Banner County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting

Condensed version - for a complete version, contact the Banner County Clerk.

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

     The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in special session Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.  Notice of the meeting was given by publication om 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.

     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 Board of Commissioners on Monday, January 6, 2025.

     Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to or at 8:45 a.m.  Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door off the courtroom.  Clerk West took roll call showing all members present.

     Lease led prayer.

     Pledge of Allegiance was said.

     Agenda was examined.  Motion by Anderson to approve agenda.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

     Minutes of December 17, 2024 was examined.  Motion by Lease to approve minutes of December 17, 2024.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:

• JNR/Century Link tort claim - Discussion.
• Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
• NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Exploratory Committee Report
• Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) Radon Month - Reviewed, Board will revisit January 21, 2025.

Public Comments:  No public comments.

Commissioner Reports:

• Robin Darnall:  Budget - Discussion.  Tabled until January 21, 2025.
• Laif Anderson:  Road Department - Discussion.
• Don Lease:  Buildings and Grounds - Discussion.

Re-organization Board of Commissioners:

• Appointment 2025 Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson:  Motion by Lease to leave Darnall as Chairperson, and Anderson as Vice Chairperson for Banner County Board of Commissioners 2025.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Set regular Board of Commissioners meetings dates/times:  Motion by Lease to set Banner County Commissioner meetings on first and third Tuesday of the month at 8:45 a.m.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Designate official county newspaper(s) for notifications (currently Western Nebraska Observer and Star Herald): Motion by Anderson to designate Western Nebraska Observer and Star Herald as official county newspapers.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Set method of reasonable advance notice of meetings:  Motion by Anderson to keep reasonable advance notice of meeting at the location of Harrisburg Post Office, Banner County School; and Banner County Courthouse.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 
• Discuss and approve 2025 county holiday schedule:  Discussion.  Motion by Anderson to keep the 2025 holiday schedule as presented, making Good Friday a floating holiday.  Second by Lease. Discussion.  Anderson amended motion to add "using the floating holiday within the calendar year." Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Other Business:

• Purchase Weed Department Pickup - Tim Grubbs:  Discussion.  Motion by Anderson to table purchase of weed department pickup until January 21, 2025.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Documents for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to declare Banner County NOT a sanctuary county:  Motion by Anderson to authorize Chairperson to complete and sign ICE documents to make Banner County not a sanctuary county.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Consider and Appoint 2025 Officials:

• County Highway Superintendent:  Discussion.  No action.
• Resolution 25-07:  Appoint County Weed Superintendent:  Darnall read resolution 25 - 07.  Discussion.  Motion by Anderson to adopt Resolution 25 - 07, appointing Tim Grubbs a Banner County Weed Superintendent.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Discuss and consider any action to approve and authorize signature(s) on applications and bank depositories:

• Resolution 25-01 - Appoint depository bank and invest funds:  Anderson read Resolution 25-01.  Motion by Anderson to adopt Resolution 25-01.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 25-02 - Insufficient funds/set interest rate on registered warrants (currently .5%):  Lease read Resolution 25-02.  Motion by Lease to adopt Resolution 25-02. Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 25-03 - Authorize Banner County Treasurer, Kathy Natale, to invest county funds and excess funds:  Lease read Resolution 25-03.  Motion by Lease to adopt Resolution 25-03.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 25-04 - Authorize petty cash fund (currently $500):  Darnall read resolution 25-04.  Motion by Lease to adopt Resolution 25-04.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 25-05 - Authorize Banner County Clerk, Katie West; Banner County Sheriff, Kenneth Zane Hopkins, Banner County Commissioner Chairperson, and Banner County Commissioner Vice Chairperson signatory approval and access to Banner County accounts at depository bank:  Lease read Resolution 25-05.  Motion by Lease to adopt Resolution 25-05. Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Credit card authorization ans set guidelines for credit card use:  Discussion.  Board recommended updates be given to employees and officials.  No action.
• Set official/employee travel expense protocols:  Discussion on handbook being reviewed every two years and paperwork signed from all employees and officials that they are aware of any changes.  No action.
• Resolution 25-06 - Set indigent burial costs limit (currently $1500):  Anderson read Resolution 25-06.  Motion by Anderson to adopt Resolution 25-06.  Second by Darnall.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Consider and appoint 2025 Commissioner Board to Committee Appointments:

• Motion by Anderson to maintain Banner County Board of Commissioners appointments for 2025.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.  Anderson:  Office of Aging and Region 1 Behavioral Health; Darnall:  Region 22 Emergency Management; Lease:  Panhandle Public Health District and Panhandle Area Development District.

