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Dawes County approves tourism grants, adopts $1,600 health deductible; tourism salary request tabled
Summary
The board approved three visitor promotion grants totaling $2,500, adopted a $1,600 health insurance deductible and tabled a request to change the Tourism Director from hourly to salaried status; the board also discussed the Crawford law enforcement contract and approved an SDL for The Ridge.
At its May 13 meeting the Dawes County Board of Commissioners approved three promotional grants from the Visitor Promotion Fund, adopted a $1,600 deductible for county health insurance for fiscal year 2025–2026, and took no action on a request to reclassify the Tourism Director from hourly to salaried.
Tourism Director Kerri Rempp presented promotional grants for Fur Trade Days ($1,000), the Old West Trail Rodeo ($1,000) and the Peabody Hale Fiddle Contest ($500). The board approved all three grants on a single motion (moved Commissioner Jake Stewart; seconded Commissioner Walter Juhlin). Rempp told the board that grant amounts are decreasing and that the Visitor Promotion Fund did not produce the anticipated revenue this year; she said the Improvement Fund can cover some operating costs going forward.
Rempp requested changing the Tourism Director position from hourly to salaried pay. Deputy County Attorney Adam Edmund advised that, based on the proposed annual salary, the position could qualify as an administrative exemption. Commissioners raised concerns about benefits associated with the change; the board did not take action on the request during the meeting.
The board also reviewed the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield subgroup application and adopted a $1,600 deductible and the Dental PPO plan for the 2025–2026 plan year (motion by Stewart; seconded by Juhlin). The vote was recorded as aye by all present commissioners.
On intergovernmental matters, Chairman Vic Rivera said the City of Crawford has indicated it wants to return to the original law enforcement contract and that no meeting has yet occurred between the city and the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Stewart said Jeff Johns, the county sheriff’s administrator, should schedule a meeting; Chief Deputy Lee Sayaloune said Johns has made attempts to set meetings. Deputy County Attorney Adam Edmund said he would notify Crawford’s mayor that a meeting is necessary.
The board also approved a Special Designated Liquor (SDL) license for The Ridge for a Chadron State Park celebration on June 13–14, 2025, with specified hours on both days. The meeting adjourned at 10:46 A.M.; the board’s next meeting is May 27, 2025.
