PROPERTY  FRAUD ALERT   SIGN UP NOW! 

According to the FBI Property and Mortgage Fraud is the fastest growing white collar crime. It can be as simple as someone recording a document in the Buffalo County Register of Deeds office land records that fraudulently makes it appear as if they now own your property.

To address these concerns, your Register of Deeds Office have a FREE service that will NOTIFY you when or if a document is recorded that matches your personal criteria.

As, your Register of Deeds, I urge you to monitor the Public Real Estate records filed using your name.

SIGN UP NOW!!! It’s simple. Just enter your personal or business name and your contact information and you will be notified by the method selected as any documents are recorded in the future.

Buffalo County, Register of Deeds --- Kellie John

• The property must be owned by a religious, educational, charitable or cemetery organization;
• The property must be used exclusively for religious, educational, charitable or cemetery purposes;
• The property may not be used for gain or profit for the owner or the user;
• The property may not be used for the sale of alcoholic liquor for more than 20 hours a week; and
• The property may not be owned or used by an organization which discriminates in membership or employment based on race, color, or national origin.

• Same user interface that is used on the courthouse workstation
• Real time, 24/7 access
• Customizable results screens
• Subscription based

Internal Revenue Service Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, allows a standard mileage rate for automobile operating expenses used for medical reasons. Just click on the above link for Publication 502 for access to the allowable medical and dental expenses. Contact your County Assessor for current mileage rates.

• Know what has been filed against you;
• An attorney (a Public Defender may be provided at no cost);
• Face and cross-examine witnesses;
• Present evidence in your own defense;
• Testify if you wish; however, you do not have to testify;
• Be advised by the Judge as to what the Court can do with you; and
• Appeal the Court’s decision to the Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court.

• Dress neatly and cleanly, as you would for an important meeting.
• Be 15 minutes early, so you are ready to attend the hearing on time.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Be honest and make eye contact when talking.
• Respond to Judge’s questions by saying, “Yes, Your Honor,” or “No, Your Honor.”

• Curse, swear or lie;
• Get angry or roll your eyes;
• Walk out of the courtroom (you could be held in contempt;
• Speak or act rudely;
• Take a cell phone into the courtroom;
• Slouch or chew gum; or
• Wear sagging pants, offensive T-shirts or gang-related items.

• ...fail to follow court orders (any law violation, including Court orders to obey your parents’ rules and curfew, and/or attend school).
• ...are a runaway youth (a history of running from home or if you run from your Court-ordered placement, such as foster or group home).
• …are a danger to yourself or others (violent, aggressive, gang-related behavior or use of alcohol or drugs).
• ...are being discharged unsatisfactorily from a placement facility. If you are not following rules of your Court-ordered placement and are discharged, you may be detained.
• ...an OJS evaluation is ordered to be done residentially.

• To stop the violence.
• To protect the victim from additional acts of violence committed by the Defendant.
• To protect the children or other family members from exposure to, or possible injury from, domestic violence.
• To provide restitution to the victims.
• To hold the offender accountable for their violent conduct.

• Locate non-custodial parents
• Establish paternity
• Establish and enforce medical support
• Enforce and collect support payments

• Nebraska Department of Administrative Services
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Nebraska Department of Revenue
• District and County Courts
• Nebraska Department of Labor
• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
• Federal Parent Locator Service
• Sheriffs
• Child Support agencies in all states
• Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
• Credit Reporting Agencies
• Nebraska Payment Center

• All payments must be made to:
  Nebraska Child Support Payment Center
  P.O. Box 82600
  Lincoln, NE 68501-2600
• If you pay the other party directly, you may not receive credit for the payment.
• Child support payments are due on the first of each month and are delinquent the next day. Interest is charged on the delinquent amount after 30 days.
• Income withholding will be implemented in all cases involving child support whether there is delinquency or not (including unemployment withholding).
• You MUST pay child support regardless of custody or visitation issues.
• Health insurance MUST be provided for the child(ren) if ordered by the Court.
• If you have more than one order or judgment, your payments will be allocated between them. You cannot select which obligation to pay.
• Not paying child support can result in:
  • State and Federal Income Tax Intercepts
  • Drivers License Suspension
  • Suspend Professional Licenses
  • Suspend Eligibility For Hunting and Fishing Licenses
  • A Report to Credit Agencies
  • Denial of Your Passport
  • Lottery Prize Intercept
  • Liens/Seizure of Property
  • Seizure of Bank Accounts
  • Criminal Charges
  • Jail

• You can apply for child support services by contacting your local Health and Human Services office or County Attorney.
• If you or your child(ren) are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments, the child support will be assigned to the State of Nebraska.
• DO NOT accept child support payments directly from the non-custodial parent. All payments must be made through the Nebraska Child Support Payment Center in order to be properly credited.
• If the non-custodial parent has more than one order or judgment, all payments received will be allocated proportionately between them.
• Your court order may contain language prohibiting you from removing the child(ren) from the State without the Court’s consent. It is your responsibility to know what the Court’s order says and to comply with it. Failing to do so may result in the suspension or termination of child support.
• Visitation cannot be withheld for non-payment of child support. Withholding visitation can:
  • Affect your child’s well-being
  • Result in a finding of contempt of court
  • Put you in jail

• Child support is due through the month that the child turns 19.
• Employers who fail to comply with incoming withholding notices or who punish or dismiss employees as a result of income withholding are subject to legal action.
• The County Attorney (or authorized attorney) represents the State and the best interests of the child.  No client/attorney relationship exists.
• Either party in an action for child support can request that the case be reviewed for possible modification every three years by contacting Health and Human Services, Child Support Enforcement, Review and Modification Unit at (800) 831-4573.
• Establishing paternity enables your child(ren) to have access to important family medical history as well and financial and emotional support.

• To work with the community and build a relationship of trust and understanding in order to work proactively to prevent crime.
• To use research and investigative techniques to ensure quality criminal prosecutions for the citizens of Buffalo County.
• To improve our understanding of the law and the community through seminars, training, and continuing education programs.
• To use technologically-advanced trial practices.
• To apply the law in an unbiased and consistent manner to ensure justice, equality, and safety for the community.

• Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office at (308) 236-8555
• Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104
• Ravenna Police Department at (308) 452-4245
• Shelton Police Department at (308) 647-5110
• Nebraska State Patrol at (308) 865-6000

• Marriage License Application

• Name of Applicant A/Groom
• Name of Applicant B/Bride (including maiden name)
• Date of marriage (Must be issued from Buffalo County)

• Social Security Card (require certified copy)
• Bank, credit union, and investment accounts 
• Vehicle title/registration
• Driver's license (require certified copy)
• Mortgage
• Homeowner's insurance
• Life insurance
• Car insurance
• Medical and dental records
• Credit cards and files
• Deeds and property titles
• Passport
• Voter registration card
• IRS forms
• Church records
• Mail and newspaper subscriptions
• Employer/payroll
• Post office
• Your attorney (to update legal documents, will)
• Military records
• Utilities/Subscriptions

What is a safe room? What are the design requirements for a FEMA safe room?
A safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide "near-absolute protection" in extreme weather events, including tornadoes and hurricanes. The level of protection provided by a safe room is a function of its design parameters, specifically the design wind speed and resulting wind pressure and the wind-borne debris load resistance. To be considered a FEMA safe room, the structure must be designed and constructed to the guidelines specified in FEMA P-320, Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business (FEMA, third edition, 2008a) (for home and small business safe rooms). Additionally, all applicable Federal, State, and local codes must be followed. When questions arise pertaining to the differences between FEMA P320 criteria and another code or standard, the most conservative criteria should apply.

Should I have a safe room?
Pages 6 through 10 of FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) provide background information to help homeowners decide if a safe room is needed in their home. Homeowners and small-business owners should also refer to the Homeowner’s Worksheet, Assessing Your Risk (Table I-1) in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a); this is an easy-to-use matrix that helps users decide whether a safe room is a matter of preference, should be considered, or is the preferred method for protection from extreme winds.

My house has a basement. Do I need a safe room?
Some strong tornadoes have resulted in loss of floor framing, collapse of basement walls, and death and injuries to individuals taking refuge in a basement. What constitutes an acceptable level of protection is an individual decision. A basement may be the safest place to seek shelter for homes without a safe room, but it will not provide the same level of protection as a safe room unless it has been designed and constructed to provide the level of protection in accordance with FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) and FEMA P-361 (FEMA, 2008b).

A basement is a good location to install a shelter or build a safe room, but access for handicapped or physically challenged individuals may be limited. The flood risk of your location may also affect whether it is appropriate to place a safe room in your basement. If your house or neighborhood is prone to flooding, the basement may not be an appropriate location for taking refuge.

Where can I find information about obtaining FEMA funding to construct a safe room? Are there any funds available in my area?
For project eligibility and financial assistance questions, please contact your Local Emergency Manager. Your Emergency Manager can advise you on what information must be provided for your project to be considered for funding, as well as any applicable Federal, State, and local design requirements.

Can I still apply for FEMA funding after I have begun construction of a safe room or purchased a safe room?
No. You must apply for funding before the purchase of a safe room or beginning any construction. Section D.2, Part III of FY 2011 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance (FEMA, 2010) states that costs related to projects for which actual physical work (such as groundbreaking, demolition, or construction of a raised foundation) has occurred prior to award or final approval are ineligible.

