[16:32] Are we up? Okay. Good afternoon
[16:34] everybody. Welcome to the Sarpie County
[16:36] Board of Equalization meeting. Today is
[16:39] August 18, 2026. It is uh 3:00.
[16:44] Um, anyone wishing to address the uh
[16:47] board during open public comments or on
[16:50] a specific end agenda item, we ask you
[16:52] to sign in with our the clerk sitting to
[16:54] my left in the front here. And uh if
[16:58] you're interested in the uh Nebraska
[17:01] Opens Meeting Act, we have a copy
[17:03] available if you so request it. Um, in
[17:07] attendance today we have all five
[17:08] commissioners, our um, county
[17:11] administrator, our county assessor, our
[17:14] county treasurer, and our county clerk.
[17:18] If you haven't silenced your phones
[17:19] already, which I haven't.
[17:22] Um, please do so. And let's stand for
[17:24] the pledge of
[17:25] >> allegiance
[17:31] to the flag of the United States of
[17:33] America and to the republic for which it
[17:36] stands. One nation under God,
[17:39] indivisible, with liberty and justice
[17:41] for all.
[17:51] Does anybody wish to come forward and
[17:52] address the board?
[17:55] Okay, not seeing anybody come this way.
[17:58] We'll get right into the consent agenda.
[18:01] Uh we have four items on there today.
[18:04] And unless any of the commissioners want
[18:06] to see that moved, uh an item moved to
[18:10] the regular agenda, I'll take a motion
[18:12] to approve
[18:13] as published.
[18:15] Motion to approve.
[18:17] >> Second.
[18:18] » Second.
[18:18] >> Okay. I have a motion by Commissioner
[18:19] » Okay. I have a motion by Commissioner
[18:19] Warren and a second um by Commissioner
[18:22] Kug. Uh any further discussion?
[18:26] Please vote.
[18:30] >> Motion passed.
[18:32] » Motion passed.
[18:32] >> Okay.
[18:34] » Okay.
[18:34] I did not see ma'am. I did not I don't
[18:37] think your item was on the consent
[18:38] agenda. I think it's on the regular
[18:40] >> Yeah, it is.
[18:43] » Yeah, it is.
[18:43] >> So, just stand by. Okay. Don't leave
[18:45] » So, just stand by. Okay. Don't leave
[18:45] yet.
[18:50] Okay. Um, item 6.1 on the regular agenda
[18:54] are tax corrections
[18:56] 17998 to 18,000.
[19:00] Dan Pitman. Any questions for Dan on
[19:03] these? Motion, please.
[19:05] >> Motion to approve.
[19:07] » Motion to approve.
[19:07] >> Second.
[19:08] » Second.
[19:08] >> Motion by Commissioner Mixon, second by
[19:10] » Motion by Commissioner Mixon, second by
[19:10] Commissioner Burmeister. Any further
[19:11] discussion? Please vote.
[19:18] Motion passed.
[19:19] >> Okay. The last item is 6.2 um homestead
[19:22] » Okay. The last item is 6.2 um homestead
[19:22] exemption rejection form 458R Rachel
[19:26] Bone for lot 640 Le Vista Replat partial
[19:29] 010558063.
[19:33] Uh protest Rachel Bone is the applicant.
[19:42] Annie from the county attorney's office.
[19:45] >> Good afternoon, commissioners. Um the
[19:47] » Good afternoon, commissioners. Um the
[19:47] assessor's office has reached out to
[19:48] Miss Bone. Um they've provided her with
[19:50] the documentation necessary that she'll
[19:52] need to have her physician fill out for
[19:53] the extension for the homestead
[19:55] exemption application. So, if we could
[19:57] table this
[19:59] two weeks, please.
[20:01] >> Two weeks. Okay. Motion to table for two
[20:04] » Two weeks. Okay. Motion to table for two
[20:04] weeks.
[20:04] >> Second.
[20:06] » Second.
[20:06] >> Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner
[20:08] » Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner
[20:08] U.
[20:10] A motion by Commissioner Warren, a
[20:12] second by Commissioner Mixon.
[20:14] Uh, any further discussion?
[20:18] » Please vote.
[20:22] >> Motion passed.
[20:27] » So before we adjourn, uh, Annie, could
[20:30] you come forward? Was her item on the
[20:33] agenda?
[20:35] Yes, it was one of the homestead
[20:36] exemptions on consent.
[20:39] >> Oh, well then I misspoke.
[20:41] » Oh, well then I misspoke.
[20:41] Congratulations, ma'am.
[20:44] >> Okay. Um, all items having been
[20:46] » Okay. Um, all items having been
[20:46] addressed as published, the uh uh Board
[20:49] of Equalization is adjourned.
[20:56] Okay. Welcome to the Sarpie County Board
[20:58] of Commissioners meeting. Today is uh
[21:01] August 18th, 2026. It's 3:05 p.m. Uh, a
[21:06] copy of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act uh
[21:09] is available upon request and uh if you
[21:12] wish to address the board either during
[21:15] um the open comment period at the
[21:17] beginning here or on any specific agenda
[21:19] item, check in uh with our county clerk.
[21:23] Um all five commissioners are present
[21:25] along with our administrator and our
[21:28] county clerk. Uh, commissioners, uh,
[21:30] comments?
[21:34] » No comments. Thank you.
[21:36] >> None. Thank you.
[21:37] » None. Thank you.
[21:37] >> No comment.
[21:38] » No comment.
[21:38] >> No comments.
[21:39] » No comments.
[21:39] >> None. Okay. Um,
[21:44] » None. Okay. Um,
[21:44] nothing, Bonnie.
[21:45] >> No comment. Thank you.
[21:46] » No comment. Thank you.
[21:46] >> Okay, great. Um, does anybody want to
[21:50] » Okay, great. Um, does anybody want to
[21:50] come forward and address the board
[21:51] before I get rolling here?
[21:54] Okay, then we'll get right into the
[21:56] consent agenda.
[21:58] Uh we have uh eight items on the consent
[22:01] agenda today. Unless any of the
[22:03] commissioners want to see one of those
[22:04] items discussed on the regular agenda,
[22:07] I'll take a motion to approve as
[22:08] published.
[22:09] >> Motion to approve.
[22:10] » Motion to approve.
[22:10] >> Second.
[22:11] » Second.
[22:11] >> I have a motion by Commissioner Warren,
[22:13] » I have a motion by Commissioner Warren,
[22:13] a second by Commissioner Kug. Any uh
[22:15] comments?
[22:16] Please vote.
[22:20] » Motion passed.
[22:21] >> Okay. On the uh planning and uh zoning
[22:24] » Okay. On the uh planning and uh zoning
[22:24] agenda, we have two items. I'll read
[22:26] them both in the record. will have one
[22:28] public hearing and two separate votes.
[22:30] Item 6.1 is a hearing in on resolution
[22:34] 232 which is reszoning from AG
[22:36] agricultural farming district to RE2
[22:39] residential states 2 district for a
[22:41] subdivision to be known as lot one RIA
[22:44] Lake Homestead generally located
[22:46] northwest of 111th Street and uh Buffalo
[22:50] Road. The applicant is Linda uh
[22:52] Schulting and the briefer will be Robert
[22:55] Laroko, our planning director. Item 6.2
[22:59] is a on the same uh parcel and property
[23:03] and it's the preliminary plat Robert.
[23:07] Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon,
[23:08] commissioners.
[23:12] Right. So, um, before you this afternoon
[23:14] is a resoning and preliminary plat for
[23:17] Rio Lake Homestead located northwest
[23:19] 111th and Buffalo Road consisting of
[23:22] 77.62 acres developed with an existing
[23:26] single family residence on the site
[23:27] today. Um,
[23:29] uh, with a number of outuildings and Rio
[23:32] Lake comprises the majority of of this
[23:35] the parcel. Take a look here. Zoom in
[23:38] for you a little bit on the vicinity
[23:41] map. You can see the area that we're
[23:43] specifically platting today is this area
[23:45] here. The majority of the site is Rio
[23:47] Lake. The applicant is proposing the
[23:50] creation of a single 3.721
[23:53] acre lot that comprises the existing
[23:55] residence and the field south and east
[23:58] of the house. There are no new or
[24:00] expanded structures being proposed as
[24:02] part of this request.
[24:05] Um
[24:07] uh based on the size of the lot, the
[24:08] applicant is proposing to reszone the
[24:10] new lot from AG agricultural farming
[24:12] district uh to RE2 residential estates
[24:15] to district. I should note here that the
[24:17] the balance of the parcel that's
[24:20] comprises Rio lake would remain as is
[24:22] and unplatted is not included within the
[24:25] boundary of this plat.
[24:31] get you a look at the plat proposed lot
[24:34] lines here. Um, as I noted, one lot
[24:37] comprising the existing residents. The
[24:40] um, out buildings would remain on the
[24:42] outlot um, which would be allowed. This
[24:45] request was initially recommended for
[24:47] approval uh, by the planning commission
[24:49] at their September 16th, 2025 meeting.
[24:52] As a part of that uh approval, the
[24:55] entire property, we should note, was
[24:56] located within an entire environmentally
[24:58] sensitive area. Um the subdivision would
[25:00] typically need to designate at least 40%
[25:02] of the total site in a protected outlot.
[25:06] And the planning commission's
[25:07] recommendation included a condition to
[25:08] create that outlot prior to bringing
[25:10] that forward to uh the commission or the
[25:14] board, excuse me.
[25:17] The applicant has since submitted an
[25:18] evaluation um signed and sealed by a
[25:21] registered professional engineer that
[25:23] notes that the land that's located
[25:24] within the boundary of the plat isn't
[25:26] actually uh or does not meet the
[25:28] conditions or requirements for an
[25:30] environmentally sensitive area that are
[25:31] outlined in the comprehensive plan. Um
[25:34] so taking a look at that evaluation the
[25:36] department felt that that was accurate
[25:38] and and represented. As you can see, um,
[25:41] the vast majority of the area that's
[25:42] being platted is located within
[25:44] rorowcrop or it's in rorowcrop today.
[25:46] Um, typically wouldn't be considered
[25:47] environmentally sensitive. So, the
[25:50] department is comfortable with that
[25:51] evaluation, agrees that the land does
[25:53] not meet the conditions that are
[25:54] identified in the comprehensive plan.
[25:55] So, um, we've revised our recommendation
[25:58] to remove that condition of approval for
[25:59] you today. Um the with regards to the
[26:03] resoning, the RE2 district is the
[26:05] appropriate zoning district for the
[26:06] residential estates land use designation
[26:10] should note uh just a couple things of
[26:12] note here. The property is located
[26:13] within a flood plane. So any future
[26:15] development that they should go uh go
[26:17] after. It would need to be in compliance
[26:19] with flood plane development regulations
[26:21] including elevation of the structure and
[26:24] um would comply with all other Sarpie
[26:27] County flood plane regulations.
[26:30] Given uh that um staff is recommending
[26:33] the approval of the reszoning from AG to
[26:36] RE2 district along with approval of the
[26:39] preliminary plat of Rio Lake Homestead
[26:42] subject to the conditions noted in the
[26:43] recommendation report. Staff is
[26:45] available for questions at this time.
[26:50] » So this I'm sorry, Robert, this didn't
[26:52] go back to the planning commission on
[26:54] the environmentally sensitive issue.
[26:56] >> It did not. Um
[26:59] » It did not. Um
[26:59] we felt that
[27:01] the the condition of approval um
[27:05] we wanted to they needed to demonstrate
[27:07] that that was environmentally sensitive
[27:09] and since they were able to demonstrate
[27:10] that it wasn't um we're comfortable with
[27:13] allowing the plat to go forward without
[27:14] that condition of approval.
[27:16] >> Thank you.
[27:17] » Thank you.
[27:17] >> So essentially we're just taking one
[27:20] » So essentially we're just taking one
[27:20] farm site and dividing into two separate
[27:22] lots so we can build a second structure
[27:25] second home. Uh I think the purposes of
[27:28] the plat were um just for transfer. Uh
[27:30] so the existing the lot one that's being
[27:32] approved or that's presented here for
[27:34] you today um would remain as is the
[27:37] structure. Um the balance of the parcel
[27:39] would remain unplatted and would just
[27:41] comprise the lake and the out or the out
[27:43] buildings, excuse me.
[27:45] >> Okay.
[27:45] » Okay.
[27:45] >> But I'm not aware of any new structure
[27:47] » But I'm not aware of any new structure
[27:47] that's being proposed.
[27:48] >> Okay. But this would allow a second
[27:51] » Okay. But this would allow a second
[27:51] structure right
[27:52] >> on the outlot. Um no I think
[27:56] » on the outlot. Um no I think
[27:56] in order for them to gain building
[27:58] rights for a new residential use on that
[28:00] outlot, they would need to plat that as
[28:01] well.
[28:02] >> So that lot one's an out lot.
[28:05] » So that lot one's an out lot.
[28:05] >> Uh this lot here, lot one
[28:08] » Uh this lot here, lot one
[28:08] >> is a regular residentially zoned
[28:11] » is a regular residentially zoned
[28:11] >> Okay.
[28:11] » Okay.
[28:11] >> lot. The balance
[28:13] » lot. The balance
[28:13] >> that encompasses the existing home right
[28:15] » that encompasses the existing home right
[28:15] now, right?
[28:16] >> That's correct.
[28:16] » That's correct.
[28:16] >> I gotcha. Okay.
[28:19] » I gotcha. Okay.
[28:19] >> Is the applicant here?
[28:22] » Is the applicant here?
[28:22] Could
[28:28] you state your name for the record,
[28:30] please?
[28:30] >> Randy Kush with Lampern, 14710 West
[28:33] » Randy Kush with Lampern, 14710 West
[28:33] Dodge Road, Omaha, Nebraska. Um, I'm
[28:35] with Lampernerson Civil Engineer on
[28:37] behalf of the applicant. The applicant
[28:39] wasn't able to be here today. Um, but if
[28:41] you if I might add um just related to
[28:44] the reasoning for this plat um the
[28:46] applicant is basically setting up for uh
[28:50] estate planning. Um, there are some
[28:52] family that live in that house currently
[28:55] and as that property would move into a
[28:57] trust, they're just trying to plan that
[28:59] ahead so that there won't be hiccups
[29:01] with how that property transfer would
[29:03] happen in the future and make that messy
[29:04] through any sort of inheritance process.
[29:07] So, the intent is simply to pull that
[29:10] lot, pull that house out of the larger
[29:13] area of the lot um to make that transfer
[29:17] easier in the future.
[29:19] Okay.
[29:21] Great. Thank you. Any questions?
[29:24] Okay. Anybody else want to address the
[29:26] uh the board on this?
[29:29] >> Okay. Then I'll close the public
[29:30] » Okay. Then I'll close the public
[29:30] hearings and uh we'll take a motion on
[29:32] the the first item which is the uh
[29:36] reasonzoning.
[29:37] >> Motion to approve.
[29:38] » Motion to approve.
[29:38] >> Second.
[29:39] » Second.
[29:39] >> Um motion by Commissioner Warren, second
[29:41] » Um motion by Commissioner Warren, second
[29:42] by Commissioner Kug. Uh any further
[29:44] discussion?
[29:45] Please vote.
[29:49] Motion passed.
[29:51] >> Okay. Uh on the preliminary plot.
[29:56] » Okay. Uh on the preliminary plot.
[29:56] >> Motion to approve.
[29:57] » Motion to approve.
[29:57] >> Second.
[29:58] » Second.
[29:58] >> Motion by Commissioner Clug, second by
[30:00] » Motion by Commissioner Clug, second by
[30:00] Commissioner Burmeister. Any discussion?
[30:04] >> Please vote.
[30:07] » Please vote.
[30:07] >> Motion passed.
[30:08] » Motion passed.
[30:08] >> Okay. Two items on the regular agenda.
[30:10] » Okay. Two items on the regular agenda.
[30:10] The first item is a public hearing and
[30:11] resolution 224. Sarpie County 1 and six
[30:15] uh year road program for 2027 through uh
[30:19] 2032.
[30:21] Scott Bovvic uh deputy chief
[30:24] administrative officer and probably Zack
[30:27] Kergen Raider
[30:29] County Engineer. Scott,
[30:32] [cough]
[30:38] thank you. Commissioners, um, as you
[30:40] know, each year the county is required
[30:42] to hold a public hearing on the one and
[30:45] six year row program and then adopt the
[30:47] one and sixy year row program the week
[30:49] before the budget hearing which is next
[30:51] week for you. Um, so this year um, we're
[30:54] here to to talk through this, hold a
[30:56] public hearing, answer any questions you
[30:57] have, and then um, have the budget next
[31:00] week. And so, um, if you remember back
[31:03] in spring of 2024, the county board held
[31:06] a retreat and we talked about what we
[31:08] called the next wave of construction of
[31:09] road projects. At that time, the
[31:12] [clears throat] board started talking
[31:13] about key projects, also talking about
[31:17] uh, building towards a uh, bond issue in
[31:21] middle of 2026 to help finance the
[31:23] construction of those projects. And so,
[31:25] two years later, here we are. Um,
[31:27] exciting time. I know you know already
[31:29] know about the uh bond issue and um the
[31:32] the uh great rate that we got on that
[31:35] and can answer questions as we go
[31:36] through. So this one and six program is
[31:40] 325 million. It's over the next six
[31:42] years. It's funded from ongoing existing
[31:44] revenue sources along with the $200
[31:46] million bond issue which the proceeds of
[31:48] that will be delivered in the beginning
[31:50] of September.
[31:52] At the March 2024 retreat, the board
[31:55] directed staff to change our debt limit
[31:58] policy to authorize uh debt service,
[32:00] annual debt service up to 100% of
[32:02] highway allocation. We match, we meet
[32:04] that with this bond issuance. And then I
[32:07] would just remind the board of two
[32:09] things. Any state and federal funds that
[32:11] we obtain that we should be aggressive
[32:13] and trying to obtain will either offset
[32:15] or supplement this program. And then the
[32:18] last thing is as we're walking through
[32:20] this these key projects, you'll see that
[32:22] the next 24 months are very intense on
[32:25] construction. Um about 200 million of
[32:27] the 325 million is construction outlay
[32:30] in the next 24 months.
[32:34] Here's a list of the key projects. We'll
[32:36] walk through each of them briefly.
[32:38] Obviously, signature project that's
[32:40] under construction right now, the South
[32:41] Sarpie Expressway. Uh 82 million is
[32:44] allocated to the expressway. that
[32:46] includes construction engineering of the
[32:48] current uh stretch of the project. Then
[32:51] we also have money set aside for ongoing
[32:53] planning design of future segments of
[32:56] the corridor. We also think it's
[32:58] important to have money allocated for
[32:59] interim improvements as those come up
[33:01] along the um entire uh Platview existing
[33:05] Platview Road corridor. Another emerging
[33:09] project, the interchange project. Uh
[33:11] getting a new interchange is probably
[33:13] once in a 20 to 30 year kind of thing.
[33:16] Um we're benefiting from that. This
[33:18] project is the interchange is underway.
[33:20] Our responsibility was to get paved
[33:21] roads to that. So if you look at the
[33:24] map, those orange uh um segments called
[33:27] out will actually attach that
[33:28] interchange to other existing pavement
[33:31] and that part of the county. Greta's a
[33:33] partner on this. In terms of funding, we
[33:36] expect uh most the majority of that to
[33:39] be completed in spring of 2028, 24
[33:41] months away.
[33:43] >> Can I ask a question about that?
[33:45] » Can I ask a question about that?
[33:45] >> So, how how long we'll use arterial
[33:48] » So, how how long we'll use arterial
[33:48] street improvement program uh funding to
[33:51] pay for some of that or
[33:53] >> and how how many years do we collect
[33:55] » and how how many years do we collect
[33:55] that?
[33:56] >> Um we collect [clears throat] arterial
[33:57] » Um we collect [clears throat] arterial
[33:57] street improvement program funding, ASIP
[33:59] fees in areas that are our planning
[34:02] jurisdiction. So that is a a part of our
[34:04] funding, but it's a small part. What um
[34:07] is a larger part of the funding for this
[34:10] is direct contributions from development
[34:12] as they come in. And so if you look at a
[34:15] a total spend of 38 million, I estimate
[34:18] that the county's net cost once all
[34:20] those developments happen and contribute
[34:23] that our net cost will be about 15
[34:25] million.
[34:26] >> Okay. So, we're really pioneering these
[34:27] » Okay. So, we're really pioneering these
[34:28] roads out in that part of the county.
[34:29] >> And that's as long as it stays in an
[34:31] » And that's as long as it stays in an
[34:31] extr territorial zoning jurisdiction and
[34:34] not annexation. Correct.
[34:36] >> Uh in our ETJ, not in or in our
[34:39] » Uh in our ETJ, not in or in our
[34:39] jurisdiction, not in a city's ETJ, but a
[34:41] lot of this area is in the city's ETJ.
[34:44] So, the ASUP fees that we collect across
[34:46] the county is very minimal because we
[34:48] have limited jurisdiction.
[34:49] >> And I'd want to show you a map to kind
[34:51] » And I'd want to show you a map to kind
[34:51] of talk through that a little bit, but
[34:53] but uh in in our jurisdiction, we do
[34:54] collect those ASA fees. And I will say
[34:57] um we've had partnerships with the city
[34:59] of Pilion, city of Gretna, city of um
[35:02] Springfield when they've had unique
[35:04] developments come in that they have
[35:05] shared that ASIF uh revenue, their ASIP
[35:08] revenue with the county and that helps
[35:10] to partnerships.
[35:12] >> Thank you.
[35:13] » Thank you.
[35:14] >> And um this is actually a great example
[35:16] » And um this is actually a great example
[35:16] of that. So, uh, some of these roads in
[35:18] this area that's in the area being
[35:21] developed with the first phase of the
[35:23] sewer agencies area, the city of
[35:25] Springfield, um, the fees, ASAP fees
[35:27] they collected from the Facebook
[35:29] developments, they collected, they
[35:31] remitted those to the county to help pay
[35:33] for some of this road network. Um,
[35:35] Pilion and and Greta also have portions
[35:38] of this. Again, 38 million and we expect
[35:40] this to be completed by summer of 2028.
[35:44] Package one under construction. Package
[35:46] two started construction this summer and
[35:48] package three should be out to bid this
[35:50] fall to be constructed over the next 24
[35:52] months.
[35:55] Another uh key project for the Serpy
[35:58] County and some of our partners is 168th
[36:01] Street corridor highway 370 to Harrison
[36:03] Street. Uh Zach and Shane Swope with our
[36:06] consultant talked to you a few weeks ago
[36:08] about this. MAPA has allocated $27
[36:10] million towards this project. We've also
[36:13] re received a determination from
[36:15] Nebraska Department of Transportation
[36:17] that this can be a categorical exclusion
[36:19] from the environmental standpoint.
[36:20] That's the lowest level. So that's
[36:22] really two uh things to jumpstart this
[36:24] project. Also Omaha, City of Omaha has
[36:28] received money from MAPA to look the
[36:30] design of the Harrison Street corridor.
[36:32] So, we're working with them, uh, the
[36:34] city of Omaha, Douglas County, MAPA to
[36:37] make sure that we have alo money
[36:39] allocated for 168th Street and Harrison
[36:41] Street going forward to key corridors.
[36:44] >> So, if you get federal funding, then you
[36:46] » So, if you get federal funding, then you
[36:46] got to go through the NEPA process. Is
[36:48] that right?
[36:49] >> We do have to go through the NEPA
[36:50] » We do have to go through the NEPA
[36:50] process and an environmental impact
[36:53] statement is the highest threshold. Then
[36:55] there's an environmental assessment and
[36:56] then there's a categorical exclusion
[36:58] which essentially means they don't feel
[37:00] like there's any real environmental
[37:02] threats and so that is a benefit of the
[37:05] state.
[37:06] >> So it still costs money though, right?
[37:07] » So it still costs money though, right?
[37:08] You still need an engineering firm to
[37:09] come out and validate that.
[37:12] >> It still costs money and that's just
[37:13] » It still costs money and that's just
[37:13] part of being compliant with federal
[37:15] funds. But now that NDOT is the final
[37:17] arbiter of what the environmental issues
[37:19] are, we think it'll cost us less and go
[37:22] quicker
[37:22] >> because there'll be less environmental
[37:24] » because there'll be less environmental
[37:24] issues.
[37:24] >> Oh, sort of related but unrelated. On
[37:27] » Oh, sort of related but unrelated. On
[37:27] 132nd Plat B Road, we're going through
[37:29] the NEPA process now. Is that for
[37:31] environmental or
[37:32] >> Yep. Yeah. And I believe you get federal
[37:35] » Yep. Yeah. And I believe you get federal
[37:35] money or No,
[37:36] >> that is federally funded um through the
[37:39] » that is federally funded um through the
[37:39] uh Congressional Community Funding Act,
[37:41] but it does follow federal regulations.
[37:44] Olsen is the engineer on that. They
[37:46] they've they're doing the environmental
[37:48] review.
[37:48] >> I saw that.
[37:49] » I saw that.
[37:49] >> Again, categorical exclusion is um you
[37:53] » Again, categorical exclusion is um you
[37:53] know, the the easiest to obtain and
[37:54] that's why when we're thinking about
[37:56] going for federal funding, sometimes
[37:58] it's best to go to those areas where you
[38:00] have the least amount of potential
[38:02] environmental impact.
[38:03] >> Sure.
[38:04] » Sure.
[38:04] >> Thank you.
[38:08] » Northwest Road Network, um which
[38:10] includes Harrison Street that we're
[38:12] working on. This is the that rural area,
[38:15] but it's growing. The Greta High School
[38:17] site um is there working through all
[38:20] those those projects. The last project
[38:22] will be bid um this fall, 225th Street,
[38:25] and that should be completed uh by the
[38:27] end of 2028.
[38:31] And then we think it's important to make
[38:33] sure that the one row program includes
[38:35] money for maintenance and also
[38:37] contingencies, especially when we have
[38:39] such a large amount of capital that
[38:41] we're going to be spending. And so we do
[38:42] allocate 1.5 million a year for bridge
[38:44] program concrete 500,000 for panel
[38:48] repair asphalt overlay arterial streets
[38:51] as you know when developments come up
[38:53] you don't always expect them we need to
[38:54] have some money set aside so we can
[38:56] partner with them when those emerge and
[38:58] then we are carrying a $3 million a year
[39:00] construction contingency should bids
[39:02] come in high or uh project uh you know
[39:04] emergency come up we have some money in
[39:06] there to to utilize
[39:10] and then I do think Um it's important to
[39:13] recognize the team. It takes a team to
[39:15] really deliver $325 million worth of uh
[39:20] road projects. And so um Zach and his
[39:23] team here, they do a great job. A lot of
[39:25] behind thes scenes stuff, a lot of out
[39:26] on site um working with contractors,
[39:29] working with engineering firms. Um and
[39:32] then uh the other team that that helps
[39:34] the rest of the folks GIS one of the
[39:37] great things about this program if you
[39:38] remember years ago we actually had a
[39:40] consultant help us build this document
[39:42] and then over time the GIS department
[39:45] Eric Kriner was able to bring that
[39:46] inhouse. So no cost to us and and Eric
[39:49] has a database. We just plug the numbers
[39:50] in and it it develops the document. So
[39:52] very very streamlined there. And then um
[39:55] obviously you know government partners
[39:56] who we need to continue to work with
[39:58] over the coming years on funding
[40:00] partnerships
[40:02] uh and then private partners. We really
[40:04] have a good relationship with the
[40:06] development community, engineering
[40:08] firms, construction firms. So things um
[40:11] really come together for us to be able
[40:12] to to deliver all these projects for
[40:14] you. Um with that I'm happy to answer
[40:18] any questions. It is a public hearing.
[40:20] Um
[40:21] >> just a couple comments. Okay. When I was
[40:24] » just a couple comments. Okay. When I was
[40:24] looking through the uh the uh it was
[40:27] like 30 projects or so.
[40:28] >> Mhm.
[40:29] » Mhm.
[40:30] >> I was glad to see that we're taking a
[40:32] » I was glad to see that we're taking a
[40:32] look at Giles Road. Uh I think that's in
[40:34] Commissioner Klug's area.
[40:37] >> But I travel it. And uh the other day I
[40:40] » But I travel it. And uh the other day I
[40:40] was uh
[40:42] uh coming from 132nd, which we're also
[40:46] redoing that with two roundabouts. So
[40:48] that's really good because that's a
[40:50] that's a real mousetrap in there. But
[40:53] and I got across Highway 50, 144th
[40:56] Street, and the traffic was blocked all
[41:00] the way to the next
[41:02] 156th Street. And you know, it was rush
[41:05] hour traffic, but that that road is way
[41:08] way um underdeveloped. It needs to be
[41:11] expanded into an arterial. And so it
[41:14] looks like we're going to do a study. Is
[41:16] that what I saw? I think we have 250,000
[41:19] in this year's budget to look at the
[41:20] Giles corridor from Highway 50 to
[41:23] Highway 631.
[41:25] Um there's some development as you know
[41:27] that's occurred on there obviously when
[41:29] we finish the Connect Sarpie project.
[41:31] It's a changing corridor. So we think
[41:33] it's important to get eyes on that and
[41:35] figure out pedestrian improvements uh
[41:38] signalization and then you know any
[41:40] expansion um efforts that we need. So
[41:42] that is in there and once we approve
[41:44] this we'll start the process of getting
[41:46] an engineering firm on board to study
[41:48] that and then yes 132nd in Giles you
[41:52] know we we build we're building a lot of
[41:54] new and replacing a lot of bridges but
[41:56] we also have to look at capacity of
[41:58] existing areas and 132nd in Giles is a
[42:02] an area that we need to get some you
[42:04] know get a expansion done on
[42:06] >> and then uh swinging to the east a
[42:08] » and then uh swinging to the east a
[42:08] little bit. It wasn't in the one and
[42:10] six, but at some point I think we need
[42:12] we've done a really good job of
[42:14] protecting the north south arterials and
[42:16] getting out in front of things out in
[42:17] western part of the county and gyms area
[42:20] out there with the growth and new school
[42:23] and all that stuff going out there. So
[42:25] that's good. But we're I mean and I I
[42:29] don't know if there's a path forward,
[42:30] but we got to try to find a way to
[42:32] correct the sins of the past. If you
[42:34] come down 60th Street, which is a major
[42:37] arterial in Douglas County, and you get
[42:39] to Harrison Street, the road disappears
[42:42] until you get to 370.
[42:44] And uh we've got to find a way because
[42:47] so what happens as a result of that. All
[42:50] these people that are compressed in the
[42:52] Pilion and Western Belleview area have
[42:56] no choice but to go east and west, to go
[42:58] north. And that's just not good for
[43:00] traffic flow. It's not good for uh you
[43:03] know commutes. It's so I think we need
[43:06] to look take a look at trying to find a
[43:09] way to extend Giles Road east and west
[43:12] out of the Vista to connect uh to
[43:14] Belleview and north and south figure out
[43:17] a quarter. It's going to be hard now
[43:19] because there's developments in there.
[43:20] you can't move the developments, but
[43:22] something I would think that kind of um
[43:27] uh runs parallel to the Papio uh Creek
[43:31] uh till you get down to Corn Husker and
[43:33] then maybe can tie back in somehow. Um
[43:36] I I don't know what it looks like, but
[43:38] we need to look at it at least because
[43:41] this it's long past too. I know
[43:43] Commissioner Mixon and I talk about it
[43:45] all the time. How did we ever let this
[43:47] happen? you know,
[43:48] >> it was a future or was a past county
[43:51] » it was a future or was a past county
[43:51] board that let it happen. I mean,
[43:54] unfortunately, but
[43:56] >> I mean, way in the past because
[43:59] » I mean, way in the past because
[43:59] this is it's so critical to look at our
[44:04] roads and then protect that right away.
[44:08] Um, Giles could have easily had been it
[44:11] could have been protected, but they let
[44:14] the developer crisscross it with houses
[44:17] on the furthest part of it down on the
[44:19] west part
[44:20] >> and it just it just took the took the
[44:23] » and it just it just took the took the
[44:23] rideway away.
[44:25] Um,
[44:27] and that
[44:29] because I come up to
[44:31] um I'll come up to Brian High School and
[44:34] I can look west and I can see Giles Road
[44:38] on the other side. And uh it's very
[44:41] frustrating because yes, you're either
[44:43] going down to you're either going north
[44:46] to Harrison or you're going south down
[44:49] to Corn Husker to get any farther west.
