Richardson County commissioners approve Verizon GPS/AI cameras for road crews, proclaim May Community Action Month and approve funding and claims

The Richardson County Board of Commissioners on April 8 voted to implement a Verizon-provided comprehensive GPS system and AI-integrated camera system for the Road & Bridge Department to document grading records and rock placement.

Commissioner Campbell moved to approve the system; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Karas and passed by roll call (Karas-aye, Campbell-aye, Caverzagie-aye). Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. told the board the new garage building delivered for Verdon will be built to house two motor graders and that grader districts are being adjusted to add a district.

Representatives from Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partners (SENCA) presented an annual report and noted that May 2 marks the organization's 60th anniversary. Commissioner Caverzagie moved that May 2026 be proclaimed Community Action Month in Richardson County. The motion was seconded by Karas and approved by roll call. Debbie Green, SENCA CASA coordinator, described CASA volunteers' role advocating for neglected and abused children in foster care.

Sheriff Hardesty reported routine operations at the Law Enforcement Center and said the jail is holding 16 inmates. The board reviewed a $4,792.85 quote from IAO Electric, LLC to provide power and install capacity to add a mini-split to an outdoor storage shed intended to be used for evidence storage, and reviewed plans to update the center's video camera equipment.

Commissioners recessed into executive session at 10:59 a.m. with special legal counsel Jerry Pigsley, County Attorney Samantha Scheitel and Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. "to discuss possible litigation and for the protection of the public interest," then returned to open session at 11:15 a.m.; no substantive details from the executive session were disclosed on the record.

Under correspondence and other business the board approved fee reports for March 2026, and approved a funding agreement with Humboldt Shares, Inc. for continued county funding of $5,000 per year from Aug. 1, 2025 through July 31, 2028. Commissioner Karas moved and the board adopted the Richardson County FSA Plan Agreement for 2026 by adopting Resolution 2025-2026-34.

The board approved an extension allowing Veterans Service Officer Odis Fields to use accumulated vacation earned in the past year through March 31, 2027, citing staffing changes that made it difficult to use the time.

Commissioner Campbell reviewed courthouse and grounds maintenance needs. He said the county will trial a product on sidewalks damaged by ice-melt, will coordinate masonry repairs and removal of bars on the fourth-floor north elevation with Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc., and plans to contact Techtron Environmental Solutions to perform an air-quality test for an estimated $1,320 to $1,760. The county reported completion of repairs to a boiler stack/flue and said the work was submitted to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Boiler Inspection Division. The City of Falls City notified the board it had approved removal of a northwest bench on the courthouse square and will retain the southwest bench.

A check for $131,665.50 was reported from Big Iron Auctions for surplus equipment sold March 18, 2026. The board moved to allow payment of all claims submitted; the motion carried by roll call. The meeting record lists General Fund claims totaling $21,784.48 and Road & Bridge Fund claims totaling $56,741.45, among other fund entries.

The board adjourned at 11:21 a.m. and scheduled its next regular meeting for April 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner's Meeting Room at the Richardson County Courthouse.