Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioners Proceedings

            Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. in the Courtroom of Banner County Courthouse.  Notice of meeting was given by publication in Western Nebraska Observer.  A copy of proof of publication is on file in County Clerk's office.  Notices were also posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska Post Office; Banner County Public School; office of County Clerk; and front window of Banner County Courthouse.

            Agenda is kept current and available during regular business hours in County Clerk's office.  A copy of agenda was sent to the Commissioners on Friday, September 11, 2026. 

1. Chairperson Darnall called meeting to order at 9:12 a.m.
2. County Clerk Lambert took roll call showing all members present. 
3. Chairperson Darnall stated the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by back door of courtroom.
4. Lease led prayer.
5. Pledge of Allegiance was said.
6. Approval of Agenda: Discussion moving “Approval of Changes for Permit to Occupy Right – of – Way in Banner County” to immediately after “Public Comments” and “Claims” to first item under “Items of Business Before the Board”. Motion by Anderson to approve agenda with changes. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried.
7. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Anderson to approve minutes of September 1, 2026. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Anderson, yes; Lease, yes. Motion carried.
8. Correspondence:

• None

9. Public Comment:

• None

10. Items of Business Before the Board:

• Discuss Changes for Permit to Occupy Right – of – Way in Banner County: County Attorney Brenner discussed Right – of Way Permit to Occupy Right – of Way in Banner County. Project on county road 10. Discussion with Marty Reed with United States Corp of Engineers and Chris Gedtardo with Aptim. Discussion on single use permit for this project. Discussion on Special Meeting, September 22, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. to accept single use permit.
• Agenda was discussed. “Draft” agenda was inadvertently copied. Correct and adopted agenda was emailed to Board of Commissioners Friday, September 11, 2026. Motion by Anderson to approve the agenda based on agenda, which was received via email, the draft copy received today was not the correct draft. Commissioners did have proper agenda in advance. Second by Darnall. Discussion on date correct agenda had been emailed. Correct agenda had been emailed Friday, September 11, 2026, a.m. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Lease yes. Motion carried.
• Approval of Changes for Policy: Permit to Occupy Road Right – of – Way in Banner County: Motion by Anderson make changes to permit to occupy right – of – way for Aptim to include $400 per crossing with $10,000 bond for six (6) months. Approval of this to be in Special Meeting, at 4:30 p.m. September 22, 2026. County Attorney Brenner will draft proposed changes and present it to Commissioners. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Anderson yes; Darnall yes. Motion carried.

11. Reports:

• Highway Department: Eric McCoy, Highway Superintendent, reported culvert issues are being resolved.
• Weed Department: Tim Grubbs, Weed Superintendent reported part – time spray operator will be done end of month.
• Sheriff Hopkins: No report.
• County Attorney: Robert Brenner reported multiple felony cases.
• Treasurer: Absent
• Clerk: Chasta Lambert reported working to get login access to programs and learning the Clerk duties.
• Assessor: Absent
• Surveyor: Absent
• Commissioner Reports:
  1. Don Lease: Attended Region I Behavioral Health for Anderson. Panhandle Area Development District (PADD) has some money to do projects in panhandle.
  2. Robin Darnall: No report. Region 22 Emergency Management meeting will be first Tuesday in October.
  3. Laif Anderson: No report.

12. Items of Business Before the Board:
13. Claims:

General: MIPS $1827.05 – data processing; High West Energy $80.00 – lights; Culligan $32.00 – water; North Platte Natural Resources District $124.57 – water; Ideal/Bluffs Facility Solutions $99.55 – janitorial; Quadient $1940.52 – postage;  Western Nebraska Observer $300.64 – printing/publishing; Wildcat Surveying $4500.00 – contracted services; Bytes Computer $2,474.25 – technology services; Level 3 Communications $771.47 – technology services; Banner County Court $34.00 – county court costs; Westco $40.35 – Misc.; Westco $22,437.27 – fuel. Total = $12,224.40

