**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
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUDGET HEARING
PROPERTY TAX HEARING
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.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 September 27, 2023.
Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Roll call showed Chairperson Darnall and Member Gifford present; Anderson absent. Also present: Assessor Kacy Krakow; County Attorney Mark Kovarik; County Clerk Katie West; County Treasurer Kathy Natale; and Sheriff Zane Hopkins; Kyle Ann Hopkins; Gary and Sandy Beals.
Chairperson Darnall stated that the Open Meetings Act is posted in the back of this courtroom by the entrance.
Gifford said prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Agenda: The agenda for meeting was examined. Motion by Gifford to approve agenda, moving '‘minutes'‘ to the end of the hearing. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson absent. Motion carried.
Chairperson Darnall opened the Budget hearing at 9:07 a.m.
Gifford asked about the change in the net funds balances? Darnall responded that the net fund ending balance for 2022 - 23 in General and Road budgets was not carried forward to 2023 - 24 beginning balances correctly. Gifford asked where the increase came from? Darnall answered that these were data entry errors. Darnall met with Candace Meredith from NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) at the District meeting, and together they corrected the data entry errors on the budget.
Candace Meredith also suggested putting the postage for the postcards on the "postcard'‘ line item. Gifford suggested to put $1,000 in postcard fund from postage and have postage fund at $3,000 and it will not affect the levy. $1,000 was moved from the "postage" budget fund line item, into '‘postcards'‘ line item. This will more accurately reflect how much was spent on the postcards. Sandy Beals stated that in the past, the postcards were sent to the county. Postcards were then bundled prior to mailing, saving on postage.
Darnall stated that in the absence of Anderson, she had no choice today, but to approve the budget as presented. Darnall does not agree with the hiring of a Sheriff's Deputy, adding approximately $10,000 to the Sheriff's budget and placing Deputy salary ($44,000) to come out of the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds. Darnall explained that a vote of "no” from her today would delay the budget that is due tomorrow, and could possibly shut down the county if the budget is not approved today. Gary Beals stated that in the past the Commissioners voted for a Deputy to be put in the budget, Gary asked where that money went? Gifford answered that those funds had been carried over. Gary Beals also stated that he feels for public safety, a Deputy is needed, it's not fair for one man to work 24 hours non - stop. Darnall mentioned Banner County has additional assistance from the State Patrol. Kyle Ann Hopkins asked what happens if the State Patrol cannot cover? Darnall responded that, to her knowledge, the State Patrol has never denied Banner County assistance. Sheriff Hopkins disagreed, commenting that he had been called out three times last week.
Gifford asked why we don't want to change the levy today? Darnall responded the budget that was previously approved, changing the levy would entail more steps. The data entry errors that were corrected did not change the levy. Darnall mentioned that the Commissioners can consider amending the budget at a later date.
Katie West asked what would happen to the taxes on property next year if the Commissioners were to amend the budget? Gifford stated the budget could double next year, but there was no definate answer. Darnall stated the Deputy salary would be removed from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) next year. Gifford asked what would happen to the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) fund? Darnall mentioned the Fire Department needs to upgrade the radios. Gifford stated if the Fire Department were to upgrade their radios, the whole county would need to be upgraded, and there was not enough money in the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to do that. Gary Beals asked what happened to the Deputy budget after Stan McNight left? Gifford stated that the budget was carried over. Sheriff Hopkins stated the budget for the Sheriff was $168,250, he only used $121,000. Sheriff Hopkins stated his budget went up 17%, and did not double.
There being no further comments or discussion, Chairperson Darnall closed the Budget Hearing at 10:38 a.m.
Motion by Gifford to adopt Resolution 23 - 25. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson absent. Motion carried.
Chairperson Darnall opened the Property Tax Hearing at 10:41 a.m.
There being no comments or discussion from the public, Chairperson Darnall closed the Property Tax Hearing at 10:41 a.m.
Motion by Gifford to approve Resolution 23 - 26. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson absent. Motion carried.
Minutes of September 19, 2023 meeting, One & Six Year Plan Hearing, and Joint Public Hearing minutes were examined. Motion by Gifford to accept the minutes from September 19, 2023 meeting, One & Six Year Plan Hearing, and Joint Public Hearing . Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson absent. Motion carried.
Adjournment: Motion by Gifford to adjourn meeting at 11:12 a.m. Second by Darnall. Roll call vote: Gifford yes; Darnall yes; Anderson absent. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
A special meeting will be held October 10, 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.
