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Fillmore County approves public defender contract; board signs off on claims, vendors and insurance
Summary
The Fillmore County Board unanimously approved a two-year public defender contract worth $49,440 plus $5,150 for continuing education and also approved claims, fee reports, a print vendor for an LB 644 postcard, NIRMA insurance renewal, and declared surplus items. The board approved claims that included a $175,000 inheritance-tax broadband payment.
GENEVA, Neb. — The Fillmore County Board of Supervisors on June 9 unanimously approved a two-year public defender contract with Kalkwarf & Smith Law Offices, LLC and cleared a slate of routine county business, including claims, fee reports, insurance renewal and vendor selections.
The board approved the public defender contract covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, at $49,440.00, plus $5,150.00 for continuing education, membership and dues. The motion to approve the contract was made by Supervisor Larry Cerny and seconded by Wade Sluka; the minutes record a unanimous roll-call vote.
In other formal actions the board:
- Declared old radios, battery chargers and three portable toilets surplus after a motion by Supervisor Ralph Graham and a second from Wade Sluka; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call.
- Approved the presented claims for multiple funds (General, Road/Bridge, Inheritance Tax, and others). The claims list included a $102,419.02 transfer/interest entry from the county treasurer and a $175,000 Glenwood Telecommunications broadband project payment recorded in the minutes; approval of the full claims list was moved by Mark Lightwine and seconded by Kenny Harre and passed unanimously.
- Approved May 2026 fee reports for County Clerk ($12,713.76 total; State $7,777.03 and County $4,936.73), Clerk of the District Court ($1,302.44) and County Sheriff ($3,037.38); the motion was approved unanimously.
- Selected the State Print Shop as the print vendor for the LB 644 postcard bill and Pitney Bowes for mailing; the board voted unanimously to approve the selection.
- Approved renewal of NIRMA insurance for fiscal year 2026–2027 with current deductibles.
- Agreed to purchase red, white and blue courthouse lights to participate in the America 250 "Light to Unite" initiative on July 4.
Why it matters: The public defender contract sets the county’s legal defense services cost for the next two fiscal years and routine approvals move county business forward, including a sizable broadband-related payment recorded in the claims list.
What happens next: The board adjourned at 11:33 a.m. and will reconvene on June 23, 2026. No further details on budget adjustments or ordinance changes were recorded in the June 9 minutes.
