County Highway Superintendent Jerry Robbins reported road closures and general water damage caused by the storms of July 4 to the County Commissioners at their July 6 meeting.

Robbins reported a swath of damage about two miles wide across the northern part of the county, in the very general area bounded by Roads 48 to 52. Road 43 near Z&S was closed briefly.  Water across Road 37 was reported. Road 54 north of Dix is also closed because of storm damage.

Robbins said every road in the northern part of the county now needs attention.

It was also reported that two autos were trapped in high water in the Kimball underpass of the Union Pacific Railroad. Debris carried into the area by surging waters plugged up the drains at that location.

High water and hail pileup caused damage at many other spots in the county.

Robbins reported that a traffic death occurred on Road 17 about eight miles south of Bushnell. On June 30, Lonna Purdy was driving northbound and lost control on the gravel road. The car struck a telephone pole and rolled.

Purdy died in the accident.

She is the wife of Gordon Purdy and was the only occupant of the car.

Bids for purchase of the old Toshiba phone system recently taken out of service in the courthouse were to be opened at the commissioners’ meeting. None were received.

The commissioners heard Rod Horn, Director of the South Platte Natural Resource District, present two conservation easements. The easements would permanently remove a 5.6 acre and a 43.9 acre tract from irrigation. The County Planning Commission had previously approved both of them. The commissioners voted 3-0 to give final approval.

The old County Shuttle Bus was damaged by the recent hail storm and reportedly has holes in the roof. The old shuttle was being used until appropriate disposition could be determined.

Now cost to repair the bus’s roof plus other storm damage is estimated at near $13,000. After finding out what the county’s insurer will do in the matter, a decision on what to do with the old shuttle will be made.

A new bus, obtained through Federal funds, is on hand and was safe in its designated garage space when the storm hit.

The commissioners approved up to $1,500 for a second round feasibility study to determine the financial impact that affect Kimball Health Services should they take over the county ambulance service.  The vote was 2-1, with Commissioners Soper and Bashaw voting yes and Brower no. The consultant hired for the first round study used some nonrepresentative data to arrive at an inaccurate appraisal.

The commissioners instructed County Clerk Cathy Sibal to draw up an amendment  providing for a six month extension to the Ambulance Service contract.

Sibal reported that Antelope Precinct had been randomly selected for a vote audit of the recent primary election and was found to be completely accurate.

In the Board of Equalization meeting that precedes each commissioners’ meeting, Assessor Alice Ryschon reported that valuations on 31 properties have been protested by 18 property owners. Twelve of these owners have indicated they will  be present at hearings on the matter.

These hearings will be held on July 12 with any inspections of the properties will be held on July 14. Carryover from the hearings and inspections will be handled on July 15.

Protesters desiring to appear will receive appointment times by the County Clerk.

The final hearing on these valuation protests will be held on July 20 at 1 p.m. in the commissioners’ chambers.