County commissioner District 1 candidates discuss issues

    With the primary election coming May 12, questionnaires were sent to the four District 1 county commissioner candidates.
    Republican voters will have three candidates to choose from: Duane Dinnel, incumbent Chuck Vette and Terry Bilka. The winner there will advance to the general election against Dave Teply, the only Democrat running.
    Each candidate was asked the same three questions:
    1. The Southwest Nebraska Solid Waste Agency currently has no board. How would you like to see Chase County and the city of Imperial proceed in the management of the agency?
    2. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, how do you feel about the county’s response to the pandemic? What would you change in the county’s response?
    3. In the last election, commissioner candidates said they would be willing to lower the commissioners’ salaries in order to hire a county roads superintendent. Now that the position has been filled, do you feel the commissioners should lower their salaries at the next possible opportunity? Why or why not?
    The following are their answers, which have been edited only for spelling and grammar.
Duane Dinnel
    1. The solid waste was set up to be run by a board. It should continue to be run by a board that hires its own employees, sets hours of operation and determines fees. It should operate on a break-even basis. It should have general oversight similar to that of the fair board and other boards that exist under the umbrella of the county. If allowed to operate in this manner, it would eliminate the squabble over this issue between the city of Imperial and the county. Wauneta provides its own solid waste for its citizens.
    2. I believe that the response taken by the commissioners was appropriate and adequate.  Limiting courthouse access is reasonable and has provisions for conducting necessary business. I am not a proponent of government being overly involved in our daily routines. I have observed many local businesses and government agencies taking the initiative to protect their employees and customers, which affirms my belief that self-government is better government.
    3. I am not seeking this position for a paycheck, but I do believe that it should be fairly compensated. By its nature of being a part-time job, many qualified people do not seek to run. As with any job, you will have employees that only do the minimum required and those that go above and beyond. Over the years, I have observed both types serving as commissioner; therefore, some are overpaid and some are underpaid. I personally am willing to take less, but don’t want to limit those who may want to run for the position in the future.
Dave Teply
    1. As for a solution to the Nebraska Solid Waste Agency, I would “suggest” the following as a way to start:
    A) Set up an independent party, with people from the city and the county, to have meetings and discuss options.
    B) At the end of 90 days, present the best options to the people of Chase County. Do a vote by mail and let the people decide. It’s their country!
    2. As for COVID-19, and the response by the people of Chase County, I’d say they are doing an awesome job.
    It’s left us a little scared, a little confused and even a little angry,.
    From what I see, the people are taking this very seriously, as well they should be.
    I’d like to see test kits in southwest Nebraska. Hope it happens in the near future.
    Residents are doing a good job. They are to be commended for that.
    3. As for lowering the salaries of commissioners to help with the hiring of the road superintendent, I would agree to this.
    It means less work for commissioners, less time spent inspecting roads, and with that, less money should be expected. I’m for lowering salaries.
Chuck Vette
    1. On the subject of the Southwest Waste Agency, now that we have gotten the contract signed for the dispatch and jail with Imperial and signed an interlocal agreement with Imperial Police Department, we can put more effort into getting an agreement to work for both sides on the Southwest Waste Agency. We have approved board members to be on that board and are waiting for the Imperial city council to approve the appointments.
    2. I think the county has done everything they can to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. We have closed down the courthouse and we have done everything we can to help the patrons do their business in the courthouse offices.
    I am on the board of the Southwest Health Department, of which I am currently chairman, and we have striven to follow all of the guidelines as to how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
    3. In regard to the matter of the commissioners’ salaries being lowered to hire a road superintendent, we are still in a trial period with this, so we have until the salaries are set in the next election cycle to decide what we can and are willing to do. The job of commissioner has become a lot more involved in the three terms I have served.
Terry Bilka
    1. As I understand, the board has members whose terms have expired and are waiting to be reappointed. The last time a meeting was called, some of those members didn’t show up due to questions of the validity of these members, thus no quorum.
    It is clear that the residents of the city of Imperial use the agency more than the county or its residents at this time. The county really could be eliminated from the agency as the current burden of usage and current operations fall on the city of Imperial and its residents.
    Those things said, a county resident has always been able to dump and pay the fee. An insurance claim derived from a weather issue would pay these fees as part of the individual’s settlements and tree/yard waste isn’t a charged item at present so the operation of Southwest Solid Waste Agency can still function for all the residents of Chase County.
    I believe negotiations between the county and the city of Imperial could make it workable for both entities to provide a service to all the residents of Chase County. In the future, should Chase County need to dispose of construction items (i.e. demolition of hospital, bridge replacement or natural disaster striking a county-owned building), then Chase County can pay the fees like any customer of the agency or at a pre-negotiated rate that may be able to be agreed upon in the contract to transfer ownership to the city of Imperial.  
    2. This COVID-19 pandemic is new territory for all of us; I don’t believe any action taken to protect citizen health should be criticized. I do believe sooner is better than later in these matters. After this pandemic becomes history, we will know how to respond in the future.
    3.First, let’s explain the position of County Roads Superintendent. That job or position is a person responsible for everything done on the roads of a city or county. Everything as follows: hire employees, fire said employees, create a budget, put plans together for improvements, one and six year plans, run the accounts payable and collections, collect data and report to the State of Nebraska.
    It is a position established for a larger city or county. It is established in Lincoln for their benefit, to create a hierarchy for the benefit of a few. This position is regulated by the board of supervisors in the Department of Roads. That is a position which would draw $50,000 up to $70,000 salary depending on experience in the trade.
    I personally don’t believe we can justify that type of expenditure in Chase County. There are some reports required by the Department of Roads, these reports take information from county records, put them on a form and pass it to Lincoln but they must be submitted by a qualified engineer. One who is doing that now for Chase County is at a rate of $3,000 to $4,000 per year. The option chosen for now is to move a current employee to a lesser position than the supervisor description to a description of Road Manager who is responsible for road condition and people training.
    The commissioner candidates of the last election may have stated they would take a reduction in pay to get a Supervisor and that was before my commitment to the election process. If they feel they owe it to their constituents then they will need to state their intentions. I believe they saved many thousands of the budgeted dollars to get what was needed here in Chase County. I will be a cost efficient proponent of the budget, plus make a commitment  to be an open and accessible commissioner to district one along with all Chase County residents.