County will have its own emergency manager, as Seward and York Counties end agreement

​YORK – Upon Gary Peterson’s announcement he would be retiring from his position as the emergency manager for both Seward and York Counties, a conversation began as to whether the longstanding agreement should remain or if the counties wanted to stop sharing an emergency manager.

​Early indications were that commissioners from Seward County were likely leaning toward ending the agreement with York County, in order to have their own manager. And York County Commissioners seemed to be leaning that same way two weeks ago.
“There was a conversation, I had a conversation with the chairman from Seward County and it sounds like they want to separate out,” York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier told his fellow board members this week. “I have also heard from the public and some in fire departments who say they’d like to see York County do the same.”
He said it was his understanding York County Attorney Gary Olson and Seward County Attorney Wendy Elston had a conversation about ending the agreement as well.
“I thought we better put this out there, decide what we are going to do and then go out for the search as to who would fill the position,” Obermier said. “We can make those decisions and then start accepting applications.”
“I got the same inputs from local fire departments and I’m hearing how Gary (Peterson) has been spread pretty thin between the two counties,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman. “And they feel it is important to have an inhouse person who lives in the county.”
“I feel it should be a county position and everyone benefits from it in the county,” Obermier said. “And having a full-time person puts us in line for NEMA and FEMA grants to help pay part of the salary.”
The county board members agreed to sever the agreement with Seward County as soon as can be legally done and they will then start the search.
“We will need to start thinking about what that job will look like,” Commissioner Daniel Grotz said. “Was there some shared equipment?”
“We have our own equipment but there is an emergency response vehicle which is housed in Bradshaw,” Obermier said.
“Yes, it is housed in Bradshaw and a number of departments have used it,” Bowman said. “We will have to give a couple of radios, from the vehicle, back to Seward County, that’s my understanding.”
“Next week, Gary and I are going to go over the inventory,” Obermier said.
“Do we have any idea . . . when we were budgeting, this was a shared salary. Do we have any idea on the number (for wage)?” asked Grotz.
“We are halfway through our fiscal year so it’ll probably be close,” Obermier said.
“To hire someone, we will have to offer a number,” Grotz added.
“This is a little changing of the times, but it will be fine,” Obermier said. “Hopefully, the right person is out there. We will sever the agreement with Seward County and begin the process of determining and creating a York County-only position in emergency management.”
The other commissioners agreed and they will be moving forward.