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 2, 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 1, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:46 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 November 18, 2025, meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve November 18, 2025, minutes.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• None

Public Comment:

• Pat Parsons – Parsons stated that his services are still available, his rate is $150.00 per hour for maintenance.
• Eric McCoy – McCoy informed the Board that the mini ex is working well and the road department is using it more than expected.  They are also back on a rotation for maintaining roads. The road department lost an employee and is looking forward to hiring a full-time employee this month. John Trimble has been hired part-time and will be taking over Rob Leaf’s route. The road department finished installing an auto gate last week and the landowner needs to fill out a permit for a water line that was placed through the road.  This would be for recording purposes. 

Reports:

• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Discussion was had.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had. Lease informed the public that Panhandle Public Health District is holding a Banner County Community Conversation at the Banner County School on December 15, 2025, at 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.
  2. Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson – Discussion was had. Anderson informed the public that there will be a Green Energy subcommittee meeting on December 15, 2025, at 4:30 P.M., and a Planning Commission meeting on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Extension Office Crops and Water Educator – Vini Zuppa – Discussion was had. Zuppa informed the public that he will be doing pesticide training on February 4, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. If you have any questions, please contact Vini Zuppa at (308) 254-4455.
• Right of Way Permit Form Signature – Commissioners – Discussion was had. Lease moved to designate the road superintendent as the signer for the Right of Way Permit Form.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Wages and Salaries – Commissioners – Discussion was had. The Board would like this on the next agenda after claims.
• Property Fraud Alert – Taylor Martinez – Discussion was had. The Board tabled Property Fraud Alert until December 16, 2025, meeting.
• Set reorganization meeting date – Katie West – Discussion was had. The Board set the reorganization meeting date to January 8, 2026, at 8:30 A.M. for the Banner County Equalization and January 8, 2026, at 8:45 A.M. for the Banner County Commissioners meeting.  There will not be a meeting on January 6, 2026. 

Claims:

General: Aflac - $365.19 – Employee Benefits; Aflac Dental - $764.88 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $3,781.70 – HAS; Banner County Court - $70.00 – CC Fees; Bytes - $2,399.75 – IT Services; Docu-Shred - $75.00 – Election Retention; Eakes - $46.00 – Office Supplies; Ellison, Kovarik, Turman - $2,813.80 – Attorney Fees; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier; Ideal - $102.83 – Janitorial Supplies; Kimball County Treasurer - $1,812.11 – Extension Office; MIPS - $1,718.86 – Data Processing; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; North Platte NRD - $40.62 – Water; Pack Rat - $45.00 – Trash; Scottsbluff County Treasurer - $25.00 – Postage; Triad - $11,281.49 – Health Insurance; US Bank - $167.38 – Office Supplies; VSP - $217.13 – Vision; Zultys - $642.06 – Telephone; Western NE Observer - $859.10 – Advertising; Sandberg Implement - $139.95 – Spray Equipment

Sheriff: Great Plains Uniforms - $90.85 – Uniform; Nebraskaland Tire - $1,708.20 – Tires; NSA - $205.90 – Membership; Relentless LLC - $749.00 – Training; Scottsbluff Screenprinting - $34.00 – Uniform; US Bank - $684.81 – Fuel, Repairs, & Supplies

Road: American Tower - $609.00 – Dues; Kimball Auto - $628.17 – Supplies, Tools, & Repairs; Tom Neal - $2,400.00 – Bridge Inspection; NMC Cat - $26,521.74 – Labor & Repair; North Platte NRD - $33.72 – Water; Pack Rat - $160.00 – Trash; Power Plan - $1,927.51 – Repair Parts & Labor; US Bank - $872.81 – Equipment, Supplies, & Miscellaneous; VSP - $51.08 – Vision; Triad - $2,835.77 – Health Insurance; Ideal Linen - $28.88 – Janitorial; First Concord - $470.00 – HRA; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $1,041.68 – HAS; Aflac - $594.80 – Employee Benefits

                Anderson moved to pay the claims as presented. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had on the credit card policy and funds used. Anderson withdrew his motion. Anderson moved to approve the claims excluding claim # 02512101, needing additional clarification and review. Darnall seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, no; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. Anderson moved to approve claim number 02512101, minus $72.66. Darnall seconded the motion. Discussion was had.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:58 A.M. 

                The next meeting will be held on December 16, 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

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease II, Member

Attest: _____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk