Banner County Nebraska

BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS  PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on February 3, 2015.  This is in accordance with the adjournment of the January 20, 2015 meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse.  Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk.  A copy was e- mailed to each board member on January 30, 2015.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:45 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.  Present on roll call were Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Toney Krajewski, Assistant Highway Superintendent; Carl Gilbert, Surveyor; Jim Zimmerman, Attorney; Monty Stoddard, Treasurer; Martin Olsen, and Lori Hostetler, Clerk. Also present at various times: Cynthia Gill; Dave Christian; Jeff Hohnstein, and Stan McKnight, Sheriff.

The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room wall and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Post moved to approve. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Faden moved to approve the minutes for January 20, 2015 and that the actions therein be ratified:  Second by Post.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE

Panhandle Public Health District Annual Report
Membership informational packet from National Association of Counties (NACo)

CLAIMS

The following claims were audited, and Post moved that the claims be approved, and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

GENERAL FUND

ROAD FUND

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

Item #1 – Approval of application for snow removal or surface grading – Post made a motion to approve the application for snow removal and surface grading. Second by Faden.
Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #3 – Discussion on who the county will hire to conduct the audit for the year ending June 2014 – There was discussion that the county needs to hire someone to do the yearly audit. It was decided that the clerk will contact the individual who performed the county’s audits in the past and also other local accountants and request estimates.

Item #4 – Discussion on allowing the NRD to install equipment in the courthouse which would allow the well houses to be read remotely – Lori Hostetler, Clerk explained that the NRD is looking for somewhere to install equipment so that the well houses can be read remotely. It was decided that they would like a representative from NRD to come to the next meeting to go over the details.

REPORTS

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bob Post reported that he had been in Lincoln to testify on LB144 before the State Legislature. He also met with Ruth Sorensen with the Property Assessment Division and said she plans on attending a commissioner meeting soon.

Item #2 – Discussion and possible action on hiring a 4-H Extension Assistant/Office Manager – Cynthia Gill and Martin Olsen – Cynthia Gill with the Kimball/Banner Extension Office discussed their plan to hire a 4-H Extension Assistant/Office Manager and presented the Extension’s current budget. She indicated that it is likely that the new position will cost a bit more than what is currently budgeted, and they would like the commissioners’ support for the hiring of the new position and the increase needed for future budgets. Gifford made a motion to support the position of a 4-H Extension Assistant/ Office Manager with appropriate funding requested and to review the interlocal agreement and make changes if necessary. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.

Item #4 – continued – Dave Christian with the NRD and Jeff Hohnstein with HOA Solutions discussed what will be needed. He said that they will look at different areas in the courthouse and the county shop to see what would work.

COUNTY ATTORNEY – Jim Zimmerman, Attorney said he is still pursuing getting a contracted court- appointed attorney for Banner County. He also gave the clerk updated employment forms he had received from NIRMA.

COUNTY SURVEYOR
Carl Gilbert, Surveyor reported that he is still working on the northeast corner of the county and has set a total of 34 corners so far.

COUNTY TREASURER REPORT
Monty Stoddard, Treasurer reported that he had completed the Audit Certification – A-133. He also presented the tax sale list that will be advertised.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent presented last year’s One and Six Plan and asked for recommendations for this year’s plan. He said the hearing will be advertised for the February 17th meeting. He said he would like to seal Park Street and School Street. He also said he would like to have a hydraulic study done on County Road 18 in Long Canyon. The completed hydraulic study on County Road 14 and Singleton Road was reviewed.

COUNTY CLERK REPORT
Lori Hostetler, County Clerk reported that the applications for the new health insurance plan have been sent in. She also said that she would like to advertise for the groundskeeper position. Notices will be posted in the courthouse, at the school, and in the post office.

Item #4 – continued – Jeff Hohnstein said that the county shop is the best place to put the box and antenna so the wells can be read remotely. The commissioners gave permission for them to proceed. 

No other reports.

Faden made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:33 a.m.  Second by Post.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on February 17, 2015 or at the call of the clerk.  A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS  PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on January 20, 2015.  This is in accordance with the adjournment of the January 6, 2015 meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse.  Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk.  A copy was e- mailed to each board member on January 16, 2015.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:50 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.  Present on roll call were Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Sharon Sandberg, Assessor; Jim Zimmerman, Attorney; Monty Stoddard, Treasurer, and Lori Hostetler, Clerk. Also present at various times: Stan McKnight, Sheriff and Doug Leafgreen.

The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room wall and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Post moved to approve. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Faden moved to approve the minutes for January 6, 2015 and that the actions therein be ratified:  Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE

Pesticide noxious weed newsletter
Notice of the due date for the Annual Report for the Livestock Friendly Program
Information from Sustainability Partner

CLAIMS

The following claims were audited, and Post moved that the claims be approved, and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes. 

GENERAL FUND

ROAD FUND

PRESERVATION & MODERNIZATION FUND

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

Item #1 – Review and approval of weed superintendent annual report – After review, Faden made a motion to approve the weed superintendent annual report. Second by Post.   Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes. Post, yes.

Item #2 – Approval of applications for snow removal or surface grading – Post made a motion to approve the applications for snow removal and surface grading. Second by Faden.
Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #3 – Void check # 1412086 – Faden made a motion to void check # 1412086. Second by Gifford.  Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #4 – Discussion and action on Blue Cross/ Blue Shield plan – Doug Leafgreen with NACO Benefit Services answered questions on the different health plans available from Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. After discussion, Gifford made a motion to go with the Blue Pride 204 HSA Silver plan. Second by Faden.  Roll call vote:  Faden, yes; Post, no; Gifford, yes.

Item #5 – Discussion and possible action on the funding back of the health insurance deductible to employees or the amount contributed to a Health Savings Plan – Gifford made a motion to fund HRAs for Medicare – eligible employees up to $2000 per family per year and to fund an employee’s HSA up to $2000 per year by contributing $900 the first month and the remaining balance at $100 per month for 11 months. Second by Faden.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

REPORTS

COUNTY CLERK REPORT
Lori Hostetler, County Clerk presented the clerk and the clerk of the district court fee reports. She reported that she is preparing to finish W-2s.

COUNTY TREASURER REPORT
Monty Stoddard, Treasurer reported that the Semi-Annual report has been advertised, and he is preparing a list of possible properties to be on the tax sale. He said that the certificate fees for the tax sale will be increasing from $10 to $20 this year, and there will now be a $25 seating fee. He also said that Kathy will be doing more continuing education.

COUNTY ATTORNEY
Jim Zimmerman asked for permission to contract with just one attorney to handle all court- appointed attorney cases for Banner County. The commissioners gave their permission.

COUNTY SHERIFF
Stan McKnight, Sheriff presented his quarterly fee report and annual report.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent reported that a school bus had went off the road on a corner that was icy because it is always shaded. There was discussion on doing a hydraulic study on the part of Road 14 located in Rocky Hollow. He also stated that they have been cutting down trees that have caused drifting on roads.

No other reports.

Post made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 11:32 a.m.  Second by Faden.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on February 3, 2015 or at the call of the clerk.  A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS  PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in statutory session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on January 6, 2015.  This is in accordance with the adjournment of the December 16, 2014 meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse.  Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk.  A copy was mailed to each board member on January 2, 2015.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:46 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.  Present on roll call were Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Sharon Sandberg, Assessor; Carl Gilbert, and Lori Hostetler, Clerk. Also present at various times: Jim Zimmerman, Attorney; Toney Krajewski, Assistant Highway Superintendent, and Stan McKnight, Sheriff.

The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room wall and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Faden moved to approve. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Post moved to approve the minutes for December 16, 2014 and that the actions therein be ratified:  Second by Faden.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Faden, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE

Invitations to receptions honoring retiring officials Mike Marker and Doug Teaford.

CLAIMS

The following claims were audited, and Faden moved that the claims be approved, and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes.

GENERAL FUND

ROAD FUND

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

Item #1 – Reorganization – Post made a motion to leave the positions the same as last year. Second by Faden.   Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes. Post, yes.

