**This is a condensed version of the Banner County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. These minutes are not the official/approved version. A draft/unapproved copy of the Banner County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes is available for public viewing 10 days post meeting date at the Banner County Clerk’s office. 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, November 21, 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. A copy of proof of publication is on file in the office of the Banner County Clerk. 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 Friday, November 20, 2023.
Meeting called to order at 5:31 p.m. Roll call showed all members present.
Anderson led prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Agenda: The agenda for meeting was examined. Motion by Gifford to approve agenda. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Minutes from November 7, 2023 were examined. Motion by Anderson to approve November 7, 2023 minutes. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall abstain; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Peetz Farmer’s Co-op: Clerk West reported that Peetz Co-op found a small leak in the line on a propane tank. Propane level needs to be lower before it can be fixed.
CNA Surety Company: Bond for public officials. Paid in the claims.
NFIT Investment Funds: Attorney Kovarik suggested Treasurer Natale research this company and Board can re - visit this in January 2024.
Public Comments: None
Reports:
Highway Superintendent: Highway Superintendent Parsons reported the cement on the north side of the courthouse has be redone by the Road Dept. Parsons has been in contact with the Air Force regarding the road agreement between Banner County and the United States Air Force. Parsons and Milner met with representative of NEMA (Nebraska Emergency Management Agency) regarding the grant project. Parsons, Milner, and Mossberg completed the appropriate paperwork and submitted it to FEMA. FEMA will respond to Banner County with regards to if an inspection will need to be done before granting Banner County the funds for this project. Parsons reported that the road employees will now be adding work orders on their time cards. This will track hours and tasks on these projects in the future. Autogate inventory was completed by Chelsea Mossberg and Brittany Hollinger. Linda Gromet from Nebraska LTAP (Local Technical Assistance Program) will be here November 27, 2023. Tom Neal completed the five bridge inspections for Banner County. Parsons reported he and the crews have been reviewing snow and bus routes. Parsons is preparing to do an inventory on the culverts. Parsons also reported that Red Barn is machining a spindle for the mower.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported being busy. There have been a lot of stops with speeds over 90 miles per hour. Sheriff Hopkins reviewed Resolution 14 - 09 regarding loose dogs in Harrisburg. Fine schedule is $25 first offense; $50 second offense; $100 third offense. Christmas Giving Tree is up. Gifts purchased need to be delivered to the Sheriff’s office by December 15, 2023 unwrapped. Deputy Logan Hollinger will be training June 24 - 27, 2024 for drug and criminal training.
County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reported being busy with County and District courts. Kovarik reported over 400 traffic citations issued this year. This is a significant increase from the previous years. Kovarik is working on snow removal agreement resolution.
County Treasurer: Kathy Natale reported being busy. Four distress warrants with one being served and three paid before the deadline. Natale is currently working on rolling over taxes that go out in December.
County Clerk: Katie West reported receiving the new copier at the courthouse. West reported a few changes with elections. December 1, 2023 is the deadline for political party changes. Pamphlets are at the Clerk’s office for the voter identification. In order to vote in the upcoming elections, patrons will be required to present a photo identification in order to vote. The deadline for the Commissioner position will be December 1, 2023 at noon. Interviews for Commissioner will be Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 9 a.m. Requirements are a letter of intent and/or a resume. Josi Morgan has the county imprest account balanced, and is working on payroll.
County Assessor: Kacy Krakow reported taxes have been rolled. Krakow has been working on adjusting land use and is planning to start reviewing section 54 on Monday.
County Surveyor: Absent
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; Panhandle Area Development District (PADD); Office of Human Development (OHD) and Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD): No PADD meeting. Nothing to report from OHD meeting. PPHD meets on December 8, 2023.
Anderson: Office of Aging was well ran and audited by the State. Region 1 Behavioral Health had a financial audit, and it went well. Insurance dropped Region 1 Behavioral Health due to hail damage that occurred in the summer.
Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management: Meeting in January 2024.
Items of business before the board:
Extension Board Application: Aaron Berger submitted application from Jerry West as part of the Extension Board. Motion by Gifford to appoint Jerry West to the Extension Board. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Employee Handbook: Kacy Krakow reported the errors and page numbers have been edited in the Employee Handbook. This handbook is a working document. Binders with the Employee Handbook will be distributed to all emplyees for review and signature. Motion by Darnall to accept the Employee Handbook as presented by Krakow and Anderson, policies will take effect January 3, 2024. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Defense Access Road Agreement: Jim Milner reported this is a five - year agreement. This agreement does not include the Sentinel project, but is the same agreement as in the past. Motion by Anderson to approve the Defense Access Road Agreement. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Surplus Office Furniture: Clerk West discussed the list of surplus equipment and furniture. Motion by Anderson to declare two computer monitors, four Dell computer towers, printer, and copier as obsolete, sending them to recycling. Items 5, 6, and 7 (file cabinets, card files, and chair) as surplus property and sell by sealed bids. Sealed bids will be opened at December 19, 2023 Commissioner’s meeting. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Resolution 23 - 27 Snow Removal Rates: Attorney Kovarik stated revisions based on previous discussion include individual equipment rates, starting at $100/hour. Motion by Gifford to approve Resolution 23 - 27. Resolution 23 - 27 was read by Gifford. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Membership Re-Commitment Resolution - NIRMA (Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association): Three - year agreement to re - commit with NIRMA. Motion by Anderson to accept re - commitment Resolution with NIRMA authorizing the Chairperson to sign. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Telephone Quotes: Clerk West reported having two quotes for a new phone system. Mobius Communications for $12,000 to include new telephones and wires, while keeping CenturyLink. Eakes Zultys Cloud for $1,407 one - time installation fee, $581.39/month for telephone service to include new telephones using CenturyLink making the telephone system internet - based. Motion by Anderson to approve Eakes Zultys Cloud Services for 14-Z23 telephones at $539.81/month and one - time fee of $1,407. Provided that Eakes can accommodate the needs for the Sheriff and Road Department. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Highway Superintendent Year-End Certificate: Clerk West reported receiving a year - end certificate from the State. This is an incentive for Banner County to employ a certified Highway Superintendent. Banner County has participated in this for several years, this year the bonus will be prorated to Tom Neal’s resignation in September. Motion by Anderson to adopt the Highway Certification. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Moving Commissioner’s Meeting: Sheriff Hopkins reported many residents are asking to have only daytime meetings during the winter months for the safety of the people. Darnall stated she would like to table this until January 2024, as there is only one more evening Commissioner meeting this year. Gifford suggested moving the evening meeting in December, then decide in January. No action taken.
Discuss/Act/Approve Claims: Motion by Gifford to approve the following claims. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
General: Wilcat Surveying $400.00 - surveys; Western Nebraska Observer $384.13 - advertising; Simon Contractor $949.00 - concrete; Scottsbluff Co. Treasurer $543.58 - postage & district 12 probation; Quadient Finances $339.00 - postage; Nebraska Association of County Officials $985.11 - dues; Lincoln Marriott $330.75 - lodging weed Supt.; Level 3 $771.47 - internet; Kimball Auto Parts $25.63 - county car repairs; Scottsbluff Register of Deeds $150.00 - training; High West Energy $475.95 - lights; Gering Valley Plumbing & Heating $150.50 - plumbing; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman Law Firm $2,754.58 - attorney fees; Department of Administrative Services $150.00 - data processing; CenturyLink $507.86 - telephone; Banner County Sheriff $18.50 - serving papers; Banner County Court $119.00 - county court fees; Ace Hardware $7.99 - plumbing.
Roads: B & C Steel $1,280.80 - steel; CenturyLink $85.58 - telephone; Equipment Blades, Inc. $12,168.80 - blades; High West Energy $281.00 - lights; Inland Truck $1,176.41 - repair parts & labor; Kimball Auto Parts $1,431.26 - shop supplies & parts; Nebraska Machinery Corp. $3,326.23 - repair parts & freight; Pomp’s Tires $11,167.00 - tires; Power Plan $1,287.40 - repair parts; Verizon $233.10 - GPS tracker; Vista Beam $67.90 - internet; Western Nebraska Observer $256.60 - advertising; First Concord Benefits $180.11 - Health Reimbursement Arrangements.
Sheriff: Nebraskaland Tire $957.52 - tires; Motorola Solutions $348.00 - body camera; Galls $44.20 - seat organizer; A T & T $198.62 - cell phone; CenturyLink $80.98 - telephone.
Adjournment: Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 8:34 p.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall yes; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held December 5, 2023 at 8:45 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.
