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Seward County approves hiring bonus policy, redistributes senior-center funds and OKs road closure; Board of Equalization grants permissive exemptions
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Seward County Board approved a $3,500 hiring bonus policy, reallocated $19,000 in senior-center funds among Seward, Utica and Milford, approved a road closure for an October Fun Run, accepted sheriff fee reports, and the Board of Equalization approved several permissive tax exemptions.
The Seward County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Equalization took several administrative and budget-related actions at meetings on May 26, 2026, approving a new hiring bonus policy, reallocating senior-center funding, granting permissive tax exemptions, and approving a road closure for an October event.
Hiring bonus policy: Human Resources Director Roxanne Knutson presented an updated Hiring Bonus Policy that establishes a $3,500 one-time incentive for eligible new hires, paid in three installments: $500 after 90 days, $1,000 after six months and $2,000 after one year. The policy excludes rehires within three years and temporary/intern positions, ties payments to satisfactory performance and allows policy changes at the Board's discretion. The board approved the policy on a motion by Commissioner Scott Pekarek, seconded by Commissioner Raegan Hain. The recorded vote was Pekarek, Hain, Schmieding and Ahmic in favor; Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki voted no.
Senior-center funding: Alison Rook, Aging Services Program Director, recommended redistributing $19,000 in annual Federal and State funds among three county senior centers to reflect service-level changes. Rook reported Milford's center had a 36% decrease in meals served, Seward had a 17% increase and Utica a 25% increase. The board approved changing the allocations to Seward $6,800, Utica $6,200 and Milford $6,000 annually. The motion carried with Commissioners Hain, Pekarek, Schmieding and Zabrocki voting yes; Chairperson Misty Ahmic voted no.
Board of Equalization actions: The Board of Equalization opened a public hearing at 8:32 a.m. on permissive tax-exemption applications and approved exemptions for St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church of Bee; Seward Living Center Inc.; SRCM Propco LLC; 500 Heartland Park Dr. NE PropCo LLC; Seward United Methodist Church (represented at the hearing by Mary Kay Totty); and Seward Urgent Care Partnership LLP (personal property). The BOE also approved several tax-list corrections for parcels identified in the minutes.
Other actions and items: The board approved a request from the Staplehurst Volunteer Fire Department to close Branched Oak Road from 336th Road to 364th Road for a Fun Run on Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The board accepted Sheriff's fee and mileage reports for March 2026 in the amounts of $1,578.00 and $915.40. The board also tabled appointment of two members to the Veterans Service Committee and held executive sessions for personnel and strategy during the meeting.
Votes at a glance: terminate Public Transit Director: motion carried unanimously; hiring bonus policy: carried 4-1 (Zabrocki no); senior-center funding redistribution: carried 4-1 (Ahmic no); BOE permissive exemptions: approved (unanimous); Fun Run road closure: approved (unanimous); acceptance of Sheriff's fees: approved (unanimous).
