Stephanie Effken

    After months of deliberation, the Seward County Board of Commissioners has chosen the architectural firm DLR Group to work on the new jail project.
     When discussion opened at the March 11 meeting silence filled the commissioners' room.
     Commissioner Scott Stuhr made a motion to choose Carlson West Povondra Architects.
     "I'm concerned about DLR's fees structure," Stuhr said. "Though I'm sure they would do a fine job, I'm just concerned."
     His motion died for lack of a second.
     After more silence, Chairman Joe Ruzicka said, "Well, I thought we'd be ready today to make this decision."
     Commissioner Larry Dedic made a motion to chose DLR Group, Stuhr seconded for the purpose of discussion.
     Stuhr again made his concerns clear. The motion was passed 4-1 with Stuhr voting against.
     In an unrelated matter, the board heard from Val Dobesh in regards to his mother-in-law's will.
     About a year ago Dobesh's mother-in-law passed away leaving Dobesh's wife the owner of her life insurance policy. Though owner of the policy, his wife did not receive a copy from the agent.
     There was discrepancy between the will and the life insurance policy as to how much money was left to whom, and ultimately, Dobesh wanted $1,200 to be given to Seward's handibus and approximately $3,800 to go to her church. This distribution would follow instructions from her will.
     The commissioners agreed to sign a disclaimer that Dobesh and his wife could distribute the money according to the will and not according to the life insurance policy.
     In other business, the board;
     • received a quote to repair the steps at the jail in the amount of $2,175 and will approve money for repairs at their next meeting, March 18;
     • approved two right-of-way requests, one for Windstream on A Street between 168th Road and 154th Road and one for Seward County Rural Public Power District on Superior between 350th Road and 336th Road;
     • discussed the possibility of distributing county safety manuals on compact discs;
     • accepted county clerk fees for January 2008 in the amount of $19,244.25;
     • accepted clerk of the district court fees for February 2008 in the amount of $2,109.36;
     • accepted sheriff fee and mileage reports for January 2008 in the amount of $2,183 and $892.68 respectively;
     • heard a suggestion from Seward County Attorney Wendy Elston to update the employee manual to be in compliance with new laws;
     • authorized the chairman to sign Seward County's Hazard Mitigation Planning Memorandum of Understanding;
     • as the Board of Equalization, approved four tax list corrections; and
     • opened three culvert bids, to be awarded March 18.