[44:52] And and I I I'm glad you bring that up
[44:55] also, Don. The point of uh 60th Street
[44:59] and then obviously we have 66 there, but
[45:04] we we also have uh we have where we need
[45:07] to kind of get 66 punched through.
[45:11] Either that or we come around from the
[45:13] other side and do something. But I think
[45:16] those are I think those are very smart
[45:19] and strategic plans. So,
[45:21] >> yep. And then something we can look at.
[45:23] » yep. And then something we can look at.
[45:23] >> Just one last question. It's kind of
[45:25] » Just one last question. It's kind of
[45:25] financial related. So, we're bonding 200
[45:28] and some million.
[45:29] >> Yep.
[45:30] » Yep.
[45:30] >> How how much wiggle room do we have if
[45:32] » How how much wiggle room do we have if
[45:32] we wanted to accept more risk and bond
[45:34] more roads? Well, one of the So, um, one
[45:39] of the reasons why we've retained our
[45:41] AAA bond rating and got the best rate
[45:45] was as part of that process working with
[45:47] Moody's, we did they did ask us if we
[45:49] have any plans for future bonding, not
[45:51] just roads, but other things, we told
[45:53] them not not for two or three years. And
[45:55] so, that um I think was a a factor in
[45:58] making them comfortable with us
[46:00] retaining that um retaining that rating.
[46:03] Um, we're we're always going to continue
[46:05] to look at where are the other sources
[46:07] of funding we can go to. I think um
[46:10] there's money out there from other
[46:13] funding sources that we need to go be
[46:16] aggressive in obtaining those and build
[46:18] that package for what we'll call the
[46:20] next wave, you know, the 2028 2029 wave.
[46:23] But, um, you know, we we would have to
[46:25] talk offline about, you know, how do we
[46:27] access more bonding? I think at this
[46:30] point we've got this bond issue 200
[46:32] million. We have three years to spend
[46:34] it. We're going to spend it. So we need
[46:36] to talk about what happens in year four
[46:38] or five and where's how do we amass the
[46:42] you know the pot of funds out there to
[46:44] do the next wave of projects.
[46:46] >> Yeah. I mean, with 200 million in
[46:48] » Yeah. I mean, with 200 million in
[46:48] bonding, we're obviously not risk
[46:51] adverse, but I think we got to look for
[46:54] ways to be even more aggressive because
[46:57] all you have to do is look at the
[46:58] landscape what's going on out around
[47:00] Gretina and the the whole county is
[47:04] about ready to blow up now that we've
[47:05] got sewers in most places.
[47:09] uh this area um what east of Highway 50
[47:12] all the way to Belleview to 75 is gonna
[47:15] it's going to grow. It's gonna bring in
[47:18] more and more of a t broaden the tax
[47:20] base. So I
[47:21] >> if there's ways that we can get out in
[47:23] » if there's ways that we can get out in
[47:23] front of it and not have to wait until
[47:25] it's assured. I think the risk is a is a
[47:28] is a it's calculated. And and I would
[47:32] say too, part of the Moody's rating was
[47:35] a commitment not to go get more bonds in
[47:37] the next 24 months, but it but they also
[47:39] told us you're in a healthier financial
[47:41] position than you were the last time you
[47:43] got bonds four years ago. And that's
[47:45] because they see and they understand how
[47:47] when we pioneer a road and and maybe the
[47:50] interchange roads are a good example. uh
[47:53] when we pioneer 40 million of roads, but
[47:56] then all of this area is going to
[47:58] develop and directly contribute to our
[48:01] project that our net cost is 15 million.
[48:04] It just makes really good financial
[48:05] sense. And when we talked to them the
[48:07] first time we did our first bond rating,
[48:09] we talked about the connect project and
[48:11] we actually drew an area and said this
[48:14] area is worth two billion today. And so
[48:16] we were able to go back to them and do
[48:19] that snapshot in 2026 and go now it's 4
[48:22] billion. And so they they they're
[48:24] speaking that language with us. But I
[48:26] think challenge the board and challenge
[48:29] us to go find partners that can bring
[48:32] money to the table and then when we need
[48:34] to go get the next bond issue, maybe
[48:36] that's matching money because we've been
[48:38] able to bring in 50 or $100 million from
[48:41] other sources. So but we'll keep working
[48:43] on that and talking about it and I
[48:46] appreciate it. Before we uh
[48:49] um ask the public to come forward, did
[48:51] you want to add anything, Zach, from the
[48:53] county engineers office?
[48:55] >> Nope, I don't think so. We have a lot of
[48:56] » Nope, I don't think so. We have a lot of
[48:56] new projects on there.
[48:59] >> Okay, Scott.
[49:02] » Okay, Scott.
[49:02] [clears throat]
[49:03] Regarding all the partnerships and then
[49:05] obviously when we have developers
[49:08] contributing back, do you have an
[49:10] estimate? I mean, you had a few of them
[49:12] where you said, "Okay, it's 38 million,
[49:15] but we're it might be our net is 15."
[49:19] Okay. So, all the money that we have in
[49:22] the in the bond issue and everything,
[49:24] when we start getting that money back,
[49:26] do you have an estimate for all that's
[49:28] out there of how much potential could be
[49:32] coming back? And then when that money
[49:35] comes back, does it come back into this
[49:37] program?
[49:39] I don't have an actual number, but when
[49:41] Dan Takes and I generate our our cash
[49:44] flow for the next 20 years years, um, we
[49:47] do have estimates for how much we expect
[49:50] to get each year. I could look at that
[49:51] and tell you as a general rule, I'd say
[49:53] if we're spending 325 million, a
[49:56] conservative estimate would be a third.
[49:58] So 100 million or so is going to be
[50:00] direct financial contributions from the
[50:02] development. And then yes, it goes back
[50:03] into this um pot of money to use for
[50:06] projects or pay for debt or um you know
[50:09] just have cash in there for pay as you
[50:11] go projects
[50:12] >> because what what I'm seeing is what
[50:14] » because what what I'm seeing is what
[50:14] you're showing the total expend
[50:17] >> but that's not the net
[50:19] » but that's not the net
[50:19] >> you're not seeing the revenue side right
[50:21] » you're not seeing the revenue side right
[50:21] and that revenue you have direct
[50:22] contributions from development is a very
[50:24] important part of that
[50:26] >> maybe 8 to 10 million a year and then
[50:28] » maybe 8 to 10 million a year and then
[50:28] the highway allocation is the other
[50:30] important part that's about you you
[50:32] know, 18 to 20 million a year.
[50:34] >> Those those would be good numbers to
[50:36] » Those those would be good numbers to
[50:36] get.
[50:36] >> Okay. We can show that
[50:37] » Okay. We can show that
[50:37] >> what's coming back.
[50:38] » what's coming back.
[50:38] >> Yeah. And we we just can we budget those
[50:41] » Yeah. And we we just can we budget those
[50:42] direct contributions from developments
[50:43] conservatively because we don't know
[50:45] when a property is going to develop or
[50:47] not, but um it's definitely an important
[50:49] part of our financing.
[50:50] >> Yeah. I' I'd rather keep the
[50:51] » Yeah. I' I'd rather keep the
[50:52] conservative number. I want to get some
[50:54] >> I've beat it every year.
[50:56] » I've beat it every year.
[50:56] >> [laughter]
[50:58] » [laughter]
[50:58] >> So, is it is anyone from uh from the
[51:02] » So, is it is anyone from uh from the
[51:02] county planning to attend the Gross
[51:05] Sarpies economic development conference
[51:08] coming up in October?
[51:10] >> Yes, I think I'm manning a round table.
[51:13] » Yes, I think I'm manning a round table.
[51:13] >> Yep. We've got um got plans for that so
[51:16] » Yep. We've got um got plans for that so
[51:16] that we have representation um people
[51:18] can speak to planning and roads issues.
[51:20] Yeah, it might be good if the board
[51:22] maybe get could get get an invite to
[51:25] that and uh at least one or two of us
[51:27] could go because I think it would be
[51:29] pretty good to mix it up with the
[51:32] developers and see what they're
[51:33] thinking.
[51:34] >> Yeah.
[51:36] » Yeah.
[51:36] >> Okay,
[51:36] » Okay,
[51:36] >> good.
[51:37] » good.
[51:37] >> Thanks, Scott. As public hearing,
[51:39] » Thanks, Scott. As public hearing,
[51:39] anybody want to address the board on
[51:40] this uh plan one and six?
[51:44] >> No. Okay, then I'll close the public
[51:46] » No. Okay, then I'll close the public
[51:46] hearing and we'll take action on it next
[51:48] week.
[51:51] Right.
[51:52] >> Today.
[51:52] » Today.
[51:52] >> Okay. Today.
[51:54] » Okay. Today.
[51:54] >> All right. Uh, last item on the board is
[51:56] » All right. Uh, last item on the board is
[51:56] a resolution
[51:58] today.
[51:58] >> Oh, we do it today.
[51:59] » Oh, we do it today.
[51:59] >> Yeah.
[51:59] » Yeah.
[52:00] >> Oh, I thought we were doing it next
[52:01] » Oh, I thought we were doing it next
[52:01] week. Today's the hearing and the vote.
[52:03] >> Second.
[52:04] » Second.
[52:04] >> Okay. Who was the motion? Dave. Motion
[52:07] » Okay. Who was the motion? Dave. Motion
[52:07] by uh Commissioner Clug, second by
[52:09] Commissioner Burmeister. Any further
[52:11] discussion?
[52:12] Please vote.
[52:15] >> Motion passed.
[52:16] » Motion passed.
[52:16] >> Okay. The last item is resolution 222
[52:19] » Okay. The last item is resolution 222
[52:19] establishing the A911 search charge for
[52:21] the 2027 calendar year in the amount of
[52:24] $1 per month per telephone number
[52:27] commencing January 1st, 2027. Dan
[52:29] Toleus, chief financial officer.
[52:32] >> Good afternoon, commissioners. Uh, as
[52:34] » Good afternoon, commissioners. Uh, as
[52:34] you just read into the record, uh, this
[52:35] establishes the search charge for
[52:37] calendar year 2027 in the amount of $1
[52:40] per month per telephone number. Uh this
[52:43] is the uh maximum amount that's
[52:46] allowable by statute and it is
[52:47] consistent uh the dollar per month per
[52:50] telephone number is consistent with the
[52:52] uh search charge in prior years as well
[52:54] and this is action that the board takes
[52:56] annually by September 1 to set this
[52:58] every year. So happy to answer any
[53:00] questions that you might have for me.
[53:04] >> Motion to approve.
[53:05] » Motion to approve.
[53:05] >> Second motion by uh Commissioner Warren,
[53:08] » Second motion by uh Commissioner Warren,
[53:08] second by Commissioner Clue. Any further
[53:10] discussion?
[53:14] Please vote.
[53:17] >> Motion passed.
[53:18] » Motion passed.
[53:18] >> Okay. We don't we have no need for an
[53:20] » Okay. We don't we have no need for an
[53:20] executive session and all agenda items
[53:22] having been addressed as published. The
[53:24] board of commissioners is adjourned.
[53:27] Thank you for coming.