What costs are eligible for funding under a safe room grant?
Allowable costs for safe room projects funded under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) are those components related to, and necessary for, providing life safety for building residents in the immediate vicinity during an extreme-wind event. The funding covers design and building costs related to structural and building envelope protection. The funding covers both retrofits to existing facilities and new construction projects, and applies to both single- and multi-use facilities.

Eligible costs are only those consistent with FEMA-approved performance criteria as provided in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a). These criteria are summarized in Table 6 (below) of the 2011 FY FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance (FEMA, 2010). (Click the table to view it larger.)

Does FEMA approve, endorse, or certify any products?
No. Federal No. Federal policy does not allow FEMA to approve, endorse, certify, or recommend any products. While a product may be in compliance with FEMA design guidance, any language from manufacturers stating their product is "FEMA approved" or "FEMA certified" is incorrect.

What is the recommended square footage per person for a residential tornado and hurricane safe room?
For residential safe rooms, the usable tornado safe room floor area should be the gross floor area minus the area of sanitary facilities, if any, and should include the protected occupant area between the safe room walls at the height of any fixed seating, if it exists. The minimum recommended safe room floor area per occupant for residential tornado and hurricane safe rooms is provided in table below. (Click the table to view it larger.)

What is the cost of installing a safe room in a new home or small business?
Costs for construction vary across the United States. The cost for constructing a safe room that can double as a master closet, bathroom, or utility room inside a new home or small business ranges from approximately $6,600 to $8,700 (in 2011 dollars). This cost range is applicable to the basic designs in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) for an 8-foot by 8-foot safe room (approximately 64 square feet of protected space). Larger, more refined designs for greater comfort cost more, with 14 foot by 14-foot safe rooms ranging in cost from approximately $12,000 to $14,300. The cost of the safe room can vary significantly, depending on the following factors:

Phone: 308-236-1224

Fax: 308-233-3649

E-mail: board@buffalocounty.ne.gov

Courthouse hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except certain holidays. Drivers License Examiner is only open until 4:30 p.m. Please call (308) 236-1250 for additional information.

• Poll Worker Application

• Poll Worker Training Manual 
• Voter ID Video
• ExpressVote - Setup & voting Opening the ExpressVote and Voting
• How to vote on the Expressvote - essvote.com/blog/video/video-expressvote-how-to-vote/
• ExpressVote - Closing  Closing the ExpressVote

Check the Nebraska VoterCheck Website to access your polling place address and party affiliation.

Click on your polling place below for contact information and a map.

What is Shelter-in-Place?
In a situation where a serious hazardous chemical spill has quickly caused a toxic atmosphere, it may be more dangerous to go through those toxic vapors or to attempt to outrun them than to stay in an existing structure. Shelter-in-Place means to get to the inside of a building and remain there during a chemical emergency rather than attempting to evacuate the area. Shelter-in-Place is a viable option for protection against exposure to potentially dangerous airborne chemicals during an emergency.

Why Should I Shelter-in-Place?
During a hazardous materials incident, the idea is to keep everyone's exposure to any chemical as low as possible. It is best to get out of the area and have no exposure, but in a sudden chemical release there may not be time to safely evacuate. In such cases, attempts to evacuate could place you at greater risk of exposure than if you had stayed in your home or workplace. Shelter-in-place is used when there has been a serious hazardous chemical spill that has quickly caused a toxic atmosphere and there is not enough time to safely leave the area. When you shelter-in-place, you take protective action in a structure to reduce exposure to toxic chemical levels. So, unless otherwise instructed to evacuate, sheltering-in-place could be the best way to safely wait out a hazardous chemical release.

How safe is it to Shelter-in-Place?
In a 2001 report by The National Institute for Chemical Studies, several studies were cited that demonstrate the value of sheltering-in-place during a chemical emergency. In older homes, the average house was found to change its air at a rate of less than 1/3 change per hour. It was also found that if one room in the house was sealed up with duct tape and plastic, the amount of chemical that was in the room after one hour was between 1/7 to 1/17 of what was outside. Another study found that sealing up a house also filtered out some of the chemicals. Not only did a sealed up house limit the amount of air coming into a house, the walls actually did some filtering of the air that seeped in. Sheltering-in-place cannot completely eliminate all exposure to the chemical, but it can keep the exposure below dangerous levels.

The report concluded: "For the vast majority of events that have led to the public to shelter-in-place, there have been no reported injuries. In fact, for a very few cases, clouds of toxic materials of sufficient concentration to cause harm have entered communities and, because sheltering-in-place has been accepted by the community and was successfully implemented, no one was injured. The body of evidence suggests that if there is insufficient time to complete an evacuation, or the chemical leak will be of limited duration, or conditions would make an evacuation more risky than staying in place, sheltering-in-place is a good way to protect the public during chemical emergencies."

When should I Shelter-in-Place?
A hazardous materials accident can occur anywhere. There may even be a time when you are close to where a chemical accident has taken place. If you feel or hear a strange sound like an explosion; if you see a strange cloud; if you smell a strange odor; if you feel nauseous or have burning or tearing eyes; trust your senses, don't wait for a warning confirmation and act immediately. If it is obvious that you can safely evacuate the area, do so, but remember shelter-in-place as the next option.

In Buffalo County Monitor:

If there is a chemical release in Buffalo County, the emergency alert system will be utilized. The outdoor warning sirens will sound to alert the public to turn on a radio or television for further emergency information.

Where do I Shelter-in-Place?
If you are told to shelter-in-place or if you believe you need to, you should go inside any building close by immediately. If you are not by your own house, a church, school, or store are good options. If you are not near any buildings, your car is a better choice than staying outside. Your home is the best choice to shelter-in-place because you will know where tapes, towels, plastics and other items are located to help you create your shelter space.

How do I Shelter-in-Place?

• Close all doors to the outside and close and lock all windows (windows sometimes seal better when locked.)
• Ventilation systems should be turned off so no outside air is drawn into the structure.
• Turn off all heating systems and all air-conditioners and switch inlets to the "closed" position.
• Seal any gaps around window type air-conditioners with tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper, or aluminum wrap.
• Turn off all the exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms and attics, and cover the openings with plastic wrap or plastic sheeting.
• Close all fireplace dampers and seal with plastic if possible.
• Close as many internal doors as possible in the structure you are in.
• Pick a room on the highest level of the structure, as most of the chemicals that are of concern are heavier than air and will settle in the basement.
• Select a room in the building that is comfortable and easy to seal off. The room should, if possible, provide access to water, toilet facilities, and have adequate room for people and pets to sit.
• If the vapor begins to bother you place a wet cloth over your nose and mouth. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom, close the door and turn on the shower in a strong spray to "wash" the air. Seal any opening to the outside of the bathroom as best you can.
• Make sure you have a battery-powered radio and a flashlight in case the power goes out.
• Once in the room, seal windows, air vents, and exhaust fans with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
• In some homes, light switches and electrical outlets on outside walls are sources of air infiltration and should also be sealed with duct tape and plastic.
• Lastly, seal around the door with duct tape. If the space under the door is too big to seal with tape, try stuffing a damp towel under the door.
• Continue to listen to the radio or TV for emergency information and updates on the incident.
• Don't call 911 unless you have an emergency like a fire or a serious injury.
• Keep your phone available in case someone needs to contact you.

What if I can't make it to a building?
If you can get to your car, go there. Turn off the ventilation system, close your windows and vents, and tune your radio to a local station. If you are driving, try to avoid driving through a vapor cloud and try to drive crosswind. If you are in a chemical cloud, be aware that your car may stall. If your car stalls or was not running when enveloped by the cloud, DO NOT try to start it unless told to do so by a public announcement on the radio.

If you are outside and not close to a building, such as being on a golf course or in a rural area, try to move crosswind. The vapors may drift downwind for miles and unless there is no wind at all you will not be able to outrun them. Going perpendicular to the wind, away from the center of the cloud will get you to a less harmful atmosphere quicker.

How will I know when it is safe to come out?
As soon as it is deemed safe, authorities will tell you it is safe to leave your building.

Disaster Supplies to have on hand:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable battery-operated radio
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting & wrap
• Games and toys to occupy children
• First aid kit and essential medicines
• Emergency food and water

SPECIAL NOTE: SHELTER-IN-PLACE DOES NOT APPLY TO FLAMMABLE GASES SUCH AS PROPANE AND NATURAL GASES.

We invite you to browse our web site to learn about our various County offices and the services Buffalo County, Nebraska offers its citizens.  

Request for Proposal for Vending Service Ravenna Lake

Request for Proposal for Motorola Portables

Request for Proposal for Extension Building Addition

Request for Proposal for Courthouse Addition

OPERATION GREEN LIGHT PRESS RELEASE

 Follow us onfor current info as well.

This web site contains information about County programs,services, departments and offices, as well as helpful information oncommonly  asked questions. We encourage you to use this site frequently to access meeting notices, Open Meetings Act, agendas, packets, and minutes of the County Board of Commissioners.

Buffalo County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite you to read our Affirmative Action Plan.



 



Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.
Please contact the ADA Coordinator at (308) 236-1224 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or the activity you would like to attend, or 48 hours before the date you need to access our facilities or services, if accommodations are required.
Buffalo County ADA Page