Supervisors Approve Land Purchase For District Six Shop

by Luann Schindler, 

     Summerland Advocate

The District 6 shop, located in Stuart, will eventually have a new home. Holt County Supervisors approved the purchase of eight acres, from the village of Stuart, for the project.

The county will pay $6,400 per acre. The motion, presented by Darrin Paxton, and seconded by Duane Neiman, passed unanimously, Friday, during the board's regularly-scheduled meeting. Chairman Bill Tielke said the property is located on the north edge of the village, across from the rodeo grounds. 

A project timeline was not discussed at the meeting. Paxton told fellow supervisors he met with Stuart officials earlier last week to get an estimation of the value of the property.

The current shop, in Paxton's estimation, has served its purpose. The building sits on less than an acre. "

The dump truck has to go to Atkinson to get gravel. We're just out of room. Our $300,000 payloader sits outside," Paxton said. "There are a lot of reasons to do something."

Discussions with village officials have included having the county construct an access road, approximately 500 to 600 feet long. According to Paxton, the village is willing to add infrastructure, including electricity and natural gas. Holt County will build the street and supply culverts. 

With those improvements, a final cost per acre will total approximately $15,342 per acre.

Tielke said once a new shop is completed, the current location could be sold as surplus property. 

"We budgeted for it a couple years go and that ground just didn't come along. I'd like to do something now, sooner than later," Paxton said.

In other business, supervisors:  Met with Sheriff Ben Matchett and Deputy Ed Nordby about possible relocation of the sheriff's office. No decision was made. Approved gravel bids, without a fuel surcharge for delivery from Spud Sand & Gravel, Dobias Sand & Gravel, Cole Redi Mix, Atkinson Sand & Gravel, Pollock Redi Mix, Elkhorn Sand & Gravel and Emme Sand and Gravel.

Discussed the potential purchase of a snowpusher for a payloader based at the O'Neill road department site. After discussion, supervisors agreed to inquire about pricing for a similar product that can be used on a skidsteer.

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