Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioner Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 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, January 19, 2026. 

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

                Lease led prayer.

                The Pledge of Allegiance was said. 

                The agenda was examined. Lease moved to approve the agenda with moving Pye Barker Agreements to the beginning of the items of business. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of January 8, 2026, meeting were examined. Anderson moved to approve January 8, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• NE Dept of Administration Services Letter – The Board reviewed the information.
• PADD Board Member Designation Form for 2026 – The Board reviewed the information and filled out the form.
• NE Dept of Water, Energy, and Environment Letter – The Board reviewed the information.
• Scottsbluff County Consolidated 911 Communications Letter – The Board reviewed the information.

Public Comment:

• None

Reports:

• Highway Department – Jay Dove and Tim Grubbs – Discussion was had.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Discussion was had.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Discussion was had.
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik - Discussion was had.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Nothing to report.
• Clerk – Katie West – Discussion was had.
• Assessor - Kacy Krakow – Not present.
• Surveyor- Carl Gilbert – Not present.
• Commissioner Reports
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – Discussion was had.
  3. Laif Anderson - Discussion was had.

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Pye -Barker Agreement – Panic Bars – Pye-Barker Agreement – Fire Alarm – Each agreement was discussed for a cost of $50.00 per month for each agreement and what fund the agreements should be paid from.  Discussion was had. Anderson moved to accept the contracts for Pye-Barker at $50.00 per month each, voiding the previous contract, authorizing the Chairperson to sign, and taking funds from building and grounds annually. Lease seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Anderson amended the motion to pay Pye-Barker monthly verse yearly. Lease seconded the amendment. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes.  Motion carried.
• KCTS Board Information – Colleen Shoemaker – Moved to next meeting on February 3, 2026.
• Audit Report – Kevin Sylvester – Slyvester explained the audit report and audit expectations for the annual county audit. There were two findings in the audit: segregation of duties and budget compliance. Discussion was had on budget, credit card policy, and payroll.  Lease moved to accept the audit report from Dana F. Cole & Company, LLP. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.   
• Credit Card Authorization and set guidelines for credit card use – Commissioners – Discussion was had on proposed changes. The Board tabled until February 3, 2026.
• Set Official/Employee travel expenses protocol – Commissioners – The mileage rate is set by state statute at $0.725 per mile.
• Employee Handbook Changes – Handbook Committee – Don requested that any rebates from purchases made will stay with the county and a separate paragraph in the handbook.
• Snow Removal Application – Anderson moved to approve the snow removal application for Monty Sandberg. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had on the snow removal application process. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Consider and Appoint 2026 Committee(s):

• Darnall read the committee list for Banner County.
  • Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Assoc. (NIRMA) K. West
  • Buildings and Grounds                           Lease, Mossberg, H. Gilbert
    • Courthouse Key Access
  • Budget Authority                                         Banner County Commissioners
  • Banner County Extension Board      Dan Chesley, Jessica Stauffer, Stephanie Farro
  • Banner County Planning Commission (5) (Up for Renewal) Joe Singleton, Ryan Olsen, Tanner Groves; (2027) Tina Childers, Zach Ansley
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee – T. Grubbs, R. Darnall, J. Dove
  • Personnel Committee                             K. Krakow, L. Anderson, A. Morris
  • Grievance Committee                             M. Kovarik, R. Darnall, Mark Knaub, Caleb Scott, one lay member still needed as of 6-17-25
  • Safety Committee                                      K. Natale, T. Grubbs, Taylor Martinez, Z.    Hopkins
  • Safety Director                                             K. Natale
  • Green Energy Committee                     L. Anderson, J. Singleton, Z. Ansley
  • Wellness Committee                               D. Lease, Lucky Taggart, K. Krakow

Discussion was had.  Replacements are needed for: Planning Commission, 1 member; Grievance Committee, 1 lay member. The safety director changed from Kathy Natale to Taylor Martinez.  Lease moved to accept the 2026 Committees as read except the Planning Commission and the Grievance Committee. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Claims:

General:  DAS State Accounting - $150.00 – Data Processing; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,284.10 – Attorney Fees; High West Energy - $482.00 – Lights; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; Peetz - $726.84 – Propane; Quadient - $300.00 – Postage; Western NE Observer - $275.65 – Advertising; Total - $4,990.06

Sheriff: DAS State Accounting - $44.00 – Data Processing; AT&T - $225.74 – Cell Phone; Witmer Public Safety Group - $168.40 – Fire Safety Vest; Total - $483.14

Road: Action Communications - $400.00 – Radio Licensing; American Tower - $51.50 – Lease; B&C Steel - $642.12 – Steel; High West Energy - $312.00 – Lights; J&A Traffic Products - $3,096.40 – Signs; Menards - $170.93 – Shop Tools; Peetz - $528.36 – Propane; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Wyrulec - $4.81 – Lights; Total - $5,294.07

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:42 A.M.

        The next meeting will be held on February 3, 2026, 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 of Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Banner County Board of Commissioners

Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Member

Attest: _____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk