**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.**
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:30 p.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 August 14, 2023.
Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Roll call showed all members present. Also present: County Clerk Katie West; County Treasurer Kathy Natale; Sheriff Zane Hopkins; 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.
Anderson 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 absent. Motion carried.
Minutes from August 1, 2023 and July 18, 2023 meetings were examined. Discussion. Tabled until after closed session.
Correspondence: None
Public Comments: Carl Gilbert commented that he reads the minutes in the newspaper. He recommended the minutes in the newspaper are preliminary, the Commissioners names should not be tied to them, as they are not the official minutes.
Reports:
Highway Superintendent: Tom Neal reported mowing has started on east side of road 14, and south side of the county. Newest employee is now blading on his own. Temporary approach west of highway 71 on road 34 has been moved to east of highway 71 on road 36. Gifford asked Neal why the County is still hauling gravel for private use. Neal felt there was an obligation to finish the jobs started. Gifford stated Neal should have spoken with the private parties to let them know the Commissioners prohibited hauling for private use and the job(s) would be left unfinished.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported being busy with traffic and other calls. School will be starting tomorrow, so he will be busier than usual. Business as usual. Discussion concerning safety between Commissioners and Sheriff regarding the National bicycle race on September 9, 2023.
County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reported business as usual.
County Treasurer: Kathy Natale reported August has been starting off slow for tax collections. Natale stated she will be providing a fund balance listing for Commissioners. Darnall asked for an explanation on highway buyback program. This fund is for special projects for either bridge or road maintenance. An example of this would be using the fund to buy base stabilizer for Wright’s Gap or any construction project.
County Clerk: Katie West reported she has been busy with the audit, budget, and balancing. Balancing has been difficult this year.
County Assessor: Kacy Krakow reported she has the values certified and sent to the state. Krakow plans on going out to review properties next week.
County Surveyor: Carl Gilbert reported since last month he has been working in Township 20; Range 56 west where he completed survey on sections 26, 27, 34, 35, and remaining school section 36. With assistance of the State surveyors on section 36. Gilbert has Drop Box updated - those records are now up to date.
Weed Superintendent: Tim Grubbs reported he has been spraying weeds and doing inspections. He has noticed spotted knapweed on the southwest end of the county.
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; Panhandle Area Development District (PADD) - meeting was cancelled; Office of Human Development (OHD) and Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) - nothing to report.
Anderson: Office of Aging - nothing to report. Region 1 Behavioral Health - meeting discussion of employees returning to work was tabled.
Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management - No meeting.
Items of business before the board:
Designate vendor for postcard printing: Assessor Krakow stated printing postcards (for tax levy increase) ourselves will cost more and the chance of error will be lessened if we use the State’s printer. Motion by Gifford to designate the State’s Print Shop as the designated postcard printer. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Additional 1% increase in restricted funds: This allows the funds to accumulate every year. Motion by Gifford to add additional 1% increase to restricted funds subject to limitations. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Resolutions to set levy for BC Rural Fire District; Cemeteries; and Historical Society: Resolution for Pleasant Hill Cemetery requesting levy allocation of $1,600 was read by Gifford. Motion by Gifford to approve Resolution for Pleasant Hill Cemetery levy allocation of $1,600. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried. Resolution for BC Historical Society requesting levy allocation of $10,000 was read by Gifford. Motion by Gifford to approve Resolution for BC Historical Society requesting levy allocation of $10,000. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried. BC Rural Fire District request $78,000. Anderson and Gifford stated they would like to wait until more of the budget is determined. Kirk Cemetery requesting $1,060 - Commissioners tabled until the formal request was signed. Banner County Rural Fire District and Kirk Cemetery tabled until August 22, 2023.
Resolution 16 - 6 penalty clause: Sheriff Hopkins stated this resolution is on record, but is difficult for him to enforce, because it is vague. Resolution states Sheriff can only move the equipment or vehicle, but may not serve a citation. Sheriff Hopkins stated it is a safety issue. Sheriff Hopkins stated if it is continually repeated, he would like to be able to do more than just talking to the person, and would like to be able to serve a citation. Tabled until September 5, 2023.
Transfer to road fund: Kathy Natale stated she would like to move funds from fund #301 and #802 into fund #200. Motion by Anderson to transfer $31,700.11 from fund #301 and $13,879.12 from fund #802 totaling $45,579.23 into fund #200. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Employees direct deposit: Clerk West stated Don Wilson (Auditor) suggested all employees utilize direct deposit. Discussion. Anderson stated he would like to have more information from the bank and employee input before making this decision.
Adding fund to District Court: Clerk West requested a clerical fund be established for the District Court assistant. Motion by Gifford to add 1 - 0405 clerical line item to the District Court budget. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Inventory approval: Tabled until August 22, 2023 special meeting.
Resolution 23 - 18: Motion by Gifford to adopt Resolution 23 - 18 - Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards annual certification of program compliance for 2022 - 2023. Authorizing Chairperson to sign. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
The following claims for August 15, 2023 were audited. Motion by Gifford to approve claims except claim #02307177 for Kacy Krakow $41.71 (docking station) tax was included and warrants drawn on respective funds. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
CLAIMS
General: Wildcat Surveying $2400.00 - survey; Western Nebraska Observer $678.47 - advertising; Scottsbluff County Detention $450.00 - inmate housing; Property Assessment $290.00 - Assessor training; Pack Rat Disposal $45.00 - trash; MIPS $1628.66 - data; Ideal Linen $98.88 - janitor supplies; High West Energy $680.95 - lights; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman $1905.39 - attorney; Eakes $56.50 - office supplies; DAS $260.64 - data support; Cobblestone Hotel $95.00 - Assessor lodging; CenturyLink $664.50 - telephone; Carrot Top $85.49 - flag pole; Bytes $2166.00 - data processing; Banner County Court $38.37 - Sheriff fee.
Roads: Verizon Connect $26.12 - GPS tracker; Verizon $233.10 - GPS tracker; SMS $1,906.73 - repair parts/labor; Pomps $1,446.36 - tires; North Platte NRD $36.02 - water; Menards $133.63 - shop supplies; Kimball Auto Parts $1,308.03 - shop supplies & tools; High West Energy $266.00 - lights; Frank Auto Parts $49.78 - sign post; Floyd’s Trucking $5,703.54 - repair parts & labor; Harold Brown $ (?) - gravel; Ace Hardware $7.99 - shop supplies; Ideal Linen $7.76 - shop rags; Western Nebraska Observer $21.76 - advertising.
Sheriff: DAS $22.00 - data processing; Banner Capitol Bank $20,349.64 - patrol car payment; Jones Automotive $1,243.85 - LED lights; Frank Parts $37.98 - car repair.
11. Closed Session: Chairperson Darnall made motion to go into closed session with Chairperson Darnall, Vice Chairman Anderson, Member Gifford, County Attorney Kovarik, and at various times Highway Superintendent Tom Neal at 8:25 pm for the evaluation of a job performance of a person to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried. Chairperson Darnall recited the purpose of the meeting prior to entering closed session. Motion by Gifford to come out of closed session at 8:49 pm with no decision made and no action taken. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
12. Minutes: Chairperson Darnall asked that the meeting minutes be Board approved prior to publication. Meeting minutes that are published prior to Board approval should be marked as “unofficial”. Motion by Gifford to approve the minutes of July 18, 2023 and August 1, 2023 with corrections as mentioned. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall no; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion by Anderson to adjourn meeting at 9:30 p.m. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held September 5, 2023 at 8:45 a.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.
