Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 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, March 31, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door of the courtroom.  County Clerk Katie West took roll call showing: Don Lease, present; Robin Darnall, present; Laif Anderson, present. 

                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 March 18, 2025, meeting were examined. Discussion was had.  Anderson moved to approve the minutes of March 18, 2025, meeting correcting Board of Trustees to Board of Commissioners. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• No Correspondence.

Public Comments:

• No Public Comments.

Reports:

• Highway/Weed Department – Jay Dove gave a report. Discussion was had Tim Grubbs gave a report. Discussion was had.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Sheriff Hopkins gave a report. Discussion was had.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Attorney Kovarik gave a report. Discussion was had.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Treasurer Natale gave a report.  Discussion was had.
• Clerk – Katie West – Clerk West gave a report.
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Assessor Krakow gave a report. Discussion was had.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert not present.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease - Lease gave a report. Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – Darnall gave a report.  Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson – Anderson gave a report.  Discussion was had.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Bytes Information – Cari Lind – Cari Lind gave an overview of the services received by Bytes. Discussion was had.
• Mower Bids – Tim Grubbs – Commissioners moved item of business up due to a representative from Murphy Tractor being present. Grubbs gave the Board three mower bids. The Board reviewed the bids. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to have the Banner County Road Department purchase the 2025 Diamond mower from Murphy Tractor for $44,500.00 to be paid in August authorizing the Vice Chairperson to sign.  Lease seconded the motion.  Discussion was had.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Annual Weed Reports – Tim Grubbs – Grubbs presented the Board with the weed reports. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to accept the annual weed reports from Weed Superintendent, Tim Grubbs, authorizing the Chairperson to sign. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• IT Services, Applied Connective – Commissioners – The Board reviewed the information of Applied Connective and Bytes.  Discussion was had. No action was taken.
• Ratify actions setting the wages for the full-time highway superintendent position – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. Anderson moved to ratify the actions and decisions setting the full-time highway superintendent wages as discussed and advertised because the motion made March 4, 2025, lacked those specifics as discussed setting wages at $50,000.00.  Darnall seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, abstained; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried. 

Claims:

General: Aflac - $497.33 – Employee Benefits; Aptive - $10,828.51 – Health; 

Argus Dental - $710.70 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $2,948.36 – HAS; Cardinal Assessment - $23,395.00 – Appraiser’s Fees; Culligan - $26.00 – Water; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier ; MIPS - $1,675.08 – Data Processing; North Platte NRD - $40.62 – Water; Scottsbluff County Communications - $90.00 – Alarm Permit; Scottsbluff County Treasurer - $25.00 – Postage; US Bank - $534.26 – Office Supplies, Dues; VSP - $185.29 – Vision; Wildcat Surveying - $1,000.00 – Survey; Workwise Compliance - $613.95 – Job Posters; Zulty’s - $640.36 – Telephone; Total - $43,349.10; Payroll - $26,487.81

Sheriff: AT&T - $132.78 – Cell Phone; Great Plains - $232.27 – Uniforms; Phantom Spikes/End-X Systems - $810.00 – Law Equipment; Scottsbluff Screen printing - $117.00 – Uniforms; US Bank - $552.37 – Fuel, Repairs, Training, Equipment; Whiting Signs - $687.00 – Decals; Total - $2,531.42

Roads: Aflac - $589.39 – Employee Benefits; Aptive - $6,621.72 – Health; Banner Capital Bank - $1,458.35 – HAS; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Eakes - $187.05 – Office Supplies; Hotsy - $447.65 – Repair Parts, Labor, Freight; National Association of County Engineers (NACE) - $110.00 – Summer Dues; North Platte NRD - $29.12 – Water; VSP - $60.77 – Vision; Workwise Compliance - $676.87 – Labor Posters; Total - $10,210.40; Payroll - $18,715.66

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

                Darnall called to adjourn the meeting at 11:32 A.M. 

                The next regular meeting will be held April 15, 2025, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. An agenda for the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually and is available for public inspection during the normal business hours at Banner County in the courthouse in Harrisburg, Nebraska.

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Robin Darnall, Chairperson

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Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

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Don Lease II, Member