Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) have long helped law enforcement in solving crimes. ALPRs capture computer-readable images of license plates, allowing law enforcement agencies to compare plate numbers against those of stolen cars or cars driven by people suspected of being involved in criminal activities.

The information by ALPR cameras can help determine whether a vehicle was at the scene of a crime and to discover vehicles that may be associated with each other. Law enforcement agencies can choose to share their information with other agencies. The cameras can also integrate information from national or state crime databases to provide real-time alerts when a vehicle associated with a known suspect or a stolen vehicle passes the camera.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, when employed ethically and objectively, ALPRs are an effective force-multiplying tool for law enforcement. A 2011 study by the Police Executive Research Forum concluded that ALPRs used by Mesa, Ariz., Police resulted in “nearly 3 times as many ‘hits’ for stolen vehicles, and twice as many vehicle recoveries.”

Flock Safety communities have reported overall crime reductions of over 70 percent after a period of time utilizing the ALPR system. In some areas, that included an over 60 percent reduction in non-residential burglaries, 80 percent reduction in residential burglary, and an over 40 percent reduction in robberies.

What is Flock Safety?
Flock Safety is a public safety operating system that helps communities and law enforcement work together to eliminate crime, protect privacy, and mitigate bias. We build devices that capture objective evidence and use machine learning to detect and deliver unbiased investigative leads to law enforcement. Flock Safety communities have reported crime reductions of up to 70 percent.

Today, there are over 1,500 Flock Safety communities; we partner with 1200+ law enforcement agencies.  The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Kearney Police Department under their MOU with the FLOCK Safety System.

Kearney Police Department Flock Transparency Portal

Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR #1346)

Nebraska Revised Statutes – Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act 60-3201 to 60-3209

Flock ALPR Data Year End Report

Vigilant Mobile ALPR Year End Report

In order to efficiently respond to requests and manage the employment of off-duty police officers, The Kearney Police Department has partnered with Off Duty Management to provide services related to hiring off-duty officers effective September 27,2021.

You may request to hire off-duty police officers through the Off Duty Management web-based service, OfficerTRAK®, or calling the number below.

Off Duty Management provides the following to the vendor:

• Online access to information through the OfficerTRAK® software including:
• Job-status
• Officer attendance
• Field notes and media files
• Post orders and instructions
• Past and future shift information
• Full liability coverage for the vendor, the agency, and the officer
• 24/7 vendor service
• Dedicated point of contact for scheduling and invoicing
• Officer payroll

• Private detective agencies
• Licensed liquor establishments
• Sell, manufacture, or transport alcoholic beverages
• Collection agencies
• Advertising agencies (use of uniform or office to endorse products or businesses);
• Process server
• Bail bond agency
• Repossessing property or evicting persons or entities from premises
• Assisting in case preparation or investigation for any criminal defense or civil proceedings
• Employment as an investigator or in any capacity involving the use of police records for other than law enforcement purposes
• Employment that would be likely to bring the Police Department or the officer into disrespect, disfavor or ridicule, or involve the officer in a violation of Department policies, procedures or rules
• Other situations, locations or capacities not approved by the Chief of Police.
• Cannot access, use, or convey any data, files or information that is proprietary, is under the control of, or was collected and stored by this or any other law enforcement agency.
• Cannot perform any task or job that would bring discredit or embarrassment to the Kearney Police Department.

*PLEASE NOTE: the above list is not an all-inclusive and questions regarding permitted activity should be forwarded to Off Duty Management.

RATES:

*Supervisor Rates: A supervisor is required when four or more officers are requested.

**Holiday Rates: Rate will apply to the following days: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

***Emergency Rates:  If request is received less than 72 hours prior to assignment the emergency pay rate goes into effect.

 Cancellation policy:

Once an assignment has been approved and scheduled; vendors canceling or reducing assignments are required to pay the full ODM administrative fees for the first 24 hours of the original assignment. Vendors canceling or reducing assignments within 48 hours of the start of the assignment are required to pay the greater of officer hours worked or the agency minimum hours plus ODM administrative fees for the first 24 hours of the original assignment.

 YOU CAN REQUEST SERVICE BY VISITING THE OFFICERTRAK® WEBSITE

OR CALL OFF DUTY MANAGEMENT 24/7  (308) 281-1827

                    2025 Committee Appointments

                            2025 Agency Appointments

                    2025 State Agency Appointments

• 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

• Extreme weather, and other threatening emergencies in your area
• AMBER Alerts
• Presidential Alerts during a national emergency

• Tsunami Warnings
• Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings
• Hurricane, Typhoon, Dust Storm and Extreme Wind Warnings
• Blizzard and Ice Storm Warnings

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:

• City of Kearney
  • Emergency Management
  • Police Department
  • Kearney Volunteer Fire Department


• Buffalo County
  
  • Emergency Manager
  • Sheriff's Office


• Tox Town - An interactive guide to commonly encountered toxic substances
  
  
• Emergency Response Guide 
  
  
  
• EMPG Training Video
  • MPG format - 75.5 MB
  • WMV format - 153 MB

Numbers for Real Estate Transfer Statements 

Nebraska Documentary Stamp Tax Computation Table 

Certificate of Exemption 

Real Estate Transfer Statement - Form 521 

Documentary Stamp Tax Exemptions Chart 

Example Cover Sheet for the Transfer on Death Deed Transactions  

Form 53, Nebraska Refund Claim for Documentary Stamp Tax 

Life Estate/Remainder Interest Tables 

Documentary Stamp Tax Rate History 

Certificate of Exemption Form 5Aii 


The Nebraska Department of Revenue requires the Register of Deeds office to collect a documentary-stamp tax when a deed is presented for recording.  A  Form 521 (transfer statement) must be completed for all deeds, memorandum of contracts and/or land contracts.

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force youto evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off?  Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they will not be able to reach everyone right away, so it is important for you to develop a plan for you and your family.

Families can, and do, cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps below to create your family's disaster plan.  Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere--at work, at school or in the car.

How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?

4 STEPS TO SAFETY

1.  Find Out What Could Happen to You

Contact the Emergency Management office or the Ft. Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross.

• Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen in Kearney and the surrounding area.  Request information on how to prepare for the different types of emergencies that could occur.
• Learn about the existing warning signals in Buffalo County: what they sound like (outdoor warning sirens), and that the alert signal should indicate to all citizens to tune to local radio or television for emergency information and instructions.
• Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals will not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations, so prepare a plan for your pets.
• Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
• Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.

2.  Create a Disaster Plan

Meet wiith your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and hazardous materials to children.  Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
• Pick two places to meet;
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, its often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation.  Plan how to take care of your pets.

3.  Complete This Checklist

• Post emergency telephone numbers by your telephones or have them programmed into your phone (fire, police, EMS, etc.)
• Teach children how and when to call 911 for emergency help.
• Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them the designated locations where they are kept in the house.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt.
• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home.  Find two ways out of each room.
• Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster, including your Shelter-in-Place spot.

4.  Practice and Maintain Your Plan

• Quiz your children every six months so they remember what to do.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries the same weekend as the time change occurs in the spring (daylight-savings time) and fall (standard time).

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation.  Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered plastic containers. Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
• Emergency tools, including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of glasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

UTILITIES
Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main.  Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members.  Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or neighborhood watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child-care in case parents are unable to get home during the emergency.

HOME HAZARD HUNT
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard.  Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.

Contact the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department to learn about home fire hazards.

EVACUATION
Evacuate immediately if told to do so:

• Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your family disaster supplies kit.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities--don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.

If you're sure you have time:

• If instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
• Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
• Make arrangements for your pets.

IF DISASTER STRIKES

• If disaster strikes
  Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
• Check for injuries
  Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions.
• Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

Check for damage in your home...

• Use flashlights--do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
• Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
• Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater.  If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.

Remember to...

• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
• Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
• Stay away from downed power lines.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and the American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to help citizens prepare for disasters of all types. For more information, please contact the Emergency Management office, or the Fort Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross. Start planning now.

