County resolves development financial issue           
Prepares to address junk violators and other matters

[SEPT. 16, 2005]  LINCOLN -- Officials have sorted through an unanticipated added finance cost that they encountered in the development of the west side commerce park where the Sysco Foods Warehouse and Distribution Center is going in. The entities were caught off guard after they had approved financing agreements for shared debt certificates and then the banks came back and said that they would need an additional $110,000 for tax.

Economic Development Partnership director Rob Orr helped determine what the county’s fair share of that cost would be.  Then it was decided between board chairman Bob Farmer, finance chairman Chuck Ruben, county treasurer Mary Ellen Bruns and county coordinator Dewey Colter that the difference on the county’s share of the debt certificates would be made up with an additional $4,000 per year added to their payment.  The county determined that they would like to get the first payment in early and save interest dollars.  Treasurer Bruns was consulted and agreed that it could be done this year.  They will pay $49,000 per year for 20-years.

The proposed change met with no objections and is expected to pass at Tuesday’s voting session.

Getting some teeth behind junk violations

The county has lacked a manner to get property owners to maintain buildings or clean up junk cluttering the countryside.  Part of the problem has been the overload of criminal cases in the states attorney’s office.  A junk violation just isn’t very high on the priority list.  Requests to clean up often go unheeded by property owners.  Other counties that have had a similar problem have found another avenue to get something done. 

County coordinator Dewey Colter presented a copy of the proposed adjudication process.  This manner of addressing ordinance violations can be started and sometimes completed without ever going to the states attorney.  It involves several steps of notices, hearings, fines and fees; to whatever degree the violator chooses to take it. 

The proposed Logan County Administrative Adjudication addresses the following ordinances:

Litter at Public Nuisance

Inoperable Motor Vehicles

Zoning Ordinance

Subdivision Regulations

A copy of the Administrative Adjudication Process is on file in the county clerk’s office at the Logan County Courthouse for public viewing.

It is hoped to have this process approved and ready to enact with the new fiscal year that begins on Nov. 1, 2005

[County laying foundation for future Proposed solution to property violations and junk cars presented] 

http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2005/Jun/02/News/today_d.shtml

High up

Buildings and grounds chairman John Stewart requested emergency funds to address immediate roofing needs at the courthouse.  The courthouse is scheduled to receive approximately $150,000 in repairs next year.  However, Mr. High, the roofing contractor, examined the roof and found an area where the flashing is pulling away from the sandstone near a gutter. 

The building has been plagued with leaks in the last year.  Mostly it has been in the states attorney’s office.

Stewart said that about $12,000 and $1,800 are needed for the dome and roof repairs before winter.

Finance chair Chuck Ruben said that they would amend the budget if needed to take care of it, “We can’t let the roof go to pot.”

It’s going to cost more

Law enforcement chair Paul Gleason said that the Sheriff’s Department typically uses 2,500 to 3,000 gallons gasoline each month while patrolling and other duties.  He wanted to bring awareness to the board for the next fuel bill at about $1 per gallon increase.

Gone south

 

The Logan County Paramedics Association sent an ambulance and team down to New Orleans to help out with Hurricane Katrina victims.  A relief team has since replaced the first guys that went down, Dick Logan said.

NIMS, are we in or out of compliance?

Logan County Emergency Management Agency director Dan Fulscher said that he wanted to clear up some confusion on the new National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements.  NIMS is a new emergency management system that standardizes communications and procedures so that all units of government, emergency response and support agencies can work together and supply mutual aid to one another.  Participation in NIMS is crucial to gaining grant funds for emergency training and equipment.

Logan County is in compliance with the federal government timeline to implement the new National Incident Management System (NIMS).  The first deadline of Sept. 30, 2005 was to agree to adopt NIMS, which was done several months ago. 

Now, the next phase of compliance is training that is to be done by Sept. 30, 2006. By that time local elected officials and emergency responders, department of transportation and health departments must receive specific training in NIMS. 

Fulscher and assistant director Terry Storer have been to a training session for elected officials and were impressed, “You’ll be surprised by what you will learn,” he said.  Fulscher and Storer will be teaching a series of classes this spring. 

Margie Harris from the Logan County Health Department said that they have already had three go through training, including herself.  And she agreed, “It is an excellent course whether or not it is required, and everybody [addressing board members] should take it.  It is extremely important.”

Just looking at what’s been happening on the gulf coast, it shows that it’s pretty important for elected officials, Fulscher said “If you have a couple of tornadoes or an earth quake come through here you’re [elected officials] in charge.  We assist and we’re here to show you what needs to be done,” he said. 

See [Logan County ESDA name to change] for additional NIMS information. http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2005/Aug/18/News/today8-18-05_e.shtml

Budget time

A special Finance Committee meeting is set for Wed. Sept. 21 at 8 a.m.  It is to discuss the next budget.  The budget process has been running behind this year, Ruben said.  But “should we get lucky, we’ll have a budget to present at the Oct. Board of the Whole meeting,” he said. 

In the event that a budget is not ready for approval on time, Ruben said that he has already checked with the states attorney on what would happen.  The states attorney said that it wouldn’t be a problem; businesses would just go on as usual.

Airport matters

A new policy and procedures lease and tie down agreement for hangars at the Logan County Airport has been completed.  It addresses the housing non-flyable aircraft, which may be in process of being repaired or built in hangars.  It is on display in the County Board office in the Logan County Court House.  The committee is seeking public comment on the new regulations until the date of the next airport committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 3^rd. 

The Art and Balloon Festival drew approximately 10,000 spectators for its first year out at the Logan County Airport.  The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event and they were pleased at how the public was able to enjoy the festival at the airport.  There was a problem with traffic backup that organizers will address before next year, airport chairman Bill Sahs said.

 Cleaning out time

An electronics and small appliance recycling is scheduled at the Logan County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, Sept. 23.

 [Jan Youngquist]