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Richardson County declares state of emergency after May storms; commissioners approve licenses and claims
Summary
The Richardson County Board of Commissioners unanimously declared a state of emergency June 10, 2026, citing severe storms and flooding in mid-May and early June; commissioners also approved special event liquor licenses, adopted a resolution to cancel checks and authorized payment of claims totaling more than $237,000 from the general fund.
Chairman John Caverzagie led the Richardson County Board of Commissioners in a unanimous vote June 10, 2026, to declare a state of emergency after a series of severe weather events in May and early June. The board cited damage from storms on May 16–17, a tornado on May 18 and heavy rains on June 4–5 in a motion invoking Nebraska Statute R.R.S. 81-829.50. The motion, made by Caverzagie and seconded by Commissioner Campbell, passed on a 3–0 roll call vote.
The declaration is intended to acknowledge widespread damage to public and private property and to support county efforts to coordinate recovery and request any state-level assistance allowed under the cited statute. No specific emergency expenditures were authorized at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to follow statutory processes for implementing the declaration.
Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. told the board the Martin Marietta DuBois quarry will be closed for most of the summer because of flooding, and commissioners recommended planning to build a stockpile of rock to sustain roadwork while the quarry is unavailable. Separately, the board signed a repair work order from TK Elevator Corp. for $1,793.92 to fix the courthouse elevator that experienced a shutdown earlier in the week.
The meeting also included routine administrative votes. Chairman Caverzagie moved to approve three special designated liquor licenses for Falls City Area Jaycees events at the community field; the motion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Karas, passed 3–0. The board adopted Resolution 2025-2026-41 to cancel checks issued in error, again on a 3–0 vote. Commissioners approved payment of all claims submitted at the meeting, with the general fund totaling $237,236.56 and the road & bridge fund totaling $104,560.30.
The declaration and other actions were recorded in the meeting minutes and will be reflected in the county’s administrative files. The board is scheduled to meet next on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room.
