BANNER COUNTY

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Equalization met in regular session in the Courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse on September 20, 2022. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the September 6, 2022, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office on September 15, 2022, the Banner County School, at the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on September 15, 2022. The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:31 a.m. Present on roll call were: Bob Post, Chairman;

Bob Gifford, Vice-Chairman; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, Attorney; Lisa Cross, Clerk; Zane Hopkins, Deputy Sheriff; Bernice Huffman, Assessor. At various times: Chelsea Mossberg, Treasurer; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent.

The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined, and Gifford moved to approve as presented. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Gifford moved to approve the minutes for September 6, 2022 regular session and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE – None

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD – None

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

Gifford made a motion to adjourn the Banner County Board of Equalization meeting at 8:40 a.m. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on October 4, 2022, 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 office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

__________________________________________

Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________

County Clerk

BANNER COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS

BUDGET HEARING

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in special session on September 20, 2022. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the September 6, 2022, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 10:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert J. Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Lisa Cross, Clerk; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent, Bernice Huffman, Assessor. Present via zoom: Candace Meredith.

The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Gifford moved to approve it. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. Open Public Hearing for Budget Hearing – Hearing opened at 10:00 am - Candace Meredith gave a comparison presentation. Post read aloud the Budget Summary. There was no opposition, criticism suggestions or observations of taxpayers.

Close Hearing 10:16

2. Adopt, Amend, Adopt as Amended the Budget - There was no opposition, criticism suggestions or observations of taxpayers. Gifford made the motion to adopt the Budget as read. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

3. Resolution 22-14 Resolution of Adoption and Appropriations – Sandberg read Resolution 22-14 aloud. Sandberg made the motion to approve Resolution 22-14. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

Sandberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:45 a.m. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Post, yes; Gifford, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on October 4, 2022, 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 office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

__________________________________________

Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________

BANNER COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS

SETTING PROPERTY TAX REQUEST HEARING

The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 10:20 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert J. Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Lisa Cross, Clerk; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent, Bernice Huffman, Assessor. Present via zoom: Candace Meredith.

The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Gifford moved to approve it. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. Open Public Hearing for Budget Hearing – Hearing opened at 10:20 am - Candace Meredith gave a comparison presentation. Post read aloud the part of the Budget Notice concerning Notice of Special Hearing to Set Final Tax Request. There was no opposition, criticism suggestions or observations of taxpayers.

Close Hearing 10:32

2. Adopt, Amend, Adopt as Amended the Budget - There was no opposition, criticism suggestions or observations of taxpayers. Sandberg read out loud Resolution 22-16. Sandberg made the motion to adopt Resolution 22-16. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

3. Resolution 22-18 Setting the Property Tax Request – Gifford read Resolution 22-18 aloud. Gifford made the motion to approve Resolution 22-18. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

Gifford made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:46 a.m. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Sandberg, yes; Post, yes; Gifford, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on October 4, 2022, 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 office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

__________________________________________

Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________

County Clerk

BANNER COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 20, 2022. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the September 6, 2022, meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE, at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:45 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert Post; Vice Chairman Robert Gifford; Member Sharon Sandberg; Mark Kovarik, Attorney; Lisa Cross, Clerk; Stan McKnight, Sheriff; Zane Hopkins, Deputy Sheriff; Bernice Huffman, Assessor; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent. At various times: Chelsea Mossberg, Treasurer.

The Chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the Commissioner meeting room window and that paper copies are available on the table by the door.

The agenda was examined and Sandberg moved to approve the agenda. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes.

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Sandberg moved to approve the minutes for September 6, 2022 regular session and that the actions therein be ratified. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE – Letter from NIRMA

Letter from NIRMA

CLAIMS - The following claims for September 20, 2022 were audited, and Gifford moved that the claims be approved and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes.

General

BAIRD FAMILY FARM

MILEAGE $ 639.11

BANNER COUNTY COURT

CC COST $ 34.00

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD

HEALTH INS $ 22,805.54

BYTES COMPUTER & NETWORK SOLUTIONS

HR $ 1,993.00

CENTURYLINK

CO COURT PHONE $ 1,040.37

CROSS ROAD MUSIC

MISC $ 1,093.94

ELLISON, KOVARIK & TURMAN LAW FIRM

SALARY $ 3,129.19

HIGH WEST ENERGY

LIGHTS $ 1,042.95

IDEAL/BLUFFS FACILITY SOLUTIONS

JANITORIAL $ 311.68

MCI

PHONE $ 2.38

MIPS INC

DATA PROCESS $ 3,130.67

NEBRASKA SECRETARY OF STATE

NOTARY FEES $ 60.00

NORTH PLATTE NRD

WATER $ 114.43

PACK RAT DISPOSAL

TRASH $ 45.00

PANHANDLE AREA DEVELOPMENT DIST

DUES $ 593.12

POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION OF NE

HANDBOOK $ 12.00

CINDY JEAN STOVER

JANTORIAL SUPP $ 31.50

WILDCAT SURVEYING

SURVEY Material $ 800.00

Total $ 36,878.88

Road

B & C STEEL CORPORATION

BUILDING RPRS $ 1,010.89

CONTECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS

CULVERT $ 10,403.11

CONTRACTORS MATERIALS, INC.

SHOP SUPPLIES $ 309.00

CROWNE PLAZA

LODGING $ 286.20

FLOYD'S SALES & SERVICE

REPAIR PARTS $ 25.03

FRANK PARTS COMPANY

SHOP SUPPLIES $ 226.75

KARYN K HOLT-OLSEN

GRAVEL $ 450.00

HULLINGER GLASS & LOCK

MISC $ 339.25

IDEAL LINEN SUPPLY

SHOP SUPPLIES $ 26.68

KIMBALL AUTO PARTS, LLC

SHOP TOOLS $ 679.84

MOTOR FUELS DIVISION

MISC $ 230.00

POWERPLAN MACH

PARTS $ 12,693.54

SENECA COMPANIES

REPAIR $ 35,882.52

STEVE'S TRUCK & EQUIPMENT, INC

PARTS $ 50.00

VERIZON CONNECT NWF, INC

SHOP SUPPLIES $ 291.42

VERIZON WIRELESS

PHONE $ 77.75

Total $ 62,981.98

KODY CARPENTER

4-H PREMIUM $ 55.00

TALLYN CHESLEY

4-H PREMIUM $ 89.00

KARSYN CHESLEY

4-H PREMIUM $ 83.00

BAILIE GILBERT

4-H PREMIUM $ 12.00

COLESON GILBERT

4-H PREMIUM $ 13.00

KALEA HAGEMAN

4-H PREMIUM $ 9.00

HELEN HEIN

4-H PREMIUM $ 7.00

MARIE HEIN

4-H PREMIUM $ 14.00

MYCALA JONES

4-H PREMIUM $ 6.00

RILEY JONES

4-H PREMIUM $ 14.00

JALANNA KRAKOW

4-H PREMIUM $ 20.00

KOHL KRAKOW

4-H PREMIUM $ 19.00

ISAAC OLSEN

4-H PREMIUM $ 45.00

LUKE OLSEN

4-H PREMIUM $ 32.00

TATE OLSEN

4-H PREMIUM $ 10.00

TRACE OLSEN

4-H PREMIUM $ 8.00

ALAINA SPERFSLAGE

4-H PREMIUM $ 40.00

JACOB SPERFSLAGE

4-H PREMIUM $ 36.00

ANDIE WEST

4-H PREMIUM $ 18.00

AUSTIN WEST

4-H PREMIUM $ 16.00

Total $ 546.00

ARPA

ZELLE HUMAN RESOURCE SOLUTIONS

HUMAN RESOURCE $ 4,218.14

BYTES

IT $ 31,427.11

Total $ 35,645.25

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

1. Frank Leasing, LLC buy out or renewal 2006 Challenger – Post made the motion to buy the 2006 Challenger. Second by Sandberg. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

2. Resolution 22-15 Authorization of Petty Cash Funds – tabled

3. Resolution 22-17 Allowable Increase of Restricted Funds – tabled

4. Accept Toney Krajewski’s Resignation Letter – Verbal Acceptance. The Board would love to wish Toney a Happy Retirement and thank him for his help.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

PPHD – All funded by State and Grants. Partnership between Region I and PPHD for Opioid Crisis.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – Judge Weimer spoke about the court appointed fee rates. The District Court rates will be raised to be equal to the other counties in the 12th Judicial $100.00/hour.

REPORTS

Highway Department – Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent, reported that they have been fixing potholes, and mowing. Tom attended the Bridge Conference and learned of changes that will be implemented over six years.

County Attorney – Mark Kovarik, County Attorney, said it is business as usual. The County Judges will possibly change the rate since the District Court but shouldn’t have a big effect on the budget.

Treasurer – Chelsea Mossberg, Treasurer, reported that they have compiled a delinquent tax list. Chelsea is working on getting Monty’s name off of things and getting new sign in’s on everything. Zane, Amber and Tessa will be attending a VIN Inspection class.

Clerk – Lisa Cross, Clerk, reported that the salaries were published in the August 11, 2022. Judd will be here on September 29, 2022 to speak to employees about their Blue Cross Blue Shield policy.

Emergency Management – A Declaration of State of Emergency was signed for the Smokey Fire. This has to be done to get paid for planes and other expenses.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Barb Cross – Barb asked if the amount for the Commissioners salary was for one person and if it was times three for all of them. Yes, it is three times the salary that was published.

Laif Anderson – Laif noticed that there were no Banner County assets at the fire. It was noted that they are always up for grab if needed.

Kathy Natale – Kathy asked if she could have clarity on the resolution that the Clerk can transfer funds. It was a resolution allowing the Transfer of Budget Authority not funds from account to account.

Don Cashler – Don stated that the county trucks came by his place at a very fast pace. He felt they were traveling possibly around 65-70 miles per hour. He couldn’t move his equipment until the next morning because he didn’t feel it was safe.

Robin Darnall – Robin wanted to let people know that Chief Tim Grubbs did an amazing job on the Smokey Fire. She said that if County equipment wasn’t used it wasn’t needed. Tim did a great job.

Tim Grubbs – There are reasons we didn’t request Banner County equipment for the Smokey Fire. The attitude of this room precludes even telling me what they are because they won’t be rectified. We’ve learned from fires last year. I will not put the safety of the firefighters on scene at risk and that is the reason we didn’t have heavy equipment from the road department. I will also note that not one of you called me during that incident for an update, and it appears that we aren’t going to cover that incident at this meeting. As far as an update and how things went we got resources from neighboring counties. We got resources from land owners in this county. Neighboring states came to help us. I would have loved to do as much as I could with Banner County assets because I’m proud of what this county can do and I want to show the world what this county can do. It pains me to see the lack of Banner County assets that aren’t out there when I have to call others. Scotts Bluff County had a dozer, out there the City of Gering had a dozer, plus private equipment that citizens had out there which is way more expensive than the county machines. The last count the state had spent over $750,000.00 on this incident. That’s a lot of money and a lot of effort that the state put into it, but there’s I don’t know what it is like Laif said there is a polarization or whatever if it is personal against me, I don’t know, but I’m not going to sit here and harp on the problems. I had a job to do out there and I did that job regardless of what support I could get from the County.

Gifford asked if a meeting between the Voluntary Fire Department and Banner County with Tim as the Chief and set boundaries or protocols would help. Tim said maybe set expectations.

We are losing assets that we used to use from the County and the fire department is having to purchase these assets so we still have them at all the fires. I have stuff from Lincoln that they are going to stage out here to rectify some of the issues we had at the fires, but obviously we can’t have a conversation about it like everything else, but yes this needs to be done. Sit down and talk about how to work together. Set expectations, set protocols. Otherwise, like I said, I’m not going to put the safety o my people at risk. If we can’t come to an agreement we just won’t utilize it. We will find other ways. (sources and resources). This has been ongoing for the last couple of years and jot just this incident.

Recess @ 9:22

Reconvene 10:39

Items of Business Before the Board

2. Resolution 22-15 Authorization of Petty Cash Funds – Sandberg read Resolution 22-15 out loud. Sandberg made the motion to approve Resolution 22-15. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

3. Resolution 22-17 Allowable Increase of Restricted Funds – Gifford read Resolution 22-17 out loud. Gifford made the motion to approve Resolution 22-17. Second by Sandberg, Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Sandberg, yes.

Public Comments – none

Gifford made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:46 a.m. Second by Gifford. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Sandberg, yes; Gifford, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on

October 4, 2022, 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 office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA

__________________________________________

Attest: _______________________ __________________________________________

County Clerk