Chase Co. commissioners suspend walk-in traffic to courthouse offices

In a 30-minute phone meeting Monday morning, the Chase County Commissioners unanimously approved suspending public access to the offices in the courthouse due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Offices will still be available by appointment and phone numbers will be posted at the entrances. Marriage licenses, passports and other official business will continue, but people should call ahead for an appointment.

A drop box will also be available at the back door while a new drop box is installed at the main entrance.

County officials can be reached at: 

—County Clerk and Clerk of the District Court Debbie Clark, 308-882-7500;

—Assessor Dorothy Bartels, 308-882-7506;

—Treasurer Cynthia Schoenberger, 308-882-7510;

—Road department,  transit and Planning and Zoning administrator Billie Muehlenkamp, 308-882-7520;

—Attorney Arlan Wine, 308-882-7515;

—Weed Superintendent Brandon Beard, 308-882-7520;

—Sheriff Kevin Mueller, 308-882-4748; 

—Chase County Court Clerk Karen Mueller, 308-882-7519;

—Veterans Service Officer Duane Todd, 308-882-5017;

—Emergency Manager Duane Dreiling, 308-883-1783;

—Commissioners Chuck Vette, 308-882-6148; Jacci Brown, 308-883-1381; and Dennis Kunnemann, 308-882-6049.

The county Extension offices are closed. For more information call Deb Kuenning, 308-289-5160.

Each office, including the courtroom, will be limited to 10 people.

Last week the treasurer’s and assessor’s office encouraged customer to use mail (PO Box 1299, Imperial, Nebraska 69033) and online services when available, as well as using the drop box for payments or Schedules for Personal Property and Homestead Applications.

The county offices will take credit and debit card payments over the phone, as well.

Online services are available for renewing your Driver’s License, www.nebraska.gov/dmv/dlr/index.cgi; renewing your registration, www.nebraska.gov/dmv/vtr/start.cgi; and make online payments for Real Estate and Personal Property taxes, https://nto.us/.

The treasurer’s office is handling “high-priority” drivers license matters, and can renew licenses and address changes in case of emergency. Call the treasurer’s office with questions.

The Drivers Examiners office at the courthouse is not open. Appointments can be made in Red Willow County by calling  308- 345-4139. Written tests are available, but no driving tests will be administered.

This week’s hearings in the courtroom will be held by telephone, Wine said. For a courtroom hearing, the necessary people will be allowed in.

Clark said county clerks had a phone call with the Nebraska Secretary of State Monday concerning the upcoming election. She’s hoping people sign up for mail-in ballots. Notices for sign up have already been mailed.

Tuesday Clark said the clerks didn’t get any answers and she was hoping the governor’s press conference would provide them.

Vette, the county’s representative on the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, said the county should walk a fine line and  be careful to not incite panic.

“We can handle it,” Vette said.

The commissioners still plan to hold next week’s regular meeting, but weren’t sure how it will happen. All three commissioners were willing to come to the courthouse, but will maintain the public mandate of 10 people.

It was suggested that the meeting be streamed on the county’s Facebook page.

During the meeting, the commissioners also agreed to limit Champion Lake to walk in traffic.

With Nebraska Game and Parks suspending camping until Friday, May 8, the commissioners will also suspend camping at the lake.