Exeter Village Board Passes Budget; Discusses Construction Projects

By Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village board held a special meeting on Wednesday, September 13 with a dual purpose.  They opened with the advertised budget hearing and after waiting fifteen minutes for public comment, they closed the hearing. There were no comments from the audience.  

During the hearing the board reviewed the budget.  Chairman Alan Michl explained that although the budget contains some projects the board does not intend to start, “The reason it’s all in there is because it is budgeted.  We can spend it if we have to but we don’t have to.”

After the Board closed the budget hearing, they opened the special meeting.

To begin with the board passed Resolution 17-03 that adopts the 2017-2018 budget with the additional 1% as allowable by state statute.

Present for the meeting was JEO representative Nathan Boone. Michl noted that he had again visited with Ameritas representative Brad Slaughter about the financing options for the paving and downtown projects but Slaughter wasn’t able to be at the meeting.

The Board discussed taking the downtown project out of the equation which would be under the $2 million bond limit the board has taken into account that would be fiscally responsible.

Michl explained, “If we don’t do the downtown now we would probably have to wait about 10 years before they would loan us more funds to do the downtown.”

He went on to clarify that if they kept the downtown project in the mix and put off some of the street work, in four or five years the financing would be available for a few more streets because the pool bond and some street bonds would be paid down.

Before pitching his proposal for doing both the downtown and the majority of the streets Michl made the point that the village has “spent about $233,000 in engineering and geotech fees already” for the downtown and the street projects.

Michl proposed that the board bond the downtown project along with the streets except for Missouri, one scheduled block of Union and the new paving at Liberty and River.  According to Michl this would bring the total cost down to their goal of $2 million.

The Board discussed this proposal and several options, but the majority felt the downtown was a priority, “That was the first thing that was mentioned to me was how important the downtown project was,” noted board member Mitch Schlegelmilch.

The Board also discussed what this would do to property taxes.  Michl explained, “For every 500,000 bonded, it’s roughly $50 bucks per 100,000 of valuation.  At $2.1 million the new assessment would be 230.61 per 100,000.”

When Michl asked if everyone was in agreement on doing the downtown, Vice Chairman Tim Wilbeck hesitated.  He commented, “I hate to see the new cement (poured last fall) torn up in front of the Legion.”

After a lengthy discussion Wilbeck acquiesced, “I would like to be right at $2.0 million.”

Before the project could come to a vote the board held a lengthy discussion on the wording in the minutes of the August meeting.  Before voting the board needed clarification on how to proceed.  The board discussed having an additional special meeting so they could meet the October 2 deadline for signing the contracts.  

“We need to get some clarity on the contract status and talk to Werner and get a firm cost on what will happen (with removing some blocks),” Boone stated.

Before adjourning, Boone asked if there was any possibility that the street projects would be completely removed.  Schlegelmilch responded, “I hope not.  I hope we go with the plan we have here.”

The rest of the board indicated their agreement with Schlegelmilch about keeping the street projects.

The Board adjourned the meeting without setting an additional special meeting time.

Timberwolves Shut Out at Meridian

Exeter-Milligan dropped to 0-4 on the season in Daykin Friday night.
The Timberwolves would gain offensive ground and then get knocked back on penalties before they could accomplish their goals.  The final score was 30-0 Meridian on top.

Exeter-Milligan’s #85 Max Zeleny hangs on to the ball while Meridian’s #50 Hector Nunez hangs on to him.  #34 Wyatt Haverluck heads to assist on the tackle.

Exeter-Milligan quarterback Spencer Pribyl looks to avoid the rush of Mustang #50 Hector Nunez.

 Jackson Beethe #11 and Nick Hayek #8 take down Meridian player #35 Tybor Smith.

Pribyl carries the ball with Zeleny blocking for him.

Jackson Beethe stepped in for some fantastic punts during the game.

Obituary: Warren Thomsen

Obituary for Warren D. Thomsen

A Memorial Service for Warren will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova. Pastor Michele Kanzaki will officiate the service.

Following the Memorial Service, a graveside committal of ashes will take place at the Zastrow Cemetery with Military Rites performed by the Cordova American Legion Post 359.

Memorials are suggested to the Cordova Fire Department or the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cordova.

Warren Due Thomsen of Exeter, NE was born at home in York County, on August 31, 1938, to Fredrick and Anna (Due) Thomsen. He was the third oldest son of five boys.

Warren was baptized and confirmed in the Danish Lutheran Church in Cordova, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Warren attended Country School District 97 through 8th grade and Exeter High School where he graduated with the class of 1956. While in high school, Warren was the president of a newly formed chapter of F.F.A. for two years and enjoyed building many projects. Warren enjoyed all sports very much while in high school and was part of the football team that was State Champion in 1956.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1957 and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington with the 12th Infantry 4th Division, for two years of active duty. After returning home, he served four years in the reserves. He received an honorable discharge in March of 1959.

