Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, May 6, 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, May 2, 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 moving the Extension Annual Report/McKynna Deeds, Resolution 25-10, JEO Consulting Group Agreement, Road Use Agreement with Air Force, and Bids for Wood House Location to after public comment.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

                 The minutes of April 15, 2025, meeting were examined.  Lease moved to approve the minutes of April 15, 2025, meeting. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Community Project Funding – Rep Adrian Smith Office – The Board reviewed in the information and decided to have the Building and Grounds committee review it.
• Premier Bank – Kathy Natale – The Board reviewed the information, and discussion was had. No action was taken.
• Peetz Farmers’ Co-operative Company – The Board reviewed the information, and discussion was had.  No action was taken. 

Public Comment:

• Maddie Soule, Harrisburg, Nebraska, had concerns about the minutes from the meetings. Darnall responded to Soule’s concerns. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Extension Annual Report/McKynna Deeds – Aaron Berger – Berger presented the Board with the Extension Annual Report and introduced McKynna Deeds as the new extension agent. Discussion was had.  Anderson moved to approve the Extension Annual Report.  Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 25-10 – Highway Superintendent Resolution – The Board and Eric McCoy discussed expectations of the position.  Discussion was had. Lease read Resolution 25-10.  Lease moved to adopt Resolution 25-10.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. See attached.
• Road Use Agreement with Air Force – Laif Anderson – Discussion was had. No action was taken.
• JEO Consulting Group Agreement – Laif Anderson/Jay Dove – Discussion was had. Tabled until May 20, 2025.
• Bids for Wood House Location – Laif Anderson – Discussion was had. Tabled until May 20, 2025. 

Reports:

• Highway/Weed Department – Jay Dove gave a report.  Discussion was had. Tim Grubbs gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Sheriff Hopkins gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Attorney Kovarik gave a report.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Treasurer Natale gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• Clerk – Katie West – Clerk West had nothing to report.
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Assessor Krakow gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Surveyor Gilbert gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Commissioner Lease had nothing to report.  Meetings are this coming week.
  2. Robin Darnall – Chairperson Darnall gave a report.  Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson – Vice Chairperson Anderson had nothing to report.  Meetings are this week.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Special Designated Licenses (SDLs) – Flyover Brewing Company – Niki Egan – Eagen introduced herself and explained to the Board what and how the event is run. Discussion was had. Lease moved to approve the SDL Locations liquor permits for the Flyover Brewery on June 28, 2025.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Interlocal Agreement with Banner County School – Commissioners – Kovarik presented the most current interlocal agreement to the Board.  The Board reviewed the agreement.  Discussion was had. 

Darnall called for a recess at 10:00 A.M.

The meeting went back into session at 10:03 A.M.

• Discussion continued with the interlocal agreement with Banner County School. No action was taken.
• Mental Health Awareness Month – Region 1 Behavioral Health – Darnall moved to declare May as Mental Health Awareness Month.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Darnall read the proclamation.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. Darnall stated the number for mental health help is 308-635-3173. Hopkins stated that another number to call for mental health help is 988.
• Rack Install/Cable Management Quote – Bytes – The Board reviewed the quote, and discussion was had. Anderson moved to accept the rack install and cable management quote from Bytes for $3,698.75. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Handbook Updates – Handbook Committee – Krakow and Ashley Morris recommended various changes to the handbook per NIRMA.  Discussion was had.  Tabled until June 3, 2025.

Claims:

General: Action Communications - $781.00 – Tornado Siren Battery; Aflac - $497.33 – Employee Benefits; Aptive - $12,331.54 – Health Insurance; Argus - $710.70 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $3,365.03 – HAS; Bytes - $2,312.86 – IT Services; DAS - $55.00 – Radio Equipment; GWorks - $8,220.00 – GIS Support; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier; Ideal Linen - $102.83 – Janitorial Supply; Ideal/Bluffs Solutions - $200.38 – Janitorial Supply; Kimball County Treasurer - $2,090.25 – Extension Office; Menards - $89.21 – Garage Supplies; MIPS - $1,675.08 – Data Procession; NE Association of County Treasurers - $175.00 – Training; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; North Platte NRD - $45.22 – Water; Pack Rat - $45.00 – Trash; Pritchard & Abbott - $7,330.00 – Appraisal Services; Quadient - $210.80 – Postage; US Bank - $397.29 – Office Supplies & Janitorial Supplies; Sandberg Implement - $182.45 – Lawnmower Maintenance; VSP - $185.29 – Vision; Zulty’s - $641.72 – Telephone; Van Diest Supply Company - $2,054.70 – Chemical

Sheriff: AT&T - $218.55 – Cell Phone; NSA/POAN - $400.00 – Membership; Scottsbluff County Communications - $1,200.00 – Contract; Scottsbluff Screen printing - $96.00 – Uniforms; US Bank - $1,074.38 – Supplies, Equipment, & Fuel

Road: Aflac - $589.39 – Employee Benefits; Aptive - $8,125.25 – Health Insurance; Banner Capital Bank - $1,875.02 – HAS; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Ideal Linen - $28.88 – Janitorial Supplies; VSP - $92.61 – Vision; Floyd’s - $132.07 – Parts; Frank Parts - $111.26 – Parts; Hullinger - $42.50 – Building Repairs; Inland - $457.66 – Parts; J&A Traffic Products - $3,510.95 – Signs & Posts; Kimball Auto Parts - $1,961.23 – Supplies, Tools, Parts; North Platte NRD - $33.72 – Water; Parsons Trucking - $375.00 – Custom Hauling; Power Plan - $4,948.11 – Parts & Labor; Verizon - $233.10 – Cell Phone; Prestige Welding - $35.00 – Parts; WPCI - $62.00 – Drug Test

                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 10:44 A.M.

                The next regular meeting will be held May 20, 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 courthouse in Harrisburg, Nebraska.

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Robin Darnall, Chairperson

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Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

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Don Lease II, Member