Hall County Commissioners meeting, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — All three Hall County Commissioners up for election are running unopposed.
They are Commissioners Karen Bredthauer, Pam Lancaster, and Gary Quandt, all of Grand Island.
Bredthauer, 56, represents District 2 in west Grand Island. She said she is running for re-election “because the people need a voice.”
“I’m committed to Hall County,” Bredthauer said. She has lived here since 1985.
Bredthauer said she has a proven voting record. She wants to try to reduce property taxes “which are a burden on the people.”
She supports a state-level suggested guideline of a 3 percent increase in spending. Bredthauer has served on the Board of Commissioners since January 2017.
Pam Lancaster, 76, represents District 4 in central and southern Grand Island. She is in her 26th year on the Board of Commissioners.
Lancaster said she is seeking re-election for three reasons.
“I really have a passion for county government. To me it’s the heart of local control,” she said.
Second, Hall County is involved in a project to construct an addition to the Hall County Courthouse.
“Something has to be done. There is not a choice about that,” she said.
The current courthouse has security issues, because jail inmates come within a short distance of the public and judges.
“That’s pretty scary, I think,” she said.
Third, Lancaster is concerned about the county’s budget.
“Our budget is pretty complicated,” she said. “Property taxes are what we have to pay the bills.”
Lancaster said she thinks that Commissioners are going to have to look at cutting taxes and finding other revenue sources.
Lancaster said she is qualified to be a Commissioner because of her experience and because of what she brings to the table.
“I don’t take the support of my constituents lightly. I appreciate being part of the county board,” Lancaster said.
Quandt, 69, represents District 6 in east Grand Island. He said he served on the board in the 1990s, was not on the board for about 10 years, and then resumed his position on the board.
“We need some people on the county board who have some common sense,” Quandt said.
He noted that last year, there were six motions to lower the mill levy. Other Commissioners voted to defeat those motions.
“I enjoy representing the people,” Quandt said. “I enjoy having taxpayers call me from all areas. I will listen to them. We need elected officials who will listen to the people.”
