 25‑11 — approved 6–0; Resolution 25‑12 (foreclosure) — approved (vote recorded as 5 in favor); Liquidated damages authorization for Volkscapes — approved 6–0; Court records move/target deadline — approved 6–0.

Next steps: Clerk and relevant department chairs will circulate contract documents and next‑step instructions; the county will finalize liquidated-damage calculations and send the letter to the contractor. The Building & Grounds chair was tasked with notifying the district court about the records timeline.

Representative quotes: "We'll sign that letter and then put it through our payment process," the chair said regarding liquidated damages. Mark Manelli told the board, "We should be on for hopefully spring or summer work next year," describing the overlay schedule for CPF grant projects.

Procedural note: several transcript lines contained inconsistent or unclear dollar amounts for liquidated damages; the board directed staff to confirm final numbers before issuing payment.