BEATRICE – The e-mails and phone numbers of Gage County Planning and Zoning Commission members won’t be listed on the county’s official website.
Two efforts to require that during a Gage County Board meeting failed to get enough support, Tuesday. Supervisor Emily Haxby sought to take that step, but her proposal failed to gain enough support to allow a vote.


"Some people don't use e-mail....some people don't open a computer. So...I think we can do both because some times people just want to e-mail some information or a letter. Mailing addresses are a bit archaic. Not too many people use the mail...they want to e-mail."

A second proposal to include a county e-mail, with the option for a phone number to be provided by commission members, failed on a 2-to-5 vote.


The county’s planning and zoning commission…a non-paid volunteer panel, is essentially a study group and advisory body, making recommendations on zoning and land use issues. The final decisions rest with the Gage County Board.  Just recently, the commission conducted an initial public hearing on recommended regulations for solar energy but held off referring the proposed rules to the county board, in favor of more review of suggested changes offered by the public.


County Attorney Roger Harris questioned whether not listing e-mails or phones of commissioners has been a problem. He said people can contact commission members through Zoning Administrator, Lisa Wiegand.  "If there's people who can't get a hold of somebody, Lisa's always available....at least I've never had a problem talking with Lisa, giving her a call or leaving a message....she always gets right back."


County Board chairman Erich Tiemann said the issue came up during wind energy discussion….and has surfaced again with discussion of solar energy rules. An informal survey of commission member opinions, Tiemann said, yielded a mixed reaction on the matter.


Supervisor Gary Lytle said in over ten years, this is the first time he’s heard of any trouble contacting a commission member. "I don't know why we're spending this energy and time on this issue. They can get ahold of Lisa, and Lisa can get them in touch with whoever. I have never had, or heard any complaints about getting ahold of P-and-Z members. They've been readily available and I don't understand what the big issue is."


Some local governments shy away from using personal phone numbers or e-mails of volunteer board or commission members....but include a government contact number for more information.


The Gage County Board moved their meeting from the usual Wednesday to Tuesday of this week….to enable attendance at a Nebraska Association of County Officials conference.