Otoe County commissioners approve permits, award Palmyra culvert contract and adopt administrative changes

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners met April 21 and approved a series of land-use, procurement and administrative measures affecting county roads, property and finance.

The board unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Shannon Haake to construct a residence in F‑1 zoning at 527 B Rd after Otoe County Surveyor Dan Thomson told commissioners an existing farmstead on the parcel grandfathered the ability to build; Haake said the old homestead would be removed. The motion to approve the permit was made by Commissioner Cole and seconded by Commissioner Crownover and carried on a unanimous vote.

At the same hearing the board approved the subdivision plat for Hopp Acres, a 3.62± acre tract at 2634 C Rd proposed by Daryl Hopp. Surveyor Thomson said rural water lies west of the driveway and no additional easement would be required; commissioners voted to approve the plat on a motion by Commissioner Freshman, seconded by Commissioner Parsons.

In procurement actions, the board awarded Project C‑66(706), a triple 12’×12’×50’ concrete box culvert near Palmyra, to Van Kirk Bros. Contracting for $389,215.40. The engineer’s estimate had been approximately $420,000; bids opened April 20 ranged higher and lower than the estimate. The award motion carried unanimously after a motion by Commissioner Crownover and a second by Commissioner Cole.

The board also approved Midwest Engineering to perform 2026 bridge inspections for $14,910 after comparing a second quote from Mainelli Wagner for $20,225. Commissioners authorized the chairman to sign a settlement and release with Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. regarding bridge structure C006600815; the settlement amount was not specified in the minutes. The board authorized a purchase agreement for the “Lorton” property at an agreed price of $8,000, with potential additional title and filing costs to be addressed if they arise.

On county finance, commissioners discovered the county’s collection of departmental credit cards had an aggregate master limit of $30,000 that could prevent multiple cardholders from using their individual limits simultaneously in an emergency. The board voted unanimously to raise the overall county credit‑card limit to $51,000 (motion by Commissioner Cole, seconded by Commissioner Freshman).

The board approved an application process and fee for operating oversized and overloaded vehicles on county roads, subject to confirmation from the county attorney that the county has legal authority to charge the fee. During discussion commissioners noted that farmers hauling crops from fields would be exempt from the fee. Commissioner Cole moved to approve the application process and fee; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Sornson and carried unanimously.

Other administrative items included appointments to a FY26‑27 budget subcommittee (Commissioners Cole and Freshman) and appointments to the Otoe County Visitors Committee (Alex Goering and Chantel Brown, terms ending Dec. 31, 2029). With no public comment, the board adjourned at 9:38 a.m.; the clerk certified the minutes.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda: motion Freshman, second Cole — Aye: Sornson, Freshman, Parsons, Crownover, Cole — approved. • Conditional use permit (Shannon Haake): motion Cole, second Crownover — Aye: Freshman, Parsons, Crownover, Cole, Sornson — approved. • Hopp Acres subdivision plat: motion Freshman, second Parsons — Aye: Parsons, Crownover, Cole, Sornson, Freshman — approved. • Award Project C‑66(706) to Van Kirk Bros.: motion Crownover, second Cole — Aye: Parsons, Crownover, Cole, Sornson, Freshman — approved. • Bridge inspections (Midwest Engineering, $14,910): motion Freshman, second Cole — Aye: Crownover, Cole, Sornson, Freshman, Parsons — approved. • Settlement with Nutrien Ag Solutions (bridge C006600815): motion Freshman, second Crownover — Aye: Cole, Sornson, Freshman, Parsons, Crownover — approved. • Purchase agreement for Lorton property ($8,000): motion Cole, second Parsons — Aye: Sornson, Freshman, Parsons, Crownover, Cole — approved. • Increase overall county credit‑card limit to $51,000: motion Cole, second Freshman — Aye: Sornson, Freshman, Parsons, Crownover, Cole — approved. • Application/fee for oversized/overloaded vehicles (farmers exempt): motion Cole, second Sornson — Aye: Freshman, Parsons, Crownover, Cole, Sornson — approved.

The board’s actions included multiple unanimous votes; specific contract amounts, the engineer’s estimate for Project C‑66, and recorded claim totals were read into the record and placed on file.