Repair work continues on Road W overpass over Interstate 80; commissioners hold regular meeting

YORK  COUNTY – Repair work continues on the Road W overpass, over Interstate 80.

​This is a county road but the overpass structure is the responsibility of the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
The structure itself was damaged when a vehicle hit it, while traveling down Interstate 80.
The overpass has been closed for some time.
York County Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim said this past week how it was his understanding it would probably take state crews a week or two to fix it, before this stretch of Road W can be opened again.
Also during his official report, Keim said the road department has been busy blading, crack sealing, hauling rock and gravel.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting of the commissioners:

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  • Nate Heinz, zoning administrator, said the planning commission would be meeting with Marvin Consultants regarding the updating of the comprehensive plan. They would also be meeting regarding three conditional use applications filed by Dustin Chrisman – the recommendation from the planning commission would then be brought back to the county board at a later date.
  • York County Attorney Gary Olson reported how the adult and juvenile diversion programs are “up and going and the programs are still alive.” After receiving some confusing correspondence regarding federal funding for the new grant programs, Olson said he was reassured at the federal level how the grant funding would remain and all the positions recently hired remain in place. “The grant was not terminated,” Olson told the commissioners. The United States Attorney General’s office indicated the programs are safe and that’s good news.”
  • Laura McDougall, director of the Four Corners Health Department, said her agency is having its share of concerns regarding federal and state funding, as money is being pulled back and/or cut. A drawdown, through the county, was facilitated for funding toward the construction project at the Four Corners offices.
• Commissioner Joe Burgess said he had a Blue Valley meeting recently, where that agency is also looking ahead to cuts in state and federal funding.
• Commissioner Andy Bowman said he, Commissioner Daniel Grotz and Keim had a conversation about the position of weed superintendent “and changing how it looks, so the person would also work for the roads department.
• Commissioner Grotz said he had a meeting with the sheriff’s department, which he called “productive.”
• Commissioner Randy Obermier said LB 468, which would eliminate the state’s inheritance tax, has reached the state legislative floor. The Nebraska Association of County Officials and most counties have voiced opposition to this bill.
• A tax exemption was allowed for a pickup and trailer used by Camp Kateri, as the board of equalization met. They also agreed to make five tax roll corrections, as recommended by the county assessor.