Lancaster County commissioners direct road-vacation study, accept $1.14M Crime Commission grant and approve routine contracts

Lancaster County commissioners on June 2 voted unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Matt Schulte absent) to direct county staff to study the vacation of a portion of public road right-of-way near Wait Ave in the Village of Prairie Home and to have the Planning Department prepare a report to support any future vacation proceedings.

John Berry, Chief Deputy County Surveyor, told the board the study is needed to initiate the vacation proceedings for an unused alley in the area. The board approved Resolution R-26-0038 to start the study and report process.

The board also approved a grant contract with the Nebraska Crime Commission totaling $1,136,269 for the July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026 term. Leslie Ahrens, Human Services Quality Assurance Coordinator, said the grant amendment will fund new doors for The Cedars emergency shelter and noted the grant supports programming at The Bay and the Malone Center. The board approved related certification and assurance forms, an applicant risk assessment, and lobbying disclosure paperwork required for the grant.

County leaders approved a number of service contracts and agreements during the meeting: an MOU with RDO Truck Center for repair services on construction and purpose-built equipment (estimated not to exceed $20,000; term to Aug. 16, 2026, with option to renew), a DH Pace Company contract for overhead door repair and replacement services not to exceed $50,000 (June 2, 2026–June 2, 2027), a purchase order to CentralSquare for a FirstTwo law-enforcement subscription at $10,800, and a contract with A 1st Rate Pumping Service Inc for pumping, hauling and disposal services not to exceed $8,600 (June 3, 2026–June 2, 2027). The board also approved amendments to several existing contracts for behavioral health and pretrial services, including an increase to St. Monica’s Behavioral Health Services to a new total of $233,733.

Jeff Curry of County Probation explained the board approved interlocal agreements with the Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation for DUI Court and Veterans’ Treatment Court for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2030 term, and a services agreement to provide two probation officers for presentence investigation services for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, not to exceed $75,205. Curry said the services agreement has been in place for 15 years and has produced cost savings for the county.

The board approved a settlement agreement and release with Amaurie Carroll and approved other routine claims, certifications and administrative forms, including a disclosure of lobbying activities related to the RSAT grant pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1352. Several items were approved as consent agenda items by a single roll-call vote.

Chair Christa Yoakum opened a public hearing on proposed electrical and mechanical fee schedules but recessed that hearing until June 16, 2026 after no members of the public appeared to speak. During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Adam Hintz, Executive Director of Friends of Wilderness Park, and Kirsten Heibarger, President of Friends of Wilderness Park, appeared to raise awareness of the park and discuss its benefits with the board.

The board entered an executive session at 9:15 a.m. for a strategy session regarding a real estate transaction and to receive legal advice, then exited at 9:32 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 a.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of May 26, 2026 minutes: Motion carried 4-0 (Flowerday moved; Johnson seconded; Schulte absent). - Approval of claims (through May 29, 2026, amended to add payroll): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Johnson seconded). - Approval of late claim (Omni Behavioral Health, $412.86): Motion carried 4-0 (Flowerday moved; Vest seconded). Neb. Rev. Stat. §23-135 cited. - Consent items (contract amendments, listed in agenda): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Johnson seconded). - Public hearing recessed (electrical and mechanical fee schedules): Motion carried 4-0 (Johnson moved; Vest seconded). - Resolution R-26-0038 (road vacation study): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Johnson seconded). - MOU with RDO Truck Center (C-26-0352): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Flowerday seconded). - DH Pace Company contract (C-26-0353): Motion carried 4-0 (Flowerday moved; Vest seconded). - Interlocal agreements for DUI Court and Veterans’ Treatment Court (C-26-0348, C-26-0349): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Johnson seconded). - Services agreement for two probation officers (C-26-0350, ≤$75,205): Motion carried 4-0 (Flowerday moved; Johnson seconded). - Purchase order to CentralSquare (C-26-0343, $10,800): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Flowerday seconded). - Grant contract with Nebraska Crime Commission (C-26-0354, $1,136,269) and related certifications: Motion carried 4-0 (Flowerday moved; Johnson seconded). - RSAT lobbying disclosure (31 U.S.C. 1352): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Flowerday seconded). - A 1st Rate Pumping Service contract (C-26-0344, ≤$8,600): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Flowerday seconded). - Settlement agreement with Amaurie Carroll (C-26-0351): Motion carried 4-0 (Vest moved; Flowerday seconded).

What’s next - The public hearing on the electrical and mechanical fee schedules will resume June 16, 2026. The board will meet again June 9 for regular business and budget hearings.