Banner County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in a special session, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 5:30 P.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, August 15, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 5:45 P.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, absent. 

                Lease led prayer.

                The Pledge of Allegiance was said. 

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

                The minutes of August 18, 2025, budget workshop meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve the minutes of August 18, 2025, budget workshop minutes. Darnall seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent.  Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• None

Public Comment:

• None

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy - Discussion was had.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Discussion was had.
• Sheriff Report – Zane Hopkins – Discussion was had.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Discussion was had.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Not present
• Clerk – Katie West – Discussion was had.
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Not present
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Not present

Anderson present at meeting at 6:06 P.M.

• 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:

• NRIN Interlocal Agreement – Commissioners - Discussion was had. Lease stated that he will contact Nan Gould to get more information.
• Approval of Rood Bids – Commissioners – The Board reviewed three bids: Twin City Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., Schank Roofing, and Fischer Roofing and Restoration. Fischer Roofing and Restoration is a hot tar replacement for $41,151.21. Schank is for EPDM roof for $64,130.00, another option of Aluminum Roof Coating for $10,557.39, and replacing the skylights on the weed shed for $480.00.  Twin City Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. is $24,740.00 to patch the existing roof. All bids received have a ten-year warranty. The Board agreed that patching would not be a good option. The deductible with NIRMA is $10,000.00. Banner County will be receiving $24,000.00 for damage that occurred from the storm.  Discussion was had.  Lease moved to accept Schank Roofing bid for the membrane roof of $64,130.00 and for $480.00 to replace the skylights in the weed shed. Anderson seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.   
• Resolution 25-17: Final Allocation of Levy Authority to All Political Subdivisions – Commissioners – Discussion was had.  Tabled until later in the current meeting.
• Agreement for Maintenance of Road on Common Boundary – Eric McCoy – Jay Dove explained to the Board the roads that would be affected with this agreement. Discussion was had. Lease moved to accept the agreement for maintenance of road on common boundary between Laramie County, Wyoming and Banner County, Nebraska. Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Highway Superintendent Wages – Eric McCoy – Discussion was had. Tabled until the next meeting on September 2, 2025.
• Surplus Office Equipment – Zane Hopkins – Discussion was had. Lease moved to declare the Canon Fax machine and HP Jet Pro Printer as obsolete and seven light bars as surplus office equipment.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Replacement Media Software – Don Lease – Discussion was had on the laptop in the courtroom and the Owl software. The laptop is currently not able to run the owl and YouTube and needs to be replaced.  A quote for a new laptop was presented to the Board of $1,289.02 from Dell Technologies. Discussion was had. Tabled until the next meeting on September 2, 2025.
• Resolution 25-17: Final Allocation of Levy Authority to All Political Subdivisions – Commissioners – Darnall read Resolution 25-17: Final Allocation of Levy All Political Subdivisions.  Darnall moved to accept Resolution 25-17: Final Allocation of Levy Authority to All Political Subdivisions.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. See attached. 

Claims:

General: Banner County Court - $85.00 – CC Cost; Banner County DC - $36.00 – DC Cost; Connecting Point - $216.00 – Copier Fix; Eakes - $568.00 – CC Office Supplies; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,200.60 – Attorney Fees; Fritz’s Septic - $550.00 – Septic Tank; Integrated Pest Management - $210.00 – Pest Control; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; Pack Rat - $45.00 – Trash; Quadient - $266.88 – Postage; Western NE Observer - $624.70 – Advertising; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training; NWCA - $525.00 – Tag Sheets; Total - $6,2448.65

Sheriff: AT&T - $223.04 – Cell Phone; Banner Capital Bank - $20,349.64 – Car Payment; Heartland Radar - $40.00 – Law Equipment; Zane Hopkins - $185.63 – Office Supplies; Total - $20,798.31

Road: Banner County Treasurer - $20.00 -Titles; Dept. Correctional Svcs - $31,500.00 – Pick up; Frank Parts - $4,095.62 – Shop Supplies; High West Energy - $278.00 – Lights; Integrated Pest Management - $75.00 – Pest Control; K&P Welding - $3,638.80 – Repair Labor & Parts; Menards - $90.33 – Supplies; Murphy Tractor - $44,500.00 – Tractor; Nebraskaland Tires - $53.50 – Tire Repair; Seneca Companies - $2,214.00 – Labor; Verizon - $233.10 – GPS Tracker; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Western NE Observer - $230.72 – Advertising; Total - $87,017.02

                Leased moved to approve the claims. Discussion was had.  Lease withdrew his motion. Anderson moved to approve the claims excluding claim # 02508105 for $185.63 to Zane Hopkins. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 7:26 P.M.

                The next meeting will be held September 2, 2025, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk.  The next special meeting will be held September 2, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. or after the regular scheduled meeting. 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.

Banner County Board of Commissioners

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member

Attest: ____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk