September 9, 2019
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Walt Johnson, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Hewgley offered prayer. Hewgley called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
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 Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 3, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Clerk. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Johnson to adopt Resolution No. 2019-24 to continue the Cash-In-Lieu option on the group medical insurance starting 10-1-2019 in the amount of $400 per month per employee. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff 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 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 September 3, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
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, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:18 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Henry to approve the 2019 Lincoln County inventory documents for all county departments. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
A public hearing was opened at 10:00 A.M. to receive comments on the proposed 2019/2020 fiscal year Lincoln County, NE budget.
Susan Maline, CPA, gave a brief presentation on the budget document. The 22% increase this year was primarily due to adding the Road Improvement Bonds and the possible bond dollars for a detention center expansion and remodel project. She explained the lid calculation forms and the budget & valuation summary.
Bernice Zeigler noted that assessed value of property had grown very little for 2019 and that expenditures had increased. She supported the increase in the road department budget. She realizes this does not mean the county will have perfect roads but the dollars must be stretched to do the most possible to the roads. She also noted that the public voted for two additional Commissioners and now they must pay for the salary and benefits for those positions. She deferred comment on the possible jail expansion project for now. She supported the budget document as presented.
Eric Seacrest stated the unusual situation with roads this year due to the weather was very painful all across the State of Nebraska. He complimented the Commissioners on seeing the need to improve the capacity in the Road Department by adding trucks and improving motor graders.
Duane McClain commented he would like to see results from the extra money put into the roads. He wants to see the roads managed accordingly and for them to listen to the taxpayers. He supported the budget.
Bill Maasson informed Commissioners that some of the roads that were elevated have held up fairly well. He was upset initially when the Highway Supt. started pulling up shoulders but now feels she needs to keep going with this process. He reported that leaving windrows on the side of the road causes problems. He knows that it is a tough job to maintain the roads.
Commissioner Weems stated that to maintain efficiencies that were already in place there are no restrictions due to Commissioner District boundaries in the road department.
The public hearing was closed at 10:28 A.M.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Johnson to adopt Resolution No. 2019-25 approving the 2019/2020 fiscal year Lincoln County, NE budget as presented. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The public hearing was opened at 10:32 A.M. to receive comments relating to setting the final tax request at a different amount than the prior year tax request.
Bernice Zeigler supported setting the tax request at a different amount than the prior year.
The public hearing was closed at 10:33 A.M.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Weems to adopt Resolution No. 2019-26 setting the final tax request at a different amount than the prior year tax request. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Henry to go into closed session at 10:35 A.M. concerning strategy session regarding pending litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Hewgley restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Woodruff to go into open session at 11:06 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads and their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:41 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the September 9, 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 September 6, 2019; and was also emailed to the media on September 6, 2019.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, September 16, 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
