Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in a regular session, Tuesday, July 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 Friday, June 27, 2025. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:48 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.  Lease moved to approve the agenda.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                 The minutes of June 26, 2025, meeting were examined.  Anderson moved to approve the minutes of June 26, 2025, meeting. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• The Railroad Yard – Brett Budke – Jay Dove informed the Board that he spoke with Brett Budke and explored different options available.

Public Comment:

• None

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy/Jay Dove – Dove informed the Board that the department is fixing roads from the storm and getting roads ready for harvest.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Grubbs said the spray pickup is back up and running. Grubbs can inspect wheat and hay crops.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Nothing to report.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik - Nothing to report.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale - Nothing to report.
• Clerk – Katie West - Nothing to report.
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Nothing to report.
• Surveyor – Carl Gilbert – Not Present.
• Commissioners –
  1. Don Lease – Lease stated he is getting bids on the roof damage from the storm.  Fischer roofing is repairing the roof of damage, but the roof does need to be replaced.  Lease would like to start routine maintenance of the buildings and have records created when repairs or improvements have been made.
  2. Robin Darnall – Region 22 had a meeting but there was no quorum. There is a budget meeting today at 11:00 A.M.
  3. Laif Anderson – Meetings are soon.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Colonial Life – Mike Broomfield/Nick Lease – Mike Broomfield gave a packet to the Board to review for Colonial Life. Broomfield explained the term-life insurance. Discussion was had. Tabled to July 15, 2025.
• Courthouse Alarm/Security Bids – Robin Darnall – Banner County received three bids: Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment, Protex Central, and Alarm Security Technicians. Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment is two different quotes: one for the security system for $2,255.00 and the other for $21,975.00 for a fire alarm system. Protex Central quoted $24,253.36 for security and a fire alarm system.  Alarm Security Technicians quoted $7,841.95 but it is only for residential, not for business.  Discussion was had. Darnall moved to accept the bids from Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment, one for $2,255.00 for the security system and the other for $21,975.00 for the fire alarm system.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, no; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Correct Weed Superintendent Wages – Katie West – West explained that Grubbs does not qualify to be paid salaried wages. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to pay Tim Grubbs hourly wages as Weed Superintendent and Shop Foreman at $23.00 per hour. Lease seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• Void check # 02503082 – Katie West – West explained that the check was lost in transit, and all procedures have been done to cancel the check.  Anderson moved to void check # 02503082 to Kimball Auto Parts for $1,253.57.  Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
• Broadband Support Letter – Don Lease – Lease stated that the Federal Government withdrew broadband funds, and a letter would have to be signed to have the issue protested. Discussion was had. No action was taken.

Claims:

General: Aflac - $497.33 – Employee Benefits; Aflac Dental - $710.70 – Dental; Triad - $11, 281.49 – Health Insurance; Banner Capital Bank - $3,365.03 – HSA ; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier; MIPS - $1,718.86 – Data Processing; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; North Platte NRD - $65.92 – Water; VSP - $217.13 – Vision; Zultys - $641.72 – Telephone; Total - $18,830.81

Sheriff: Eakes - $57.99 – Office Supplies; Motorola Solutions - $2.00 – Law Equipment; Stryker Sales - $198.00 – Law Equipment; Total - $257.99

Road: Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Aflac - $589.39 – Employee Benefits; Triad - $5,671.54 – Health Benefits; Banner Capital Bank - $1,875.02 – HSA; VSP - $92.61 – Vision; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; Menards - $426.84 – Supplies & Repairs; Total - $8,716.30

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 9:50 A.M.

                The next regular meeting will be held July 15, 2025, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk.  The next special meeting will be held July 15, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. 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.

Banner County Board of Commissioners 

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Vice Chairperson

Don Lease, Member 

Attest: ____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk