Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 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, March 16, 2026. 

                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 that 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, moving the Annual Extension Report after public comment. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the February 17, 2026, meeting were examined. Anderson moved to approve the February 17, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. The minutes of March 3, 2026, were examined. Anderson moved to approve the March 3, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Directed Spending Request Form (Deb Fischer) – The Board reviewed the information. Lease would like to discuss this later. 
• Spectrum Phone Quote – Katie West – The Board reviewed the information.  Discussion was had. 
• Weathercraft – Informational Flyer – The Board reviewed the information.
• Annual Public Tax Sale – Kathy Natale/Katie West – The Board reviewed the information. Discussion was had. The Board requested that this be on the next agenda.

Public Comment:

• None

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Annual Extension Report and Introduce Jana Schwartz – Aaron Berger – Berger introduced Jana Schwartz and McKynna Nolze.  Schwartz and Nolze both gave the Board their own introduction and what their roles are in the Extension Office.  Berger then went through the Annual Extension Report.  Discussion was had. 

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy – Discussion was had. 
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Discussion was had. 
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Nothing to report.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Not present.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Nothing to report.
• Clerk – Katie West – Discussion was had. 
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Not present.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Not present.
• Commissioner Reports – 
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had. 
  2. Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. 
  3. Laif Anderson – Discussion was had. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Weed Superintendent Pay – Tim Grubbs/Katie West – Grubbs and Katie explained to the Board what they came up with to correct Grubbs’ pay. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to approve the plan presented for Tim Grubbs, Weed Superintendent and Shop Foreman combination pay.  Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached. 

The Board took recess two minutes before the hearings. 

• Public hearing @ 10:00 A.M.  – Ordinance 2026-01

Chairperson Darnall opened the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-01 at 10:00 A.M. Anderson read Ordinance 2026-01. There were no public comments. Chairperson Darnall closed the public hearing at 10:11 A.M.

• Approval for purchase of Belly Dump – Eric McCoy – McCoy explained the invoice to the Board and transportation costs to get the belly dump here. Discussion was had.  
• Public Hearing @ 10:15 A.M. – Ordinance 2026-02

Chairperson Darnall opened the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-02 at 10:15 A.M. Darnall read Ordinance 2026-02. There were no public comments. Anderson moved for the passage of Ordinance 2026-02.  Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had.  Chairperson Darnall closed the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-02 at 10:19 A.M. Discussion was had. Lease moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2026-02.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Lease moved that the Ordinance be designated as Ordinance 2026-02 and the title thereof approved, and that the Statutory Rule requiring Ordinances to be fully and distinctly read on three different days be dispensed with.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Lease moved that the Ordinance 2026-02 be passed as read. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached. 

        Discussion was then had on the Ordinances presented. Lease moved to introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance 2026-01. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Anderson moved that the Ordinance be designated as Ordinance 2026-01 and the title thereof approved, and that the Statutory Rule requiring Ordinances to be fully and distinctly read on three different days be dispensed with. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. Anderson moved that Ordinance 2026-01 be passed as read. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached. 

• Approval for purchase of Belly Dump – Eric McCoy – Lease moved to approve the purchase of the BDX Belly Dump made by Hardcore, 2026 model for $40,089.29. Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Public Hearing @10:30 A.M. – Moratorium Resolution 26-01 and 26-02

Chairperson Darnall opened the public hearing at 10:30 A.M. for Moratorium Resolution 26-01 and Moratorium Resolution 26-02. Lease read Moratorium Resolution 26-02. Anderson read Moratorium Resolution 26-01. Darnall asked for public comments. Katie West, Harrisburg, Nebraska, expressed concerns about Moratorium 26-01 and who would enforce the moratorium. Chairperson Darnall closed the public hearing for Moratorium Resolution 26-01 and Moratorium Resolution 26-02 at 10:45 A.M. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to adopt Moratorium Resolution 26-02.  Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached.

Claims:

General:  Banner County Court - $17.00 – CC Costs; Dana F. Cole & Company - $18,547.00 – Audit; DAS - $150.00 – Data Processing; Eakes - $1,125.53 – Desk and Copier Lease; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,284.10 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $445.00 – Lights; Ideal - $110.04 – Janitorial Supplies; Ideal/Bluffs Facility Solutions - $44.98 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated Pest Management - $210.00 – Pest Management; Kimball County Treasurer - $1,825.79 – Extension Office; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; Mobius Communications - $629.60 – DC Cables; Norfolk Lodge - $260.00 – Weed Dept Room; William C. Peters - $137.00 – CC Attorney Fees; Quadient - $300.00 – Postage; Western NE Observer - $75.00 – Subscription; Jean Bauer - $150.00 – ROD Training

Sheriff: Beeline Service - $1,155.00 – Tow Fee; Caleb Scott - $104.00 – Registration Dues; DAS - $612.00 – Dues; DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Galls - $23.35 – Law Equipment; Zane Hopkins - $119.98 – Office Equipment

Road: American Tower - $53.05 – Lease; AT&T - $92.60 – Cell Phone; Bomgaars - $339.74 – Fence Posts and Tools; Bulter Ag Equipment - $6,720.94 – Parts & Labor; Frank Parts - $91.68 – Repair Parts; High West Energy - $373.00 – Lights; Ideal - $30.92 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated Pest Management - $75.00 – Pest Management; Lawson - $179.30 – Shop Supplies; NMC Cat - $5,197.01 – Repair Parts; R&C Steel Welding - $1,515.10 – Repair Parts; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:50 A.M. 

                The next meeting will be held on April 7, 2026, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. An agenda for the matters to be considered on 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

Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Member

Attest: _____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk