Nemaha Commissioners Award Bid on Project Southeast of Nemaha

A $559,540.04 proposal from Gus Construction Co. Inc. of Casey, Iowa was accepted by the Nemaha County Commissioners Wednesday morning, Dec. 3.
It was the lowest of six bids submitted on a concrete box culvert three miles south and 2.5 miles east of Nemaha on 722 Road. It is about 2,140 feet east of 650 Ave. The contractor plans to start work in April 2026 and conclude in June.
Dan Alexander, highway superintendent, recommended Gus Construction, noting he has worked with the contractor in Richardson County.
The project encompasses removing and replacing a 60’ steel thru-truss bridge with a triple 12’x12’x87’ concrete box culvert on a 45 degree skew rotated 10 degrees. The work will include site preparation, culvert construction, grading, erosion control and other incidental work.
Also submitting proposals were: Van Kirk Bros. Contracting of Sutton, $614,054; Vogt Enterprises, Inc. of Lincoln, $626,241; M.E. Collins Contracting Co. Inc. of Wahoo, $666,568.82; MC Wells Contracting of Omaha, $837,239 and General Excavating of Lincoln, $909.195.90.
Additional Action Items
Also approved by the commissioners were:
--resolutions designating First National Bank of Johnson, Auburn State Bank and Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust as depositories for county funds.
--approving driveway applications for Seth Zentner and the Jay Fischer Family Trust. The former is in Washington Precinct southeast of Johnson. The latter is in Bedford Precinct southwest of Auburn.
--a US Bank credit card for Nahum Winder, deputy emergency manager. Once it is approved, Winder will need to sign the county credit card agreement.
--appointing Luke Winkelman to the Nemaha County Planning Commission.
--closing the courthouse at noon Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas eve.
Meeting as the Board of Equalization, a 2026 tax exemption was allowed for Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc. which is acquiring a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox.
Congressional Update
Jared Reimers, constituent services coordinator of U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith for eastern Nebraska, informed county officials on Congressional developments. Reimers is based in the 3rd District U.S. representative’s Nebraska City office. The office is at 202 S. 8th St., Suite A.
He continued casework is his primary issue. That assists constituents in navigating bureaucratic procedures with federal agencies. Those include the Veterans Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and extraditing the process in obtaining passports. Reimers recommended starting that process early.
The 3rd District U.S. Representative continues on the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Smith is chair of the Subcommittee on Trade. The coordinator noted the subcommittee has had trade conversations with the House of Representatives on Nebraska priorities, especially those relating to agriculture. He continued Rep. Smith has expressed concerns with exports and imports meeting the need of the state’s agricultural producers, particularly beef. In October, Rep. Smith called on the Trump administration to advance policies which support American beef producers and consumers. Reimers stated the Congressman plans to discuss the issue with Nebraska producers in 2026.
The coordinator also informed the county officials of the new federal scholarship tax credit initiative. He continued it allows families to make more independent decisions on their children’s education. It allows participation by students, parents and scholarship granting organizations in their state. 
Information from a letter sent to all state governors noted the innovative credit will unlock billions of private dollars to fund scholarships for kindergarten through 12th grade students nationally. The tax credit complements existing state-level education programs. It will not impact federal or state education funding or diminish public schools. It allows students to either pursue new opportunities or enrich their current education.
While the tax credit officially launches Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, it is important for states to opt in early to provide certainty to students and scholarship granting organizations.
Reimers also related the U.S. representative’s staff has been kept informed but are not involved with the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project being developed in Southeast Nebraska.
Issues With Slow Process on Zoning Implementation
Susan Piper of Brock asked to be assured zoning will be installed in Nemaha County as soon as possible. She continued some individuals have become frustrated with the slow process. Piper wants the county to get what is beneficial for the entire county. She asked if prospective solar farms and chicken houses will generate enough tax dollars for the county officials to continue maintaining roads.
“You’ve done a wonderful job of taking care of our roads. I love this county. You’re doing the best job you can. I appreciate all you do,” replied the lifelong Nemaha County resident, who has been fighting plans for solar farms and chicken houses.
She asked the commissioners if they have studied regulations from neighboring counties. Michael Weiss, District 3 commissioner, related he had talked with representatives from Otoe and Gage counties. Weiss also suggested Piper and other concerned county residents attend the January Nemaha County Planning Commission meeting to learn how plans are progressing. Representatives of Marvin Planning Consultants of David City have been working on compiling a county comprehensive plan.
Meeting Date Changes
The Nemaha County Commissioners next two meetings have been moved up one day each to Tuesdays, Dec. 16 and 30. The first change allows attendance at the Nebraska Association of County Officials convention in Kearney. The second alteration is because of end of the calendar year balancing.