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 20, 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 Sunday, May 18, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:47 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 May 6, 2025, meeting were examined.  Anderson moved to approve the minutes of May 6, 2025, meeting. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence: None

Public Comment: 

• Shiela Newell, Harrisburg, NE - Newell expressed her concerns on insufficient information on agendas, county road 14 road conditions, and on proper procedures of parking county equipment on private property.  See attached for full statement.  Eric McCoy addressed Newell’s concerns and explained they are working on some new corrective measures.
• Judy Shaul – Harrisburg, NE – Shaul did express her concerns on the Woodhouse agenda item, it needs to be more descriptive.

Reports:

• Highway/Weed Department – McCoy gave a report.  Discussion was had. Tim Grubbs had nothing to report on for the Weed Department.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Commissioner Lease gave a report.  Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – Chairperson Darnall gave a report.  Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson - Vice Chairperson Anderson gave a report.  Discussion was had. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Road Superintendent Salary Wages – Commissioners – The Board originally offered Eric McCoy as the Banner County Highway Superintendent for $27.50 per hour. McCoy counter offered $29.00 per hour. Discussion was had. Darnall moved to hire Eric McCoy, Banner County Highway Superintendent, at $27.50 per hour for 90 days and the Board to re-evaluate after.  Anderson seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• JEO Consulting Group Agreement – Laif Anderson/Jay Dove – Dove presented the Board with quotes. Discussion was had. Anderson explained that this is more informative than action needed.  This information will be needed during budget time.
• Bids for Wood House Location – Laif Anderson – Discussion was had. 

Recess called at 8:53 A.M.

The meeting came back into session at 9:56 A.M.

• Lease left the meeting.  Discussion continued with Woodhouse property.
• Road Department Discussion – Commissioners – Anderson stated that he did not have anything additional to discuss. 

Claims:

General: Aflac Dental - $710.70 – Dental; Banner County Court - $34.00 – CC Costs; Bytes - $848.75 – Cable and Rack Install; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,235.60 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $466.79 – Lights; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; NE Ass. of County Officials - $280.00 – Training & Books; Peetz - $704.15 – Propane; Quadient - $266.88 – Postage; Western NE Observer - $719.80 – Advertising; Wildcat Surveying - $10,000.00 – Surveying; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – Register of Deeds Training

Sheriff: AT&T - $223.08 – Cell Phone; DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Midwest Radar - $40.00 – Law Equipment; Shaggy Buffalo - $45.00 – Car Wash

Roads: High West Energy - $285.00 – Lights; Integrated Pest Management - $125.00 – Pest Management; Legacy Coop - $125.00 – Labor; NKC Tires - $679.60 – Tires and Labor; Peetz - $520.84 – Propane; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Western NE Observer - $130.00 – Advertising

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:17 A.M.

                The next regular meeting will be held June 3, 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