Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4:45 p.m. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.

Notice of the meeting was published in the Western Nebraska Observer. A copy of proof of publication is on file in the office of the Banner County Clerk. Meeting notices posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska at: Post Office, Banner County School, and the Banner County Courthouse.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk.  A copy was emailed to each board member on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

1. Chairperson Darnall called meeting called to order at 4:45 p.m.
2. Clerk West took roll call, showing all Board members present.
3. Chairperson Darnall announced a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted in the back of the courtroom by the entrance.
4. Lease led prayer.
5. Pledge of Allegiance was said.
6. Consent Agenda:
   • Approval of Agenda: Chairperson Darnall stated Parsons needed to leave. Under item 8, Road Department Report will be moved on the agenda to immediately follow Pledge of Allegiance.
   • Road Department Report: Pat Parsons asked that the minutes of January 4, 2024 meeting be corrected in reference to the warranty in his report. Parsons reported the 772G machine is in for repairs. Engine problems were found through the Gold Point inspection. Murphy Tractor is repairing saddle shift cylinder, injectors replaced, clean fuel filter, and repair hydraulic issues. Parsons plans to see how it responds to these repairs. Tim is putting the 770G back together. Thursday Murphy Tractor will be out to hook up a dialysis machine, cleaning out the hydraulic system on the 770G. Parsons is hoping the 770G will be up and going by Friday. Tomorrow the Road Department will be attending a flagger refresher course. Parsons also stated the machines have been gelling up from the cold, delaying start times in the mornings.
   • Minutes: Discussion regarding minutes. Darnall stated the January 4, 2024 minutes presented were not a true and accurate version of the meeting. Clerk West left meeting. Discussion regarding continuation of meeting. Motion by Anderson to table minutes of January 4, 2024, for further review, until February 6, 2024. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
   • Motion by Lease to approve the agenda as presented, moving item 8 (Road Department Report) to item 6. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
   • Correspondence:
     • Nebraska Department of Agriculture
     • EMT Continuing Education
     • NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) 3rd Annual County Board Chair Workshop February 6, 2024
   • Claims: Motion by Anderson to approve the claims as presented. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
     • General Claims: Western Nebraska Observer $352.40 - publishing; United States Department of Agriculture $2,615.63 - predatory animal control; Region 22 Emergency Management $1,670.47 - civil defense; Quadient $345.95 - postage; Pack Rat Disposal $45.00 - trash; Natural Resources District $38.32 - water; Jean Bauer $150 - training; Ideal/Bluffs $316.00 - janitorial supplies; Hometown Leasing $145.57 - copier; Ellison, Kovarik, & Truman $2,266.42 - attorney fees; DAS States Accounting $150.00 - data processing; CenturyLink $531.87 - telephone; Bytes $2,325.00 - data processing; Banner County Court $50.00 - court fees.
     • Sheriff Claims: CenturyLink $80.98 - telephone; Motorola Solutions $8,858.12 - radio.
     • Road Claims: Verizon $466.20 - GPS tracking; SMS $368.67 - repair parts; Power Plan $11,552.96 - repair parts and labor; Peetz Co-op $603.24 - propane; Natural Resources District $36.02 - water; Menards $10.84 - building repairs; CenturyLink $85.58 - telephone; AT&T $46.37 - cell phone.

Public Comments: Paula Brown, resident of Banner County, mentioned snow removal routes. Brown's concern was having to call into the Road Department to have the snow removed from her road. Brown was also concerned about snow removal on the bus routes in Banner County. Darnall recommended that Brown call Pat Parson's, Road Superintendent, and discuss her concerns with him.

Items of business before the board:

• Direct Deposit: Motion by Lease to require all employees to use direct deposit and approve necessary transactions regarding payroll and benefits to be handled electronically as well. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Committee to Hire Handy Man Services: Motion by Anderson to table until January 6, 2024. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Public Service Complaint Resolution: No action taken.
• Janitorial Salary: Motion by Anderson to table until February 6, 2024 meeting. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Annual Weed Report: Tim Grubbs presented the Board with the annual weed reports for 2023 due to the State of Nebraska by end of the month. Motion by Anderson to approve Tim Grubbs annual weed reports for 2023, authorizing Chairperson to sign. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Weed Superintendent/Road Department Position: Grubbs mentioned conference in mid - March. Grubbs mentioned there are four conferences each year. Weed Superintendent must attend two conferences each year for continuing education. Grubbs sent email with what he feels his options are for the Weed Superintendent/Road Department position. Board will review the options and speak with Grubbs and Parsons regarding the Weed Superintendent/Road Department employee position. Motion by Anderson to table until February 6, 2024. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Board Retreat: No action taken.
• Review Employee and Officials Health Insurance: Darnall asked for feedback on the health insurance. No action taken.
• Review Road Department Compensation Rates: Darnall wanted to touch base and review the cost - of - living raise. Motion by Anderson to table until February 6, 2024. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Fuel Bids: Darnall asked when fuel bids were done last year, and when the Board needs to look at doing this for 2024. Anderson mentioned fuel bids were taken in April or May last year. Fuel bids are submitted with a price per gallon for a set number of gallons. Motion by Anderson to table until February 6, 2024. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Review Courthouse Employee Compensation Rates: Darnall wanted to review and make sure employees were where they were supposed to be as far as payroll. Motion by Lease to table until February 6, 2024. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Commissioner's Compensation: Kovarik mentioned this needed addressed. Previous Resolution has a minimum cost - of - living increase. Commissioner's compensation rate needs to be set every two years. Motion by Lease to set the Banner County Commissioner compensation at the current annual rate, with cost - of - living increase according to the Midwest Consumer Price Index. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
• Adjournment: Motion by Lease to adjourn at 6:06 p.m. Second by Anderson. Roll cal vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

The next regular meeting will be held February 6, 2024 at 8:45 a .m. or at the call of the Clerk. An agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg, Nebraska.