**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

COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 8:45 a.m. in the courtroom at the Banner County Courthouse.

Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Western Nebraska Observer. A copy of proof of publication is on file in the office of the Banner County Clerk. Notices posted in Harrisburg, Nebraska at Post Office; Banner County School; and front window of Banner County Courthouse.

Agenda for meeting is kept current and is available for public viewing during regular business hours at the Banner County Clerk’s office. A copy was emailed to each board member on May 1, 2023.

Chairperson Robin Darnall called meeting to order at 8:46 a.m. Roll call taken by Banner County Clerk showing all members present. Also present: County Clerk Katie West; Treasurer Kathy Natale; Assessor Kacy Krakow; Sheriff Hopkins; and Weed Superintendent Tim Grubbs.

Chairperson Darnall stated the Open Meetings Act is posted in the back of the courtroom by the entrance.

Gifford said prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Anderson to approve agenda. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

April 18, 2023 minutes were examined. Discussion regarding the minutes format. Minutes will be corrected and viewed for approval May 16, 2023.

Correspondence: ST Organics requests Banner County not to spray properties with organic crops.

No public comments.

Reports:

Highway Superintendent - Tom Neal: Neal absent. Banner County Road secretary Chelsea Mossberg reported repair/replace fences due to snow damage. Auto gate repairs have been completed. County roads are being maintained. Calles have been received requesting gravel and maintenance on private driveways. Tom and Jay are working on the stop signs. Stop signs will be replaced using grant funds, county is responsible for installation.

Sheriff Hopkins - Zane Hopkins: Uptake in traffic, more farm equipment on the roads. Reminded people to be cautious of the farm equipment on the county roads. The Crown Victoria car will be listed on Big Iron Auctions in June.

County Attorney - Mark Kovarik: Absent.

Treasurer - Kathy Natale: Taxes were not due until May 1, 2023 due to the Arbor Day holiday. Money from the CD’s are producing a lot more revenue since re - investing the money. There was a early withdrawal charge on the CD’s, but the move to a higher interest account has offset this already.

Clerk - Katie West: Starting to get balanced, finding and correcting mistakes. Court will be on Thursday this week. Commissioner minutes for March did not get published in the paper. Resent to the Western Nebraska Observer last week and one this week. Jury questionnaires were mailed, this is done every two years.

Assessor - Kacy Krakow: Personal property deadline was Monday, May 1, 2023. Working on items with deadlines, getting office in order before maternity leave. Researching the purchase of a laptop with a docking station for the Assessor’s office. This will allow her to work from home during maternity leave.

Surveyor - Carl Gilbert: Absent.

Weed Superintendent - Tim Grubbs: Report received from the state and reviewed. The state “grades” the county, the highest score is 3400, Banner County scored 3163. Lower score due to last year’s State report was missing figures. Noxious weeds are beginning to grow, common mullein is showing up in Banner County.

Commissioners:

Robert Gifford: Nothing to report on PADD, OHD, or PPHD.

Laif Anderson: Nothing to report on Office of Aging or Region 1 Behavioral Health, no meetings this month. Met with Dave Levy, an attorney for Next Era Energy (Pronghorn Flats), regarding the wind turbines. Anderson will meet with United States Air Force the week of May 15, 2023. Working on health insurance quotes for Banner County employees. Spoke with George Van Pelt regarding the use of the radio tower on George’s property, no charge for county use of this tower.

Robin Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management met on April 20, 2023. Tim Newman, Director submitted the proposed budget to the board. Next meeting will be July 20, 2023 in Scottsbluff.

Items of Business:

  1. Speed Limit Signs in Harrisburg - Sheriff Hopkins & Tom Neal: Resolution found dated April 3, 1972 regarding speed limits in Harrisburg. Roads in Harrisburg have 30 mph speed limit. With no signs posted, Sheriff Hopkins cannot enforce the speed limit. Request for signs posted in Harrisburg, speed limit 30 mph, unless otherwise posted. Anderson asked if there have been issues? Sheriff Hopkins reported no issues, but has had one complaint. Darnall asked what the signs would cost? Sheriff Hopkins referred this question to Tom Neal. Gifford requested to re - address the April 3, 1972 resolution. Anderson commented to make a new resolution for 25 mph speed limit and post signs. Tabled.

  2. Declare Surplus Office Furniture - Katie West: Katie requested surplus sale of: 1 desk and 1 cardholder (Judge’s chambers); 3 desks, 1 chair, and 1 - (2 drawer) file cabinet (Clerk’s office); and 1 desk and 1 table (Assessor’s office). Assessor will take a metal desk from Clerk’s office. Motion by Anderson to sell a total of 5 desks; 1 (2 drawer) file cabinet; 1 chair;1 table; and 1 cardholder from the courthouse. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

  3. 10:00 a.m. Public Hearing: Resolution 23 - 16 vacating CR 53. CR 53 of Harrisburg, Banner County, Nebraska, located in Section 33, Township 18, Range 54 west of the 6th p.m. Banner County Nebraska, a distance of approximately 3/4 mile to the second auto gate thereon north of CR 14. Motion by Gifford to adopt Resolution 23 - 16, vacating said road. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

  4. Resolution 23 - 17: Revolving Funds - Sheriff Hopkins: No action.

  5. Hire Groundskeeper: Motion by Gifford to hire Daniel Taggert as the county courthouse groundskeeper. Starting wage: $350/mth for May, June, July, August, and September 2023. Taggert will report to Kathy Natale. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

  6. Discuss/Act/Approve Claims:

    General: Banner Capitol Bank (HSA) $125.00; Blue Cross Blue Shield (insurance) $19,929.28; Wildcat Surveying (survey) $2,400.00; VSP (vision insurance) $287.41; Staples (office supplies) $397.58; Region 22 Emergency Management (emergency mgmt) $1,622.19; Quadient (postage) $149.97; Pritchard & Abbott (appraiser services) $6,660.00; William C. Peters (district court fees) $1,228.00; Nebraska Weed Control (dues) $125.00; Tim Grubbs (weed superintendent contract) $10,000.00; MIPS (data & training) $2,651.49; Banner County Court (postage) $25.00; MCI (Sheriff fax) $35.09; US Bank (Sheriff gas, dues) $592.50.

    Road Department: US Bank (meals) $73.40; Panhandle Co-op (gas/oil/tires) $4,429.48; Michael Todd (shop supplies) $173.63; Floyd’s (repair/parts/labor) $7626.89; Darnall Ranch, Inc. (posts) $513.00; Contractor Materials (shop supplies) $332.30.

    Motion by Gifford to pay claims as presented and funds be drawn on appropriate accounts. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

    Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 11:10 a.m. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.

    Next meeting will be Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. or at the call of the Clerk. A full 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 Banner County Clerk’s office in the courthouse in Harrisburg, Nebraska.