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, August 4, 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 County Clerk's office.  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, August 3, 2026. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:47 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. Anderson moved to approve the agenda. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of July 21, 2026, meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve the minutes of July 21, 2026, meeting. Anderson seconded the motion.  Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, no. Motion failed. 

Correspondence:

• Press Release Template for Final Property Tax and Services – NACO – The Board reviewed the information.
• 2026 County Government Survey – NACo (National Association of Counties) – The Board reviewed the information and Lease volunteered to fill out the survey.

Public Comment:

• None

Reports:

• 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:

• Banner County Veteran’s Memorial Update – Brad Van Pelt – Van Pelt was not present.  Lease informed the Board of what he knew. Discussion was had. The Board tabled this item of business until potentially later in the meeting. 
• Banner County Public School Calendar Donation – Banner County Public School Foundation – The Board reviewed and discussion was had. No action was taken.
• Annual Certification of Program Compliance and Signing Resolution with the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classification and Standards - Department of Transportation – Anderson read Resolution 26-17: Signing of the County Annual Certification of Program Compliance. Anderson moved to adopt Resolution 26-17: Signing of the County Annual Certification of Program Compliance. Lease seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Discussion and Approval of Chip/Seal Parking Lot – Eric McCoy & Jay Dove – McCoy discussed the possible chip/seal project with the Board. Discussion was had. Only one bid came in from J&M Construction for $37,500.00. Anderson moved to approve the chip/seal of the parking lot using funds from the road and bridge fund bid providing that’s available and if not available we will take that out of a sinking fund on the road department going with J&M Construction for $37,500.00. Lease seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Anderson amended the motion to just say road fund. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Discussion Assessor Position – Robin Darnall – Discussion was had on the T.E.R.C. appeal and appointing a new assessor. Lease moved to accept applications for the assessor position until August 14, 2026, at noon to interview on August 18, 2026, and engage an assessor. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 
• Engagement Letter from Dana F. Cole & Company Covering Audit for 6/30/2026 – Katie West – The Board reviewed the engagement letter. Lease moved to approve and authorizing the Chairperson to sign the engagement letter for Dana Cole company for the upcoming audit. Darnall seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Lease withdrew his motion. Darnall withdrew her second. The Board table Engagement Letter from Dana F. Cole & Company covering the audit for 6/30/26 to August 18, 2026.

Claims:

General: Banner Capital Bank - $4,094.80 – HSA; Triad - $12,303.01 – Health Insurance; Aflac - $506.30 – Employee Benefits; Aflac Dental - $901.39 – Dental; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; VSP - $170.79 – Vision; Bytes - $2,524.25 – IT Managed Services; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier Lease; MIPS - $1,827.05 – Data Processing; North Platte NRD - $85.62 – Water; Rapid Fire Protection - $698.35 – Fire Extinguisher Inspection; Region 1 Office of Human Development - $1,642.50 – Receiving Services; Scottsbluff Detention Center - $3,024.52 – Prisoner Fees; US Bank - $170.07 – Office Supplies and Janitorial Supplies; WNO - $707.35 – Advertising; Zultys - $632.57 – Telephone; Total - $29,621.20

Sheriff: AT&T - $598.02 – Telephone and Radio Equipment; Eakes - $27.65 – Law Enforcement Supplies; POAN Law Enforcement - $28.00 - Law Enforcement Supplies; Shaggy Buffalo Car Wash - $30.00 – Vehicle Maintenance; US Bank - $1,715.54 – Travel, Fuel, Safety, Grants, Supplies; Total - $2,399.21

Road: Aflac - $594.80 – Employee Benefits; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $1,458.35 – HSA; Triad - $4,626.51 – Health Insurance; AT&T - $92.58 – Cell Phone; Inland - $598.52 – Repair Parts; Kimball Auto Parts - $1,696.07 – Supplies, Tools, Tires, Parts; Norfolk Lodge & Suites - $330.00 – Room; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; Platte River Glass - $291.00 – Equipment Repair; PowerPlan - $101.64 – Repair Parts; Pro Overhead Door - $4,025.00 – Building Repairs; WPCI - $102.00 – Drug Test; Total - $13,977.37

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

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Budget Workshop – Commissioners
  1. Road, Weed, and Surveyor Fund – The Board reviewed the budgets for the Weed department, the Surveyor department, and the Road department. 

Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 11:20 A.M.

The next meeting will be held on August 18, 2026, at 8:45 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