The $86,830 bid from Skyline Construction was accepted by the Nemaha County Commissioners Wednesday, June 9, for tuck pointing of the courthouse. Tuck pointing involved removal and replacement of defective mortar joints between the stones. The bid included a 10-year guarantee on sealing of the building.

The vote was 2-1, with Chairman Monty Lovelace dissenting. The bid was the second lowest of three bids received. Several issues were brought up during discussion before the vote. Issues included: getting more for the money, concerns about the difference between bids, comparisons between levels of experience of bidders, contrasts between proposals, one offered a 10-year guarantee and one offered a two-or three-year guarantee and quality of work.
Dave Manes of Skyline Construction reviewed his bid. The process involved scrubbing the entire building, which was moldy up high because of trees. The cleaner lasts for a year and repels fungus and mold. The spray sealer is supposed to last 10 years. Manes said that the building needed to be sealed up tight to repel water. There is a need to go through the curing process, about 60 days, before sealer is applied. The process will take at least 75 days and possibly 90 days, dependent upon the weather. Manes said that he could start work within a week to 10 days after the decision was made. The building would be cleaned and tuck pointing would start in mid-July. Water sealer was the most important part of long-term maintenance, Manes said.
An amendment to an interlocal cooperative agreement with Nemaha Natural Resources District officials was approved. That action allowed an extension to the construction start date for the Ray Caspers Road dam which is located five miles west, five miles south and back one-half mile east of Auburn.
A  $7,543 request from Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging for the period of July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011 was approved. That represented a 2 percent increase over 2009-10 funding of $7,395. Blue Rivers officials serve Nemaha and seven other Southeast Nebraska counties.
Larry Ossowski, Blue Rivers director, said that most county funding went towards transportation. Nemaha County’s required match percentage of 11 percent was the lowest of five counties covered by transportation service. The match requirements are based on the population age 60 and older in each participating county. Blue Rivers officials said that transportation continued to be  a high priority for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
In fiscal 2009-10, about 17,643 meals were served at the Auburn Senior Center, compared to 17,489 meals for 2008-09. In-home services covered about 756 hours, compared to 759 hours in 2008-09. There were about 6,098 trips provided by the Handi-Bus in 2009-10, compared to 6,351 trips in 2008-09. The 2009-10 figures are estimates while 2008-09 figures are actual. Ossowski said that there were several days when services were closed last winter.
In-home services allow older, frail individuals to remain in their own home as long as physically possible. The Handyman Service assists with chore maintenance jobs. The Housekeeper Service assists with cleaning, laundry and shopping. The Personal Care Service assists with hands on care such as bathing and dressing.
Commissioner Randy Rohrs praised the work of Blue Rivers officials. Ossowski said that agency officials try to do a good job.
Ossowski said that about 200,000 meals were served in fiscal 2009-10 and about 61-62,000 Handi-Bus trips were provided. The agency has 114 employees, including 46 full-time equivalent. He said that health insurance has increased 8 percent and liability and property insurance has risen 10 percent.
Board of Equalization Business
Meeting as the Nemaha County Board of Equalization, the commissioners approved a Homestead Exemption change from the Nebraska Department of Revenue for Kenneth Peters. The board also heard property protests. There were four protests on the agenda but only two of the four parties attended. Scott Kudrna encouraged officials to be as generous with valuations as possible. He protested his valuation because of incorrect square footage. Kevin Jones protested his valuation because of making no improvements to his land and property.