Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, June 3, 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 Wednesday, May 28, 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.  Anderson moved to approve the agenda.  Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                 The minutes of May 20, 2025, meeting were examined.  Lease moved to approve the minutes of May 20, 2025, meeting. Anderson seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Correspondence: 

• Next Gen Update Letter – Nick Lease – Information on health insurance.
• Banner County Historical Society Letter – Information on events in Banner County.  Highlights include Historical Day June 14, 2025, and all school reunion on June 13, 2025.

Public Comment: 

• None

Reports:

• Highway Department – Jay Dove – Dove reported that the road department needs to be on the next agenda for completion of the stop sign program.  Dove also informed the Board that the Road 7 project is almost complete and on Monday the Air Force is going to start graveling roads 28, 7, and 6. The 1 and 6 plan are currently being reviewed. Anderson stated that county road 6 needs some attention because of rocks in the road. Anderson also informed the Board that the pickup that was to be purchased was misrepresented and is no longer going to be purchased by Banner County.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Not present
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Not present
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik –
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Nothing to report
• Clerk – Katie West - Nothing to report
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Krakow reported that the valuations have been sent out.  Krakow also reported that G-Works will be giving the county a refund for the contract for unfulfilled work which will appear on the contract for next year.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Not present
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Nothing to report
  2. Robin Darnall – Darnall reported that the budget has been completed by Region 22 Management and the budget went up. Banner County’s budget will not have to be amended.
  3. Laif Anderson – Nothing to report, meetings are on Thursday.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Colonial Life – Life Insurance – Mike Broomfield – West gave the Board information on Colonial Life Insurance.  No action taken.
• Handbook Updates Approval and Resolution – Handbook Committee – Krakow stated that she had sent all the updates to the Board and all the department heads.  The handbook committee will be having a phone conversation with Pam Bourne on the handbook. The handbook committee would like to wait to approve the changes until the next meeting.
• Review Fire and Safety System Estimates – Don Lease – The quote was presented to the Board.  Discussion was had. The only quote received was from Protex Central, Inc for $24,253.36. Discussion was had.  No action taken.
• Set Special Meeting Date – End of Fiscal Year Claims – Darnall – The Board decided to have the end of year fiscal claims on June 26, 2025, at 8:30 A.M.
• Set Date 2024/2025 Budget Workshop and/or Amend Budget – Darnall – Darnall does not think the budget will have to be amended.  Discussion was had. Deadline for officials and department heads for the budget requests have been moved to July 16, 2025.

Claims:

General: Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier; Zulty’s - $641.72 – Telephone; North Platte NRD - $47.52 – Water; William C Peters - $1,639.80 – Attorney Fees; Kathy Natale - $32.86 – Plants; Bytes - $383.96 – Office Equipment; US Bank - $594.83 – Office Supplies, Fuel, and Rooms; Eakes - $56.99 – Office Supplies; NIRMA - $11,040.00 – Insurance & Fees;  NE Weed Control - $150.00 – Registration; MIPS - $1,675.08 – Data Processing; Kimball County Treasurer - $1,469.81 – Extension Services; Aflac - $497.33 – Employee Benefits; Banner Capital Bank - $3,365.03 – HSA; Argus Dental - $710.70 – Dental; VSP - $185.29 – Vision; Aptive - $12,331.54 – Health Insurance; Pack Rat Disposal - $45.00 – Trash; Region 22 - $1,063.24 – Emergency Fees; Payroll - $30, 653.43; Total - $66,722.77

Sheriff: Kimball Auto Parts - $556.06 – Car Repairs; Kustom Signals - $6,034.53 – Law Equipment; Transwest Ford - $479.74 – Car Repair; Dept of Correctional Services - $10,000.00 – Car; Total - $17,070.33

Roads: Kimball Auto Parts - $1,944.60 – Supplies & Parts; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; NMC Cat - $36,344.61 – Repairs & Labor; First Concord - $148.00 – HRA; NIRMA - $27,815.00 – Insurance; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; VSP - $92.61 – Vision; Aptive - $8,125.25 – Health Insurance; Banner Capital Bank - $1,875.02 – HSA; Aflac - $589.39 – Employee Benefits; Payroll - $21,000.37; Total - $97,995.75

Pat Parsons asked what the NMC Cat bill was for.  Anderson stated it was for a transmission rebuild in one of the graders.  Anderson asked the Board if they were good with NIRMA Insurance. Anderson moved to approve the claims. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 9:54 A.M.

The next regular meeting will be held June 17, 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.

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member