[Note: All external links will open in a new browser window]

Be Ready Nebraska

Emergency Preparedness Video by the Kansas City Metropolitan Emergency Management Committee

Emergency Response Guide 

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Floodplain Maps

GSA Auctions

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

Siren Usage Policy 

Securing Your Home for Natural Disasters

Tox Town - An interactive guide to commonly encountered toxic substances

U.S. Department of Homeland Security    www.ready.gov

National Weather Service

Buffalo County will (may) provide public road top only maintenance within established subdivisions on the following basis:

Subdivision must be properly platted and recorded with established roads dedicated to the public.

Subdivision must present the County Board of Commissioners a petition for such maintenance signed by a majority of property owners.

Maintenance will be on a "Low-priority" basis, as compared to "Regular or High-priority" main roads, school bus routes, emergency roads, section line and half section line roadways.

The County may require the subdivision to improve roads to minimum standards if there is difficulty operating maintenance vehicles because of such conditions. The cost of their improvement or any other significant road improvements shall be the financial responsibility of the subdivision.

Each subdivision should have an alternate snow removal plan in the event that emergency situations dictate the use of equipment elsewhere.

It is further recommended that each subdivision's governing body or committee appoint one representative within the subdivision to communicate problems or questions to the County Road Department.

Minimum Right of Way-66 feet requirement
Design Speed (MPH)-30 MPH or less
Maximum Curve (degree)-23.0 degree
Maximum Grade (%)-10%
Number of Lanes-2
Lane Width-10 feet each
Shoulder Width (feet)-3 feet
Lateral Obstacle Clearance (feet)-5 feet
Surface Type Minimum--Gravel

Drainage Facilities
Buffalo County will require the number of structures to accommodate adequate water drainage (culverts and bridges), as well as adequate drainage ditches to insure a safe travel surface for the traveling public. The County will not be responsible for any drainage structures that have not met requirements.

Turn Arounds
Minimum radius of 66.0 feet on dead end roads for adequate machine turn arounds.

Signing
Proper signing will be required on intersections within the subdivision as well as on main roads outside and/or leading into a subdivision. This includes proper dead end signs, obstacle markers and speed signs.

Driveways
Paved and hard surfaced driveways will be the responsibility of the landowner in the event of any reconstruction or maintenance work. New driveways within the subdivision are the responsibility of the landowner. Landowners must obtain a driveway permit from the County Highway Department, whereupon the Highway Department will check the location for drainage and/or culvert size. If a culvert is required, it will be the responsibility of the landowner to purchase the culvert and install it.

Trees, Etc.
Trees, shrubbery or flowers will not be allowed within the 66.0 feet of right of way, nor will fences be allowed within this right of way.

Snow Removal
Snow removal will consist of the traveled surface only as low priority. Driveways will be the responsibility of the landowner or tenant.

Maintenance
Those gravel roads within the subdivision will be treated as low priority as compared to other County gravel roads. Paved or hard surface roadways within the subdivision will be the responsibility of the subdivision as far as maintenance, patching, resurfacing or complete reconstruction. Buffalo County will assume snow removal of the traveled roadway only. Any outside construction or maintenance work done on those roads within the subdivision by a contractor or resident will not be the responsibility of Buffalo County liability and/or cost.

For additional information, please contact the Highway Department at 308-236-1237.

The Buffalo County Veterans Service Office offers the following benefits for those veterans who are eligible:

• County Veterans Aid
• Bronze Grave Flag Holders
• Registration of DD214s
• Homestead Exemption
• Grave Registration
• Benefits Counseling and Advocacy
• Assistance with the application for State and Federal VA benefits

County Veterans Aid Fund 
The CVA fund is a temporary emergency fund to assist veterans, their spouses, and dependents when there is an unforeseen emergency and there are no other resources available. Eligible veterans are persons who served on active duty, received an Honorable Discharge, and served during one of the defined "wartime eras" and who have resided in Nebraska for at least one year, and Buffalo County for at least six months. Applicants may request assistance with food, shelter, clothing, funeral, medical, dental, and surgical items. The applicant must apply through the County Service Office in Buffalo County. This is an "aid" program so the veteran must demonstrate an "inability" to meet the obligation to pay these bills, via an application.

