Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 8:45 a.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 3, 2024.

Meeting called to order at 8:49 a.m. Roll call showed all Board members present.

Lease led prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Consent Agenda: Motion by Anderson to approve consent agenda items, moving correspondence to 9g, and claims to end of meeting (9y), 9b to 9c, and 9c to 9b. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

Public Comments: None

Reports:

Highway Superintendent: Pat Parsons stated a couple machines are in need of extensive repairs. The 2013 772G machine has hydraulic and motor issues. Parsons stated he has three quotes for in-house overhaul, long block motor, and complete drop in motor - each approximately $50,000. Discussion on repair options. Lease asked what new machines cost, Parsons estimated around $400,000. Discussion on formal/informal bids. Anderson will work with Parsons on this issue and investigate other options. Parsons stated the other machine is being worked on by Grubbs in the county shop.

Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported it is the year - end and end of the quarter. For the quarter on the civil side, twenty - seven vehicle inspections, thirteen papers served, and seventeen hand gun permits. Sheriff’s office made twenty-seven traffic stops, twenty-six of these were traffic violations, and one was of criminal nature. Hopkins reported three hundred summonses for the year.

County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reminded all county Officials that the C-1 forms are due March 1, 2024. Lease asked about a road agreement for Stegall Road. Lease suggested getting a road usage agreement in place with the solar panel company.

County Treasurer: Kathy Natale stated that December went well, with collecting 2023 taxes. Natale gave a trial balance listing to the Commission. Natale also presented the Board with a summary of pledged collateral. Darnall asked about the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds disbursement of $7,000. Natale reported it was the salary for the Deputy for two months. Darnall asked if the Treasurer and the Clerk balanced. Natale and West reported they have given Josi Morgan in Kimball everything requested. Once Morgan can balance, the Clerk and Treasurer should balance as well. Natale stated the tax sale will begin the first Monday in March. Banner County has approximately $83,000 in delinquent taxes. Delinquent tax letters will go out this month, and will be listed in the newspaper. Natale stated that she has also looked into severed minerals, as Banner County cannot collect the taxes since many owners of the severed minerals are deceased. The minerals do not generate a lot of revenue for Banner County, but do cost the county quite a bit of money.

County Clerk: Katie West stated she went to Kimball and cleared up questions for balancing. West stated she hopes to have the County balanced by end of January. West presented the Commission with the expense report from July 1, 2023, through January 4, 2024. West explained the report includes payroll expense, and all imprest expenses. Election certificates are due tomorrow. After tomorrow, anyone who wants to run for any open public office can come into the Clerk’s office and pick up the form. Lease suggested looking into Errors and Emissions compensation on the balancing issues.

County Assessor: Kacy Krakow stated the Assessor’s office computers use costing tables, which price the houses and outbuildings. The current costing table the Assessor’s office has been using is 2017, which is outdated. After speaking to with the State of Nebraska liaison, it has been determined there should be a mass update to 2023 costing tables. Krakow doesn’t think a mass update to everything is reasonable and would like to find another option. Current values are not being changed at this point in time. Krakow will have more answers next week after meeting with the State liaison.

County Surveyor: Absent

Weed Superintendent: Tim Grubbs reported according to the legal calendar, Grubbs is to report continuing education hours completed to the Commissioners. Grubbs presented six reports to the Commissioners for review. Grubbs must submit these reports to the State by the end of the month. Discussion on weed notice processes.

Commissioner Committee Reports:

Lease: Panhandle Area Development District (PADD); Office of Human Development (OHD) and Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD): Lease reported all of these Boards will be meeting next Thursday. Lease is looking into reducing the cost of the county’s internet/phone service and fiber internet. Lease mentioned a grant for internet service to get the unserved areas covered. Lease would like a committee to work on building and grounds issues. Natale mentioned the State will need a contract with the internet service. Discussion on internet service. Lease reported Banner County currently pays $48/month for each computer that has internet access in the courthouse. West reported the new phones are at Eakes, and will be installed next week. Lease mentioned the solar project in Scottsbluff county. Lease would like to see a road usage agreement for the four miles of asphalt on Stegall Road.

Anderson: Office of Aging and Region I Behavioral Health - Anderson stated there will be no meetings until January 11, 2024. Anderson stated the meeting with Region I Behavioral Health Board will be discussing employees working from home.

Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management: Darnall stated the next meeting is January 17, 2024.

Items of business before the board:

1. Reorganization of Banner County Board of Commissioners: Darnall stated she has enjoyed learning a lot as Chairperson the past year, and would like to remain as Chairperson for another year and continue to learn the processes. Motion by Lease to maintain the current Board status. Darnall Chairperson, Anderson Vice Chairman, and Lease Member. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
2. Set Meeting Dates for 2024: Darnall stated that residents like to option of an evening meeting. Anderson would like to keep the meetings the same. Motion by Lease to set Commissioner meetings the first Tuesday of the month at 8:45 a.m., and the third Tuesday of the month at 4:45 p.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
3. Pickup Purchase: Highway Superintendent Pat Parsons presented the Board with informal bids on a pickup for the Road Department from Team Chevrolet, Wolf Automotive, and Panhandle. Motion by Anderson to approve pickup purchase for the Road Department from Wolf Automotive for $16,261.00. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
4. Set Agenda Deadline: Darnall stated she would like the agenda deadline to be set earlier than the twenty - four hour deadline, so the Board has time to review and make changes prior to the twenty - four hour deadline. Lease mentioned he would like to have agendas by Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The Board would also like to have the reports and packets ahead of the meeting. Motion by Lease to set the agenda deadline Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., prior to the meeting the following Tuesday. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
5. Set Method of Reasonable Advance Notice of Meetings: West stated currently she is posting at the Banner County School, Harrisburg Post Office, and Banner County Courthouse. Motion by Lease to post notices at Banner County School, Harrisburg Post Office, and Banner County Courthouse. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
6. Designate Official County Newspaper(s): Darnall stated that she would recommend two official newspapers. West would also like to do one notice a month to save on publishing costs. Motion by Anderson to have Western Nebraska Observer as the main newspaper, and Star Herald as a secondary official newspaper. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
7. Resolution 24 - 01 Appoint Banner Capital Bank as Depository Bank and Invest Funds: Letter received from Banner Capital Bank. Anderson read Resolution 24 - 01. Motion by Lease to accept Resolution 24 - 01 appointing Banner Capital Bank as depository bank and invest funds. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
8. Appoint Board Representatives to Serve on Various Boards: Motion by Anderson to appoint Darnall to Region 22 Emergency Management Board; Anderson to Region I Behavioral Health, and Office of Aging Boards; Lease to Panhandle Public Health District, Office of Human Development, and Panhandle Area Development District Boards. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
9. Re-Appoint Scottsbluff County Attorney Office as Deputy Attorney for Banner County: Purpose of handling arraignments and inheritance tax. Attorney Kovarik stated this is necessary in case he is unavailable for arraignments and inheritance tax. Motion by Anderson to appoint Scottsbluff County Attorney Office as Deputy Attorney. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
10. Resolution 24 - 02 Authorize Treasurer to Invest County Funds: No action taken. Duplicate Resolution.
11. Set Holidays to be Observed in 2024: Motion by Anderson to set holidays as: New Year’s Day, January 1; Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 15; President’s Day, Monday, February 19; Arbor Day, Friday, April 26; Memorial Day, Monday, May 27; Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19; Independence Day, Thursday, July 4; Labor Day, Monday, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28; Day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29; Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25; Good Friday (optional - no pay), Friday, March 29. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
12. Appoint Committee Members: Motion by Lease to appoint the following Committee members: Personnel Committee: Kacy Krakow, Laif Anderson, and Ashley Morris; Grievance Committee: Mark Knaub, Robin Darnall, Katie West, and Mark Kovarik; Safety Committee: Jim Milner, Kathy Natale, Carl Gilbert,and Zane Hopkins; Safety Director: Jim Milner; Wellness Committee: Laryl Taggert, Kacy Krakow, and Don Lease; Building and Grounds Committee: Don Lease, Kami Gaasch, and Chelsea Mossberg; Banner County Extension Board: Don Lease. Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC): Tim Grubbs, Robin Darnall, and Kathy Natale. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
13. Resolution 24 - 03 Petty Cash Funds: Darnall read Resolution 24 - 03 Petty Cash Fund(s). Motion by Lease to approve Resolution 24 - 03. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
14. Resolution 24 - 04 Excess Funds: Lease read Resolution 24 - 04. Motion by Anderson to approve Resolution 24 - 04. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
15. Appoint Banner County Planning Board: Darnall stated she would like to review the Planning Board every January. The Planning Board would like to go to five members instead of seven members. Motion by Anderson to change the Banner County Planning Board from seven members to five members, consisting of one - year term to end January of 2025: Tina Childers and Kyle Ann Hopkins, and two - year term to end January 2026: Ryan Olsen, Joe Singleton, and Tanner Groves. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
16. Resolution 24 - 05 Appoint Banner County Highway Superintendent: Lease read Resolution 24 - 05. Motion by Lease to adopt Resolution 24 - 05 appointing Patrick Parsons as Banner County Highway Superintendent. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
17. Resolution 24 - 06 Insufficient Funds Warrants: Lease read Resolution 24 - 06. Motion by Anderson to approve Resolution 24 - 06. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
18. Resolution 24 - 07 Appoint Bank Accounts: Lease read Resolution 24 - 07. Motion by Anderson to approve Resolution 24 - 07. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
19. Resolution 24 - 08 Appoint Commissioner Authority for Treasurer Funds at Depository Bank: Lease read Resolution 24 - 08. Motion by Lease to approve Resolution 24 - 08, with corrections of Chairman/Chairperson. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
20. Review Courthouse Key Access: Commission reviewed the Courthouse Key Policy. Discussion. All keys were accounted for. No action taken.
21. Direct Deposit: Three employees still receive paper checks. Darnall feels it would be beneficial for all employees to be direct deposit. Darnall has spoken with these employees. No action taken. Tabled until January 16, 2024.
22. NIRMA (Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association) Contact: Darnall would like to review this every January. Motion by Anderson to re-appooint Katie West as the NIRMA contact for Banner County. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
23. County Weed Superintendent: Discussion regarding Weed Superintendent position. Darnall mentioned Tim Grubbs was contracted as Weed Superintendent last season. Grubbs has been re-hired at the Banner County Road Department. Discussion whether to contract the Weed Superintendent out as in the past few years, or bring the Weed Superintendent/Weed Department back to the county. Kovarik discussed employee classification. Weed equipment was discussed. Darnall asked Grubbs to put a proposal together. Tabled until January 16, 2024.
24. Janitorial Salary: Darnall would like to review this in January each year. Kovarik stated Cindy Jean Stover is considered an hourly employee and recommends figuring an hourly wage. An hourly wage will be set for Cindy Jean Stover, paperwork will be corrected to reflect an hourly wage. Anderson stated he would like to have a handyman service for the courthouse repairs/maintenance. Tabled until January 16, 2024.
25. Discuss/Act/Approve Claims: Motion by Anderson to approve the following claims. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

General: Vision Service Plan $202.38 - vision insurance; Colonial Life $205.06 - dental insurance; Banner Capital Bank $3,365.03 - health savings accounts; Argus $218.84 - dental insurance; Aptive $9,765.08 - health insurance; Aflac $364.51 - benefits; Crowne Plaza $1,484.45 - lodging NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) conference; Eakes $55.00 - copier; Ideal Linen $98.88 - janitorial supplies; Kimball Auto Parts $63.13 - repair parts Edge; Kimball County Treasurer $4,643.22 - extension office; Panhandle Co-op $56.08 - fuel; Quadient $383.26 - postage; CIndy Jean Stover $41.46 - janitorial supplies; US Bank $347.16 - office supplies/fuel; Western Nebraska Observer $45.00 - subscription.

ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act): Wiznerd $2,500.00 - website reconstruction.

Roads: Vision Service Plan $115.01 - vision insurance; Banner Capital Bank $1,875.02 - health savings accounts; Colonial Life $84.85 - dental insurance; Aptive $7,312.68 - health insurance; Aflac $542.99 - benefits; Harold Brown Farms $335.00 - gravel; Ideal Linen $27.76 - janitorial supplies; Dan Johnson $480.00 - dues; Karyn Holt - Olsen $460.00 - gravel; Kimball Auto Parts $1,176.15 - parts/tools; Nebraska Department of Motor Fuels $71.00 - fuel tax; Nebraska Machinery Co. $1,448.33 - parts/freight; Panhandle Co-op $17,314.58 - fuel; PowerPlan $384.67 - parts; PT Hose & Bearing $209.05 - parts; US Bank $294.39 - dues and lodging; Wolf Automotive $16,261.00 - pickup; NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) $150.00 - dues.

Sheriff: AT&T $182.90 - cell phone; Mobius Communications $568.61 - cell phone (Deputy); Panhandle Co-op $16,883.37 - fuel; US Bank $66.00 - stamps

Adjournment: Motion by Anderson to adjourn meeting at 1:45 p.m. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

The next regular meeting will be held January 16, 2024 at 4:45 p.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.