Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioners Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 5, 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, May 4, 2026. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:49 A.M. County Clerk Katie West took roll call showing: Don Lease, present; Robin Darnall, present; Laif Anderson, present. Chairperson Darnall stated that 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, moving claims to after the approval of minutes. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the April 21, 2026, meeting were examined. Anderson moved to approve April 21, 2026, minutes. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Lease amended the motion to take out discussion was had from the closed session and adding Kovarik reported that the issue had been resolved. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Claims:

General: Banner Capital Bank - $4,094.80 – HSA; Triad - $11,281.49 – Health Insurance; Aflac - $506.30 – Employee Benefits; Aflac Dental - $901.39 – Dental; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; VSP - $186.71 – Vision; Bytes - $2,424.25 – IT Services; Connecting Point - $79.00 – Printer Repair; GWorks - $5,400.00 – GIS; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier Lease; Ideal Linen - $114.94 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated Pest Management - $210.00 – Pest Management; MIPS - $1,718.87 – Data Processing; NACO - $275.00 – COOL network & Training; North Platte NRD - $56.72 – Water; Pack Rat Disposal - $45.00 – Trash; US Bank - $595.55 – Office Supplies, Rooms, Fuel ; Western NE Observer - $955.60 – Advertising; Wildcat Surveying - $6,800.00 – Surveying; Zulty’s - $510.75 – Telephone; Total - $36,489.00

Sheriff: Morrill County Community Hospital - $140.00 – Education; NSA/POAN - $400.00 – Dues; US Bank - $1,936.11 – Subscriptions, Law Enforcement Supplies; Total - $2,476.11

Road: American Tower - $53.05 – Dues; Contractor Materials - $249.80 – Shop Supplies; Equipment Blades - $5,049.00 – Grader Blades; Ideal Linen - $30.92 – Janitorial Supplies; Inland - $2,363.72 – Repair Parts; Integrated Pest Management - $75.00 – Pest Management; Menards - $39.99 – Building Repairs; NMC Cat - $1,859.54 – Shop Supplies and Labor; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; Verizon - $466.20 – Cell Phone; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Triad - $4,243.39 – Health Insurance; Banner Capital Bank - $1,458.35 – HAS; VSP - $186.71 – Vision; Aflac - $594.80; Total - $16,731.37

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

Correspondence:

• State Transportation Improvement Plan – NE Department of Transportation – Discussion was had. The Board would like the information given to Eric McCoy.
• HR Consulting – Workwise Compliance – The Board reviewed the information. 
• Wildfire Recovery Resources – The Board reviewed the information.

Public Comment:

• Gary Shoemaker, Harrisburg, NE, expressed his concerns about the safety of the house between his and Beals. Shoemaker asked if the Board would have the ability to act.  Kovarik will do research and inform the Board. 

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy – 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:

• J13 Enterprise Budget – Caleb Johnson – The Board did a conference call with Caleb Johnson with an update on the current budget. A budget amendment hearing date has been set for June 16, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. for the 2024-2025 budget.
• May Mental Health Month – Region 1 Behavioral Health – Anderson read the proclamation. Lease moved to adopt the May mental health month proclamation. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Void Claim # 02602169 – Katie West – Discussion was had. Lease moved to void claim # 0262169 to Equipment Blades Inc. for $5,049.00.  Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Mutual Aid and Assistance – Commissioners – Discussion was had. Lease moved to adopt the Interlocal Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 9:31 A.M.

The next meeting will be held on May 19, 2026, at 9:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk.  An agenda for the matters to be considered on 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

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Member

Attest: _________________________________

                        Katie West, Banner County Clerk