Consider and appoint 2025 Committees:

• Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA):  Motion by Anderson to appoint Clerk, Katie West as NIRMA contact.  Second by Darnall.  Discussion.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Buildings and Grounds:  Motion by Anderson to re-appoint Don Lease II, Chelsea Mossberg, and Jim Milner.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Budget Authority:  Motion by Anderson too appoint Banner County Board of Commissioners as budget authority.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Banner County Extension Board:  Motion by Anderson to re-appoint Jerry West, Dan Chesley, and Jessica Stauffer.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Banner County Planning Commission (5):  Discussion.  Motion by Lease to re-appoint Tina Childers and appoint Zach Ansley.  Board thanked Kyle Ann Hopkins for her service.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEOP):  Discussion.  Motion by Anderson to appoint Tim Grubbs, Robin Darnall, and Jay Dove.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Personnel Committee:  Motion by Lease to re-appoint Laif Anderson, Kacy Krakow, and Ashley Morris to the personnel committee. Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Grievance Committee:  Motion by Anderson to re-appoint Mark Knaub, Robin Darnall, Katie West, and Mark Kovarik.  Second by Lease.  West asked to be removed.  Anderson withdrew motion.  Motion by Anderson to re-appoint Mark Knaub, Robin Darnall, and Mark Kovarik and accept Katie West resignation.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Safety Committee:  Discussion.  Motion by Lease to appoint Kathy Natale, Carl Gilbert, Zane Hopkins, and Jay Dove.  Second by Lease.  Discussion.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Safety Director:  Discussion.  Motion by Lease to appoint Kathy Natale as safety director.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Wellness Committee:  Motion by Anderson to re-appoint Don Lease II, Laryl Taggert, and Kacy Krakow.  Second by Lease.  Discussion.  Anderson withdrew motion.  Motion by Anderson to remove wellness committee and be revised as needed.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

County Attorney;

• Resolution 25-08 - Re-appoint Scottsbluff Attorney for Banner County for purposes of handling arraignments and inheritance tax:  Darnall read Resolution 25-08.  Motion by Anderson to adopt Resolution 25-08.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

Claims:

General:  Aflac $497.33 - employee benefits; Aptive $10,828.51 - health insurance; Argus $710.70 - dental insurance; Banner Capital Bank $2,948.36 - health savings accounts; Banner County District Court $103.00 - court fees; Banner County Treasurer $50 - deficiency; Bytes $2,194.04 - technology services; Culligan $39.00 - water; Fairfield Inn & Suites $374.85 - lodging; High West Energy $505.73 - lights; Holiday Inn $749.70 - lodging; Hometown Leasing $138.64 - copier; Ideal Linen $102.83 - janitorial supplies; Ideal Linen $87.82 - janitorial supplies; Kimball County Treasurer $3,598.83 - extension office; Menards $89.98 - building supplies; MIPS (Multi-County Information and Programming Services $1,814.69 - data processing/supplies; Nebraska District Court Clerks Association $50.00 - dues; Nebraska Weed Control Association $150.00 - training; Nebraska Assessors Association $100.00 - dues; Natural Resources District $45.22 - water; Pack Rat $45.00 - trash; Peetz Co-op $916.55 - propane; Poster Compliance $79.07 - supplies; Quadient $77.71 - postage; Scottsbluff Treasurer $25.00 - postage; Vision Service Plan $185.29 - vision insurance; Western Nebraska Observer $259.94 - publishing; Wiznerd $65.00 - technology services; Zulty's $640.36 - telephone; US Bank $314.24 - office supplies.

Sheriff:   US Bank $66.92 - uniforms; Galls $66.92 - uniforms

Road:  Aflac $589.39 - employee benefits; Aptive $6,621.72 - health insurance; Banner Capital Bank $1,458.35 - health savings accounts; Colonial Life $29.48 - dental insurance; First Concord $30.00 - health retirement accounts; Ideal Linen $28.88 - janitorial supplies; Vision Service Plan $60.77 - vision insurance; AT&T $46.47 - cell phone; Harold Brown $340.00 - gravel; Eakes $243.96 - office supplies; High West Energy $309.51 - lights; Karyn Holt - Olsen $100.00 - gravel; Kimball Auto Parts $1,290.13 - shop supplies/parts; Lee McGowan $120.00 - gravel; Motor Fuel Division $101.00 - quarterly tax; Natural Resources District $31.42 - water; Peetz Co-op $933.11 - propane; Power Plan $859.23 - repair parts; US Bank $22.00 - subscriptions; Western Pathology Consultants Inc. $102.00 - drug test; Wyoming Bearing & Supply $73.88 - repairs.

      Motion by Anderson to pay claims as presented.  Second by Lease.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.

     Motion by Lease to adjourn.  Second by Anderson.  Roll call vote:  Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned 11:46 a.m.

     Next regular Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting will be January 21, 2025 at 8:45 a.m., or at the call of the Clerk.  Budget workshops will be January 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. and January 21, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.  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 Banner County Clerk's office, Harrisburg, Nebraska.

/s/ Robin Darnall, Chairperson

/s/ Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

/s/ Don Lease II, Member