**This is a condensed version of the Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. These minutes are not the official approved version. For a complete and/or approved version of the Banner County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes, please contact Katie West, Banner County Clerk, during regular business hours.**
BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 8:45 a.m. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.
Notice of the meeting was published in the Western Nebraska Observer. Meeting notices posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska at: Post Office, Banner County School, and the Banner County Courthouse.
The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on July 31, 2023.
Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:50 a.m. Roll call showed all members present. Also present: County Clerk Katie West; County Treasurer Kathy Natale; Sheriff Zane Hopkins; County Attorney Mark Kovarik; Road Superintendent Tom Neal and Weed Superintendent Tim Grubbs.
Chairperson Darnall stated that the Open Meetings Act is posted in the back of this courtroom by the entrance.
Gifford said prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Agenda: The agenda for meeting was examined. Motion by Anderson to approve agenda. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Minutes: Minutes from July 18, 2023 meeting was examined. Discussion. Tabled until August 15, 2023 meeting.
Correspondence: None
Public Comments: None
Reports:
Highway Superintendent: Tom Neal reported Chelsea Mossberg has created a call log. A couple full time employees have went to part time. Discussion. Crews working on Wright's Gap. Darnall asked which employee maintains the northeast corner of Banner County? Neal responded it was the now part time employees. Maintainer that has been in the shop is now running well. Road department received a call from contractor who is working on the overlay on highway 88 east. Requesting a hot mix plant with a temporary approach for hot mix plant on road 34 west of highway 71. Road department is patching powder holes and grading roads. One employee is mowing from the southwest corner of Banner County progressing east.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported an investigator from the Crime Commission came in to review the policies and procedures. The investigator reported all is fine. Sheriff Hopkins reported the office will remain accredited.
County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reported business as usual.
County Treasurer: Kathy Natale reported August is when the second half of real estate taxes are due. NPAIT (Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust), money market, and ARPA statements were received, these show Banner County has brought in approximately $6,000.00. Natale spoke with the auditor, there is no need to have a separate ARPA account - it can all be under "general".
County Clerk: Katie West reported being busy with the yearly audit, district court, and budget. West has gotten everything ready for the budget as requested by Candace Meredith (NACO) and preparing documents for auditor.
County Assessor: Kacy Krakow absent.
County Surveyor: Carl Gilbert absent.
Weed Superintendent: Tim Grubbs reported he is now licensed to certify wheat straw and weed free forage for the residents of Banner County.
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; Panhandle Area Development District (PADD); Office of Human Development (OHD); Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) - nothing to report.
Anderson: Office of Aging - nothing to report. Region 1 Behavioral Health - meeting pertaining to the roof repair. Roof will be repaired without bids, as it is an emergency.
Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management - Reported the Emergency Management Board voted in Bob Hessler as Chairman for the Region 22 Emergency Management Board. Looking for volunteers for first aid stations at the Old West Balloon Festival August 9 - 12, 2023. Board is updating the tornado shelter lists for Region 22.
Items of business before the Board:
Road Conditions - Conrad Morris: Absent
Resolution bike race - Aaron Raines: USA Cycling Gravel National Championship will be on September 9, 2023. Raines would like lane closure from Scottsbluff/Banner county line on highway 71 to Banner County road 36. Tabled until August 15, 2023 meeting.
Bonuses (Budget) - Kathy Natale: Natale stated "bonuses" is a line item on the current budget. Natale asked if the Board planned to remove this line item. West stated she has proposed budgets from Kirk Cemetery, Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Banner County Fire Department, and Banner County Historical Society - West was asking the budget process for those entities. Discussion. Signing levy resolutions will be added to the agenda for August 15, 2023 meeting.
The following claims for August 1, 2023 were audited. Motion by Gifford to approve claims and warrants drawn on respective funds. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
CLAIMS
General: Tim Grubbs $10,000.00 Weed Superintendent; Keating, Ogara $5,628.37 attorney fees; MCI $63.99 fax; North Platte NRD $593.12 dues; Property Assessment $290.00 assessor training; Quadient $149.97 postage machine; Region 1 Office of Human Development $1,095.00 dues; Region 22 Emergency Management $1,720.01 emergency management; US Bank $622.29 Quickbooks & supplies; Western Nebraska Observer $477.48 advertisement; Aflac $292.82 insurance; Aptive $9,765.08 employee benefits; Banner Capitol Bank $3,433.36 health savings accounts; VSP $184.95 vision insurance.
Roads: Contractors Materials $390.13 shop supplies & tools; Home Depot $39.96 shop supplies; Panhandle Coop $170.31 gas; Vistabeam $118.46 internet; Colonial Life $55.37 dental insurance; Aflac $635.09 insurance; Aptive $5,319.12 health insurance; Banner Capitol Bank $833.34 health savings accounts; VSP 108.95 vision insurance.
Sheriff: AT & T $131.38 cell phone.
Adjournment: Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 10:21 a.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 10:21 a.m.
The next meeting will be held August 15, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. or at the call of the clerk. An agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.