Item #2 – Review and approval of weed superintendent annual report – Tabled.
 
Item #3 – Appoint Officials to various offices- Post made a motion to appoint Tom Neal as Highway Superintendent; Toney Krajewski as Assistant Highway Superintendent, and Richard McGowan as Weed Superintendent. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.
Item #4 – Appoint representatives to serve on various boards and committees - Gifford made a motion to appoint representatives for 2015 as follows:
County Safety Director - Tom Neal
Aging Office of Western Nebraska – Robert Post
Panhandle Mental Health Board - Robert Post
Region One Office of Human Development and Panhandle Developmental Disabilities Services, Inc. - Robert Gifford
Public Health District - Robert Gifford
Emergency Management Board - Robert Gifford
Safety Committee - John-Robert Faden
NIRMA Contact Person - Lori Hostetler
Personnel Policy Committee - Robert Post; Sharon Sandberg; Tom Neal; Jerry Soule, and Donna McGowan
Panhandle R C & D – John-Robert Faden

Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

Item #5 – Designate official County newspaper - Post made a motion to designate the Star Herald as the official County newspaper. Second by Faden.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #6 –Appoint a depository bank – Faden made a motion to adopt the resolution designating the Banner Capital Bank as the depository bank. Second by Post.  Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.

Item #7 – Set indigent burial cost limit - Post made a motion to set indigent burial cost limit at negotiable up to $1500. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #8 - Set interest rate on registered warrants - Faden made a motion to adopt the resolution to set the interest rate on registered warrants at .5%. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Post, yes; Gifford, yes.

Item #9 - Set method of reasonable advance notice for meetings - Post made a motion to set the method of reasonable advance notice as publishing in the county newspaper and posting in three public places: the Banner County Courthouse, Banner County School, and Banner County Post Office. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #10 - Authorize Treasurer to invest county funds - Faden made a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the treasurer to invest county funds in the Banner Capital Bank. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #11 - Set meeting dates for 2015 - Post made a motion to set the meeting dates for 2015 as the first and third Tuesday of each month at 8:45 a.m. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #12 - Set holidays to be observed in 2015 – Gifford made a motion to set the holidays to be observed in 2015 as:
New Year’s Day – January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 19th
Presidents’ Day – February 16th
Good Friday – April 3rd without pay (optional)
Arbor Day – April 24th
Memorial Day – May 25th
Independence Day – July 3rd
Labor Day – September 7th
Columbus Day – October 12th
Veterans’ Day – November 11th
Thanksgiving – November 26th & November 27th
Christmas – December 24th & December 25th
New Year’s Day of 2016 – January 1st

Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #13 – Appoint Jessica Stauffer to Extension Board – Post made a motion to appoint Jessica Stauffer to the Banner County Extension Board. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

Item #14 – Set machine hire rates – Post made a motion to set the machine hire rates as follows:

Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #15 – Set rates for gravel, hardpan/dirt, and mileage – Faden made a motion set the rates for gravel, hardpan/dirt, and mileage as follows:

Second by Post. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #16 – Discussion and possible action on health insurance – After discussion, Post made a motion that due to the failure of CoOportunity Insurance Company, Banner County will move to Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. A decision will be made on the specific plan at the next meeting. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

REPORTS

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent reported that they are keeping busy clearing roads.

COUNTY SURVEYOR
Carl Gilbert, Surveyor Elect reported that he is preparing to set the corner for the northeast corner of the county.

COUNTY ATTORNEY
Jim Zimmerman reported that there will be not be a jury trial for the two littering cases. The accused will have to pay court costs and the cost for the cleanup.

COUNTY TREASURER REPORT
Lori Hostetler, Clerk presented the pledged collateral report and a notification from the bank of securities that have been added.

COUNTY CLERK REPORT
Lori Hostetler, County Clerk reported that Megan has begun work on the county’s future website and will be contacting everyone. She reminded that the swearing-in ceremony will be on Thursday, the 8th at 8:30 a.m.

No other reports.

Post made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:28 a.m.  Second by Faden.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on January 20, 2015 or at the call of the clerk.  A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA