Board of Commissioners Meeting

**This is a condensed version of the Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. These minutes are not the official/approved version. A draft/unapproved copy of the Banner County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes is available for public viewing 10 days post meeting date at the Banner County Clerk’s office. 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 on Tuesday, July 2, 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 Monday, July 1, 2024.

1. Chairperson Darnall called meeting called to order at 8:45 a.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. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Lease to approve agenda. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
7. Adopt June 25, 2024, Minutes: Motion by Anderson to approve June 25, 2024, minutes as presented. Second by Lease. Discussion.  Anderson withdrew motion.  Motion by Anderson to approve June 25, 2024, minutes with the correction of “regular session” being corrected to “special session”. Second by Lease.  Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
8. Correspondence:  None.
9. Public Comments: None.
10. Reports:
    • Highway/Weed Department:  Tim Grubbs reported road crews finished project and are back to blade routes.  Grubbs reported that the weed department employee is spraying on road 14 and Wright’s Gap.  Grubbs has been doing weed inspections.  Grubbs is expecting an increase in chemical expense, due to the weeds in the county right – of – ways.  Jay Dove reported repairing minor damage from rain washing roadside.  Darnall asked about 1- & 6-year report.  Dove reported he is looking to get started on this report soon.  Dove discussed working with the United States Air Force on repairing/construction on county road 18.  Dove discussed new tubes in roads 14 and 61.  Lease asked about tube removal.
    • Sheriff Hopkins:  Hopkins reported June being busy.  In June forty-two traffic stops and three arrests, Sheriff Hopkins ended the quarter with 196 stops.  Harvest season is coming, Sheriff Hopkins reminded everyone that the road is not a parking lot.  Sheriff Hopkins was gone last week for training.  Lease discussed the Jack Lewis grant funds with PADD (Panhandle Area Development District).  Grants help with squad cars, training, and equipment.       Discussion on budget and grant funds.  Lease mentioned bicycle race in the county this weekend.  Discussion on bicycle race.
    • County Attorney:  Kovarik reported getting ready for trial.  Business as usual.
    • County Treasurer:  Kathy Natale reported attending NACO (Nebraska Association County Officials) meeting in Grand Island.  Natale is working on fiscal year changes.  Darnall asked for a revenue report the first Commissioner meeting each month.
    • County Clerk:  Katie West reported there may not be a trial court on July 16, 2024, as anticipated.  West explained that there isn’t a current expenditure report yet, as there are corrections she needs to make before it can be closed out for the year end.  West will work with MIPS (Multi - County Information and Programming Services) and Candace Meredith with NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) to get started on the budget.  Darnall asked for expenditure reports and payroll at first Commissioner meeting of each month.
    • County Assessor:  Kacy Krakow reported protests and Homestead exemptions was due yesterday.  Krakow reported fifty – five protests thus far, plus any that may come in the mail.  Patrons came in for Homestead Exemptions.  Josh (?) with Cardinal Assessment group reviewed Harrisburg in two days.  Josh will be back in August to start on rest of the county.  Discussion on protest hearing July 17, 2024, starting at 8:00 a.m.  Darnall suggested scheduling people who wanted to be present for their protests.  Krakow wants people to sign in as they arrive.
    • County Surveyor:  Carl Gilbert absent.
    • County Commissioners:
      • Don Lease:  Lease reported attending a Six Reasons One Nebraska meeting, where economic development was discussed.  Lease explained how PADD (Panhandle Area Development District) can be utilized in Banner County with help on grants.  Lease mentioned PADD can also help with zoning, if Banner County gets to the point to look at zoning resolutions.
      • Robin Darnall:  Darnall reported Region 22 Emergency Management application committee will meet Friday, July 5, 2024, to review applications for Emergency Manager position.  Darnall asked Officials to submit a preliminary budget soon.  Next budget workshop will be scheduled in August.  Darnall mentioned Candace Meridith is willing to work with Commission on budget.  Darnall mentioned the Commission is on the Banner County School Board meeting agenda for Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.  Darnall reported the website is up and functioning.
      • Laif Anderson:  Anderson reported both Region I Behavioral Health and Office of Aging meetings were re-scheduled due to Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) conference.
11. Items of Business Before the Board:
    • Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO):  Beth Ferrell introduced Peggy Brass who will be running the new NACO office in Ogallala.  Ferrell also reported the grand opening/ribbon cutting for the new NACO building in Ogallala will be October 11, 2024, this is also Legislative conference.  Ferrell encouraged the Board to present anyone at NACO with suggestions on the Legislative updates.  Ferrell mention property taxes will still be on the legislative agenda for special sessions.  Inheritance tax is also being discussed at the legislative level.  Ferrell encouraged everyone to discuss Inheritance tax issues with their Senators.  Nebraska could collect approximately $100 million next year in inheritance tax.  Ferrell also discussed other legislative updates happening in all aspects of county government.  Webinar regarding the Pink Postcard processes and working with a new vendor to get postcards out more quickly will be on July 18, 2024, at 10:00 cst.  Ferrell discussed the changes to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.  Ferrell also discussed publication changes, public records, County Purchasing Act (starting January 1, 2025, amount trigger for competitive bidding will be $70,000; 2029 - $90,000; 2034 - $110,000.       Legislature adopted bills regarding purchases of land by foreign adversaries.  Banner County will be affected by bills LB1120, LB1300, and LB1301.  Affidavits will need to be filled out for Register of Deeds when land purchases are made.
    • Natural Disaster Recovery:  Ashley Hopkins, Interim Region 22 Emergency Manager Director, informed the Board of a course regarding working with the Emergency Management office during an emergency.  Course will be in Bridgeport.  Hopkins discussed the Governor’s Emergency Fund.  Hopkins discussed form 425 for reporting damage to real property.  Discussion on past blizzard damage in Banner County.
    • Weed – Free Forage Certification/Weed Department Discussion:  Tim Grubbs inquired about rates to charge for weed – free forage certifications.  Kovarik suggested a resolution for weed – free forage certification.  Motion by Anderson to pass a resolution for all weed – free forage inspections $60.00 mobilization fee, $30/hour after two hours, $1.00/acre inspection fee, plus cost of tags and twine.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes.  Motion carried.
    • Interlocal Agreements:  Jay Dove reported only known interlocal agreements are with Kimball and Scottsbluff counties regarding Horseshoe Bend and roads by Stegall Road.  No written agreement with Laramie County Wyoming regarding Banner County Road 1 in the Albin area.  Kovarik will work with Mossberg on this.
    • Building and Grounds Committee:  Kathy Natale reported the Buildings and Grounds Committee is short one person.  Motion by Darnall to replace Kami Gaasch with Jim Milner on Buildings and Grounds Committee, committee will consist of Don Lease II, Jim Milner, and Chelsea Mossberg.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes.  Motion carried.  Lease reported still waiting on quotes for glass replacement in courthouse offices.  Darnall suggested extending brackets and placing anti – glare film on outside windows.  Discussion on status of county car.  Kovarik suggested informal bids on a car and possibly trade the current county car.  No action.  Anderson will check county car, possibly look at a replacement.
    • Road Department Discussion:  Anderson reported road 18 needs gravel, there are blind curves, and road has narrowed over time.  Anderson and Dove will discuss assistance from United States Air Force.  Stegall road needs mowed and painted.  Discussion on Road Superintendent position. 
    • Interim Road Foreman Wages:  Foreman wages start at $19/hour, operators start at $17/hour.  Motion by Darnall to set Road Foreman rate of pay $2/hour over employee’s regular rate, retroactive to Jay Dove to June 4, 2024.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes.  Motion carried.  Discussion on One & Six Plan, Dove will work with Mossberg on One & Six Plan to complete as soon as possible.  Discussion on Road Department reports and paperwork.  Anderson reported that Jim Milner is covered by insurance, as reported by Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association.  Discussion on road employee wages. 
    • Claims: Motion by Anderson to pay claims. Second by Lease. Roll call vote; Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
      • General: Natural Resources District $59.02 – water; Multi – County Information and Programming Services $1,675.08 – data processing; Hometown Leasing $138.67 – copier; Eakes $343.88 – office supplies; Comfort Inn $239.90 – lodging; Column Software $34.10 – advertising; Aging Office of Western Nebraska $541.00 – dues; Vision Service Plan $185.29 – vision insurance; Colonial Life $205.06 – dental; Banner Capitol Bank $3,923.36 – health savings accounts; Argus $218.84 – dental; Aptive $10,548.76 – health insurance; Aflac $364.51 – benefits.
      • Sheriff:  AT&T $182.84 – cell phone; Comfort Inn $182.84 – lodging.
      • Road:  Power Plan $974.68 – repair parts; Natural Resource District $33.72 – water; Nebraska Department of Revenue $14.00 – fuel tax; Murphy Tractor $725.00 – repair parts; Aflac $542.99 – benefits; First Concord $363.38 – health retirement fund; Vision Service Plan $60.77 – vision insurance; Colonial Life $29.48 – dental insurance; Banner Capital $1,041.68 – health saving accounts.
12. Adjournment: Motion by Anderson to adjourn at 12:12 p.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

A special meeting will be held Tuesday, July 23, 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.