County commission approves opting out of KNHAP

During its regular meeting on Monday, the Cloud County board of commissioners approved opting out of the Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership.
A resolution stating that the members of the board oppose partnership will be drafted and presented to the board for a vote at its next meeting.
The Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership (KNHAP), a diverse, bi-state partnership of cultural, historical and economic development and tourism organizations and individuals has formed in hopes of establishing a National Heritage Area within 49 counties located in north central Kansas and south central Nebraska, and includes Cloud County.
The mission of the KNHAP is to connect communities  and attractions, instill pride of place and promote immersive experiences for residents and visitors to enhance appreciation for the region’s unique landscape and nationally significant cultural history.
Heritage tourism is considered one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry and equates to a $171 billion annual spending.
The goal of the KNHAP is to build a network for heritage sights, museums, CVB’s, cities and counties that wish to participate in the volunteer effort. The network would collaboratively work together in marketing the region’s existing attractions with unified themes.
The KNHAP board of directors is working to establish non-profit status in Kansas and Nebraska and gather the funding necessary for a feasibility study.
The feasibility study provides the U.S. Congress and the National Park Service with the information needed to determine if the designation as a National Heritage Area is suitable.
The first National Heritage Area, Illinois, Michigan and Canal National Heritage Area, was signed into law in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan, who referred to National Heritage Areas as a marriage between heritage, conservation, recreation, and economic development.
Every administration since Reagan has had a hand in designating the 55 existing National Heritage Areas in the U.S., including the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area which encompasses 29 counties in eastern Kansas and 12 counties in western Missouri.
Public Law 116-9, which established the six newest National Heritage Areas and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 12, 2019, included various private property provisions which state that designation of the new National Heritage Areas would not abridge the rights of any property owner; alter any land use regulation; or diminish the authority of the state to manage fish and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting within the area.
National Heritage Areas might receive funding from a variety of sources.
Congress typically determines federal funding for National Heritage Areas in annual appropriations laws. The funds can be used for many purposes, including staffing, planning and executing projects.
National Heritage Areas are not national park service units, and in 37 years there has not been a single case of any land rights being impacted.
The designation of a National Heritage Area does not affect private property rights or impose land use controls, nor can it assume any ownership of land inside the defined boundary.
All individuals, organizations, and/or towns within the area have the choice to participate voluntarily to enjoy the benefits of a National Heritage Area or remain autonomous.
National Heritage Areas are not tied in any way to the 30x30 initiative.
Robbin Cole, executive director of Pawnee Mental Health, met with the board during the meeting and presented a budget request of $87,290 for the 2021 calendar year. The amount is the same as was requested last year, and will be considered by the board when preparing the budget.
Cole reported that 527 unduplicated Cloud County residents were provided mental health and substance abuse treatment.
The board proclaimed May as Mental Health Month.
Also during the meeting, the board requested that Eric Johnson with Campbell & Johnson Engineers, P.A., begin the process of working with a contractor on repairs at the Law Enforcement Center as no bids for the work were received.
Sheriff Ken Davis discussed a resolution protecting the 2nd Amendment in Cloud County.
County Attorney Robert Walsh will report back to the board on the resolution.
Mike Hake, Solid Waste Director, presented the 2020 Solid Waste delinquent list to be considered to be applied to the tax rolls. He also reported that 42,735 pounds of cardboard was sold.
Andy Asch, Highway Department administrator, reported to the board that the Glasco Bridge #526 on Blaze Road was opening and that the department was repairing curb at the Law Enforcement Center.
Asch also reported that the department is hauling rock for jobs and a new house, mowers will be starting on May 24 and that he will know in mid-May about the overlay funding from the state.
The board approved a resolution appointing the following members to the 12th Judicial District Juvenile/Community Corrections Advisory Board for the term of July 1, 2021-June 20, 2023: Ric Fredrickson, police representative; Andrew Grabon, Beloit city council representative; Chuck Lambertz, city of Concordia representative; Mark Rothfuss, mental health representative; Guy Steier, judiciary representative; Regine Thompson, Belleville city commission representative; Jeff Travis, education representative; Robert Walsh, prosecution representative; Scott Zabokrtsky, Washington County commission representative.
The board met with department heads during the meeting.
The following expenses totaling $147,414.21 were approved during the meeting:
General Fund, $26,672.90; Road & Bridge, $102,726.66; Special Bridge, $936.37; D.A.R.E.-Sheriff's Department, $550; Employee Benefits, $2,200; Juvenile Reinvestment, $45.97; Community Corrections, $471.58; County Tourism & Convention, $585.98; County Health, $8,595.49;  Noxious Weed, $838.35; Appraisal, $747.32; Election, $78.91; Solid Waste, $648.12; Court Services, $1,956.56.