Buffalo County Commissioners Award ARPA Funds to BCCP and Kearney Catholic Foundation | 1340 KGFW

Buffalo County Courthouse (Brian Neben, central Nebraska today)

KEARNEY — Buffalo County Commissioners awarded American Rescue Plan funds to Buffalo County Community Partners and the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation at their meeting Tuesday, July 9.

“As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Economic Development Administration received $3 billion in additional funding to help communities nationwide build back better by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that are resilient to future economic shocks,” according to the U.S. EDA.

ARPA funds were distributed across the country and recipients included local governments and municipalities, such as county councils. Recipients must commit the funds by December 31, 2024, and spend them by December 31, 2026.

Three applications for Buffalo County ARPA funds were submitted by Buffalo County Community Health Partners, Kearney Catholic High School Foundation and the Village of Shelton.

Representatives from Buffalo County Community Partners (BCCP) appeared and said their plan for using the funds would be to address the “crisis” regarding the lack of quality child care options in Kearney and the county at large.

Through their work with existing providers to help new providers obtain licenses and training, 186 new places have been added to capacity.

It was also noted that Buffalo County has a higher rate of expulsion among children and one of the goals of the BCCP is to reduce this number.

Commissioners approved $40,000 to the BCCP.

The next applicant for ARPA funds was the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation.

Jonathan Nikkila, co-chair of the campaign to raise money to upgrade the Miles Field sports complex, appeared at the meeting and said the facility needed updates.

The ideal facilities envisioned by KCHS include modern restrooms, bleachers that can seat 1,000 to 1,500 fans, an eight-lane track, artificial turf on the football field, equipment storage, a machine shed under the church property, a concession stand, handicapped accessible facilities and an on-field workout room.

Work has already begun on the facility, with the groundbreaking ceremony set for November 16, 2023.

Goals for future community use of the space include a welcoming, bureaucracy-free approach to making the space available to community organizations and county schools that need access to the turf and trails.
Commissioners voted to award $50,000 in ARPA funds to the KCHS Foundation.

The Village of Shelton’s request was postponed until a future meeting to allow local officials more time to discuss funding sources.

During the meeting, Jon Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), provided an update on the situation.

Cannon emphasized NACO’s mission of serving elected officials in Nebraska’s 93 counties and working to provide resources and education to help local government operate more effectively.

Cannon said that to better serve the western regions of the state, they are building offices in Ogallala. This avoids having to send NACO staff from Lincoln, potentially eight hours away on the other side of the state.

During a recent legislative session, the estate tax repeal proposal was introduced but failed to pass. As for counties, NACO was aware of the impact that the loss of this revenue source could have on many Nebraska counties.

Cannon suggested more advocacy, noting that some of those elected to the Legislature may not fully understand how county councils work or the different obligations and constraints they face.

Asked if Gov. Jim Pillen would call a special session, Cannon said nothing had been put in writing yet, 16 days before Pillen had indicated he wanted to call the session.

During the highway department portion of the meeting, Highway Superintendent John Maul appeared with a recommendation for a decision to close Evergreen Road between 220 and 235 Rds.

Maul pointed out that there is no road in the area, but the county has retained a right of way. If the road is closed, the right of way will be released to neighboring landowners.

A public hearing has been set for August 13 at 10 a.m. to hear public comments on the proposed closure.

At the Board of Equalization meeting, commissioners approved a report on the destroyed real estate belonging to Kerri Taylor.

Assessor Roy Meusch said the structure was destroyed by fire on April 6 and the assessment would increase to $40,010; $10,000 for the foundation and $30,010 for the land.

During the zoning discussions, commissioners approved sending the draft zoning and subdivision regulations back to the county planning commission for some amendments and added language to several items.

During the regular agenda, Sheriff Neil Miller appeared on the subject of 911 surcharges for landlines.

Miller said the surcharge amount is set each year and has remained at 75 cents for the past 10 years, the last time it was 50 cents. He recommended keeping it at the current rate, which commissioners approved.