Bronze Grave Flag Holders
State of Nebraska statute requires the County Veterans Service Office to provide a flag holder reflecting the veterans wartime era. The Buffalo County, Veterans Service Office also annually inventories these flag holders to insure they remains on the correct grave and we replace damaged markers.

Registration of DD214s
Buffalo County records a "certified copy" of the original copy of a veterans military separation document (DD-214). Once recorded the veteran may call us from any where in the world and we will provide them with a "certified copy" when needed.

Homestead Exemption
Annually, the Buffalo County Veterans Service Office obtains a letter from the VA Regional Office that establishes who are eligible veterans (or widows) for a tax exemption on their personal residence. These letters are provided to the County Assessor.

Grave Registration
Upon notification of the burial of a veteran in Buffalo County we complete a "grave registration card". We maintain a copy here in Buffalo County, and the original is sent to the State of Nebraska, Department of Veteran's Affairs in Lincoln. We also order a "Presidential Memorial Certificate" for the family of all deceased Buffalo County veterans.

The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs offers the following benefits for those veterans who are eligible:

Nebraska Veterans Homes
Nebraska Veterans Aid
Registration of DD214s
Veterans Employment Preference
Tuition Waiver, Homestead Exemption, Permanent Hunting and Fishing Licenses (special eligibility)
Grave Registration
State Service Officers (benefits counselors/advocates)

The Buffalo County Veterans Service Office offers benefits counseling, advocacy and assistance with the application for State of Nebraska benefits.

The following are phone contacts for the Nebraska Department of Veteran's Affairs:

Nebr. Dept. Veterans Affairs
Phone: (402) 471-2458

State Service Office
Phone: (402) 420-4021

Central Nebraska Veterans Home
Phone: (308) 865-6000

Veterans Home Norfolk
Phone: (402) 370-3330

Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home
Phone: (402) 595-2180

Western Nebraska Veterans Home
Phone: (308) 632-0300 

County surveyor powers and duties:
(1) It shall be the duty of the county surveyor to make or cause to be made all surveys within his or her county that the county surveyor may be called upon to make and record the same.
(2) The county surveyor shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Trespass; exemption from liability. The county surveyor in the performance of his official duties, shall not be liable to prosecution for trespass.

Original corners; perpetuation. It shall be the duty of the county surveyor in surveys made by him or her to perpetuate all original corners not at the time well marked, and all corners or angles that he or she may establish or reestablish, in a permanent manner by setting monuments containing ferromagnetic material, according to the instructions of the State Surveyor.

Corners; establishment and restoration; rules governing. The boundaries of the public lands established by the duly appointed government surveyors, when approved by the Surveyor General and accepted by the government, are unchangeable, and the corners established thereon by them shall be held and considered as the true corners which they were intended to represent, and the restoration of lines and corners of said surveys and the division of sections into their legal subdivisions shall be in accordance with the laws of the United States, the circular of instructions of the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, on the restoration of lost and obliterated section corners and quarter corners, and the circular of instructions to the county surveyors by the State Surveyor under authority of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. The county surveyor is hereby authorized to restore lost and obliterated corners of original surveys and to establish the sub divisional corners of sections in accordance with the provisions of the section and section 23-1907. Any registered land surveyor registered under the provisions of sections 81-8,108 to 81-8,127 is hereby authorized to establish any corner not monumented in the original government surveys in accordance with the provisions of this section 23-1907. Subdivision shall be executed according to the plan indicated by the original field notes and plats of surveys and governed by the original and legally restored corners. The survey of the sub divisional lines of sections in violation of this section shall be absolutely void.

