February 26, 2018
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Duane Deterding, Bill Henry, Joe Hewgley and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Henry offered prayer. 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 Hewgley, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 20, 2018. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Henry to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Sheriff. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry 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.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 20, 2018. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization recessed at 9:17 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Hewgley to approve File No. SU18-003 an application by Gregg Perrett, Perrett Construction LTD, for Perrett Administrative Subdivision. The property is located in an R-2 Urban Density Residential District located north of North Platte on Highway 83 and is described as part of the SW ¼ of Section 2, Township 14 North, Range 30 West of the 6 P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Bernie Tobin of G4S was present to answer any questions on the proposal submitted for security services for the Lincoln County Courthouse. Randall Vonk, area manager, was included by telephone.
Commissioner Hewgley asked about possible changes to the three year contract.
Tobin replied that for certain items identified in the contract there may be rate increases.
Sheriff Kramer reported that the security committee had done a very thorough job researching this service and they felt that G4S was comparable to others and had a reasonable plan.
Commissioner Henry inquired what other accounts G4S had in Nebraska.
Vonk stated they had accounts in Adams County, Kearney and Scottsbluff and does business in all 50 states.
Commissioner Henry questioned how much personnel would be needed for staffing.
Tobin said that is still yet to be determined but they will have floaters to fill as needed.
Patrick Burford wondered why they only had one armed guard instead of both of them being armed.
Tobin stated that most clients feel there is adequate coverage with this ratio and for budget reasons.
Ryan Sellers suggested postponing the decision until after the election and commented that this was not favored by a majority of the county residents according to a poll conducted by the North Platte Bulletin.
Commissioner Hewgley replied that he was not doing to base his decision on an election it would be based on safety.
Commissioner Deterding reiterated Hewgley that it is for the safety of the personnel and public and is not a political issue.
Ryan inquired why the Sheriff’s Office couldn’t provide the security.
Sheriff Kramer said the Sheriff’s Office could not provide security guards as inexpensively as G4S. Times are changing and we need to change with it.
Commissioner Hewgley commented that he understand this will cause inconvenience and it will take some time for people to adjust. He stated that he was the last Commissioner to get on board with a security crackdown but he is all in now.
Commissioner Henry noted that criminals are going to come into the courthouse along with the public here doing business. Incidents are going to happen.
Greg Renner expressed concern with how the process is being done and liability issues. He also would like to see the Sheriff’s Office do the security.
Tobin responded that liability would fall on G4S.
Burford spoke again and said he feels this is a good idea but that both guards should be armed. The county needs deputies out on the streets and should use private security for the courthouse.
Myrna Liebig commented that the public had not heard enough reasons why security is needed to publically support it. She was also concerned about the guards being local residents.
Tobin reported that employees would be from this area. He stated the County Board is trying to be proactive instead of reactive.
Booker Boyer, a member of the security committee, expressed that the Sheriff’s Office as well as the security committee would be watching over G4S.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Hewgley to approve the acceptance of bid for security services for the Lincoln County Courthouse by G4S in the amount of $90,563 per year for a three year contract. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Recess as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and reconvene as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization at 11:00 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Henry to go into closed session at 11:01 A.M. concerning strategy session regarding pending litigations and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Deterding restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Henry to approve going into open session at 11:08 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Henry and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Adjourn as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners at 11:09 A.M.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 26, 2018 board meetings were sent to the county board and all others requesting the same. Advance public notice (includes agenda) of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and the Lincoln County website on February 23, 2018; and was also emailed to the media on February 23, 2018.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, March 5, 2018 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
