**This is a condensed version of the Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. These minutes are not the official approved version. For a complete and/or approved version of the Banner County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes, please contact Katie West, Banner County Clerk” during regular business hours.**
BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 8:45 am.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication in the Western Nebraska Observer. A copy of proof of publication is on file in the office of the Banner County Clerk. Notices posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska at: Post Office, Banner County School, and the Banner County Courthouse.
The agenda for the meeting is kept current and is available during the regular business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on April 3, 2023.
Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:45 am. Roll call shows all members present. Also present: County Clerk Katie West; County Attorney Mark Kovarik; County Treasurer Kathy Natale; County Assessor Kacy Krakow; Sheriff Zane Hopkins; Road Superintendent Tom Neal; and County Surveyor Carl Gilbert.
Chairperson Darnall stated that the open meetings act is posted in the back of this courtroom by the entrance.
Gifford led the group in prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Agenda was examined. Motion by Gifford to accept the agenda as presented. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
The minutes of the March 21, 2023 meeting were examined. Motion by Darnall to accept the minutes with type error corrections. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Correspondence - Kimball County Transit; Grant for panic buttons for $925. Correspondence was reviewed. No action taken.
Public Comments - None.
Reports:
Highway Dept - Tom Neal: Neal reported attending the NACO conference. Discussion at the conference referred to Kimball County charges anyone stuck on a closed Kimball county road during a snowstorm is fined $500. Neal stated this was a state - wide ordinance. Neal suggested this maybe an option for Banner County. Also discussion at the conference was state - wide stop sign program that would replace the county road stop signs. County pays for installation. County road 35 has new gravel. Road department is currently working on getting all the damaged signs from winter replaced. Neal has been taking pictures of the damaged fences in Banner County and will talk with NIRMA on fence replacement. Neal reported he will not be taking action regarding a stop sign at county road 67 and 36. Darnall asked about the large rocks that have been appearing on the county roads. Neal reported the big rocks should come off when the roads are maintained.
Weed Supt: Grubbs reported that he has received his required licenses. Grubbs has attended his first Weed Superintendent training in Kearney. Grubbs reported there will be a NACO training in October 2023 that he is required to attend. Grubbs reported the Noxious Weed general notice will be in the paper by May 1, 2023 as required by the State.
County Attorney - Mark Kovarik: Kovarik reported county court is tomorrow for traffic violations. District court will be Thursday, April 6, 2023 with four criminal cases. Kovarik has been working on radio tower contract. Kovarik reported events transpired on Monday, April 3, 2023 is an ongoing investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Attorney General’s office.
Treasurer - Kathy Natale: Natale reported April is busiest month due to taxes being paid. Natale attended the NACO Panhandle District meeting March 29, 2023 in Gering, handling different investments for Banner County funds was discussed. Natale presented a report to the Board reflecting the different interest rates and how she can invest Banner County monies for better interest. Natale mentioned April would be a good time to invest with better interest rates, as there is a lot of incoming revenue.
County Clerk - Katie West: West reported attending the NACO Panhandle District meeting on March 29, 2023 in Gering. West reported a round table discussion regarding setting up meetings for the Board. West also reported talking with MIPS on the new system. When preparing the budget, West will contact MIPS who will come to the office and train. West reported there are more trainings on election coming up, West will also be training with Kathy Brant in Morrill County.
