By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
     Board members of the Upper Republican Natural Resource District decided they could better influence water policy in the state with a public relations firm rather than a lobbyist.
     Members voted 9-0 at their regular meeting last week to hire the Philip M. Young Company of Lincoln to assist with directing water policy through public opinion.
     The decision didn't come without some frank discussion by board members.
     Last month, the board directed Manager Jasper Fanning to seek out lobbyists to assist the NRD in lobbying water issues in Lincoln.
     Fanning provided a list of two lobbyists who didn't have conflicts with the water issues facing NRDs in the Republican River basin.
     Fanning cited several instances where the NRD's interests could be neutralized by hiring their own lobbyist when the state NRD association already has lobbyists working the issues.
     He said with those lobbyists addressing the water issues, he suggested that opens other opportunities for educating senators and the public from eastern Nebraska.
     Board member Mike Mosel of Ogallala said eastern Nebraska state senators recently told him the URNRD would be best served by educating constituents of those senators, as well as other eastern interests.
     Dean Large said this gives the NRD the option of educating other lobbyists, schools and other entities with significant political clout.
     After a motion was made to hire the PR firm, Mike Mosel wanted to clarify that the agenda item of hiring a lobbyist would properly cover this action.
     Board Member Jeff Wallin expressed opposition to voting on the issue that night, feeling the agenda item didn't properly describe the action.
     After a brief recess to consider Wallin's objection, Chair Greg Pelster felt the issue fell under the scope of the agenda and allowed discussion and a vote to continue.
     Wallin retracted his objection to voting on the issue but left the meeting before the vote was taken.
     Wallin said this week his concern rested with whether the action was a violation of the agenda item, not his opposition.
     He said he favors hiring the PR firm but didn't feel he wanted to vote on the issue under the circumstances.
     As it turns out, Philip Young is a registered lobbyist so the board's action was in line with the agenda item.
     Young offers extensive experience in working with the media and public relations, including a stint in the White House's press office.
    LB 701 testimony
     Board members voted unanimously to have Fanning testify at the hearing next Wednesday on Sen. Mark Christensen's water bill, LB 701.
     Fanning told the board the direction of his testimony would focus on the funding issues of the bill.
     Funding efforts to reach compliance with the compact settlement with Kansas represents the most critical part of the bill, Fanning said.
     He said he was willing to give up other parts of the bill to protect funding.
     While showing support for the bill, Fanning said the predominate goal of his testimony will be to tell senators that the funding aspect is paramount to any success in dealing with compliance issues.
     Wallin said if the board was going to have Fanning testify on the bill then he should testify in favor of the whole bill.
     He feared that if other alternatives were offered that it could confuse the issue.
     "Anything less than full support for the bill could lead to misinterpretation of our support and possibly cast a negative light on the bill," Wallin said.
    New building on next agenda
     In March, the board will address whether the district should proceed with plans to build a new facility.
     During last week's meeting, the board approved a motion to pay architects for the work already completed. This includes design and schematic work.
     Projected cost of the building is slightly above $800,000.
     Wallin was joined by board members Mick Strand of Wauneta and Kerry Bernhardt of Champion in questioning the need to spend that kind of money when the district is facing compliance issues.
     Wallin suggested the district wait until compliance is reached before proceeding with the building.
     Fanning noted that current office space is insufficient to properly house their staff. He estimated the loss of productivity at the equivalent of one employee.
     Mosel noted the district has been in the same building since its inception. Since then, the demands on the district have increased significantly.
     Terry Martin of Benkelman, who served on the building committee, was adamant that the project proceed.
     He offered a motion to proceed with the project. However, since consideration of the project was not on the agenda, he withdrew the motion and asked that the item be added to the March agenda.