Red Willow County Board to hold budget hearing, consider tax request Monday

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners meets Monday, Sept. 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the courthouse. The agenda includes a budget hearing and a special hearing to set the county’s final tax request for the 2025–26 fiscal year, followed by several related resolutions. A Board of Equalization meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m.

Citizens’ comments are listed from 9 to 9:30 a.m. (No action may be taken during this period.) Agendas are kept continuously current at the County Clerk’s Office and may be modified at the meeting.

Key items

• Budget and tax request: Public Budget Hearing and Special Hearing to Set Final Tax Request, with votes on:

  
  

  • Resolution 1572 to adopt the 2025/26 budget as presented.

  • Resolution 1573 to set the final tax request at an amount different from the prior fiscal year.

  • Resolution 1574 to transfer $364,468 from the General Fund to the Road/Bridge Fund.

  • Resolution 1575 to transfer up to $1,042,264.13 of General Fund levy to the Self-Insurance Fund as needed.

  • Resolution 1576 to transfer $349,000 from the Inheritance Fund to the General Fund as needed.

  
  

• Scheduled presenters:

  
  

  • 9:45 a.m. — Don Wilson, CPA: Compliance Attestation Report; authorization of the chairman’s signature on a management representation letter.

  • 10:00 a.m. — Edward Dunn, West Central Nebraska Development District: Professional Services Agreement for a county Comprehensive Plan project.

  • 10:15 a.m. — Ben Dutton, UNL Extension: McCook Engagement Academy.

  • 10:30 a.m. — Treasurer Crystal Dack: Notice of Eligible County Sales.

  
  

• Consent agenda highlights (may be moved up if time allows):

  
  

  • Minutes and claims.

  • Gift of $22,162.75 from the Kiplinger Foundation for a stall vacuum at Kiplinger Arena.

  • Chairman’s signatures on Roads & Streets Certification Addendum and roadway occupancy agreements with McCook Public Power District, Gavin Harsh, and Great Plains Communications.

  • Resolution 1577: adopt a 12-month zoning moratorium on data centers.

  • Resolution 1578: transfer $13,000 from Road Fund 0300 to Road & Bridge Buy-Back Fund 0650 to correct an error.

  • Declare a refrigerator at the Law Enforcement Center as surplus.

  
  

• Reports: Sheriff’s and Clerk’s monthly revenue reports.

The board may enter executive session if clearly necessary to protect the public interest or to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual.

Why it matters: Monday’s votes lock in the county’s 2025–26 budget and tax request, shift dollars between major funds—including roads and self-insurance—and temporarily pause new data-center zoning approvals while the county studies the issue within its comprehensive planning.