Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioners Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, 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, April 20, 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. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the March 17, 2026, meeting were examined. Anderson moved to approve March 17, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carries. The minutes of the April 7, 2026, meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve April 7, 2026, minutes. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall; yes; Anderson, abstain. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• Open Enrollment of BCBS – The Board reviewed the information and discussion was had on when enrollments should be reviewed. 

Public Comment:

• Charity May, Morrill County, Nebraska, former Banner County Resident, expressed concerns about a recent event that the Banner County Sheriff's Office did.

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy –  Discussion was had. 
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Nothing to report.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins - Nothing to report. 
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Business as usual.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Discussion was had.
• 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:

• Zoning/Starting Business – Cross on bluff on CR18 – Karyn Holt-Olsen – Olsen requested to be off the agenda, but it was too late to remove.
• Crack Seal Bid – Eric McCoy – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to approve the bid from Highway Improvement, Inc. for asphalt crack sealing of Stegall Road, School Street, and State Street for the total amount of $20,522.40. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Men’s Health Month – Commissioners – Lease read the proclamation. Lease moved to approve the Men’s Health Month Proclamation. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Void Claim # 02604084 – Katie West – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to void claim number 02604084 to FBI National Academy Associates for $58.01. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Settlement Agreement approved and signed (NIRMA) – Katie West – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to approve the agreement with NIRMA. Lease seconded the motion.  Anderson moved to amend the original motion to add authorizing the County Board Chairperson to sign. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Closed session pursuant to Neb Rev. State Statute 84-1410 for the purpose of protection of the public interest and for the protection of the needless injury to the reputation of an individual as well as guidance from legal counsel related to Banner County claims – Zane Hopkins/Mark Kovarik – Kovarik reported that the issue had been resolved. 

Claims:

General: Ashley Morris - $43.72 – Janitorial Supplies; Banner County Court - $221.00 – CC Costs; DAS - $194.00 – Data Processing; ES&S - $2,315.43 – Election Costs; Ellison, Kovarik & Turman - $2,314.02 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $482.00 – Lights; Jacob Parsons - $48.99 – Fertilizer; Level 3 - $771.47 – Data Processing; Menards - $87.23 – Building Repairs; Scottsbluff County Detention - $5,580.00 – Prisoner Board; Peetz - $813.36 – Propane; Register of Deeds (Jean Bauer) - $150.00 – ROD Training; Total - $13,021.22

Sheriff: DAS - $44.00 – Data Processing; Jack’s Uniforms & Equipment - $1,725.68 – Vest (STOP Purchasing); AT&T - $225.70 – Cell Phone; Bizco - $9,146.86 – Law Equipment; FBI - $550.00 – Training; National Sheriff’s Association - $530.00 – Annual Conference; Shaggy Buffalo Car Wash - $105.00 – Car Wash; Westco - $718.19 – Fuel; Total - $13,045.43

Roads: High West Energy - $325.00 – Lights; Hullinger Glass - $415.00 – Building Repairs; Inland - $6,271.79 – Repairs Parts; Menards - $203.25 – Building Repairs and Shop Supplies; Platte River Glass - $702.86 – Equipment Repair and Labor; Power Plan - $195.03 – Repair Parts; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Westco - $22,846.93 – Fuel; Wyrulec - $7.26 – Lights; Total - $31,055.07

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 9:27 A.M.

                The next meeting will be held on May 5, 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