February 19, 2019
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Walt Johnson and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Hewgley offered prayer. Hewgley called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Commissioner Woodruff was absent.
Chairman Hewgley 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 Johnson, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 11, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by the County Sheriff and Register of Deeds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Hewgley 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 Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 11, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Henry to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Johnson to approve the tax exemption application submitted by North Platte Opportunity Center as recommended for approval by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Johnson to approve the tax exemption application submitted by North Platte Baptist Church as recommended for approval by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Henry to approve the tax exemption application submitted by Rape and Domestic Abuse as recommended for approval by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Johnson to approve the tax exemption application submitted by North Platte Nebraska Hospital Corporation as recommended for approval by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Henry to table the tax exemption application submitted by VSL North Platte Estates LLC at their request and have the Chairman accept and mark the email asking for postponement as Exhibit 1. It will be rescheduled for March 4, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger, explained why she was requesting a review of Reaffirmation on tax exemption application by Harvest Christian Fellowship on Parcel # 25830.00. The Building is valued at $229,943 and the Land is valued at $117,155 for a Total of $347,098. The church is trying to sell the parcel and should be put back on the tax rolls for 2019.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Henry to authorize the Assessor to review Parcel #25830.00 owned by Harvest Christian Fellowship and arrive at conclusion for County Board of Equalization at a later date. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:35 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Bob Borgeson of Smart Transportation Division Union presented the County Board information concerning LB 611 which requires a two person train crew. The bill is currently in the transportation committee.
County Board thanked him for the information and update on LB 611.
The public hearing on the One and Six Year Road Plan was opened at 10:00 A.M.
County Highway Supt., Carla O’Dell, presented the plan to the County Board.
Greg Renner stated that he lives in a subdivision where even though the roads within were built to county specifications the county has never accepted the roads so he has to maintain it at his expense. He is against the proposed bonded debt for additional road projects. He feels the county should take care of what they got and not roads that don’t belong to the county.
Michael Cook urged to the County Board to advance Eugene Avenue from a place holder on the Six Year Plan to an active project on the One Year Plan. New business combined with other businesses located on Eugene Avenue has created a significant impact on the road.
Ken Main of Sutherland commented that he appreciates that the Sutherland North Bridge Project is on the One Year Plan. He would like the old bridge to stay as a monument to those early pioneers who paid for half of the construction.
Eric Seacrest complimented the County Board and Highway Superintendent on having a good plan as the citizens depend on good roads. He does feel that if someone builds a road to county specifications that the county should accept it. Several projects that he was glad to see on the One Year Plan were the Sutherland North Bridge replacement and Cattle Growers Road. He also felt that Eugene Avenue needs to be improved for safety. He encouraged them to make East State Farm Road a high priority project.
Bernice Zeigler reported her concern is with impact on the budget and what portion of the One and Six Year plan would affect the county lid limit. She also questioned what affect the proposed bond would have and if it would have its own levy. She asked if the County Road department was adequately staffed to do additional projects and if they would have enough equipment. She felt it would have been better if the county had been keeping up with the roads over the years instead of having such large projects all at the same time.
The public hearing was closed at 10:40 A.M.
Commissioner Weems appreciated the feedback and commented he feels their pain as he is also a tax payer. Road infrastructure disrepair was one of the reasons he ran for Commissioner. The hard part is how we get all the road repairs done as we must make strides to improve it.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that the county did adopt a policy many years ago to not accept subdivision roads as the Highway Supt. did not feel the county could take on any more infrastructure. However he does understand that it is almost impossible for the general public to keep them up. The County Board has a balancing act between fiscal responsibility and services the county provides.
Commissioner Henry agreed that we all want better roads but we don’t want any more taxes. The Commissioners have a duty and responsibility to the citizens of Lincoln County.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to adopt the One and Six Year Road Plan as presented. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Approved the following claims for payment:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Henry to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry and Johnson voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 19, 2019 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 15, 2019; and was also emailed to the media on February 19, 2019.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, February 25, 2019 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
