The Board of Commissioners tackled a variety of issues at their meeting of Jan. 19.

They heard Kimball’s Mayor James Schnell and Economic Development Director J. P. Komorny ask that county zoning be completed within 60 days.

Schnell said, “We have waited too long for people to do things. I don’t see any obstacles (to zoning) now.”

Commissioners’ Chairman Rick Soper said the zoning could be completed in six months.

Komorny said the City of Kimball cannot be certified to receive certain Community Development Block Grants until the county is zoned. He said Kimball is the only city in the area not certified. He said county zoning will not solve all the city’s problems but certainly will be a help.

Schnell said language confusion over the word “farm” in the zoning document has been solved and, that the engineering firm of M. C. Schaaf has developed maps of the new zoning boundary around the City of Kimball conforming to current annexations. Schnell said placement of new industries in locations that do not put undue burdens on county roads is another benefit of zoning.

County Planning Chairperson Sheila Newell said the County Planning Committee is meeting Jan. 20 and will take a final look at the zoning resolution to see if any changes are needed.

Soper said, “The moment we pass this, it’s out in public.” He said administration of zoning would be a house keeping problem.

Soper went on to say, “This is not a real restrictive zoning. It will affect new industry the most.”

Attorneys at Law Audrey Elliott and Steven E. Elmhauser presented a proposal for Kimball County to contract public defender duties in the County and District Court.

Under their proposal, the two of them would perform much public defender work plus some other related duties for $42,000 a year each plus a medical insurance consideration.

Soper said the county has averaged $95,000 to $96,000 a year over the past five years for public defenders. Last budget year this figure reached $110,000 and this budget year $70,000 in public defender fees have been run up in six months.

County Attorney Dave Wilson says the public defender can be elected and must be a county resident to be eligible for election. Actions necessary to contract for public defender services require a board of two attorneys plus a member of the public to study the “bidders” and possible duties and make a recommendation to the Commissioners, who would then make a selection and approve a contract.

Kimball County Hospital CEO Julie Schnell said a new Physician’s Assistant is now on staff at the hospital.

She said a feasibility study of the hospital acquiring the ambulance service had been requested and such a study would cost $5,000.

Commissioner Bashaw moved the county pay the $5,000, Soper seconded. Bashaw and Soper voted yes while Commissioner Brower voted no. Motion passed 2-1.

A rough cost estimate of $211,750.45 to replace many windows and some doors on the courthouse was presented by Dale Green of Dale’s Auto Glass. The estimate will be used in a grant request.

Since the lid on the prospective grant is $250,000, Soper recommended the Courthouse Annex window and doors be included in the grant request.

Energy cost savings are expected to be enough to pay window washing expense.

since the new windows would be non-opening.

A contract to improve internet transmission capability was approved. With more and more county data and information transmitted over the internet, a higher level capacity is needed.

Highway Superintendent Jerry Robbins reported melting and refreezing of snow drifts is causing some washouts on county roads. The county crews are tackling the washouts with due diligence.Various sundry items of business were approved.

There were no significant items of business for the Board of Equalization portion of the morning’s meetings.

Next Board of Equalization and Board of Commissioners meetings will be held on Feb. 2.