Todd Nielsen

The Board conducted business in several capacities: Board of Supervisors, Board of Corrections, and Board of Equalization. Key discussions included processing an inheritance tax refund for Robert D. Boettger (determined not to require Board approval), receiving information on public hearings set by the Fremont Planning Commission regarding a subdivision plat, a zoning text change, and a preliminary plat submission. As the Board of Corrections, updates were given on the current inmate population distribution. As the Board of Supervisors, the Board approved wage & hour claims, approved fund transfers from the General Fund to the Road Fund and First Responders Communications Fund following an audit, and approved financial claims. Discussions commenced on changes to the per diem rate and the renewal of the interlocal agreement with Sarpy County for youth safekeeping, which was later approved after attorney review, setting a new per diem rate effective May 1, 2026. The Board also nominated a candidate for the Nebraska Regional Interoperable Network (NRIN) Governing Board. The Highway Superintendent provided updates on ongoing maintenance work and collaboration regarding the Fremont Municipal Inland Port Authority and bridge rehabilitation estimates. Committee reports included consideration by the May Museum Board to move an old schoolhouse to the museum parking lot for an educational event. As the Board of Equalization, the Board received correspondence from the Nebraska Tax Equalization & Review Commission and granted an exemption from Motor Vehicle Taxes for Midland University.

The Board of Supervisors approved the agenda and accepted several reports and documents, including county official reports, correspondence regarding a channel lineup change, financial statements from Fremont Community Health Resources, and various bond and agreement documents. The Board approved the minutes from the December 10, 2025 meeting. Separately, the Board reconvened as a Board of Corrections where a report on inmate custody numbers was given. As the Board of Supervisors, they approved wage & hour claims totaling $294,311.63 and financial claims totaling $605,667.39. Resolutions were adopted setting elected officials' salaries and Dodge County Board of Supervisors' salaries for the term beginning January 2027. The Rawhide Creek Watershed Agreement was approved, making Dodge County eligible for subsequent funding phases. Tax refunds totaling $12,507.74 for specific roll corrections were approved. The Board decided to close the courthouse from December 24 through December 26, 2025, following federal guidelines. Two public hearings were held resulting in the approval of Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) and subdivisions for the Volline VonSeggern Family Trust and Faltin Joint Venture, contingent upon necessary filings. A subdivision request from Scott Real Estate Services Inc. was continued to a future Planning Commission meeting. A Public Highway At-Grade Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for Shoreline Drive was approved. Updates were provided regarding highway maintenance, the completion of the Luther Road box culvert project, and unsuccessful Bridge Match program applications. Subsequently, the Board convened as a Board of Equalization, approved five tax roll corrections, and handled correspondence regarding an appeal from the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission. Exemptions from Motor Vehicle Taxes for 2025 and 2026 for Dodge County Head Start and various nonprofit organizations were granted.

The proceedings included multiple sessions: Board of Supervisors, Board of Corrections, and Board of Equalization. Key discussions for the Board of Supervisors involved receiving reports and correspondence, approving wage and financial claims, approving bank depositories, reviewing a newly developed Courthouse Security, Access, and Parking Policy (with amendments to be presented later), and approving a revised Employee Handbook. Committee assignments were discussed, noting changes due to personnel departures. The impact of postal postmark procedures on county filings was noted. The Board also approved declaring surplus property for auction and discussed ongoing highway maintenance, culvert installations, and the One & Six-year Road Plan. As the Board of Corrections, inmate custody numbers and upcoming contract negotiations with Saunders County Corrections were reviewed. As the Board of Equalization, the Board unanimously approved several tax roll corrections and granted motor vehicle tax exemptions for multiple organizations.

The meeting included sessions as a Board of Supervisors and a Board of Corrections. Key discussions involved the consideration of fund transfers, specifically $20,000 from the Inheritance Tax Fund to the Indigent Fund, and the approval of various financial claims. Reports were reviewed from the Register of Deeds, Building Inspection Dept., Highway Dept., and County Clerk for previous months. Correspondence was received from Charter Communications regarding channel lineup changes and from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District concerning conservation programs. The Board considered a resolution to approve funding for the Fremont Community Health Resources (FCHR) Pension Plan. A public hearing was held regarding a Class D "Beer, Wine, Spirits Off Sale Only" new license application for Saga Properties Fremont, LLC. Other topics included courthouse security policies, zoning matters such as a preliminary plat submission and building permit fee adjustments, and setting a public hearing date for the 2026 One- & Six-Year Road Improvement Plan. Discussions were also held regarding general assistance claims in a closed session.

The meeting included the reorganization process where Supervisor Missel was elected Chairman and Supervisor Strand was elected Vice-Chairman for 2026. The Board also appointed the County Clerk as the "keeper of the agenda" for 2026 and approved financial claims totaling $325,720.47 for wage & hour claims and $191,055.55 for financial claims. Discussions were held regarding courthouse security changes, including requiring employees to use east doors for entry and restricting street parking for employees. The Board approved amending a resolution setting Elected Officials' salaries, recommending increases for the County Attorney and Sheriff. The revised Dodge County Employee Handbook was discussed, with updates to be provided by Zelle Human Resource Solutions regarding mobile device use and county vehicle operation. Furthermore, the Board approved the Master Professional Services Agreement and associated Work Order No. 011 with Speece Lewis a Bowman Company, and the appointment of Scott Huppert as the 2026 Dodge County Highway Superintendent. The Board also convened as a Board of Corrections to discuss inmate housing and jail contract renewal timelines, and convened as a Board of Equalization to grant a Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption.