October 22, 2012
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Deterding offered prayer. Chairman Roethemeyer called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Roethemeyer 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 Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on October 15, 2012. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve the substitution of securities pledged to the County Treasurer by NebraskaLand National Bank. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Sheriff. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the sub-grant agreement and amendment two for the Child Support Enforcement Services/Clerk of District Court with the State of Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer 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 Roethemeyer announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on October 15, 2012. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:16 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the two selective overtime enforcement mini grants applications (Drink, Drive, You Lose – $9,300 and Click It or Ticket – $8,700) for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to be submitted to the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
A public hearing was opened at 9:30 A.M. to consider a resolution to approve tax-exempt bond financing by Hospital Authority No. 1 of Lincoln County, Nebraska, for the benefit of North Platte, Nebraska Hospital Corporation, doing business as Great Plains Regional Medical center, in amount not to exceed $117,000,000.
Joel VanderVeen of Kutak Rock, Krys Claymore – GPRMC /CFO, Greg Nielsen – GPRMC/CEO and Parker Shankin – GPRMC attorney were present to answer any questions the County Board of public might have concerning the project and bonds.
The project to be financed with the Bonds consists of the costs of the construction, improvement, equipping and furnishing of a five story addition to and other portions of the Corporation’s health care facilities and the refunding and redemption of certain prior bonds issued for the benefit of the Corporation, the proceeds of which prior bonds were used to finance or refinance certain capital expenditures relating to the Corporation’s health care facilities, all of which health care facilities of the Corporation are located at or near 601 West Leota Street, North Platte, Nebraska.
No written comments or objections were filed with the County Clerk.
Claymore explained that IRS code requires public approval. The bonds will be issued by Hospital Authority No. 1 and will not be an obligation of the county.
Mike Groene, representing the Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association, asked who owns the hospital.
Shankin replied that is a Nebraska Non Profit Corporation and is a private entity.
Groene then asked how hospital board members were elected.
Nielsen responded that they are elected by the membership and to be a member you must have a $500 contribution.
Groene questioned why the hospital does not pay property taxes.
Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright, explained they are tax exempt as per the application they supply to the County Assessor and she recommends if they should be tax exempt or not.
Claymore stated they are organized for charitable purposes and provide community care.
Groene wondered why the county had to approve the bonds.
Nielsen commented that the Hospital Authority was formed as the board at that time felt it would give them a better chance for more doctors, etc. The IRS guidelines require the public approval for tax exempt bond. The hospital is a 501c3 and is organized by law. .
Nielsen reported that any profits have to be reinvested.
Groene stated that the group is not anti-hospital. They are just asking for transparency and a better way of them doing business.
Groene then asked how they plan to make the payments.
Nielsen rendered that the bond rates are low and the debt capacity if there.
Groene asked if they were going to pay off old debt with the new bonds.
Claymore responded they are going to refinance current debt at a lower interest rate and they have done a long range financial forecast. The new bonds will be 30 years.
Shankin told the audience that there is a public website where audit information is available.
Bernice Ziegler again asked who owns the hospital and who is on the board of directors.
Nielsen explained that they board if elected by membership and they must have donated $500 of more per year and that they are Non Profit 501c3.
Ziegler commented that she thinks the county needs a representative on the board.
VanderVeen replied that the county is involved to simply provide public approval to the bonds to be issued.
Gary Heinzle asked if the hearing was just a formality. If the county does not approve the resolution can you still issue the bonds?
VanderVeen responded that the bonds could still be issued but they cannot be tax exempt without public approval.
Claymore again stated the hospital is in good financial condition.
Groene questioned if the hospital’s and county’s bond ratings would be tied together if they approved the resolution.
VanderVeen reported they would not be tied together and the county has no obligation.
Fiona Lipsack, GPRMC, told audience members they will be doing a series of talks about the project and supplying the media with more information.
The public hearing was closed at 10:18 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2012-30 for tax-exempt bond financing by Hospital Authority No. 1 of Lincoln County, Nebraska, for the benefit of North Platte, Nebraska Hospital Corporation, doing business as Great Plains Regional Medical center, in amount not to exceed $117,000,000 and authorize the Chairman to sign. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Roethemeyer stated the resolution adopted granted public approval to the proposed financing and refinancing of certain health care facilities by one or more series of bonds issued by Hospital Authority No. 1 of Lincoln County, Nebraska for the benefit of North Platte, Nebraska Hospital Corporation in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $117,000,000 and related matters.
The following bids were received for 1 or 2 new or used maintainers for the Lincoln County Department of Roads:
Murphy Tractor with trade(s):
2013 Deere 770G $191,000 $173,000
2006 Deere 670D $128,500 $110,500
2009 Deere 672D $161,500 $143,500
2009 Deere 670G $162,000 $144,000
2007 Deere 770D $143,500 $125,500
2009 Deere 772D $191,000 $173,000
2009 Deere 670G $164,500 $146,500
2009 Deere 670G $164,500 $146,500
2008 Deere 770D $155,500 $137,500
2008 Deere 770D $157,500 $139,500
2008 Deere 770D $162,000 $144,000
2008 Deere 770D $143,500 $125,500
NMC CAT with trade(s):
2013 CAT 140M2 $213,786 $203,786
2013 CAT 12M2 $194,675 $184,675
2007 CAT 12H $156,500 $146,500
1998 CAT 140H $148,000 $138,000
2007 CAT 140M $153,000 $143,000
County Highway Supt. will review the bids and make a recommendation at the next county board meeting.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to go into closed session at 10:45 A.M. concerning strategy regarding litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Roethemeyer restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to go into open session at 10:58 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:47 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the October 22, 2012 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 Monday, October 29, 2012 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 at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
