Commissioners hire new deputy, and road’s department employee during meeting
The Perkins County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in the Perkins County Courthouse.
During the correspondence portion of the meeting, the Commissioners received a report from J Bar J Landfill dated Nov. 3, regarding the October 2025 Host Agreement.
During business with officials, Perkins County Sheriff Scott Miller informed the Commissioners that he currently has two inmates in the Lincoln County Jail, and that he has hired Benjamin Toliver from Elsie as a deputy sheriff, with Toliver scheduled to start on Dec. 1.
Toliver will attend training at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island from January 5 to April 23, 2026. The Commissioners asked Miller to calculate the exact costs of Toliver’s training so the County Attorney could draft an Agreement Regarding Training Expenses between Perkins County and Toliver.
During the Highway and Noxious Weed Superintendent’s report, Steve Leimer recommended that Commissioners hire Zachary Lechman from Grant as a new road employee in Road District #1. Leimer also provided the Commissioners with a letter outlining the results of past road grader training that was attended by several road department employees, discussed whether a recent sales agreement for a road grader met specifications, informed Commissioners about an upcoming packer bid opening at the Dec. 1, meeting and suggested they consider the impact on road department employees commuting from Grant to outlying maintenance shops when the department merger takes place. Leimer later returned to the meeting to discuss with Commissioners whether a new gravel pit location was available for exploration.
Perkins County EMT Travis Ogg presented the Commissioners with a report detailing ambulance runs, ongoing reports, and recent ambulance collections since his last update. Ogg also discussed a grant he received from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, his semester grades, and the upcoming skills training for his paramedic coursework.
During unfinished business, the Commissioners met with Edward Dunn from West Central Nebraska Development District, who is serving as Perkins County Zoning Administrator, to discuss the ongoing revision of the Perkins County Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Regulations.
Dunn reported that two of three public input sessions regarding the comprehensive plan have been completed. He also discussed the draft of section 704 of the zoning regulations with the Commissioners, focusing on renewable energy systems and how the proposed rules align with an existing conditional use permit request. The Commissioners provided feedback to Dunn on items they would like included in the zoning regulations.
During new business the Commissioners received a recommendation from the Perkins County Health Insurance Committee to retain Medica as the 2026 health insurance provider and keep the current health insurance plan unchanged. Commissioner Robertson moved, and Commissioner Bottom seconded the motion to continue Medica as the county’s health insurance carrier and to maintain the existing plan. Roll call vote: three ayes; motion carried.
Commissioner Robertson moved, and Commissioner Bottom seconded, to hire Zachary Lechman as a new road department employee in Road District #1. Roll call vote: 3 ayes; motion carried.
Commissioner Bottom moved to approve the Cares Funding Agreement between the State of Nebraska Department of Transportation and Perkins County for funding Perkins County Public Transit technology start-up costs, and to have the Chairman sign the agreement. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: 3 ayes, motion carried.
Commissioner Bottom moved to approve the Agreement Regarding Training Expenses between Perkins County and EMT Travis Ogg, and to have the Chairman sign the agreement. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: three ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m. The upcoming regular meeting of the Perkins County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 a.m. at the Perkins County Courthouse. According to the State of Nebraska Holiday Schedule, the Perkins County Courthouse will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28 to observe Thanksgiving Day and the Day After Thanksgiving.
NOTE: This report is from the Perkins County Clerk’s minutes of the meeting, and was edited by the Tribune-Sentinel for style.