Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, December 16, 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, December 15, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. County Clerk Katie West took roll call showing: Don Lease, present; Robin Darnall, present; Laif Anderson, present. Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door of the courtroom. 

                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 December 2, 2025, meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve December 2, 2025, minutes. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Storm Damage Claim Checks – NIRMA – Board reviewed copies of the checks.
• Discontinued Production Shortage – Pennies – MIPS – The Board reviewed the information and discussion was had. The Board would like a notice put onto the website. 

Public Comment:

• Valerie Elson – Elson expressed concern over an incident that occurred at their ranch and law enforcement interaction. 

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy – Discussion was had.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Discussion was had.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – No Report.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Discussion was had.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Discussion was had.
• Clerk – Katie West – Discussion was had.
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – No Report.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Not Present.
• Commissioner Report             
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – No Report.
  3. Laif Anderson – No Report.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Personnel Policy – Commissioners – Discussion was had on credit card purchases on food and drinks for personal and training purposes. Sheriff Hopkins expressed his concerns of discussion on the issues of purchases. Darnall called to order. The Board would like to add to the budget a fund for catering for training. West explained to the Board how the vehicle benefit works.  Krakow said that the Handbook committee is meeting next week and all suggestions for changes need to be sent to her. Discussion was had on other recommended policies for the handbook.
• Property Fraud Alert – Taylor Martinez – Krakow explained the Property Fraud Alert to the Board.  Discussion was had. The Board would like to wait for six months until the new budget or sooner if more fraud happens in Banner County.
• Auto gate Policy – Commissioners – Kovarik stated that this is not complete yet because more research is needed. Discussion was had. Kovarik stated he will inform West when the policy is done to have it put back on the agenda.
• Central Station Monitoring Agreement – NE Fire and Safety Equipment – Discussion was had on the agreement and the prices listed. Lease attempt to call Nebraska Fire and Safety for clarification.  Lease moved to approve the Pye-Barker Central Station Monitoring Agreement for $600.00 per year.  Anderson seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• National Radon Month – PPHD – Darnall read the proclamation.  Darnall moved to approve the Radon Action Month authorizing the Chairperson to sign.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Void Claim numbers 02512101 and 02510112 – Lease moved to void claim number 02510101 and claim number 02510112. Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• 2026 Cost of Living Increase for Elected Officials – Katie West – West explained to Board the issues she was having for the increase for 2026. Discussion was had. The Board would like this item of business on the next agenda.
• Budget Analysis – Caleb Johnson – Moved to later in the meeting.
• Discussion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Juvenile Justice Study – Don Lease – Lease explained what Sheriff Overman and himself are working on to get this project started. Discussion was had. Darnall moved to accept a Memorandum of Understanding for a juvenile justice study to begin authorizing the County Attorney to participate in drafting the juvenile justice Memorandum of Understanding. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Claims:

General: Banner County District Court - $36.00 – DC Fees; Big Mack HVAC - $632.76 – Hot Water Heater Repair; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Eakes - $318.65 – Copier; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,213.49 – Attorney Fees; Ideal - $102.83 – Janitorial Supplies; Bluffs Facility Solutions - $233.10 - Janitorial Supplies; Level 3 Communications - $771.47 – Internet; Lighthouse Electrical - $1,079.65 – Fire Alarm ; NE Weed Control Association - $385.00 – Dues; Peetz - $516.00 – Propane; Schank Roofing - $64,130.00 – Roof Replacement; Region 22 Emergency Management - $2,194.02 – Emergency management; Workwise Compliance - $676.87 – Workforce Posters; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training; Total - $73,589.84

Sheriff: Caleb Scott - $56.90 – Meals; Great Plains Uniforms - $79.00 – Uniforms; Motorola - $348.00 – Law Equipment; DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Total - $527.90

Road: Ace Hardware - $60.34 – Building Repairs ; Action Communications - $84.48 – Radio Repair; American Tower Corp - $206.00 – Dues; AT&T - $51.50 – Cell Phone; Bomgaars - $308.80 – Supplies and Repairs; Frank Parts - $150.18 – Shop Supplies; High West Energy - $278.00 – Lights; Hullinger Glass & Lock - $111.02 – Building Repairs; Lawson Products - $329.96 – Shop Tools; Peetz - $480.24 – Propane; Platte River Glass - $323.44 – Repair Equipment and Labor; Power Plan - $248.69 – Repair Parts; Verizon - $233.10 – Tracker; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Schank Roofing - $480.00 – Roof Repair; Bluffs Facility Solutions - $77.70 – Janitorial Supplies; Ideal Linen - $28.88 – Janitorial Supplies; First Concord - $75.00 – HRA ; Total - $3,615.28

                Lease moved to pay the claims as presented. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Wages, Salaries, and Benefits – Commissioners – Discussion was had on cash in lieu, health saving account (HSA), and insurance. Then discussion was had on road department wages and compensation time. The Board would like to add part-time positions in the handbook. Discussion on wages, salaries, and benefits to be continued after Budget Analysis.
• Budget Analysis – Caleb Johnson – Caleb Johnson introduced himself and what he does. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to hire J13 Enterprises, LLC., Caleb Johnson, for $800.00 one-time fee and to fix the budget at $100.00 per hour not to exceed $5,000.00.  Discussion was had. Anderson withdrew his motion. Anderson moved to hire J13 Enterprises, LLC., Caleb Johnson to fix the budget at a one-time fee of $800.00 to rebuild and configure, $100.00 per hour capped at $5,000.00, and $3,800.00 for the fiscal year 2026-2027. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Wages, Salaries, and Benefits – Commissioners – Discussion continued wages for the elected official’s salary for the 2027-2030 term. The Board would like to continue to review until the next meeting. 

Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 12:03 P.M.

The next meeting will be held on January 8, 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 of Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Banner County Board of Commissioners

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member

Attest: _____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk