BROKEN BOW — The Custer County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning in Broken Bow, covering a wide-ranging agenda that included road bond financing, county vehicle concerns, courthouse signage proposals and employee benefits procedures.
Supervisors approved two resolutions connected to the county’s recently issued road improvement bonds. County officials said the bonds received a AAA rating and were purchased quickly by local banks after being offered for sale. The newly created funds will separate road project proceeds from the county’s highway bond debt service payments. Officials said the first interest payment on the bonds will be due in December.
The board also discussed aging county vehicles after concerns were raised about the condition of the zoning administrator’s pickup. The vehicle, which has nearly 185,000 miles, recently required new tires and additional front-end repairs estimated at roughly $1,600. Supervisors discussed creating a long-term replacement plan for county vehicles outside of the sheriff’s office and road department. The board agreed to move forward with repairs for now while developing a broader inventory and replacement strategy.
County Register of Deeds Christie presented an update on the office’s new records management and online access system. She reported the office is processing nearly 1,000 more pages of documents compared to the same point last year and said the online subscription services are generating revenue that exceeds monthly software costs. Christie also highlighted new property fraud alert and notary fraud alert systems available to the public.
Supervisors approved the county’s annual Region III Behavioral Health Services matching contribution for 2026-27, which decreased slightly from the previous year. Board members also approved renewal paperwork for the county’s Blue Cross Blue Shield dental subgroup plan with no rate changes reported.
The board spent considerable time discussing a proposed Heritage Bank sign near the Custer County Judicial Center. Representatives said the sign would help direct visitors who frequently mistake the courthouse and Judicial Center locations. After discussion, supervisors approved allowing the sign near the property, contingent on maintenance and liability agreements being finalized between the county and the bank.
Supervisors also approved two right-of-way requests from Great Plains Communications for fiber optic installation projects in the county.
Later in the meeting, the board discussed the hiring process for the county highway superintendent position. Supervisors reached consensus to have the road committee narrow applicants before final interviews are conducted with the full board.
One of the more emotional moments of the meeting came during public discussion regarding employee benefits and communication concerns involving a county highway department employee dealing with serious medical issues. Janice Harris spoke on behalf of her sister, Angel Pirelli, and asked the county to review its employee benefits procedures and consider policy changes moving forward.
The board concluded the meeting by approving several county claims and discussing ongoing road repair concerns tied to recent asphalt patching work in portions of the county road system.
The next Custer County Board of Supervisors meeting will take place May 26th, at 9 A.M. on the top floor of the Custer County Courthouse.
