Commissioners approve resolution on livestock conditional use permits

    The Chase County Commissioners cleaned up one lingering agenda item at their most recent meetings, but several issues were discussed with no resolution.
    After having concerns April 27 about a resolution to change conditional use permit wording for livestock regulations, the board passed the resolution June 22.
    The new resolution cleared up the sizes and distances from residences, such as from where the measurements would take place, for livestock feeding operations. The definition of “home site” was also discussed.
    The decision to vacate 343 Avenue between 736 and 738 Roads remains on the commissioners’ agenda despite discussion.
    The road was brought up  at the March 23 commissioners’ meeting.
    Norm Fanning has attended a commissioners’ meeting to say that he uses the road to water his cows.
    Eron Kitt was at the June 22 meeting, telling commissioners he has 10 signatures on a petition to close the minimum maintenance road. Kitt, however, would rather the commissioners make the decision, as it’s causing hard feelings with neighbors.
    Discussion over vacating the road will continue at the next board meeting, July 13.
    Brandon Beard also attended during the public forum to discuss the county’s plan to replace the bridge to Champion Lake.
    In talks with Engineering International, putting in a low water crossing or culvert came up.
    Beard worries a culvert may cause flooding on his property. He would prefer a road be put in on the north side of the river.
    The commissioners previously discussed a road on the north side of the Frenchman River. At one point the county didn’t think it had the land available for a road and didn’t have permission to use privately-owned land. Now the county will have a survey completed to see how much county-owned land is available for a road.
    Champion residents also raised concerns about lake traffic bypassing the town.
    No action was taken.
    Chase County’s Veteran’s Service Officer Duane Todd presented his budget to the board and suggested the commissioners talk to the Veteran’s Service Committee for input after hearing the county was looking into sharing veteran’s services with another county as a money saving option.
    Road Foreman Mark Balderston expressed concern to the commissioners about a 3/4” overlay crumbling on the Champion road in June’s first meeting. Highway superintendent Jeff Tidyman attended last week’s meeting to say a 3/4” overlay is the county’s most reasonable option and the commissioners decided to move forward with the project. The board is hopeful work will be completed this fall.
    Tidyman also suggested milling cracks in the pavement south of Wauneta and filling them with tar or mastic, depending on the size.