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 17, 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 Thursday, June 12, 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 June 3, 2025, meeting were examined.  Anderson moved to approve the minutes of June 3, 2025, meeting. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Road Groom Manufacturing – West said this was information that was mailed and she gave a copy to the Highway Superintendent also.
• USDA Natural Disaster Areas – Drought – Darnall wanted to inform residents that Governor Pillen has declared Banner County, among other counties, in a designated drought. There are loan opportunities for Banner County residents with the USDA available.

Public Comment:

• None

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy – McCoy stated he is currently working on a road share agreement. McCoy is also continuing with moving forward on new programs with the county.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – PADD is starting a housing study for One Nebraska which will focus on different areas including but not limited to housing needs, childcare, economics, and more. The PPHD is working on mosquito control and working on preventative measures measles in the panhandle of Nebraska. Lease stated for the buildings and grounds committee they are working on a fire system for the courthouse. The NRD was also wondering if the county would be interested in maintaining the water system.
  2. Robin Darnall – Region 22 has a meeting June 23, 2025, to finalize their budget.  The Banner County budget looks good, and the last meeting is June 26, 2025, to approve the final claims.
  3. Laif Anderson – Nothing to report.  Missed both meetings. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Substandard Condition of County Road 14 – Sheila Newell – Shelia Newell, Kimball, Nebraska, expressed concerns over the conditions of county road 14. Discussion was had.
• Employee Health Insurance – Nick Lease – Lease explained the issues that employees were having with Black Hawk and stated that he has found two other options for the county to consider.  Staying with Black Hawk the county’s rates would go up 4.7% which would be about $11,000.00 increase for the 2025-2026 year. Through Blue Cross Blue Shield the rates would be 1.1% increase, which is about $2,700.00 savings but would not carry over the deductibles for the start of January 1, 2026.  The next option would be TRIAD the rates would be reduced by 10 – 15% which is about $25,000.00 to $35,000.00 for the year.  Discussion was had.  Darnall moved to change the county health insurance to TRIAD $3,500.00 plan that Nick Lease proposed with NextGen.  Discussion was had.  Darnall withdrew her motion.  Anderson moved to change the county health insurance to the $3,500.00 TRIAD deductible plan and create a $25,000.00 HRA to alleviate the costs.  Darnall seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, abstained; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 2025-11 Stop Sign/Stop Ahead Grant – Road Department – Darnall read Resolution 2025-11, Certificate of Completion – Statewide Upgrading Existing Stop Sign Locations of Rural Roads. Robin moved to accept Resolution 2025-11.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached.
• Set Date for 1&6 Road Hearing – Road Department – McCoy stated that this needs to be in the paper for three weeks. The Board scheduled the 1 & 6 hearing for July 15, 2025, at 9:00 A.M.
• Handbook Update Approval & Resolution – Handbook Committee – Kacy Krakow and Ashley Morris explained the changes.  Discussion was had. Darnall moved to approve the employee handbook as presented effective July 31, 2025.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Anderson read Resolution 25-12, Joint Resolution and Agreement.  Anderson moved to approve Resolution 25-12, Joint Resolution and Agreement.  Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached.
• Appoint Committee Members safety, grievance, & building and grounds – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. Darnall moved to appoint Caleb Scott as a grievance committee member chosen by employees and Mark Kovarik as Chairperson.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. Discussion was had on the safety committee.  Darnall moved to appoint Tim Grubbs and Taylor Martinez to the safety committee, removing Jay Dove and Carl Gilbert at their request. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Discussion was had on the buildings and grounds committee.  Lease moved to appoint Don Lease, Chelsea Mossberg, and Hollie Gilbert, removing Jim Milner to the building and grounds committee.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Set Budget Workshops dates in July – Robin Darnall – Darnall would like to set dates for budget workshops for Banner County’s budget.  The Board will be meeting July 1, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. and July 15, 2025, at 10:00 A.M.
• West Nile Virus Control – Panhandle Public Health District – Discussion was had. Darnall moved to receive four boxes of OFF! DEET wipes, three cans of Cutter’s Bug Spray, 25 WNV brochures, and six mosquito dunks from Panhandle Public Health District.  Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Courthouse Alarm/Security Proposal – Alarm Security Technicians/Michael Soundsleeper – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.  The quote from Protex Central, Inc. is for $24,253.36 and a quote from Alarm Security Technicians for $7,841.95 were compared. Lease said he is waiting on one more quote from Nebraska Fire and Safety.  Tabled until July 1, 2025. 

Anderson excused himself from the meeting at 10:45 A.M. 

Claims:

General: Banner County Court - $85.00 – CC Fees; Bytes - $2,331.55 – IT Services; Crowne Plaza - $289.90 – Room; Culligan - $32.50 – Water; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Eakes - $214.76 – Copier; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,200.60 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $484.00 – Lights; Ideal - $102.83 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated pest management - $210.00 – Pest Control; Jim Milner - $27.50 – Office Supplies; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; NE Association of County Officials - $1,597.48 – Dues & Registration; Panhandle District Association - $350.00 – Dues; William C Peters - $380.00 – DC Fees; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $71.67 – Fuel; Quadient - $300.00 – Postage; Sandberg Implement - $31.05 – Mower parts; Taylor Martinez - $24.97 – Severe Weather Supplies; Western NE Observer - $493.42 – Advertising; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training; Total - $10,298.70

Sheriff: AT&T - $223.08 – Cell Phone; DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $1,417.28 – Fuel; Shaggy Buffalo - $45.00 – Car Wash; Total - $1,729.36

Road: AT&T - $56.42 – Cell Phone; DAS - $1,500.00 – Welder; High West Energy - $278.00 – Lights; Hullinger Glass & Locks - $5.00 – Key; Ideal Linen - $28.88 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated Pest Management - $75.00 – Pest Control; Legacy Coop - $240.87 – Grease & Oil; Nebraska Land Tires - $1,011.60 – Tires & Labor; NMC Cat - $2,272.39 – Repair Parts & Supplies; Pack Rat Disposal - $160.00 – Trash; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $27,232.54 – Fuel; Verizon - $233.10 – Tracker; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Wyoming Bearing & Supply - $1,391.08 – Supplies & Repair; Total - $34,572.83

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:45 A.M.

                The next regular meeting will be held July 1, 2025, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. The next special meeting will be held June 26, 2025, at 8:30 A.M.  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