Village of Exeter Meeting Notes | October 7, 2025

Approval of Minutes | Stands as presented.

Approval of Invoices | Motioned: J. Harre; Seconded: B. Mueller; Carried 4-0.

Shaundee Graham - CUP for Kenny Harre Accessory Building | Accessory building on an open lot, which is slightly bigger than originally planned. It is now 50x70 and is on a residential lot. Motioned: B. Mueller; Seconded: T. Salyer; Carried 3-0, J. Harre abstained.

NBCS - Annual Certification of Roads Program Committee | Motion to Approve: A. Michl; Seconded: J. Harre; Carried 4-0.

Resolution 25-03 Municipal Annual Certification of Roads Program Compliance | Motion to Approve: B. Mueller; Seconded: J. Harre; Carried 4-0.

PSA with JEO Consulting for Burlington Ave. Water Main Replacement | New waterline under the highway. Motioned to Approve the PSA with JEO: J. Harre; Seconded: B. Mueller; Carried 4-0.

Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services with Fillmore County | Fillmore County Sheriff's Department will charge the village $10,000 annually starting October 1 to assist with anything the village needs, including, but not limited to, serving papers, etc. This is a two-year agreement. Motion to Approve: A. Michl; Seconded: J. Harre; Carried 4-0.

Eakes Office Solutions & Capital Business Systems Copier Lease Estimates | The copier lease in the village office has expired. Motion to approve going through Eakes: B. Mueller; Seconded: T. Salyer; Carried 4-0. 

Robeson Lot Sheriff Sale | The lot will be on sale on Monday, October 20th. A. Michl and B. Mueller will attend the sale to purchase the lot. The board discussed a potential bid. Motioned: J. Harre; Seconded: T. Salyer; Carried 4-0.

Utilities Section Newsletter - Supreme Court Ruling on NPDES Discharge Conditions | It was stated that they are unconstitutional. Matt Manning is the new Chief Water Operator for the State of Nebraska. Becky Erdkamp will reach out to Matt Manning to enlighten the village baord about the Supreme Court ruling regarding how the EPA views the quality of water. They cannot enforce permit provisions. "It will save millions of dollars," stated A. Michl.

Marshal's Report | No new information.

Maintenance Supervisor's Report | Dave Smith's house has asbestos floor tile in the kitchen, specifically 260 square feet of it. It will cost $2,195 to tear it out. Additionally, a house on the north side of town has a long list of asbestos, including siding, floor tile, and sheet flooring. This will cost $7,285 to remove. The issue with this house includes the floor tile and the glue. It'll cost $15,000 to just tear the house down. Motioned to have the removal of asbestos at both properties: B. Mueller; Seconded: J. Harre; Carried 4-0.

John Mueller also mentioned that they are working on fixing the fire hydrant outside of the American Legion. However, it might need to get replaced. It is dated for 1963. It was also mentioned that mowing has slowed down and that water meter letters were sent out October 7th. The line painting has not happened yet, but the posts for the ball field, that were damaged in the August storm, has arrived. Finally, the removal of the old water tower lid is on the list to get completed.

Clerk's Report | Keno Receipts - August 2025 - $175.38; Sales Tax - July 2025 - $16,462.30. 

Public Comment | Electrical with Perennial Public Power District - Mitch Schlegelmilch presented the following information regarding the electrical growth:

Currently Nebraska's electrical growth is growing rapidly and there is a need for more generations. With that, the cost of that is in the billions. NPPD has asked the wholesale customers to sign a 35-year contract so that they can have a better rating. Perennial has decided not to sign this contract. There is LB 413 that is more than likely going to be approved, and if utlities don't sign the bill, their rates will be raised. This raise is estimated to be raised around 25-30%. According to Mitch S., Mark Becker, an Exeter resident and a member of the Perennial Board, has said that Perennial is not going to sign the contract. The Village of Exeter can do what they want since they own the system. The village is on a one-to-one year contract. Discussion was had that the village would like Charlie to draft up a letter to recommend NPPD to send to Tom Kent, the CEO of NPPD. Mitch mentioned that Perennial has had issues with NPPD for 40 years. PPPD has until October 30th to sign the agreement. If the utilities goes up, businesses like Greg's Market may not make it financially. A. Michl stated, "As a village, we need to be concerned about the customers in town." J. Harre added, "We need to see how the month goes. Next month we need to be talking about the future." In the August storm, Mitch S. mentioned how PPPD failed to check the fuse in the alley behind Greg's Market which resulted in the grocery store losing approximately $19,000 in inventory. "Let's have more information for next month, we appreciate the insight," said A. Michl. The Village of Exeter has until 2036 to switch from PPPD to NPPD, but if PPPD doesn't sign, J. Harre "doesn't want to hang around to see what happens."

Next Village of Exeter Board Meeting will be Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00pm.

Please Note: These notes are from the perspective of the reporter in attendance of this event.

