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Polk County commissioners approve budget cap increase, Red Bud Lake final plat and tractor lease
Summary
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 27 approved a 1 percentage‑point increase in the 2024–25 funds subject to limitation (from 2.5% to 3.5%), approved the Red Bud Lake Subdivision final plat, authorized burial assistance after an executive session, and renewed a three‑year lease for a John Deere tractor, among other routine business.
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners met in Osceola on Aug. 27 and approved several administrative and land‑use actions, including a one‑percentage‑point increase in the county’s 2024–25 funds subject to limitation and final plat approval for the Red Bud Lake Subdivision.
During the budget review, Commissioner Boss moved to increase the total funds subject to limitation for 2024–25 from 2½ percent to 3½ percent. The motion was seconded by Chairman Jerry Westring and passed on a roll call vote: Boss, aye; Westring, aye; Boruch, aye. The change adjusts the maximum amount subject to the state statutory limit for the county budget for the coming fiscal year.
At 10:00 a.m. the Board opened a public hearing on the Red Bud Lake Subdivision final plat; developer Erik Dake was present and no public opposition was recorded. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. The hearing was closed at 10:15 a.m., and Commissioner Boruch moved to approve the final plat; Westring seconded. The motion passed on roll call: Boruch, aye; Westring, aye; Boss, aye.
The Board went into executive session at 10:30 a.m. to consider an application for burial assistance; applicants’ next of kin and the County Clerk were present. The Board returned from executive session at 10:35 a.m., with Chairman Westring stating for the record that only burial assistance matters were discussed and no formal action was taken during the executive session itself. After returning to open session, Commissioner Boruch moved to approve the burial assistance request; Boss seconded and the motion passed (Boruch, aye; Boss, aye; Westring, aye).
County Highway Department Foreman Curt Ericson reported road‑work items including contacting Western Star for a quote to add hydraulics on a recently purchased pup trailer and receipt of new stop and stop‑ahead signs for a high‑risk rural road project through the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). The Board also renewed the one‑year lease of a John Deere tractor from AKRS: after reviewing three‑, four‑ and five‑year proposals, Commissioner Boss moved to extend the lease for three years, Westring seconded, and the motion passed on roll call (Boss, aye; Westring, aye; Boruch, aye).
Weed Superintendent Carlson told the Board that fall spraying will shift from general weeds to brush and noxious‑weed custom spraying; shop yards, bridge approaches and the courthouse lawn will be treated and fall thistle inspections scheduled.
Votes at a glance: - Budget: increase funds subject to limitation from 2.5% to 3.5% — mover: Boss; second: Westring; vote: Boss, aye; Westring, aye; Boruch, aye — outcome: approved. - Red Bud Lake Subdivision final plat — mover: Boruch; second: Westring; vote: Boruch, aye; Westring, aye; Boss, aye — outcome: approved. - Burial assistance request — mover: Boruch; second: Boss; vote: Boruch, aye; Boss, aye; Westring, aye — outcome: approved. - John Deere tractor lease (three‑year extension from AKRS) — mover: Boss; second: Westring; vote: Boss, aye; Westring, aye; Boruch, aye — outcome: approved.
The Board noted that the 10:45 a.m. general assistance appointment listed on the agenda had been rescheduled after the agenda was posted. The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.; the Board scheduled future meetings for Sept. 3 and 17, 2024.
