Seward County commissioners approve gravesite mowing contract, surplus disposal and SS4A study agreement

Chairperson Misty Ahmic presided as the Seward County Board of Commissioners convened April 7 in the commissioners’ room at the Seward County Courthouse and approved routine business including minutes and claims.

The board voted unanimously to approve the March 31 minutes and claims through March 27, 2026. The consent agenda included fee reports for the Clerk of the District Court and County Clerk and authorization for the chair to sign an Implementation Agreement with JEO Consulting for a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) safety study on State Street/Tech South through Milford.

Jonathan Jank, executive director of the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership, briefed commissioners on the organization’s work and told the board he has accepted a new position and will be leaving the organization. County Assessor Marilyn Hladky provided a departmental update. Commissioners also reported on recent meetings, an emergency preparedness expo and grant activity related to bridge investment funding.

Highway Superintendent Jon Regnier presented a proposed service agreement with Jackson’s Heavy Equipment Training, LLC, for motor grader operator training. Regnier said the class requires a minimum of 10 participants and the retainer would be roughly $8,000; he explained the Road Department budget cannot absorb that cost this fiscal year and said he will seek additional details on the retainer and potential grant funding before returning to the board.

Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki reported he had obtained the FY 2024–2025 Sheriff’s Office inventory and will verify listed items. Sheriff Vance and Captain Borges said items recommended by the county audit were added to the inventory and other items are in the surplus disposal process. The board authorized the chair to sign the Sheriff’s Office surplus-property disposal request; the motion passed 5–0.

The board awarded the abandoned cemetery mowing bid to Buresh Lawn Care at $700 per mowing, not to exceed six mowings, and authorized the chair to sign the contract. Both motions passed unanimously.

Public Transit Director Brandy Hafer presented a Disclosure of Ownership and Control Interest Statement required for a Medicaid Provider application; commissioners authorized the chair to sign the disclosure on behalf of Public Transit by a 5–0 vote.

Clerk Brandy Johnson announced agenda items for upcoming meetings, including Board of Equalization business and an April 21 agenda, and scheduled discussions on the Justice Center camera system and on audio/video recording of commission meetings. Commissioner Zabrocki moved to adjourn at 9:38 a.m.; the motion carried.

Votes at a glance: Approve March 31 minutes — moved by Raegan Hain, seconded by Scott Pekarek, affirmative votes: Zabrocki, Hain, Schmieding, Pekarek, Ahmic (5–0). Approve claims through March 27, 2026 — moved by Darrell Zabrocki, seconded by Raegan Hain, affirmative votes: Zabrocki, Hain, Schmieding, Pekarek, Ahmic (5–0). Consent agenda/SS4A Implementation Agreement — motion approving consent items and chair authorization to sign (5–0). Surplus disposal authorization for Sheriff’s Office — moved by Darrell Zabrocki, seconded by Scott Pekarek (5–0). Abandoned cemetery mowing bid award to Buresh Lawn Care ($700 per mowing, max 6) — moved by Scott Pekarek, seconded by Raegan Hain (5–0); contract authorization — moved by Darrell Zabrocki, seconded by Raegan Hain (5–0). Public Transit Medicaid-provider disclosure — moved by Scott Pekarek, seconded by Raegan Hain (5–0).

The board’s actions were procedural and administrative; no ordinances, code changes or formal policy adoptions were made. Several items (notably training and road-department staffing/training costs) were deferred for further detail or possible grant funding. The minutes were certified by County Clerk Brandy Johnson.