Commissioners review motor grader bids, begin budget work
BY Samantha Goff
GRANT TRIBUNE SENTINEL
The Perkins County Board of Commissioners opened bids for a new motor grader, approved the sale of a surplus sheriff’s vehicle and reviewed a preliminary county budget during its Aug. 3 meeting.
Nebraska Machinery Co. submitted a bid of $454,900 for a Caterpillar 150-16A motor grader. After an $81,100 trade-in allowance for the county’s 2013 Caterpillar 12M2, the net cost would be $373,800.
Murphy Tractor submitted a bid of $405,750 for a John Deere 772P. With a $48,500 trade-in allowance for the same county motor grader, the net cost would be $357,250.
Commissioners tabled the decision until their Aug. 17 meeting to allow additional time to review the bids with Highway Superintendent Steve Leimer.
The board also opened bids for the sale of a surplus black 2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit that remains partially equipped with law enforcement gear. The Chase County Sheriff’s Office submitted the only bid at $19,050. Commissioners unanimously accepted the offer.
Budget preparer and County Clerk James Brueggeman presented a preliminary draft of the county’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget. Brueggeman reviewed proposed revenues and expenditures and worked with commissioners to reduce expenses so the county remains in compliance with the Nebraska Property Tax Request Act and below the allowable growth percentage.
Commissioners approved a proposal from Shelco Asphalt and Paving for repairs to Elsie-Paxton Road. The original proposal totaled $4,278, but the cost was reduced by $900 because county road employees will provide traffic control. The county’s final cost will be $3,378.
The board reviewed plans and specifications for the County Road 346 project near Elsie and Paxton and the Perkins County Overlay 2026 project but elected to delay both projects.
Commissioners also approved salaries for ambulance employees completing long-distance transfers in July. The approved rates cover ambulance drivers, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians and nurses. As part of the motion, commissioners stipulated that Perkins County Ambulance will no longer pay for employees’ snacks or meals during transfers.
In other business, commissioners:
Approved an audit engagement letter and management representation letter with Dana F. Cole & Co. LLP for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025.
Approved the county’s 2026-27 contract with Trails West CASA.
Approved Resolution 2026-17 and the county’s annual certification of program compliance for the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
Approved publication of quarterly meeting notices in The Grant Tribune-Sentinel. Regular meetings will continue at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings will be held the following day when Monday is a holiday.
Designated the Perkins County website as the location for individual notices of commissioner and Board of Equalization meetings.
Received departmental updates from Brueggeman, County Assessor Regina Berry, Sheriff Jeffrey Miller, Leimer, Assistant Highway Superintendent Brian Brassfield and Paramedic Travis Ogg.
County Attorney Richard Roberts told commissioners there were no major updates in the case of Ian Stevens v. Perkins County.
The board approved payroll and claims, including $78,508.81 in county employee salaries.
The next regular commissioners meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in Room 202 of the Perkins County Courthouse in Grant.