Surveys; records; contents; available to public. The county surveyor shall record all surveys, for permanent purposes, made by him or her, as required by sections 81-8,121 to 81-8,122.02. Such record shall set forth the names of the persons making the application for the survey, for whom the work was done, and a statement showing it to be an official county survey or resurvey. The official records, other plats, and field notes of the county surveyor's office shall be deemed and considered public records. Any agent or authority of the United States, the State Surveyor or any deputy state surveyor of Nebraska, or any surveyor registered pursuant to sections 81-8,108 to 81-8,127, shall at all times, within reasonable office or business hours, have free access to the surveys, field notes, maps, charts, records, and other papers as provided for in sections 23-1901 to 23-1913. In all counties, where no regular office is maintained in the county courthouse for the county surveyor of that county, the county clerk shall be custodian of the official record of surveys and all other permanent records pertaining to the office of county surveyor.

Land surveying. Land surveying shall mean the establishment or reestablishment of corners and the boundaries and the location of lots, parcels, tracts, or divisions of land, which may include distance, direction, elevation, and acreage, and the correct determination and description of lots, parcels, tracts, or divisions of land for, but not limited to, any of the following purposes:

• To furnish a legal description of any tract of land to be used in the preparation of deeds of conveyance when the description is not the same as the one in the deed of conveyance to the current owner or when bearings, distances, or measurements are needed to properly describe the tract being conveyed
• To furnish a legal description of any land surveyed to be used in the platting or subdividing of the land
• To determine the amount of acreage contained in any land surveyed
• To furnish a topographic plat of a lot, parcel, tract, or division of land and locating natural and artificial features in the air, on the surface or subsurface of the earth, and on the beds or surface of bodies of water for the purpose of establishing the facts of size, area, shape, topography, and orientation of improved or unimproved real property and appurtenances to the real property.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Duties of the Weed Control: Administrate over department, assist taxpayers on weed control issues and plant identification, enforcement of State Weed Laws, prepare and submit all required annual reports to Nebraska Department of Agriculture, oversee commercial and enforcement of spraying operations done by the Weed District, and direct safety training of department employees.

Office Hours:
Monday -- Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Canada Thistle	Japanese Knotweed	Leafy Spurge
Musk Thistle	Phragmites	Plumless Thistle
Purple Loosestrife	Saltcedar	Spotted & Diffuse Knapweeds
Sericia Lespedeza

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the following benefits for those veterans who are eligible:

Burial Benefits
Service Connected Compensation
Non-service Connected Pension
Life Insurance
VA Home Loan Guarantee
Veterans Employment Preference
Vocational Rehabilitation
Education
Medical Care

VA Forms Online

The Buffalo County Veterans Service Office offers benefits counseling, advocacy and assistance with the application for these federal benefits.

Visit Nebraska Department of Natural Resources for information on floodplain, FEMA, and other resources.

There are approximately 962 square miles in Buffalo County.  Within this area there are 1500 miles of road: 112.3 miles are County oil or concrete roads.  There are 342 bridges over 20 feet in the County.  There are also 242 bridges that are 20 feet and under which are not considered bridges but are classified as culverts because of the constricted water flow.

There are 41 full time employees and during the summer months we employ three to four more people.  In addition to the Highway Superintendent, there are: one assistant Highway Superintendent, two clerical, two foremen, 19 maintainer operators, five heavy equipment operators, one sign man, one welder, two mechanics, one mechanic assistant and eight truck driver/operators.

We also have a large inventory of machines and equipment valued at $9,143,598.00.  This includes 21 maintainers, one crane, three backhoes, four loaders, 43 pickups and trucks and a considerable number of other pieces of equipment. 

We have an excellent communication system which includes 2-way radios which are used extensively.  They save many miles of driving and enable people to communicate from one corner of the county to the other.  They have saved many maintainer men from having to walk for help after having a flat tire, being stuck in a snowstorm or any other emergency type situation.  Our foremen also have cellular phones.

We have 2-way radios in all the maintainers, office, loaders and in a majority of our other equipment.  The radios also give us communication with the Sheriff’s Department an the County Surveyor.  The telephone system gives us easier communication with the Sheriff’s Department, Surveyor, other County Courthouse offices and also the City of Kearney offices by dialing just four digits.

