The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, October 9, 2025. Present for the meeting were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Clerk of the Commission Susette Taylor.

Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.

Month-end department reports were reviewed and approved.

Additions and abatements were reviewed and approved as follows:

September 2025: Personal Property – Additions to the tax books: 2024, $1,970.74; 2023, $22.79. There were no abatements to the September 2025 tax books.

There were no additions or abatements to the September 2025 tax books for real estate or ag rock.

Clerk Taylor presented a notice from the County Employees’ Retirement Fund to make the 2026 annual contribution election. Effective January 1, 2003, an additional 4% compensation was required on behalf of employees hired on or after February 25, 2002, to be directed to CERF. Each county notified CERF of its election to pay the additional contributions either from county funds or through payroll deduction. A county can only change its election once per year, with the new election becoming effective on January 1. After discussion, the commissioners voted to leave the county’s current election in effect for 2026 with the employee paying the required 4% in CERF.

Kim Tanner, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator with Nebraska Public Power District, met with the commission to introduce Dakota Schulenberg, who will be taking her place when she retires after the first of the year. Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley and Assistant Director Mark Manchester were present at the meeting. Mrs. Tanner praised Director Wiley for her work in updating the local emergency operations plan annually and stated it has been a pleasure to work with Atchison County.

Director Wiley reported she is working on the 2025 Radiological Plan Review, and the Storm Ready Certification is ready and renewed. Clerk Taylor discussed the funding from NPPD for 2026 and the need to submit the request early so that funding arrives in early January. Since the agreement is based on a percentage increase each year, there is no reason it cannot be submitted in December.

The commission began preliminary 2026 budget discussions.

There being no further business, the commission adjourned.