Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, October 21, 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 Monday, October 20, 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 October 7, 2025, minutes were examined.  Lease moved to approve October 7, 2025, minutes. Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Discover Card Settlement – Katie West – Discussion was had.  Lease moved to fill out the Discover Card Settlement form. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.

Public Comment:

• Eddie Shaul – Shaul expressed concerns with a possible purchase of the mini excavator and the motor grader. Shaul thought funds should go to a full-time superintendent. Shaul also expressed concerns over road maintenance. 

Reports:

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

• Petition CR 61 for Road Repair – Paula Brown – Discussion was had. No action was taken.
• Equipment Leases for Mini Ex & Motor Grader and supporting resolutions – Eric McCoy – Discussion was had on the motor grader. Lease moved to accept the 140-15AWD Caterpillar Motor Grader lease agreement from Nebraska Machinery Company with an equipment cost of $328,400.00 with an annual lease payment of $76,940.80 for five years, and a $1.00 buyout in year six (6), authorizing the Chairperson to sign and Eric McCoy and Katie West to sign as required. Anderson seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Lease moved to close the debate. Anderson seconded the motion to close the debate. Lease withdrew his motion to close the debate due to a motion already being on the floor, Anderson withdrew his second.  Roll call vote to lease the 140-15AWD with an annual lease payment of $76,940.80 was taken: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Discussion was then had on the mini excavator.  Anderson moved to approve the CAT 306-07CR mini excavator from Nebraska Machinery Company with an equipment cost of $93,000.00 with an annual lease payment of $21,830.79 per year for five years with $1.00 buyout in year six (6), and authorizing the Chairperson to sign, and Eric McCoy and Katie West to sign as necessary. Lease seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Resolution Supporting Heartland Expressway – Resolution 25-24 – Commissioners – Lease moves to adopt Resolution 25-24, Resolution supporting the future interstate highway formula program. Anderson seconded the motion.  Lease read Resolution 25-24.  Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached.
• Prairie Dog Committee – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.  No action was taken.
• Nebraska Fire and Safety Quote Change/Approval – Robin Darnall.  Discussion was had. Anderson moved to accept the revised bid from Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to withdraw his motion and Lease withdrew his second. Anderson then moved to accept September 16, 2025, proposal number 17053 for $1,506.00 replacing the original proposal number 17053 from June 24, 2025, for $2,255.00. Lease seconded the motion.  Discussion was had to replace panic buttons consistent with the June 24, 2025, proposal. Anderson withdrew his motion; Lease withdrew his second and no action was taken.
• Review right of way permits – Don Lease – Discussion was had. Lease moved to approve the Permit to Occupy County Road Right-of-Way in Banner County, Nebraska, with the permit to include $100.00 per location for seismography sampling, vertical drilling, and core sampling. Anderson seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Darnall called to question. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Claims:

General: Banner County Court - $100.00 – CC Cost; Big Mack HVAC - $2,516.13 – AC Unit; Comfort Inn - $134.95 – ROD Training; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Eakes - $145.98 – Office Supplies; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,232.80 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $513.00 – Lights; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; NE Association of County Officials - $55.00 – Training; William C Peters - $434.00 – CC Cost; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $19.00 – Fuel; Scottsbluff County Treasurer - $25.00 – Postage; Wiznerds - $780.00 – Year Web Hosting; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training; Total - $8,027.33

Sheriff: AT&T - $223.12 – Cell phone; DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $589.67 – Fuel; POAN Law Enforcement - $60.00 – Dues; Motorola - $348.00 – Law Equipment; Total - $1,264.79

Road: Bomgaars - $89.99 – Shop Supplies; High West Energy - $272.00 – Lights; Inland - $296.10 – Repair Parts; Menards - $117.40 – Shop & Building Supplies; NMC Cat - $1,210.96 – Repair Parts; Pine Bluffs Sinclair - $21,958.95 – Fuel; Power Plan - $2,772.96 – Repair Parts and Labor; Team Auto - $359.90 – Radio Repair; Verizon - $466.20 – Cell Phone; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; WPCI - $225.00 – Drug Tests; Total - $27,807.41

                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 11:40 A.M.

                The next meeting will be held on November 4, 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 Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Banner County Board of Commissioners

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member

Attest: ________________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk