Banner County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioners Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 8:30 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 meeting agenda is kept current and available during regular business hours in the County Clerk's office.  A copy of the agenda was sent to the Commissioners on Friday, June 26, 2026. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:37 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, changing Tuesday, June 29, to Monday, June 29. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the June 16, 2026, meeting were examined. Anderson moved to approve the June 16, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• NE Disaster Behavioral Health Annual Exercise – Region 1 – The Board reviewed the information.
• 2026-2027 Budget Forms Released – Jeff Schreier – The Board reviewed the information. 

Public Comment:

• No public comment.

Reports:

• 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:

• Resolution 2026-14 – Close Funds – Caleb Johnson – Discussion was had on the funds that need to be closed and possible other funds to be closed. These funds have had no activity for some time.  Johnson also asked the Board about two funds, fund 301, Equipment Sinking fund, and fund 302, Hard Surface Road, if they would like to keep those funds open or close them. Two years ago, there was a transfer done to clear them up. The Board would like to retain those funds and use them in the future. The funds the Resolution would be closing out are the 5907 funds, which are now the 2910 fund; it is the E911 that is with Scottsbluff County, the 820 fund, which has had no activity for a while, and the Judgement fund, which no longer exists in the State system now. Anderson read Resolution 2026-14: Resolution to Close Funds: The Bridge Fund – 802, The Judgement Fund – 2175, The E911 – 5907. Anderson moved to approve Resolution 2026-14: Resolution to Close Funds: The Bridge Fund – 802, The Judgement Funds – 2175, The E911 – 5907. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached. 
• Firework Resolution – Commissioners – Fire Chief Tim Grubbs read the Fire Ban for Banner County. Grubbs also stated that the ban has been posted on social media. 
• Move payroll date to end of month – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to have payroll moved to the last day of the month. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Fireworks – Robin Darnall – No action was taken. 

Open Public Hearing concerning Budget Amendment:

• Darnall opened the public hearing concerning the 2025-2026 budget amendment at 9:00 A.M. Caleb Johnson for J13 Enterprises, LLC., explained where mistakes were made and how to correct them moving forward. Mistakes in the budget include incorrect codes, payroll, and transfers. Some codes that are being used by the state are not used anymore and no longer exist. Some codes need to be used, such as a joint public hearing reimbursement code that needs to be in the budget. The auditor’s adjustment is an issue for two reasons: one is payroll, and the other is that the auditor’s report brings funds to balance. The summary of all funds needs to be balanced, and it is not.  To balance, the transfers need to be split between the clerk’s and treasurer’s sides. If the treasurer does a transfer on the revenue side, then the clerk must do an expenditure correctly, or it does not balance. Other corrections that are needed and will be corrected are that some funds are out of balance; funds are on the clerk’s side but not on the treasurer’s side, and vice versa. There are funds that no longer exist, such as the ag extension fund, which is listed as 930 but should be 645. Johnson will also get a planning and zoning fund.  Johnson asked Mark Kovarik and Kathy Natale about the STOP funds and how they are used, and if they still needed that fund.  Johnson stated that he can create a resolution to repay or not to pay the inheritance tax of $81,000.00 for the greater-than-anticipated expenditures in the Buildings and Grounds function of the General Fund. The Board requested that this resolution be on July 7, 2026, on the agenda, and it can be decided on the amount and the duration of time when the resolution is discussed.  Discussion was had. There were no public comments. 

Close Public Hearing concerning Budget Amendment:

• Darnall closed the public hearing at 9:44 A.M. 

Recess was called directly after. The meeting resumed at 9:52 A.M.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Resolution 2026-15 – Adopt Amended Budget – Caleb Johnson – Lease read Resolution 2026-15: Resolution of Adoption and Appropriations of Amended Budget. Lease moved to adopt Resolution 2026-15: Resolution of Adoption and Appropriations of Amended Budget. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached
• Review/Accept Comprehensive Plan Consultant Quotes – Commissioners – This will be covered in the last three items of business. 
• Resolution 2026-13 Transferring funds from Sheriff Fund to General Fund – Zane Hopkins – Darnall read Resolution 2026-13 Transferring funds from Sheriff Fund to General Fund.  Darnall moved to approve Resolution 2026-13 Transferring funds from Sheriff Fund to General Fund. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. See attached. 
• Suburban purchase – Robin Darnall – Grubbs stated to the Board that the Fire Department is restructuring its equipment fleet and has some vehicles for sale. The Fire Department has a 2007 Chevy Suburban K2500 for sale.  Grubbs would like to get about $20,000.00 for it.  Discussion was had. The Board stated that the Fire Department should list the suburban on Purple Wave, and if Eric McCoy would like to add the suburban to the road department fleet, then he would place a bid on Purple Wave. 
• Receive Planning Commission recommendation on Comprehensive Plan Professional Consulting Services – Robin Darnall – Darnall stated that the Planning Commission met on Monday.  The Commission voted and recommended JEO Consulting Group, Inc. 
• Discuss/Consider/Approve Professional Consulting Services for Comprehensive Plan Update, Authorizing Chairperson to sign on Contract – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to approve JEO Consulting Group, Inc. as the professional consulting services for our Comprehensive Plan for $24,670.00.  Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Discuss/Consider/Approve payment for Professional Consulting Service – Robin Darnall – Darnall stated that Caleb Johnson made the recommendation to pay for this in the next fiscal year. No action taken. 

Claims:

General: Government Supplies - $609.00 – ROD Books; Holiday Inn - $239.90 – Room; Katie West - $46.01 – Fuel for Training; Kimball County Treasurer - $1937.33 – Extension Office; North Platte NRD - $108.17 – Water; Pack Rat - $45.00 – Trash; Department of Treasury/IRS - $1,768.59 – Taxes; Scott Winter - $695.00 – IAAO Course; Western NE Seed and Chemical - $922.70; Total - $6,371.70

Sheriff: Jack’s Uniforms & Equipment - $1,116.99 – Plates Bullet Proof Desk; Zane Hopkins - $50.00 – Office Equipment; Comfort Inn - $440.00 – Room; Total- $1,656.99

Road: Pack Rat - $160.00 – Trash; Zane Hopkins - $410.00 – Office Equipment; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; Shannon Mues - $62.97 – Office Supplies; Battle Armor Designs - $5,195.00; Pomp’s Tire - $7,468.16 – Tires; Total - $13,327.55

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 10:21 A.M.

                The next meeting will be held on July 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

Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Member

Attest: _________________________________

                 Katie West, Banner County Clerk