Banner County Nebraska

BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS  PROCEEDINGS

The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ room of the Banner County Courthouse on February 3, 2015.  This is in accordance with the adjournment of the January 20, 2015 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 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 e- mailed to each board member on January 30, 2015.  The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:45 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.  Present on roll call were Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Toney Krajewski, Assistant Highway Superintendent; Carl Gilbert, Surveyor; Jim Zimmerman, Attorney; Monty Stoddard, Treasurer; Martin Olsen, and Lori Hostetler, Clerk. Also present at various times: Cynthia Gill; Dave Christian; Jeff Hohnstein, and Stan McKnight, Sheriff.

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

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

The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Faden moved to approve the minutes for January 20, 2015 and that the actions therein be ratified:  Second by Post.  Roll call vote:  Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

CORRESPONDENCE

Panhandle Public Health District Annual Report
Membership informational packet from National Association of Counties (NACo)

CLAIMS

The following claims were audited, and Post moved that the claims be approved, and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.

GENERAL FUND

ROAD FUND

ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD

Item #1 – Approval of application for snow removal or surface grading – Post made a motion to approve the application for snow removal and surface grading. Second by Faden.
Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.

Item #3 – Discussion on who the county will hire to conduct the audit for the year ending June 2014 – There was discussion that the county needs to hire someone to do the yearly audit. It was decided that the clerk will contact the individual who performed the county’s audits in the past and also other local accountants and request estimates.

Item #4 – Discussion on allowing the NRD to install equipment in the courthouse which would allow the well houses to be read remotely – Lori Hostetler, Clerk explained that the NRD is looking for somewhere to install equipment so that the well houses can be read remotely. It was decided that they would like a representative from NRD to come to the next meeting to go over the details.

REPORTS

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bob Post reported that he had been in Lincoln to testify on LB144 before the State Legislature. He also met with Ruth Sorensen with the Property Assessment Division and said she plans on attending a commissioner meeting soon.

Item #2 – Discussion and possible action on hiring a 4-H Extension Assistant/Office Manager – Cynthia Gill and Martin Olsen – Cynthia Gill with the Kimball/Banner Extension Office discussed their plan to hire a 4-H Extension Assistant/Office Manager and presented the Extension’s current budget. She indicated that it is likely that the new position will cost a bit more than what is currently budgeted, and they would like the commissioners’ support for the hiring of the new position and the increase needed for future budgets. Gifford made a motion to support the position of a 4-H Extension Assistant/ Office Manager with appropriate funding requested and to review the interlocal agreement and make changes if necessary. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.

Item #4 – continued – Dave Christian with the NRD and Jeff Hohnstein with HOA Solutions discussed what will be needed. He said that they will look at different areas in the courthouse and the county shop to see what would work.

COUNTY ATTORNEY – Jim Zimmerman, Attorney said he is still pursuing getting a contracted court- appointed attorney for Banner County. He also gave the clerk updated employment forms he had received from NIRMA.

COUNTY SURVEYOR
Carl Gilbert, Surveyor reported that he is still working on the northeast corner of the county and has set a total of 34 corners so far.

COUNTY TREASURER REPORT
Monty Stoddard, Treasurer reported that he had completed the Audit Certification – A-133. He also presented the tax sale list that will be advertised.

HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent presented last year’s One and Six Plan and asked for recommendations for this year’s plan. He said the hearing will be advertised for the February 17th meeting. He said he would like to seal Park Street and School Street. He also said he would like to have a hydraulic study done on County Road 18 in Long Canyon. The completed hydraulic study on County Road 14 and Singleton Road was reviewed.

COUNTY CLERK REPORT
Lori Hostetler, County Clerk reported that the applications for the new health insurance plan have been sent in. She also said that she would like to advertise for the groundskeeper position. Notices will be posted in the courthouse, at the school, and in the post office.

Item #4 – continued – Jeff Hohnstein said that the county shop is the best place to put the box and antenna so the wells can be read remotely. The commissioners gave permission for them to proceed. 

No other reports.

Faden made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 10:33 a.m.  Second by Post.  Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on February 17, 2015 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