Rock County board sets 2027 salaries, accepts highway superintendent contract and approves claims

Bassett, Nebraska — The Rock County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 30 unanimously approved a package of personnel and administrative actions that will change elected-official pay through 2030, accept a highway superintendent contract and clear a set of audited claims.

The board adopted Resolution 2025-17 to set annual salaries for the offices of treasurer, clerk, sheriff, attorney and assessor at $64,500 for calendar year 2027. The resolution projects each year thereafter to include a 2.25% cost-of-living increase plus an additional $1,000, producing projected salaries of $66,951.25 in 2028, $69,457.65 in 2029 and $72,020.44 in 2030. Commissioners’ pay was set at $24,000 for 2027 with $1,000 increases for 2028–2030. The board also set the budget-making authority stipend at $2,800 for 2027 with $100 annual increases and provided that elected officials shall receive health insurance or reimbursement at county expense during their terms. The motion to approve the resolution was made by Commissioner Colby Sybrant, seconded by Commissioner Faye Smith and carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

In other personnel action, the board voted to accept the 2026 Highway Superintendent contract for Elizabeth Yost after road updates and related billing matters were discussed. Road Foreman Waylon Reynolds reported on damage to a feedlot road and the need for maintainer repairs and presented year-end IWorq reports. Commissioners also discussed outstanding invoices from Niobrara Valley Consultant; a person identified as "Lloyd" will provide a final invoice for Highway Superintendent work by the next meeting.

On insurance matters, Ally Grant, a representative of NIRMA, briefed the board on two claims: the City will submit a claim for damage to the Ambulance Barn, and the Airport will be responsible for lightning-damage repairs. The airport deductible was noted as $2,500 and the lightning claim amount was $2,570.18; the County accepted that the Airport would assume responsibility for the repairs.

The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding allowing Brown County Veteran Service Officer Jake Graff to join on the NDVA license as a Rock County "User." That MOU was approved by motion of Chairman Wade Hollenbeck, seconded by Commissioner Colby Sybrant, and passed unanimously.

The meeting included routine administrative business: interviews for the Weed Superintendent position were held, a detailed set of general, road and library claims was audited (notable line items included general employee payrolls and road crew labor), and the board approved previously held Niobrara Valley Consultant invoices from July 15 and Nov. 18, 2025, along with the Dec. 30 claims. Commissioner Colby Sybrant moved and Commissioner Faye Smith seconded to approve the claims; the motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The board adjourned at 4:34 p.m. after completing the posted agenda. Minutes were attested by Chairman Wade D. Hollenbeck and Clerk Daunitta J. Buoy.