**This is a condensed version of the Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. These minutes are not the official approved version. For a complete and/or approved version of the Banner County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes, please contact Katie West, Banner County Clerk, during regular business hours.**
BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.
Notice of the meeting was published in the Western Nebraska Observer. Meeting notices posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska at: Post Office, Banner Capitol Bank, and the Banner County Courthouse.
The agenda for the meeting was kept current and are available during the regular business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on July 17, 2023.
Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Roll call showed all members present. Also present: County Clerk Katie West; County Treasurer Kathy Natale; Sheriff Zane Hopkins; County Attorney Mark Kavorik; Road Superintendent Tom Neal and Weed Superintendent Tim Grubbs.
Chairperson Darnall stated that the Open Meetings Act is posted in the back of this courtroom by the entrance.
Gifford said prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Agenda: The agenda for meeting was examined. Motion by Gifford to approve agenda. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford absent. Motion carried.
Minutes from July 11, 2023 meeting was examined. Motion by Gifford to approve the minutes. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Correspondence: Thank you letter from Next Gen Benefits and Blue Cross Blue Shield cancellation
Public Comments: None
Reports:
Highway Superintendent: Tom Neal reported the crews have been focusing on maintaining the main roads. County road 32 is still being worked on. Two employees will be going from full time to part time. Board suggested the hours for the part time employees be pre - determined by the Superintendent and part time employees only work during normal road department hours.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported he took a few days off, the State Patrol covered Banner County. Other than that, nothing new.
County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reported it has been business as usual. Busy with traffic citations and courts.
County Treasurer: Kathy Natale reported preparing for the new fiscal year. Banner Capitol Bank has been notified that the County will leave funds with NPAIT (Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust) until December 2023. Kathy reported that in June revenue for NPAIT was $6,000 and $436.24 for ARPA (America Rescue Plan Act). All tax sales have been redeemed as of July 17, 2023.
County Clerk: Katie West reported she has cancelled the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance. Working with Nick Lease (Next Gen Insurance), making sure Banner County is in compliance with State requirements. Spoke with the auditor, Don Wilson could come the first week of August, or in October this year. Also working on the budget.
County Assessor: Kacy Krakow absent.
County Surveyor: Carl Gilbert absent.
Weed Superintendent: Tim Grubbs reported he has sent out notices for noxious weeds. People who received the notice have ten to fifteen days to comply. If those people do not comply, forced control may be necessary. Areas along county road 10 and county road 49 were sprayed with the airplane this week. Areas along county road 23 and county road 6 will likely need forced control next year.
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; Panhandle Area Development District (PAD) - missed meeting; Office of Human Development (OHD) - regular meeting. Appoved the budget and pay plan; Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) - no meeting.
Anderson: Office of Aging - meeting cancelled. Region 1 Behavioral Health - monthly meeting was cancelled. An emergency meeting will be held July 19, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss hail damage to the building and the return of employees to the offices.
Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management - next meeting is July 20, 2023.
Items of business before the board:
Pay period and payroll date: Board discussed adjusting pay period dates so employees are submitting actual hours worked. Board will issue a 30 - day notice to all hourly employees. Motion by Gifford to begin on the 26th day of each month, and end on the 25th day of each month; with payday remaining on the second working day of the month. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Autogate county road 34: West found an agreement from the 1980's regarding autogates with Banner County. Gifford asked Tom Neal if he had heard back from the landowner requesting an autogate. Neal stated he has attempted to contact the landowner, the landowner has not responded. No action.
Website: Darnall inquired about updating the website. Gifford suggested adding funding, if possible, to the 2023 - 2024 budget. Tabled until August 15, 2023 Board meeting.
Budget Fund Approval - Sheriff Hopkins: Hopkins stated he would like a fund in the budget that would guarantee funds for special projects that would not create a tax burden. Seed money would come from Sheriff sales. NACO has a fund known as "Law Enforcement Fund 2962". Discussion. Motion by Anderson to create a Law Enforcement Special Project Fund 2962. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Budget Fund Approval - County Attorney Kovarik: Kovarik stated he would like to add a line item to the budget for autopsies. The autopsy this year cost approximately $2,000.00. Kovarik suggested putting $2,000.00 - $2,500.00 in the budget. Motion by Gifford to add line item for autopsies in the Attorney budget. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Set hearing date for 1 year road plan: Darnall stated a date is needed for the 1 year road plan. Discussion. The 1 year road plan hearing will be: August 15, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Set hearing date for budget: Darnall stated the budget must be submitted to the State by September 20, 2023. Discussion. The budget hearing for Banner County will be: September 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Closed Session: Anderson moved to go into closed session at 7:05 p.m. for evaluation of the job performance of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting to include Chairperson Darnall; Vice Chairman Anderson; Member GIfford; County Attorney Kovarik; and at various times Road Superintendent Tom Neal. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried. Chairperson Darnall repeated the purpose of the closed session prior to closed session commencing. Motion by Anderson to come out of closed session at 8:08 p.m. with no decision(s) made. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
The following claims for July 18, 2023 were audited. Motion by Anderson to approve claims, and warrants ordered drawn on respective funds. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
General: Western Pathology Consultants $912.50 consultation; Vistabeam $198.90 internet; USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) $2,419.81 pest control; Scottsbluff County Detention Center $1,080.00 detainee housing; Quadient $343.50 postage; Postmaster $176.00 post office box rent; Pack Rat Disposal $45.00 trash; Nebraska County Attorney $484.00 dues & training; Nebraska Safety & Fire $236.40 panic buttons; Level 3 Communications $2,040.65 internet; HIgh West Energy $561.95 lights; Tim Grubbs $148.57 chemical; Ellison, Kovarik, & Truman $1,962.26 Attorney fees; DAS State $28.64 data processing; Century Link $664.50 telephone; Banner County Court $84.00 court fees; Aflac $60.45 insurance; Advantage Laser $175.00 office supplies.
Roads: Aflac $901.87 insurance; Western Pathology Consultants $62.00 drug testing; Verizon Connect $32.38 vehicle trackers; Murphy Tractor $1,655.79 repair parts & labor; Motor Fuels Division $492.00 fuel tax payment; Inland Truck Parts $513.70 repair parts & labor; High West Energy $177.00 lights; Century Link $84.85 telephone.
Sheriff: Century Link $80.98 telephone.
Adjournment: Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 8:34 p.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
The next meeting will be held August 1, 2023 at 8:45 a.m. or at the call of the clerk. An 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.
