Custer County Board approves claims, hears public-health update and highway superintendent resignation

The Custer County Board of Supervisors on April 28, 2026, approved a slate of payrolls, vendor claims and fund transfers, adopted a resolution authorizing surplus-fund investments, heard an update from the Loup Basin Public Health Department and accepted the resignation of the county highway superintendent effective June 30, 2026.

Chairperson Blowers called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the board approved updated minutes for April 14, 2026, with Parliament recorded as excused for that meeting. The board then approved multiple claims across funds: General Fund payroll and claims (salary $133,184.78; Social Security $9,675.75; retirement $9,280.22), Road Fund payroll and claims, and larger surfacing claims from Paulsen, Inc. charged to the Road Hard Surface Fund ($796,459.23) and the Road Buy Back Fund ($887,652.76). Motions to approve claims passed by roll-call votes, typically recorded as "Ayes-All" for each fund vote.

Austin Partridge of Northland Securities briefed the board on financing for the Anselmo south project, saying the county plans to use $1,000,000 from the Inheritance Fund combined with a $2,100,000 bond. "The board still plans to use $1 million from Inheritance Fund and $2.1 million bond. Annual payment would be a maximum of $475,000," Partridge said; the sale was scheduled with a closing date of May 21, 2026, and a new fund will be created to receive proceeds.

Amanda Jeffres and Stephanie Gideon of the Loup Basin Public Health Department provided program updates. Jeffres said, "Some programs will be expanded soon, including LBPHD's taking over WIC. New online platform called CredibleMind is planned for May, oral health services are expected to expand soon." The board and public also discussed questions raised by the recent passage of LB759 about which local entity will be responsible for pool inspections.

Chairperson Blowers read and the board adopted Resolution No. 16-2025 authorizing the County Treasurer and county boards to invest surplus funds with Security First Bank Broken Bow; roll-call vote recorded Ayes-Markham, Govier, Kleeb, Longmore and Gibbons, with Parliament recorded as abstaining.

The board convened as the Board of Equalization at 9:35 a.m., considered an exemption application for a 2010 Honda used primarily to transport residents for medical care, found the five-point statutory test met and noted the estimated loss to the county of $0.14; the BOE accepted the exemption and reconvened as the County Board at 9:48 a.m.

Other business included a Heritage Bank sign request on county property that was tabled pending an ownership-overlay map; a discussion of grant-writing support after a meeting with consultant Al Vacanti, with the board asking staff to seek additional local options; and a proposed move of the Veteran's Service Officer office into a basement room, which VSO Haynes opposed on accessibility and privacy grounds. The board asked staff to research grants and facility options rather than approving relocation.

The county received a letter of resignation from the Highway Superintendent effective June 30, 2026; the superintendent stated he will assist with transition work and the board directed that the vacancy be advertised. A sick-bank request was tabled because it was not on the published agenda. Supervisor Kleeb reported the Extension Office plans to repaint the main office and will pursue mold inspection and temporary relocation as needed. In public comment, Mona Weatherly told the board she plans to retire.

The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2026, and the county clerk noted that meeting materials are available for inspection at the Clerk's office.