Budget Joint Public Hearing

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in special session, Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.  Notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Western Nebraska Observer. A copy of the proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk.  Notices were also posted in the Harrisburg, Nebraska Post Office; the Banner County Public School; the office of the County Clerk; and the front window of the Banner County courthouse. 

                The agenda of the meeting is kept current and is available during the regular business hours in the office of the County Clerk.  A copy of the agenda was sent to the Commissioners on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door of the courtroom.  Clerk Katie West took roll call showing all members present. 

                Lease led prayer.

                The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

                The agenda was examined.  Lease moved to approve the agenda.  Anderson moved to approve the agenda.  Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the September 3, 2024, meeting was examined. Lease moved to adopt the minutes of the September 3, 2024, meeting with corrections. Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Attended:

• Mark Mazza, Potter, Nebraska
• Gary Grubbs, Harrisburg, Nebraska
• Zane Hopkins, Harrisburg, Nebraska
• Kim Dykman, Harrisburg, Nebraska
• Greg Soule, Harrisburg, Nebraska

Public Comment:

• Kim Dykman, Harrisburg, Nebraska asked if the county was going to start grading driveways again.  The Board responded that they will only do snow removal. 

Items of Business before the Board:

• Joint Public Hearing – Chairperson Darnall opened the Joint Public Hearing at 6:06 P.M. The Board then discussed to residents how the budget starts and how the numbers generate.  Banner County cannot go over $0.50, meaning $0.50 per $1000.00 valuation.  Kim Dykman asked why there was a big jump of property tax increase over last years actual. The Board explained it is a combination of property valuations and land sales in Banner County.  Mark Mazza asked what is the time frame that the sales get taken into consideration.  The Board replied that it follows the fiscal year.  Kim also asked why the operating line is so much higher than last year. The Board replied that hopefully the total expense will not be used but the County must allocate funds for expenses that may or may not happen.  If it is not in the budget, it cannot be fixed. Darnall also stated that the Board put extra funds into the building and grounds because the courthouse is starting to deteriorate.  The pipes leak, water leaks into the basement, the shop needs an exhaust fan, Exceedra.  The Board also explained that the ARPA funds need to be allocated into the budget. There is $51, 069.00 left of the ARPA funds and those funds must be allocated by December 31, 2024.   The Board has made the decision to use the funds for purchasing radios for the County to use in emergency events/situations. The current radios are not able to communicate with other emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance. Darnall then stated the budget has gone up 2.2%.  Darnall closed the Joint Public Hearing at 6:42 P.M.

Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting.  Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  The meeting adjourned at 6:43 P.M. 

        The next regular meeting will be held September 17, 2024, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk.  The Property Tax Hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. The Budget Hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. An agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually and is available for public inspection during the normal business hours at Banner County in the courthouse in Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Attest: ________________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk