Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 8:45 A.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 Friday, March 14, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door of the courtroom.  County Clerk Katie West took roll call showing: Don Lease, present; Robin Darnall, present; Laif Anderson, present. 

                Lease led prayer.

                The Pledge of Allegiance was said. 

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

                 The minutes of March 4, 2025, meeting were examined. Discussion was had.  Anderson moved to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2025, meeting. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, abstained; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Donation for Spirit Shirts – Pro all-star school – West presented the information, and the Board reviewed.
• Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 – USDA – West presented the information, and the Board reviewed.
• Sentinel Town Hall – April 1, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M. – West presented the information, and the Board would like it on the website.
• Letter of Appreciation – Bertha Webb – Darnall read the letter of appreciation.

Public Comments:

• Sheriff Zane Hopkins, Harrisburg, Nebraska, stated that he gave a conditional offer for a Sheriff’s deputy.  This will be a full-time position, and he will start on April 1, 2025, and be sworn in on April 3, 2025.
• Cody Akers, Juno Beach, Florida, with Next Era Energy Resources stated that Next Era Energy wanted to introduce themselves.  The company is in the area and plans on having a good working relationship with landowners and with Banner County in general.

Reports:

• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson - Discussion was had. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Applied Connective – Jarod Dendinger – Discussion was had.  Tabled until April 1, 2025, meeting.
• Road Department Discussion – Commissioners - Discussion was had on roads, new hire, equipment, and bids for a mower.
• Stop/Yield/Speed Limit Sign Ordinance – Commissioners – Chairperson Darnall read Ordinance 2025-1. Chairperson Darnall asked if there is a motion to introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance 2025-1.  Anderson so moved. Lease seconded the motion.  Clerk West stated that Commissioner Anderson made a motion to move the first reading of Ordinance 2025-1 – An Ordinance of Banner County, Nebraska to an ordinance of Banner County Nebraska, establishing traffic control regulations within the unincorporated village of Harrisburg, Banner County Nebraska. Seconded by Commissioner Lease.  Chairperson Darnall asked for discussion.  No Discussion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion Carried. Chairperson Darnall would like to entertain a motion to waive the Statutory Readings of Ordinance 2025-1.  Anderson so moved. Seconded by Lease. Clerk West state the Commissioner Anderson moved that the Ordinance be designated as Ordinance 2025-1 and the title thereof approved, and that the Statutory Rule requiring Ordinances to be fully and distinctly read on three different days be dispensed with, which motion was seconded by Commissioner Lease. Chairperson Darnall asked for discussion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. Chairperson Darnall asked for a motion for passage of Ordinance 2025-1 as read.  Anderson so moved. Lease seconded the motion. Clerk West stated the motion to suspend the statutory rule having been concurred in by three-fourths of all members elected to the Board of Commissioners, by the Chairperson declared to have been carried. Whereupon Ordinance 2025-1 was read by title only, Commissioner Anderson moved that the Ordinance be passed as read, which motion was seconded by Commissioner Darnall. Chairperson Darnall asked for discussion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. Clerk West stated the passage and adoption of the Ordinance having been concurred by a majority of all members elected to the Board of Commissioners was by the Chairperson declared passed.   See attached.
• Century Link Claim – Katie West – West presented the information from Century Link for cable damages to the Board.  The Board reviewed the information and discussion was had. The Board instructed not to pay the claim.  No action was taken.
• Alarm system quote – Pye-Barker – Don Lease – West presented the information.  Discussion was had.  No action was taken.
• Public Meeting Video Steaming – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.

Claims:

General: Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training; Western NE Observer - $1,770.68 – Advertising; Scottsbluff Treasurer - $25.00 – Postage; Quadient - $44.60 – Postage; Peetz - $1,328.83 – Propane; Panhandle Treasurers Association - $25.00 – Dues; Pack Rat - $45.00 – Trash; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; Kimball County Treasurer - $1,020.81 – Extension Service; Ideal - $102.83 – Janitorial Supplies; High West - $234.00 – Lights; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,136.20 – Attorney Fees; Eakes - $322.12 – Office Supplies and Copier; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Bytes - $2,168.04 – IT Services; Banner County Court - $34.00 – CC Fees; Total - $10,328.58

Sheriff: Motorola - $8,904.70 – Law Equipment; Westco - $301.36 – Fuel; US Bank - $236.37 – Repairs, Training, Equipment; Great Plains Uniforms - $2,473.41; Total - $11, 915.84

Roads: Ideal - $28.88 – Janitorial Supplies; First Concord - $437.14 – HRA; WPCI - $102.00 – Drug Tests; Westco - $674.37 – Fuel; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Verizon - $233.10 – GPS Tracker; Power Plan - $2,696.91 – Repair Parts; Peetz - $521.87 – Propane; Pack Rat - $160.00 – Trash; NKT - $1,121.70 – Tires; Legacy Coop - $272.95 – Labor, Grease, and Oil; J&A Traffic Products - $205.00 – Parts; High West - $412.00 – Lights; Tim Grubbs - $24.99 – Shop Supplies; AT&T - $46.43 – Cell Phone; Total - $7,025.29

                Anderson moved to approve the claims. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

                Darnall called to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 A.M. 

                The next regular meeting will be held April 1, 2025, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. An agenda for 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 courtroom in Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member