County board discusses refinancing of bonds

The possible refinancing of Cloud County Law Enforcement Center bonds was discussed with the county board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday.
Sheriff Brian Marks, Brad Berk, Public Building Commission; and Dustin Avery, Piper Jaffray, discussed the possible savings by refinancing the bonds.
Avery will prepare financing information for the board to review.
The commissioners toured the Law Enforcement Center with Marks and Berk.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, met the board and presented classification changes for Richard Bergstrom Jr. and Paul Shepard.
The board recognized the retirement of Bergstrom, effective December 13 and approved a wage change for Shepard, equipment operator, from $11.50 to $14.44.
The board reviewed the November 30, 2019, budget reports during the meeting.
Brent Gering, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented his resignation, effective January 3, 2020.
The board met with department heads. Reports presented include:
Kristi Benyshek, District Court clerk – Business as usual.
Gering – Updated Homeland Security property listing. Ice storm training for Cloud County employees is on December 17.
Asch – Coughlin is grinding rock. The department is patching roads, ditch and tree work and has two retirements in the next couple of weeks.
Barry Porter, County Appraiser – Working on final review and is ahead of schedule.
Brandi Bray, Health Department administrator – Flu shots are still available. New heating/cooling units will be installed next week and roof repairs will follow.
Henry Eilert, Maintenance manager – Generator was moved from the old jail.
JoDee LeDuc, County Treasurer – Have collected approximately 11 percent, $2.2 million of tax rolls. Commercial truck renewal is this month.
Brent Melton, River Valley Extension District – Installing carpet tiles in the office.
Shella Thoman, County Clerk – All employees will receive Christmas Eve off with pay for collecting over 2,500 items for the food challenge.
Jerry Collins, IT director – Finishing up the last of new computers.
Bill Czapanskiy, commissioner – Estimated $30,000 savings to date for providing own meal service at Law Enforcement Center in addition to economic benefit to the county as all purchases made in the county.
The board approved the following expenses totaling $144,699.33:
General Fund, $39,618.52; Road & Bridge, $51,273.07; Special Bridge, $111.98; Juvenile Reinvestment, $42.71; Juvenile Justice, $255.69; Community Corrections, $1,072.52; Appraisal, $250.86; County Health, $9,026.12; Noxious Weed, $13,809,79; Election, $184.03; Solid Waste, $23,069.48; Special Law Enforcement, $2,250; Diversion Fund, $1,999; Employee Benefits, $1,000; County Tourism & Convention, $736.56.