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The cost to conduct business with the Antelope County Clerk's office will be higher, following adoption of Resolution 2023-04-00001, at the April 4 Antelope County Commissioners meeting.

During the March 14 commissioners' meeting, Antelope County Clerk Lisa Payne brought attention to the fee schedule, primarily pertaining to the compilation of requested public records. According to Payne, state auditors noted that fees should be established and maintained per board policy.

The clerk's office also serves as the register of deeds and the county's election commissioner.

Commissioner Keith Heithoff asked if the scope of a search could be narrowed down.

"Could you draw two weeks at a time? If you go back six or eight months, you could be in there for days," he said.

Per the resolution, individuals filing a public records request will be assessed $40 per hour.

Other charges noted in the resolution include instrument filing - state statute, $10 first Page, with a $6 fee per additional Page; UCC filing - state statute - $14 flat fee; copies, 25 cents per Page; certified copies, $1.50 per Page; marriage license - state statute, $25; certified copy marriage license - state statute, $9; plat books, $35; maps, $1; fax or email, $1/page; underground access permit, $20; road access permit, $75; Nebraska Game and Park permits/issue fees, as set by state annually; liquor license publication fee, as per state statute 53-132 (4)b, $52.

Commissioners approved a three-year contract with Protex Central, of Hastings, for fire alarm inspection and maintenance. Contract terms are for three years at a cost of $1,045 per year.

Included in the price will be testing of the fire alarm control panel, secondary power supply battery load, remote and auxiliary power supply, manual pull station, smoke detectors, evacuation strobe and/or horn lights, sprinkler waterflow detector, sprinkler gate valve tamper switch, sprinkler high pressure switch, low pressure CO2 supervisory switch and auxiliary relay for fire and smoke door control.

Semiannual fire alarm inspections will be conducted in May and November of 2023 through 2025.

In other business, based on a recommendation from the Antelope County Visitors Committee, commissioners approved promotional fund grants, in the amount of $100 each, to Neligh Flower Shop, Rural Route One Boutique and River Mill Coffee Shop. The three Neligh-based businesses will participate in the Northeast Nebraska Back Roads Tour during the summer of 2023.

Commissioners also approved a $250 promotional fund grant for News Channel Nebraska for coordination and sponsorship of the NE Nebraska Backroads Tour during the summer of 2023.

Payne and Kristin Childers were reappointed to serve three-year terms on the visitors committee. Their current terms are set to expire in May 2023.

Commissioners unanimously approved the reappointment.