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Hall County commissioners approve $5.05 million annual offer to DHHS, greenlight courthouse landscaping changes
Summary
After an executive session, the Hall County Board approved an offer to contribute $5,050,000 a year toward a 20‑year lease for DHHS office space and approved landscaping changes to the courthouse that will remove a longstanding tree; the DHHS motion passed 6–1.
Hall County commissioners voted to extend an offer to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to contribute $5,050,000 per year toward a 20‑year lease for DHHS office space, and approved related next steps for drafting an agreement.
The motion, introduced by a commissioner after an executive session on negotiations with DHHS, included language requiring adherence to obligations from a 1984 lease or contract, a point the county attorney asked be included. The motion passed 6–1; one commissioner voted no, citing concerns about keeping county business downtown and the length of a long-term agreement.
Commissioners instructed county staff to have the county attorney and administrative staff work with DHHS representatives to draft an interlocal or similar agreement for future approval. “We’ll have Marty work up with Mr. Mills to come to an agreement or an interlocal of sorts to get that drawn up for approval in the future,” the mover said after the vote.
At the same meeting the board approved several other facility and procurement items. The board extended the commissary partnership agreement with Summit Food Service for another year at the same rates and accepted a roofing bid for four roads‑department buildings from Tolleson (approximate bid $42,426), each by roll call votes.
The board also debated and approved a landscaping revision for the courthouse remodel that will remove an existing oak/walnut tree on the east side of the courthouse. Staff said excavation for the new front‑entry canopy and sidewalk would require cutting around three feet of soil near the tree’s roots and that attempts to preserve the tree would either conflict with the design or reduce parking. After discussion over the canopy’s utility and the tree’s value, commissioners voted 6–1 to proceed with the current plans, which include tree removal.
The county attorney noted the DHHS offer language should reflect the county’s obligations under prior lease arrangements, and commissioners said staff should return with a formal interlocal or contract for final approval. No final lease document was signed at the meeting; the vote authorized the offer and directed staff to negotiate terms.
Votes at a glance — selected outcomes from the meeting: the DHHS lease offer motion carried 6–1; the commissary contract extension (Summit Food Service) carried by roll call; the roofing contract award to Tolleson carried by roll call; the courthouse landscaping/tree removal motion carried 6–1. Other procurement items (carpet bids) were held for clarification and will return to a future agenda.
The board recessed and adjourned according to its published agenda; staff will return with draft contract language and cost-line items for subsequent review.