County Assessor - Kacy Krakow: Krakow reported working on section corners, mostly in the Harrisburg area. Krakow reminded everyone personal property is due May 1, 2023 not to have to pay a penalty.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported on March 22, 2023, K - 9’s were sent through Banner County School. Sheriff Hopkins also reported March 27 and March 28, 2023 he attended a drug forum by the Attorney General. Sheriff Hopkins reported Nebraska has been known as a “meth state” for several years, but recently fentanyl has started to come up on the charts as #1. Sheriff reported last year enough Fentanyl was seized in the state of Nebraska to potentially kill 37,900 people. Sheriff Hopkins stated fentanyl is mixed with other drugs, there is no reversal for the drug combination. Sheriff Hopkins reported he attended the NACO Panhandle District meeting in Gering on March 29, 2023. Sheriff Hopkins reported that some of the biggest issues in law enforcement is recruitment and retention. Sheriff Hopkins and Chelsea Mossberg (Sheriff’s secretary) compiled reports. These reports showed 25 calls for service; 53 citations; 7 warnings; 23 vehicle inspections; 3 hand gun permits; and 2 papers served. Sheriff Hopkins reported the new vehicle will get decals on April 17, 2023.
County Surveyor - Carl Gilbert: Gilbert reminded everyone that the alleys in Harrisburg were split 50% - this is needing to be updated.
Commissioners: No conferences.
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; PADD, OHD, PPHD: Nothing to report. Gifford did attend the NACO Panhandle District meeting in Gering on April 29, 2023.
Anderson: Office of Aging and Region 1 Behavioral Health: Nothing to report.
Darnall: Attended the NACO Panhandle District meeting in Gering on April 29, 2023. No Regional Emergency Management meeting as of yet.
Items of business before the board:
Windfarrm surveying: Carl Gilbert requested working with a private company as Wildcat Surveyor to establish section corners for a transmission line for the wind turbine installation. Discussion. Motion made by Anderson to allow Gilbert and WIldcat Surveying, LLC to privately contract for surveying work related to the new transmission line for wind turbines in T19N 58W, and remaining portion of T18N 58W. Authorize Gilbert to appoint deputy(s) as needed to complete this project for Wildcat Surveying, LLC. This agreement covers this project only and authorizes Gilbert, Banner County Surveyor, and WIldcat Surveying, LLC to retain direct and private payments for services directly received from the wind turbine developer. Banner County shall not be responsible for invoice(s) related to this project. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote; Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Information on water system in Harrisburg: David Christian provided information on how the water system in Harrisburg worked for the new board members.
Petition/road study CR 53: Road Superintendent Neal completed the study of CR 53 (off road 14 N to second autogate). Neal recommended that this road be vacated. Neal asked that a public hearing be scheduled. Motion by Gifford to schedule a hearing regarding vacating Banner County road 53 commencing off Banner County road 14 north to second autogate on May 2, 2023 at 10:00 am. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Open Fuel Bids: Neal stated that he contacted the companies submitting fuel bids, each company would like to re - submit bids, as fuel prices are subject to change daily. Bids will be re - submitted and opened in the next meeting.
Void checks: County Clerk West reported an error occurred and the following checks were printed twice. Motion by Anderson to void checks # 2303034 thru # 02303052 and # 02302059. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
American Tower Contract: County Attorney Kovarik reported he is in the process of proposing changes to the American Tower contract. Banner County Road Department will have their own antenna. Banner County Fire Department and Banner County Road Department would be around $260,000 annually by the end of the 20 - year contract. Kovarik suggested leasing tower space to generate revenue. Kovarik also suggested Banner County placing their own tower. Tabled until next meeting.
The following claims were audited. Motion by Anderson to approve claims and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
CLAIMS
Bytes $8,056.16; Lighthouse Electric $1,138.61; Mobius $1,789,41; Banner Capitol Bank $3,333.36; Blue Cross Blue Shield $17,764.79; Eakes $139.13; First Concord $22.50; MIPS $1,584.90; North Platte NRD $33.72; US Bank $414.42; VSP $30.19; Wiznerd $390.00; Kustom Signals $1,371.31; Galls $93.75; Hullinger Lock $6.00; MCI $131.10; Midwest Radar $40.00; Whiting Signs $687.00; Logoz $457.00; Menards $67.67; N.A.C.E. $110.00; North Platte NRD $33.72.
Motion by Anderson to adjourn meeting at 1:32 pm. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:29 am.
Next Meeting - April 18, 2023
Board of Commissioners - 5:30 pm
