A review of the information presented to the board by County Attorney Dave Wilson brought out public comment at the regular Kimball County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, April 19.

The information reviewed was for the benefit of board chairman, Dave Bashaw who was absent at the last meeting.

Wilson was asked to consider the legalities of extending the current inter-local agreement between the City of Kimball and Kimball County to include the proposed raceway.

After review and discussion with city attorney, Kent Hadenfeldt, Wilson advised the board that the current agreement would not cover the race track for several reasons.

One such reason is the location of the proposed track as opposed to the location of the current recreational park.

The inter-local agreement covers only those activities at the location east of Kimball where the baseball fields, golf course, and archery range are located.

Unless the race track can be moved to that location, the agreement will not work for High Point Motor Speedway. However, there is not enough land available at the recreational park for a speedway to be added.

Also, Wilson advised the board the land on which a government owned operation sits on must also be owned by that government.

Another challenge is in the financing of the project. An inter-local agreement would require a raise in taxes, which is capped at 50 cents for every $100 of property value.

“This isn’t something the county would do on its own,” Wilson advised, “You’d have to go together with the city.”

City clerk Pam Richter was present representing the City of Kimball at the meeting. She corroborated the information Wilson gave the board by stating the city attorney said the same thing.

Richter added the city was too close to the tax cap to be of much assistance at this time. She stated the possibility of  upcoming state-aid cuts as a hindrance as well.

Bashaw echoed the city’s concerns as county issues too. He said the county was considering making some drastic changes in support of other entities to offset the expected loss of state-aid, and with little room to raise taxes.

“We’re at our limits,” Bashaw continued. He informed the public about a possible decision to ask area fire districts to bond on their own or merge into one. He stated it is just poor timing for this kind of project.

High Point Motor Speedway project manager Dick Cutshaw suggested other finance options such as revenue bonds.

These bonds are repaid with the revenue from the project they build. With back-up from the state and grants that are readily available to government entities, Cutshaw added there are several finance options left to look at.

Once again, Cutshaw asked for help in forming a committee. The committee would be the first step in obtaining an economical impact study from the University of Nebraska, numbers that would go a long way in determining the feasibility of the project.

Originally, commissioner Larry Brower asked for an economic impact study to determine if the project would make the difference in Kimball, Cutshaw has stated.

Cutshaw attempted to have the UNL study started, but was not taken seriously without local government support.

“We have got to have a passion to do this,” Cutshaw said.

Bashaw questioned the number on the proposed committee, who would be a part of it, and what the time frame and purpose would be.

Bashaw asked Wilson if a committee would be wise at this time. Wilson said the committee would be necessary to lend the group some clout when asking for a study.

“At the present time... we should table this for now and have them (HPMS) research it,” Bashaw said, “Let them come up with recommendations for the committee.”

Citing issues such as land ownership, zoning concerns, as well as the tax cap, the board expressed doubt about further efforts.

“I personally don’t think this is even possible,” Brower said.

Urging the board to look into the possibilities further, local business owner Kathy Porter said they cannot say they don’t know without investigating the possibilities.

Former mayor and business owner ‘Shortie’ Kiefer stood up and asked the board to consider their reasons for dismissing this project.

“You are not behind this,” Kiefer said, ”Even if the land was donated, you wouldn’t be behind it.”

She urged them to think of any other way to bring outside revenue into Kimball, if not the race track than something else.

“Why do people come to Kimball? Is there anything that brings them from hundreds of miles away?” Kiefer asked.

Kiefer continued by informing the board of interest in the project in neighboring Cheyenne county. She expressed her disappointment in the boards apparent disinterest in the speedway.

Bashaw replied the timing is just not right, there is too much going on to begin a project.

Speaking of the economic impact study, Tim Nolting suggested the board proceed with forming a committee to get that needed information. Doing so would provide answers to as many questions as possible before a decision is made.

“A project like this brings non-local money in,” Nolting explained, “I think it’s too soon to say no.”

Following commissioner Larry Engstrom’s motion to allow Richter, Sibal and Cutshaw to form a sub-committee to appoint members to the committee, Brower voiced his objection.

“If it’s going to involve tax dollars, I’m against it,” Brower said.

Wilson explained that setting up a committee or sub-committee would cost taxpayers nothing. He told the board the move would simply allow the HPMS board more clout when asking for studies.

“I think you owe it to the people in the county to do due diligence,” Wilson stated.