Warren was united in marriage to Lois Marie Dumpert on August 24th, 1960 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Exeter, NE. To this union three sons were born, Michael Todd, Douglas William and James Warren.

Until his retirement Warren farmed in the Exeter area. Warren was a member of Cordova Legion Post #359, Cordova Volunteer Fire Department, Cordova Coop Board, Cordova Community Club, and Nebraska Street Rod Association.

Warren served as Scout Master for 41 years with Cordova Boy Scout Troop #359. 27 young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout while he was Scout Master, but countless young men learned life lessons and skills while they were members of the troop. He could have never done this without all of the help from his numerous assistant Scout Leaders.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Lois of Exeter; sons Michael Thomsen of Exeter; Douglas (Dacel) Thomsen of Beaver Crossing; James Thomsen and Anna Pedersen of Exeter; grandchildren, Jared (Brittany) Thomsen and Ty and Brynlee of North Platte; Mackenzie (Nate) Gauss and Cohen of Iron Mountain, MI and Maitlyn Thomsen of Beaver Crossing.

Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law Vernon and Grace Thomsen of Omaha and Gale and Cynthia Thomsen of Fairmont; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jean Rich of York; Bob and Jane Dumpert of Exeter; Tom and Phyllis Dumpert of Lincoln; Carol and Gary Aden of Real Way Surprise, AZ; Gary and Sherry Dumpert of Exeter.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents (Fred and Anna); brothers Roland Thomsen and Richard (Red) Thomsen and sister in law Shirley Thomsen and parents-in-law, William and Dorothy Dumpert.

Village Board Discusses Improvement Projects

­The Exeter Village Board met on Wednesday, September 6 for their regular meeting with board member Kathy Erdkamp absent.  The meeting began with the approval of invoices and minutes but quickly moved on to the main topic of discussion, street and downtown project costs.

The board welcomed Nathan Boone with JEO Engineering and Brad Slaughter from Ameritas.

To begin, the board discussed the bids on the downtown improvement project and noted that the bid from Van Kirk was somewhat below the estimate.  The board decided to accept the $673,382.62 bid.

In their last meeting the board accepted a bid for the street projects from Werner Construction.  That bid was also lower than expected at $1,510,316.64 for construction fees.  Including engineering fees, bonding fees and contingency fees the bond amount is at $1.87 million. 

“Even with the bids coming in at less we don’t want to be overextended.  If we accept both bids in their entirety we may be over a little,” explained Village chairman Alan Michl. “Sometimes improvement costs.  You have to be realistic.  No one wants taxes to go up but we’re going to get something for it (in assessment value increases).”

The board held a lengthy discussion on how to balance the projects on the table, taking into account the debt load and the additional property tax burden for the constituents.

Slaughter spoke up clarifying, “The issue is not with cash flow.  When we go to market these bonds in order for them to be purchased at competitive rates buyers will be looking at the valuation to assets ratio versus the population.  A higher debt number gets a higher interest rate.”

“What makes Exeter different from a lot of communities is that your pool is self-sustaining because of the sales tax (it makes the bond payment),” explained Slaughter.

The board looked at the current levy and gave an example of the levy on a $200,000 home.  Slaughter noted that “There would be an increase of around $370 over the current levy for paving.  This does not include water bonds or the pool, strictly paving bonds.  That number is not completely accurate because some of the costs would be assessed to the landowners on the new paving.”

One option the board discussed was to do the downtown improvements and all the streets except Missouri which would put the cost at around $2.275 million.  They estimated that a $100,000 home would cost an addition $20 per month in property tax.

Included in that lower total would be some of the costs of engineering fees that the village paid using some of their certificates of deposit. The village also used money out of the general fund which would have to be reimbursed.

Michl asked, “What number are you looking?  What number should we be at?”

Slaughter stated that the cap should be between $2.0 to $2.1 million.  “You don’t want to limit yourselves to bond on the open market.”

Michl clarified, “The figure you are talking about doesn’t include the current street bonds that will come off in two years.”

“This is a work in progress.  If we find a situation where we can finance the $2.7 million then we can.  We need to prioritize the project so we know which direction to head,” according to Slaughter.

One important point he brought to the board’s attention was that if the water projects are not included in the bond package then financing is only available for 15 years.  In order to obtain the 20 year financing there must be a water infrastructure aspect to the bond.

Boone brought up some issues with the locations of power poles on East Boundary.  “State statute requires that there are two feet from the curb to the back of the power poles.”

Several poles along East Boundary will have to be moved and he estimated the cost would be around $50,000 to move those poles and several others scattered throughout the paving project.

Board member Mitch Schlegelmilch asked about putting the power lines underground.  Boone planned to check on that as well.

Schlegelmilch added, “All the comments I have heard (about that project) is that it is a little too much.  I like to keep the water in there if we are having breaks or leaks.” 

Board Member Justin Harre stated, “I was under the impression that we were going to spend the same amount (as the current street bonds).”

Michl responded, “We are paying  $2.76 (levy) right now.  For what it is, it’s not a lot right now.  You had to know we were going to have more.”

Slaughter added, “The question is, what your comfort level is? The benefit is your valuation increases.”

Audience member John Graham asked when the paving would start.  The board responded that it would be after harvest.  After the board discussed not including Missouri Avenue in the paving project Graham wondered,  “what Missouri will look like after taking truck traffic for three months.”

The board continued to discuss different options to bring the cost down to the $2 million mark.  

Michl added, “Every time we have a paving project they ask why didn’t you do more.  Every time we put it off we have to pay more.  I’m just throwing it out there.”

“We talk about it and we are concerned about East Boundary and Missouri which needs to be done because of the truck traffic.  The one section of Union needs done no question about that,” explained Harre, “to me we need to do something different and not do the whole thing.”

The board moved on to pass Ordinance 590 issuing the street improvement bonds after waiving three readings of the ordinance.  The ordinance just gave the board the power to create the street improvement bonds in the future.

After a short discussion the board also passed Ordinance 591 which created the downtown improvement district.  

Next on the agenda the board passed Resolution17-02.  This set the date of the downtown improvement hearing on Wednesday, October 4 just prior to their next meeting.

Harre added, “We want to make sure people understand when the hearing is so they can come and give their opinion about these projects.”

Keno was the next topic of discussion.  Todd Zeilinger of Zeilinger Keno was present to let the board know that he, “Made a deal with the state to voluntarily downsize some of my locations that are too far away.”

He introduced Craig Blake who, according to Zeilinger, has done Keno for 25 years and uses the same equipment.  Blake would buy Zeilinger’s equipment and the community would see no change in service.

Board had received the new contract for Blake who also runs Keno in Waverly and Raymond.  The board agreed to the new contract with Blake.

In the maintenance report, John Mueller reported that there was a water issue that had to be fixed on Friday night.

In the clerk’s report Becky Erdkamp noted that sales tax for June was $8143.85 and Keno for July was $1211.55.  Erdkamp explained that sales tax to date is $84,799 well above the $77,000 payment.

Vice Chair Tim Wilbeck asked Erdkamp to put a notice on next month’s water bills that campers need to be removed off of the streets for snow removal.

The Board made a motion to go into executive session at 9:05 p.m. to discuss pay raises.  The board returned at 9:10 p.m. and approved a three percent raise for Mueller, Erdkamp, Librarian Jessica Votipka and Cemetery Sexton Sharon Cudaback.

Meeting was adjourned with the next meeting planned for October 4.

Patriot Day: Never Forget

Exeter-Milligan falls just short against Pawnee City 46-44

Exeter-Milligan came out strong against the visiting Indians from Pawnee City.  The T-wolves got on the board first scoring a safety when they tackled the Indian quarterback in the end zone.  They put up two more quick scores on the board during the first quarter bringing the score to 18-0 before Pawnee City got on the board with 1:29 left in the first quarter.  The Timberwolves got back in the game and had the score up to 24-6 with 4:48 left in the second quarter.  The Indians put another eight points on with 2:39 before the half (24-24).  The Timberwolves answered with another 8 points bringing the score 32-14 with :35 left in the half.

Out of the half, the Indians jumped back in the game putting up two scores in quick succession making the score 32-26 and jumping out to tye the game just a minute and a half into the third quarter.  The Timberwolves answered with another six with four minutes left in the quarter.  Pawnee City tied it up 38-38 in the fourth before taking on the extra two points. Exeter-Milligan found the end zone again with 2:51 left in the fourth but Pawnee City answered back forty seconds later bring the score to the final 46-44.

It was a game full of turnovers, penalties and struggles, but the Timberwolves held strong despite their low number of players.  Next week the Exeter-Milligan team heads to Meridian.

Johnny hangs on to stop the run of Pawnee City's #15

Max gets the punt return out past the 25 before a Pawnee City player stops him.

Joey runs through some PC traffic with the ball.

Nick is ready to tackle the Pawnee City ball carrier.

Another punt return for Max.

Spencer keeps the ball to pick up some yards.

Max and Spencer strip the ball from Pawnee City's quarterback and recover.

Spencer pass for some yards.

Seth catches the ball in the end zone.

Joey follows an excellent block by Max for some yards.

Spencer decides to hold on to the ball for some progress up the field.

Boys of fall lined up for the snap.

Theron in on the block for Joey.

Jackson getting in front of #5 to make the stop.

Joey tangles with #24 down the sideline.

Nick and Johnny blocking on the line.

Nick getting ready to hike the ball to Spencer.

Updates

The Exeter Village Board will meet at the village office TONIGHT at 7 p.m.

The Exeter-Milligan Volleyball team beat Giltner and Osceola last night in Giltner.
The Junior High Football Team beat Diller Odell last night in Diller.