Weed: Western Nebraska Seed & Chemical $933.50 – chemical. Total = $933.50

Sheriff:  Shaggy Buffalo Car Wash $45.00 – car repair; DAS State Accounting $44.00 – dues, subscriptions, training; Gardner Technologies $47.50 – Misc.; Westco $631.15 – fuel. Total = $767.65

Road: First Concord $75.00 – health insurance trust; AT & T $94.77 – telephone; Vistabeam $87.95 – internet; High West Energy $313.00 – lights; Wyrulec $7.26 – lights; Frank Parts $308.61 – repair parts; Kimball Auto Parts $31.44 – repair parts; Nebraska Machinery CAT $1424.34 – repair parts; Powerplan $667.20 – repair parts; Powerplan $1617.77 – repair parts; American Tower $53.05 – dues, subscriptions, training; Western Pathology Consultants $164.00 – CDL drug and alcohol tests; Kimball Auto Parts $1052.73 – shop supplies; Kimball Auto Parts $19.62 – small tools; 

Legacy Co – op $4695.30 – grease and oil.  Total = $10,612.04

            Motion by Lease to approve claims as presented. Second by Anderson. Lease amended motion to include Mr. Lease’s authority to sign claims. Second by Anderson to amended motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, yes. Motion carried. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

* Review/Appoint Register of Deeds and Clerk of District Court with Interlocal Agreements: County Attorney Brenner presented proposed interlocal agreements with Scottsbluff County. Brenner explained process. Discussion on wages for Register of Deeds and Clerk of District Court. Discussion on duties of each position. Discussion on Register of Deeds being a temporary position while training Banner County Clerk, Register of Deeds duties will ultimately return to Banner County Clerk. Motion by Anderson to appoint Jean Bauer, Register of Deeds in Scottsbluff County, per interlocal agreement for $250/mth to temporarily assist with Register of Deeds duties for Banner County. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Anderson yes; Darnall yes. Motion carried.

Discussion on Clerk of District Court position. Motion by Anderson to appoint Clerk of District court through interlocal agreement, payment is $575/mth. Lease yes; Anderson yes; Darnall yes. Motion carried.

*Review Evaluations of Highway Superintendent, Eric McCoy: No evaluations to review. Tabled until 

October 15, 2026.

* Discuss Defense Action Roads: No action.

* Appoint Clerk, Chasta Lambert, as Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA) Contact: Motion by Anderson to appoint Chasta Lambert, County Clerk as NIRMA contact. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Anderson yes; Darnall yes. Motion carried.

* Appoint Clerk, Chasta Lambert, Depository Signatures for Banner County Clerk Accounts at Banner Capitol Bank: Lease read Resolution 26 – 21: Signatory Authority with corrections. Motion by Lease to accept Resolution 26 – 21 with corrections. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Anderson yes; Darnall yes. Motion carried.

* Discuss/Approve Bytes Computer Quote for Infrastructure Change: Motion by Anderson to approve Bytes Computer Quote for Infrastructure Change. Second by Lease. Roll call vote: Lease yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

* Advertise for Janitorial Services: Motion by Anderson to declare janitorial position open and authorize Clerk to advertise for bid proposal for janitorial services. Applications close October 1, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. Second by Lease. Discussion on when Clerk will run advertisement. Roll call vote: Darnall yes; Anderson yes; Lease yes. Motion carried.

* Change Regular Meeting Date: November 3, 2026, meeting date is same day as Election Day. Discussion on best date. Special meeting will be on Monday, November 9, 2026. Board of Commissioners 8:45 a.m.

Chairperson Darnall adjourned meeting 10:46 a.m.

      Next special meeting will be held on September 22, 2026 – 4:30 p.m. Budget Hearing will be September 22, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. Next regular meeting will be October 6, 2026 - 8:45 a.m. or at call of the Clerk. Agenda for matters to be considered on such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at Banner County Clerk’s office in Harrisburg, Nebraska.

Banner County Board of Commissioners

/s/ Robin Darnall, Chairperson

/s/ Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

/s/ Laif Anderson, Member

ATTEST: Chasta Lambert, Banner County Clerk