Buffalo County is divided into 26 Townships.  We have divided the townships into Zones 1 through 26.  We bid gravel once a year.  The bid period is from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the following year.

Buffalo County went to the GEO Base Addressing System and signs were installed in 1997.  This system makes finding a resident faster in an emergency type situation.

• 1st page of document: $10.00
• 2nd page & all subsequent pages: $6.00 each
• The above fees pertain to ALL documents filed within the Register of Deeds offices.
  Exceptions listed below are "no fee" documents:
• Federal Tax Lien Termination
• State Tax Lien Termination
• UCC Termination
• Relinquishment
• Certified copies: $1.50 per page
• UCC Financings Statements, Assignment, Amendments, Release, Partial Release: Flat Fee $14.00 (Change effective date 7/1/2021) LB 910 passed 7/31/2020

Documentary Tax—Effective September 3, 2025 - Pursuant to NE LB 78  for Nebraska will change to $2.32 per $1,000.

(see the Computation Table) The Nebraska Department of Revenue requires the Register of Deeds office to collect a documentary-stamp tax when a deed is presented for recording

 A  Form 521 (transfer statement) must be completed for all deeds, memorandum of contracts and/or land contracts.

The above list of fees are in accordance with LB463 L.S. 1983: Effective August 26, 1983; LB606 L.S. 1985 Effective July 1, 1985; LB1153, Effective January 1, 1991 LB 1022, Effective January 1, 1993; LB1099, Effective July 16, 2004

LB 254 - Provide New Requirements for Instruments recorded in the Office of Register of Deeds Effective August 27, 2011

• Recording Space Requirements:
• 3" X 8 1/2" on top of page 1
• No attachment or affirmation shall be used in any way to cover any information or printed material on the instrument. (For example, nothing may be taped or attached to an instrument.)
• Every instrument presented for recording shall have on the first page BELOW the 3 inch margin a return address and the title of the document
• Margin Requirements: 1" on both vertical sides, and 1" on the bottom. This applies throughout the document.
• Instrument Requirements:
• Paper at least 8 1/2" X 11" , and no larger than 8 1/2" X 14"
• Shall be printed, typewritten or computer generated in black ink, white paper, and a minimum 8pt font
• Must be legible
• Each signature on an instrument shall be in black or dark blue ink
• Names of each party shall be typed, printed, or stamped beneath the original signature.
• Stamps shall not cover or interfere with any part of the instrument
• Exceptions to the rule:
• Instruments signed before the effective date of this bill (August 27, 2011)
• Instruments executed outside of the U.S.
• Certified copies from governmental agencies (Death Certificates)
• Instruments signed by an incapacitated or deceased person at the time of recording
• Instruments formatted to meet court requirements
• State & Federal Tax Liens
• UCC Instruments
• Plats, Surveys, etc.

Department Structure: The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is organized into two divisions, Operations and Support Services, under the direction of the Sheriff who is elected for a four (4) year term. The Operations Division consists of Civil Process, Warrant Section, Investigative Section, and Patrol Section and is currently managed by a Captain. The Support Services Section consists of the Sheriff's
Staff Section, Community Services Section, Training Section, Communications Section, and Detention Center Section and is currently managed by the Chief Deputy.
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LOCATION: The department offices are located at 2025 Avenue A in Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska.

Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

A unique joint venture with the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office and the Kearney Police Department was formed in July 1993 when both agencies co-located to a remodeled building in downtown Kearney. By sharing resources, both agencies save taxpayers' money as well as establishing a good working relationship between the agencies and their employees.

The Sheriff's office oversees the dispatch duties and answers 911 calls for officers of both agencies.

The Police Department oversees the records and data processing functions for both agencies.

The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office responds to calls that occur in the county (outside of Kearney city limits). The Kearney Police Department responds to calls that occur within the city limits.

Both agencies assist each other as needed as well as working with law enforcement officers from other local jurisdictions in Buffalo County, Public Safety at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and the Nebraska State Patrol. 

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

LB304 - Annual Memberships

 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.