York County Press Release
YORK COUNTY – It was an event-filled year for York County, its commissioners, staff, and residents.
This is a recap of what happened for York County operations in 2024.
January
Early January was dedicated to interested individuals applying for the position of District 2 Commissioner after Commissioner Woody Ziegler unexpectedly passed away while in office. LeRoy Ott was chosen to fulfill that term.
Early January also saw blizzard conditions which created havoc for travelers and first responders, while crews worked diligently to get roads opened. County road crews also helped livestock producers get to their animals in this extremely dangerous situation.
Randy Obermier was chosen as chairman of the county board, and Daniel Grotz was chosen as vice-chairman.
The York County Commissioners were informed letters were being sent to landowners near Benedict regarding another possible solar field.
Chairman Obermier sent a letter to Nebraska lawmakers, regarding his concerns over a bill which would have repealed inheritance tax in the state.
The York County Planning and Zoning Commission passed along their recommended zoning regulations pertaining to solar fields – to the county commissioners – after hearings were held.
It was announced a telecommunications company would be providing high speed internet service to an unserved area near McCool Junction.
February
Incumbents were busy filing their candidacies for the Primary Election.
The York County Commissioners began diving into the solar regulations proposed by the county’s zoning and planning board.
Commissioner Jack Sikes decided not to seek reelection as the incumbent deadline arrived.
Chairman Obermier testified as the state legislature regarding concerns of county officials about the possible elimination of inheritance tax.
Lieutenant Alex Hildebrand was named Deputy of the Year at the York County Sheriff’s Department.
March
A grand jury found York County was not at fault for an inmate death in the York County Jail.
York County hosted the central conference for the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO).
The Omaha Public Power District committed to a letter of intent to proceed with a third-party operator for its future solar project near McCool Junction.
The county board of equalization considered property tax exemptions, with the assessor having questions about the exemption of properties owned by Henderson’s Grace Children’s Home. Those exemptions were later granted to continue, with some modifications.
The county commissioners came up with their final draft of solar zoning regulations to present to the public.
The York County Sheriff’s Department, along with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, presented young Kenley Smith, a student at McCool Public Schools, with a heroism award. She was honored for her efforts to call for help and provide assistance to other students after their school bus was involved in a fatal crash. The entire school was in attendance as the youngster was surprised and honored.
An informational open house was held in York County regarding the proposed plans for the continuation of four lanes of Highway 81 from York to Columbus.
Representatives of the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) noted the great success seen by the York County housing rehabilitation grant program.
April
York County Emergency Communications Deputy Director Mindy Gerken was awarded the Nebraska Emergency Service Communications Association Life Saver Award for her work in two life-saving incidents in the past year.
The commissioners agreed to raise the pay for county transportation drivers, as there were many vacancies which hindered the department’s ability to fully operate.
Commissioner Stan Boehr unexpectedly passed away, and the process began to fill that position.
The York County Assessor’s office offered mobile offices to help individuals with their homestead exemption applications.
May
Andy Bowman was chosen to fulfill the commissioner term for District 3, which has been vacated by the death of Stan Boehr.
Former longtime York County District Judge Alan Gless was remembered for his many years of service.
The York County Sheriff’s Department was recognized by the United States Department of Homeland Security for their diligent work which resulted in the end of “horrific abuse” in a case that was discovered in York.
Roger Morris retired from his long-held position on the county’s zoning and planning commission.
The York County Sheriff’s Department began using first-in-state technology to prevent liability and injury in high-speed pursuits.
The first of many fatality accidents occurred in York County involving the Highway 34 corridor – in this accident, three people were killed at the intersection of Highway 81 and Highway 34 East Junction.
York County Visitors Bureau Director Bob Sautter announced his upcoming retirement.
Austin Johnson provided a look at the abandoned cemetery he cares for, under contract with the county, which is located in the middle of a cornfield his family farms.
Two York County students were named recipients of scholarships from the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO).
The Primary Election was held with Heartland School’s bond issue passing. Joe Burgess was chosen to serve as District 5 commissioner starting in 2025, and LeRoy Ott was chosen to remain as District 2 commissioner in 2025.
The York County Commissioners hired a firm to assist with the updating of the county’s comprehensive plan and reviewing the proposed new zoning regulations.
June
Mindy Gerken was chosen as the new director of the York County Emergency Communications Center.
It was announced that more rural residences near McCool would soon have high-speed internet service. This time around the project was being assisted with funds from York County.
The commissioners held a long-awaited public hearing regarding solar project zoning regulations, with many in attendance.
After valuation notices were sent out, it was discovered there was a glitch in the system, which resulted in many properties seeing high valuation increases. A large number of valuation protests were filed.
July
The bases and posts arrived for a massive stop sign replacement project in York County. Through this project, all the stop signs in the county will be eventually replaced.
York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka asked for assistance from District 24 State Senator Jana Hughes and the Nebraska Department of Transportation in finding safety solutions after so many fatality accidents along Highway 34 and Highway 81 in York County. Three people were killed at the intersection of Highway 81 and Highway 34 East Junction. One person was killed at the intersection of Road P and Highway 34. One person was killed at the Highway 34 and Highway 81 intersection. And another person was killed on Highway 34 near the York Airport. Rumble bars were installed at intersections, the deputies did extra patrol in those areas and the NDOT began conducting traffic studies to see what could be done.
The York County Commissioners gave the green light to the York County Sheriff’s Department to turn a storage area in the courthouse basement into a new exercise area for county employees.
It was announced that York County Clerk Kelly Turner was going to retire.
August
Mary Melby was named the new York County Clerk.
It was determined the McCool Junction School District would be the only entity in York County needing to hold a “pink postcard” meeting.
The county’s budget was being formulated with preliminary figures showing just a 1% increase over the prior year.
Alex Saathoff was named as the new director of the York County Visitors Bureau.
The York County Commissioners sent their proposed solar zoning regulations back to the planning commission for further review.
It was determined all the properties with major increases in valuation would revert back to the valuations of the prior year, by the board of equalization.
September
The York County Sheriff K9 unit hosted Nebraska Police Service Dog Program Administrator Mike Kerby at one of their training sessions.
The York County Commissioners passed the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year after months of discussions and calculations.
It was found there was a major problem with leaking windows on the west side and second floor of the courthouse. Solving this issue remains underway.
October
The Nebraska Property Tax Administrator told the York County Commissioners how county property owners will see major increases in their valuations next year.
Many people were seen inside the York County Courthouse as a high rate of early voting was underway for the 2024 General Election.
It was announced the York County Juvenile Diversion Program was to receive substantial federal grants.
York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka was named the president of the Nebraska Sheriff’s Association.
The new exercise area in the basement of the courthouse was completed and county staff members began use.
November
Marvin Planning started meeting with county officials regarding the process of updating the county’s comprehensive plan.
The county’s planning and zoning board met regarding the solar field regulations which were sent back to them by the county commissioners. The matter still remains on the table.
The York County Commissioners took the proper action to create a three-way stop at the intersection of Roads M and 11, as a requested safety measure.
It was determined a fire suppression system will have to be installed in the county jail. The commissioners began working on this major project.
The commissioners signed a haul route agreement for the installation of a CO2 pipeline which will cross the county.
The 2024 General Election as held with very high turn-out.
December
The commissioners confirmed they will be using ARPA (federal COVID-relief funds) to do three overlay projects next year.
The county’s high medical claims in 2024 prompted an 18% increase in insurance costs for 2025.
Bids were taken for the installation of security cameras at the courthouse.
Thanks to a grant, the York County Sheriff’s Department will be getting new in-car computers.
It was announced the York County Attorney’s office will receive a $1.3 million federal grant for the creation of an adult diversion program.