Obituary: James R. Horne

James R. Horne, 81, of Exeter, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025.

James was born on January 1, 1944 in Friend, Nebraska, to Richard H. and Doris (Hetherington) Horne. He was later blessed with a loving stepfather, Don Ehrisman. On September 17, 1961, James married Sandra Hall, and they recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

James was a lifelong farmer and cattle feeder who took great pride in working the land and caring for his animals. His deep connection to his family's heritage was evident in his dedication to the Horne homestead, which has been in the family for over 150 years. He took great pride in knowing that the farm continues to be operated by the sixth and seventh generations of Horne farmers.

James enjoyed all sports, with a special passion for trapshooting. He also enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Horne; his children, James T. (Kristi) Horne, Richard R. (Sandy) Horne, and Benjamin J. (Connie) Horne; his sister, Frances (Gary) Rasmussen; grandchildren Jennifer (Dan) Wittnebel, James P. Horne, Mitchel (Kelsey) Horne, Madison (Derek) Luzum, Samantha Horne, Hannah Horne, Caleb (Brooklyn) Horne, and Savannah Horne; and great-grandchildren Wyatt, Jaedyn, Mason, Charlotte, Leighton, Camryn, and Kaia. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Don Ehrisman; brother, John C. Horne; grandsons, John R. Horne and Trenton Horne; and parents-in-law, Ray and Bernice Hall.

James will be remembered for his hard work, quiet strength, and unwavering love for his family and the land he so proudly farmed.

Bobcat XC Update

Written by Lisa Kanode | The Bobcat XC team a great day at Camp Kateri last week.  We treated this meet as our Pink Out and wear something provided by our EMF Boosters. This year we chose people to run for in memory and in honor of and wore pink headbands to recognize people who have battled breast cancer.  We also put a blue ribbon in our shoe to remember that all cancer is harsh and we want to remember Coach Pella, who recently lost her battle to Colon Cancer.  McCool has a 1779M fun run that they invite all elementary kids to join in the fun and run with the JH.  This year the Bobcats represented with 4 extra runners!  Our youngest participant was 1st grader, Wynn Weber!  Also competing was 6th graders Teddy Weber, Kenan Petersen and Knox Becker.  They ran amazing races!  8th grader, Sergio Alarcon finished 11th place and 8th grader Axel Erdkamp ran in their last JH Cross Country race.  They both made huge growth throughout the season and we are looking forward to coaching them in HS. Emily Bartels medaled 10th for the Bobcats with a time of 24:51.9. She has continued to push herself to be her best and just run.  I'm sure hearing, "just relax and run" at the start of a 3.1 mile race is amusing to the kids, but they put up with me and smile and do everything I ask.  I couldn't ask for a better group of athletes to coach.  Naomi keeps improving her times from last year and gives everything she has in the last few hundred meters of her race.  

The boys team finished in 5th place just behind Deshler and ahead of Silver Lake, Twin River and Blue Hill.  Leading the way for the Bobcats was Titus Petersen with a 13th place medal and a time of 19:50.5.  Just behind him was Beau Becker and Gehrig Weber with times of 20:48 and 20:55.  Rounding out the team was Keisyn Kirchhoff finishing with a 23:13.  If you've never been to a cross country meet, it would be pretty hard to imagine, but the amount of grit, determination, resilience and adversity one goes through from the start to the finish of a race is definitely incredible and probably what makes this sport so unique.  It has been a memorable season and we will soak in all the memories and lessons learned as we head into districts next Thursday at District-1 Race at Cass County Fairgrounds, hosted by Weeping Water.

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Fantasy Edition

Check out these new novels at the Exeter Public Library.

Unsouled by Will Wight

Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world.

Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan.

When faced with a looming fate he cannot ignore, he must rise beyond anything he's ever known...and forge his own Path.

 

Soulsmith by Will Wight

Outside Sacred Valley, ancient ruins rise from the earth, drawing sacred artists from miles around to fight for the treasures within.

Factions rise and fall as warriors bicker over rare resources, but time is limited. A powerful family from the Blackflame Empire is coming to claim the ruins, and when they arrive, no one else will have a chance at the prize.

Lindon has reached Copper, taking the first step on the road to power, but the warriors of the outside world are still far beyond him.

To advance, he turns to the arcane skills of the Soulsmiths, who craft weapons from the stuff of souls. With new powers come new enemies, and Lindon soon finds himself facing an entire sect of Golds.

Blackflame by Will Wight

Lindon has a year left.

When his time runs out, he’ll have to fight an opponent that no one believes he can beat. Unless he learns sacred arts the right way, from scratch, he won’t have a chance to win...and even then, the odds are against him.

In the course of their training, he and Yerin travel to the Blackflame Empire, where they fight to master an ancient power left behind by a fallen clan. This is Lindon’s chance to learn a true Path, but there are those who do not wish to see these lost techniques revived.

Success means a chance at life, but failure means death.

In the sacred arts, those who risk the most travel the farthest.