September 12, 2011
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell, Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright and Board Assistant, Tammy White. Roethemeyer offered prayer. Chairman Deterding called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Deterding announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the County Board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 6, 2011. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Court and Register of Deeds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the addition of securities by Wells Fargo Bank as pledged to the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve the addition of securities by Gothenburg State Bank as pledged to the Lincoln County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Deterding announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the County Board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on September 6, 2011. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer, and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the certificates of correction and refund as submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Pam Kackmeister and Merilee Hyde appeared to protest the notice of rejection of homestead exemption by the County Assessor. They had been receiving the exemption for the last 7 years.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger, reported that the State of Nebraska requested current physicians forms this year for all applicants. The physician marked that she did not qualify per the reasons on the form allowed by the State of Nebraska so her office had to reject it.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to affirm the decision of the Lincoln County Assessor to deny the application as it does not qualify per Nebraska State Statute. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Mike Rhoades appeared to protest the notice of rejection of homestead exemption by the County Assessor. He commented that he had been declared 100% disabled by the U.S. Government thru the Social Security Administration. Therefore, he did not feel he should have to prove his disability to the county. He stated that he had been to Lincoln, NE to visit with the Governor and Department of Revenue concerning the denial of his homestead exemption application.
Julie Stenger, Lincoln County Assessor, stated that her office had mailed him the proper paperwork to apply in February, 2011. After a follow up call to Mr. Rhoades her office resent the paperwork with a letter. Her office did receive part of the paperwork back from Mr. Rhoades, but there was no physicians form or signed income statement. Her office had to reject the application as it was incomplete. Legislation would have to change for Mr. Rhoades to qualify.
Commissioner Hewgley told Mr. Rhoades that homestead exemptions are a State of Nebraska program that runs thru the County Assessor’s office. A written statement from a physician was not received.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to deny the protest by Mr. Rhoades and affirm the County Assessors decision as he does not have a doctor’s statement or income statement. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:43 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the “Closing Documents” associated with the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2011: Closing Certificate, Paying Agent and Registrar Agreement, Escrow Agreement and Dissemination Agreement. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
A public hearing was opened at 10:02 A.M. to receive comments on the proposed 2011/2012 fiscal year Lincoln County, NE budget.
Susan Maline, CPA, presented the budget summary.
Ken Main asked about the interlocal agreements used in lid calculation concerning the sheriff’s office and questioned if the percentage was too high. He also asked about the 1 cent fuel surcharge the City of North Platte receives for the interlocal fuel agreement.
Commissioner Hewgley replied that is was a 1 cent administration fee and that the fuel was cheaper because it is bought at a bulk rate.
Main also asked which roads is part of the road maintenance agreement with the City of North Platte.
Jerry Hitchcock, County Highway Supt., commented on particular roads that are part of the agreement.
Mike Groene, representing the Western Nebraska Tax Payers Association asked about a difference in the figures concerning the jail bond fund.
Susan Maline, responded that the difference is due to the 2% delinquent tax that is allowed.
Groene then questioned what was left in the jail building fund.
Commissioner Roethemeyer replied that there are claims between the two parties and the initial bond interest payments were made from the proceeds.
Groene voiced that he felt the DEVCO donation of $20,000 should be taken out of the budget. He then stated he appreciated the decrease in the tax levy, but noted the general fund levy did raise.
Eric Seacrest expressed that the county has a long history of promoting tourism and economic development and should continue to be a strong partner. He encouraged the board to support the road department equipment budget.
Bob Peterson stated that the difference between the housing of prisoners and additional staffing were supposed to balance but it appears that did not happen. He also discouraged the DEVCO donation.
A written statement was submitted by Dave Harrold. He voiced that he feels that the individuals that cause damage to the roads should pay for the damage and that the county should not be supporting private industry.
The public hearing was closed at 10:40 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to adopt Resolution No. 2011-32 approving the 2011/2012 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to set October 3, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. as a time to receive bids on bridge crossing Gulch Canyon and located 5.5 miles south, 3 miles east of Brady and is 880 feet south of Banner Road on Wahlgren Road. The legal description is NW ¼ of Section 7, Township 11 North, Range 26 West. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to go into closed session at 10:49 A.M. for strategy session concerning collective bargaining with F.O.P. Lodge #26. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Deterding restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to go into open session at 11:15 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No action was taken following the closed session.
Approved the following claims presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:01 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the September 12, 2011 board meetings were sent to members of the county board, county attorney and all others requesting the same. Notice was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and on the county website.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on September 19, 2011 will be kept continually current and open for inspection at the office of the Lincoln County Clerk. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will be held at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be held at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
