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, June 16, 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 meeting agenda is kept current and available during regular business hours in the County Clerk's office.  A copy of the agenda was sent to the Commissioners on Monday, June 15, 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 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. Anderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the June 2, 2026, meeting were examined. Discussion was had. Anderson moved to approve June 2, 2026, minutes with changing committee to commission and removing Committee on the discussion of the Direction on Comprehensive Plan. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Correspondence:

• 2026-27 NIRMA Renewal/Billing Statement – The Board reviewed the information.
• 2025 High West Energy Annual Report – The Board reviewed the information. 
• Tort Claim – Katie Samples Dean Law – The Board reviewed the information.
• Special Notice – Lumen – The Board reviewed the information.

Public Comment:

• No public comment.

Reports:

• Highway Department – Eric McCoy – Not present.
• Weed Department – Tim Grubbs – Nothing to report.
• Sheriff – Zane Hopkins – Discussion was had. 
• County Attorney – Mark Kovarik – Nothing to report.
• Treasurer – Kathy Natale – Discussion was had. 
• Clerk – Katie West – Discussion was had. 
• Assessor – Kacy Krakow – Nothing to report.
• 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:

• Health Insurance Renewal Contract – Nick Lease – Discussion was had. Lease informed the Board that the insurance premium increased 9%, which is about $15,835.00.  Anderson moved to accept the creative benefit consultant insurance plan for health insurance for Banner County employees with a $3,500.00 HSA plan through Cigna, authorizing the Chairperson to sign. Darnall seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, abstain; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Discussion regarding GIS/ESRI – Kacy Krakow – Krakow informed the Board that changes may need to be made on GIS soon. Discussion was had. 
• Resolution transferring funds from Weed fund to Inheritance fund – Tim Grubbs – Grubbs reviewed the resolution. Anderson moved to accept Resolution 26-11, payment to County Inheritance tax fund from weed fund. Anderson read Resolution 26-11.  Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Firework Resolution – Commissioners – Kovarik explained to the Board that Banner County does not have an expressly granted authority to regulate fireworks outside of Neb. Rev. Stat. 23-174.10, which involves zoning. The Commissioners stated that this is needed in the county, and the county is unincorporated and does not have zoning.   Grubbs explained how burn bans work.  The Board tabled the firework resolution until June 29, 2026.
• Resolution closing ARPA Fund – Caleb Johnson/Katie West – Lease moved to approve Resolution 2026-12, Resolution to close the Covid ARPA Fund – 2580.  Lease read Resolution 2026-12.  Anderson seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Review/Accept Comprehensive Plan Amendment Quotes – Robin Darnall – Darnall sent out an email to PADD and JEO Consultants but did not have contact information for Kieth Marvin. Discussion was had. 
• JEO Consultants – Comprehensive Plan Amendment Quote – ZOOM or phone conference – Carl from JEO Consultants appeared by ZOOM and explained the quote to the Board on the current Comprehensive Plan. He also explained the different tasks it would take to update the Comprehensive Plan and the estimated time to be finished. Discussion was had. The Board tabled Comprehensive Plan Quotes until June 29, 2026. 

Claims:

General: 3E Omaha Generators - $527.50 – Generator Maintenance; Eakes - $311.06 – Copier Lease; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman - $2,284.10 – Attorney Fees; Hampton Inn - $378.00 – Room; High West Energy - $596.77 – Lights; Ideal Linen - $114.94 – Janitorial Supplies; Ideal/Bluffs Facility Solutions - $110.42 – Janitorial Supplies; Integrated Pest Management - $210.00 – Pest Management; International Association of Assessing - $255.00 – Membership Dues; Kathy Natale - $407.45 – Mileage; Level 3 - $771.47 – Internet; MIPS - $1,525.41 – Tax Statement Printing; NACO - $325.00 – Training Registration; NIRMA - $11,000.00 – Insurance; Quadient - $300.00 – Postage; Scottsbluff Detention - $2,500.00 - Prisoner Board; Scottsbluff County - $2,000.00 – Veteran Service Officer; Westco - $847.00 – Fuel; Western NE Observer - $635.53 – Advertising; William C. Peters - $1,680.50 – DC Court Costs; Scottsbluff ROD - $150.00 – ROD Review and Training; Total - $26,930.15

Sheriff: AT&T - $225.70 – Phone; Caleb Scott - $50.85 – Meal Reimbursement; Law Enforcement Systems - $138.00 – Labels; Westco - $801.20 – Fuel; Zane Hopkins - $15.49 – Meal Reimbursement; Total - $1,231.24

Road: American Tower - $53.05 – Contract; AT&T - $92.56 – Phone; Chelsea Mossberg - $20.00 – Title Reimbursement; First Concord - $373.00 – HRA ; High West Energy - $321.00 – Lights; Hullinger Glass - $975.00 – Building Repair; Ideal - $30.92 – Janitorial Supplies; Ideal/Bluffs Facility - $110.42 – Janitorial Supplies; Inland - $239.60 – Equipment Repair and Freight ; Integrated Pest Management - $75.00 – Pest Management; Kaufman Trailers - $32,290.00 – 2026 DLX Air Pintle; Legacy Coop - $484.20 – DEF; NIRMA - $33,706.00 – Insurance; NKC Tire - $765.70 – Tires; NMC - $15,276.45 – Equipment Parts and Labor; Power Plan - $1,095.21 – Repair Parts; PT Hose and Bearing - $115.53 – Tools; Scottsbluff Screenprinting - $64.00 – Decals; Vistabeam - $87.95 – Internet; Westco - $25,481.30 – Fuel; Wyrulec - $6.11 – Lights; Total - $111,663.00

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

                Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:26 A.M.

                The next meeting will be held on July 7, 2026, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. A special meeting will be held on June 29, 2026, at 8:30 A.M.  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