Nuckolls County officials take oath of office

There was a great deal of swearing going on at the Nuckolls County Courthouse last Thursday. Well swearing in, that is.

Diane Wehrman, clerk magistrate for Nuckolls County, administered the oath of office to newly elected and reelected county officials as well as the deputy officials.

Wehrman administered the oath of office Tami Sharp, the new county treasurer, and Jerry Grove, newly elected District 1 commissioner. The remainder of the reelected officials were sworn in as a group. They included Susan Rogers, assessor, Royce Gonzales, clerk for the district court, Tim Zikmund, District 2 commissioner, John Hodges, county attorney, Bradley Baker, sheriff, and Carrie Miller county clerk.

Brenda Schott was sworn as deputy county clerk and Dawn Wehrman was sworn in as deputy register of deeds. Donna Svoboda was sworn in as deputy treasurer. Lisa Kovanda was sworn in as deputy assessor.

The deputies of the sheriff's department were sworn in at a later time.

After the oaths of office were administered, the county commissioners met for the first time in 2023.

The first order of business was the reorganization of the county board of commissioners by the three members: Tim Zikmund, Dave Mussman and Jerry Grove.

Zikmund was appointed to serve as chairman. Mussman was appointed as acting chairman.

The board approved a resolution designating the deposits of pledged securities. The board approved a resolution designating depository banks and authorizing the county treasurer to invest county funds.

Dr. Timothy Blecha was appointed county physician.

The Superior Express was designated the official county newspaper. The Nuckolls County Locomotive-Gazette was designated the official county newspaper for the publishing of the delinquent tax list.

The board set rates for the use of county machinery by outside agencies in disaster situations.

The board authorized the county clerk to act on their behalf should the need arise.

The board set the meal reimbursement per diem at $50 per day.

Board members were appointed to serve as county representatives on the following boards: insurance committee. Mid-Nebraska Individual services, South Central Economic Development District, South Heartland District Health Board, Grove was appointed chairman of the board of equalization, the Midland Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, the safety committee and the 911 Emergency services Board.

Carrie Miller was appointed the Nuckolls County School Superintendent, NIRMA contact person, human resources manager (HIPPA), Title VI contact person and benefits administrator.

Royce Gonzales, John Hodge, Jim Bolte, Nick Elledge and Susan Rogers were appointed to the county medical insurance committee.

Ken Himmelberg was appointed to the Trailblazer RC and D council.

The board adopted the dates for 2023 meetings as well as official holidays.

The board of commissioners serves as the Noxious weeds Authority Board. Nick Elledge was appointed as weed superintendent as well as county emergency manager.

Jeff Wagner was appointed county highway superintendent.

The board approved the weather closing procedure.

The board approved a contract for the highway superintendent.

The board approved a contract for professional surveyor services.

The board will investigate possible backup heat sources for the courthouse.

The board approved law enforcement agreements between the county and the villages of Hardy and Ruskin.

The board will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the courthouse on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The courthouse will be closed Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.