**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 7, 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. 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 3, 2023.
Meeting called to order at 8:45 a.m. Roll call showed Vice Chairman Laif Anderson and Member Robert Gifforrd present. Chairperson Robin Darnall absent.
Gifford 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 absent; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Minutes from October 23, 2023 we examined. Motion by Gifford to approve October 23, 2023 minutes. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall absent; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Correspondence: NIRMA (Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association) Re - commitment Resolution - placed on November 21, 2023 agenda. Nebraska District Probation - Approved District 12 budget, $518.00 is being paid out of the $60,000.00 throughout the State.
Public Comments: None
Reports:
Highway Superintendent: Interim Road Superintendent, Jim Milner, reported Chelsea contacted the State regarding NEMA (Nebraska Emergency Management Agency) funding. The State will be coming in on Monday, November 13, 2023 to examine paperwork. Milner stated he is hoping this is completed correctly and Banner County will see some revenue from NEMA. Gifford asked if there were any inspections? Milner was not aware of any inspections, but could always be a possibility. Milner reported the hub assembly to repair the mower is located in Missouri. Milner commented it may be more beneficial to look at replacing the mower. Employees have been using the skid steer to mow problem areas. Milner is looking into renting a mower. Road crews are graveling county roads. Newly hired Banner County Highway Superintendent, Pat Parsons, will start next week. Milner stated he plans to use the snow plow truck this year.
Sheriff Hopkins: Sheriff Hopkins reported newly hired Sheriff’s Deputy, Logan, is learning the county. Both Sheriff Hopkins and Deputy passed annual firearm qualifications. Sheriff Hopkins would like to find a range where he and the Deputy can practice shooting. Anderson offered his land. Gifford recommended speaking with Chris Olsen as well.
County Attorney: Mark Kovarik reported being busy with court cases, resolutions, and agreements. Kovarik stated the driveway agreement will be similar to the Snow Rescue Resolution in relation to cost. Kovarik will have the agreement completed by November 15, 2023.
County Treasurer: Kathy Natale reported having one distress warrant. Delinquent taxes for real estate can be paid online for an additional $1.00 regardless of number of parcels. Deliquent taxes will be listed in the newpaper with names and parcels.
County Clerk: Katie West reported working with Josi (Kimball County Clerk’s Office) last week. Imprest account is now balanced through May 2023. Still issues with the payroll account. Once Josi has everything balanced, she will come to Banner County and look at the system for payroll and train. West reported a lot of work with the courts.
County Assessor: Kacy Krakow reported meeting with the State liaison last week and was given suggestions for next year.
County Surveyor: Absent
Commissioner Committee Reports:
Gifford; Panhandle Area Development District (PADD); Office of Human Development (OHD) and Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD): PADD and OHD will be meeting on Thursday, November 9. PPHD meeting will be in December.
Anderson: Office of Aging will be meeting on Thursday, November 9 and Region 1 Behavioral Health will meet on November 16.
Darnall: Region 22 Emergency Management: Absent
Items of business before the board:
Defense Access Road Agreement: Interim Road Superintendent, Jim Milner stated he changed the point of contact to Pat Parsons. Milner will be attending a town meeting in Kimball to get contacts. No action taken.
Private Drive Agreement: Jim Milner and Mark Kovarik stated they are hoping to have the agreement completed by November 15. A letter will be sent to Banner County residents on the changes. Discussed changes include rate increases to $50/half hour and $100/hour for snow removal - time starting when crew leaves the county shop. The resolution will allow for annual review of rates by Road Department. Kovarik stated there will be two agreements, one for road maintenance and one for snow removal. No action taken.
Bridge Inspections: Deadline for some county bridge inspections is November 23, 2023. Milner recommended contracting Tom Neal to inspect the five bridges in Banner County that are due by November 23, 2023. Motion by Anderson to contract Tom Neal to inspect five bridges in Banner County for $250/bridge to be completed by November 23, 2023. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall absent; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Surplus Property: Kathy Natale stated there is interest in the metal file drawers in the vault. Commissioners asked for sealed bids. Milner has equipment to add to the list. Commissioners asked for pictures, list, and sealed bids. Kovarik mentioned Bytes may take the computers that are not being used, but these would still need on the surplus list. No action taken.
Road Computer Purchase: Jim MIlner stated a need for a desktop computer in the Road Department office for the Road Superintendent. Road Department currently has a tablet, but would like to add a desktop computer. No action taken.
Appoint NIRMA Contact: Kathy Natale reported Clerk Katie West is currently the NIRMA (Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association) contact. Gifford mentioned NIRMA contact is appointed in January each year, but must have been missed this year. Motion by Gifford to appoint Clerk West as contact for NIRMA. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall absent; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
Office Printer/Copier: Clerk Katie West stated two printers and a copier have been replaced. West inquired if these could be disposed of? Anderson stated these need to be placed on the surplus list, specifying that they are obsolete and do not work.
Resignation: Robert Gifford submitted a letter of resignation. Gifford stated he will remain on the Board until the end of 2023, or until someone is appointed. Kovarik stated there is a 45 - day allotment from the date of resignation to appoint the position. Resignation was accepted on general consent.
Discuss/Act/Approve Claims: Motion by Gifford to approve the following claims. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall absent; Anderson yes. Motion carried.
General: Bytes $2,688.73 - data protection; Cobblestone Inn & Suites $95.00 - Lodging; Eakes $602.90 - office supplies; Ellison, Kovarik, & Turman $1,977.91 - attorney fees; Fairfield Inn $581.90 - Lodging; Fritz’s Septic $225.00 - septic; Gering Valley Plumbing $11,200.00 - plumbing repair; Ideal Linen $98.88 - janitorial supplies; MCI $74.84 - fax; MIPS (Multi - County Information and Programming Services) $1,660.73 - data processing; North Platte NRD (Natural Resources District) $47.52 - water; Pack Rat Disposal $45.00 - trash; Panhandle Co - op $30.58 - fuel; Quadient $149.97 - postage; Scottsbluff County $3,000.00 - Veteran’s service; Thomson Reuters $953.00 - law book; VSP (Vision Service Plan) $321.40 - vision insurance; WizNerd $65.00 - data processing; Aflac $583.35 - insurance; Aptive $9,765.08 - insurance; Banner Capitol Bank $3,365.03 - HSA (Health Savings Accounts); Colonial Life $205.06 - dental.
Roads: Ace Hardware $15.99 - shop supplies; A T & T $46.37 - cell phone; Frank Parts $10.88 - tool; Ideal Linen $27.76 - janitorial supplies; Matheson Tri - Gas $739.99 - welding supplies; North Platte Natural Resources District $33.72 - water; Panhandle Co - op $7,228.43 - fuel; Show Me Shortline $4,158.60 - repair parts; Vision Service Plan $321.39 - insurance; Aflac $542.99 - insurance; Aptive $6,809.10 - insurance; Banner Capitol Bank $1,666.69 - health savings accounts; Colonial Life $84.85 - dental.
Sheriff: Comfort Inn $109.00 - Lodging; Motorola Solutions $131.79 - cell phone; NSA/POAN Law Enforcement $225.00 - dues; Panhandle Co - op $682.27 - fuel
Adjournment: Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 10:20 a.m. Second by Anderson. Roll call vote: Anderson yes; Darnall absent; Gifford yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.
The next regular meeting will be held November 21, 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.
