County to 'reclaim' DHHS office space in courthouse

SIDNEY – The office space occupied by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services may return to Cheyenne County. 

In Monday's Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting, Cheyenne County Clerk Jordan Hajek read a letter from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services  regarding space in the courthouse used by DHHS. The letter asked for clarification on the County’s intentions, to continue supporting DHHS or for the County to “modify, re-purpose or reclaim” any portion of the space utilized by DHHS.  

Commissioner Phil Sanders said the program is necessary, but the county has needed office space, too. 

“This started clear back in September if I remember right. I talked to Beth (Fiegenschuh) when she was still here about it and got her opinion and thoughts on it. They’re very important. We need DHHS. We all know that,” Sanders said. 

He added county has needed office space in the courthouse building. 

“We need to take that space back. I’ll just give you an example. There have been several times since I’ve been here as commissioner that we have been put in a position  that we needed more space, and that area would have worked really well for us. The way that the laws were  stated, or the statutes were set up we couldn’t do anything,” Sanders said. 

He said the county has had to acquire buildings outside of the courthouse. 

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services would need a new location in Sidney.

"If they are willing to do this, and they can figure out where they move to, they got a lot of time. I guess it's still ... They've got until June 20, 2028," he said.