January 10, 2022
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Micaela Wuehler, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Weems offered prayer. Weems called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Weems 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 Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 3, 2022. Upon roll call vote Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Commissioners Bruns and Hewgley abstained.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Bruns to approve the mileage rate change to .585 cents a mile per NE Dept. of Administrative Services. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the Clerk of District Court in the amount of $14,129.18 and Register of Deeds in the amount of $37,235.90. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns 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 Weems 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 Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on January 3, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Commissioner Bruns abstained.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor on real estate. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to authorize the Chairman to sign the Lincoln County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussion was held concerning a possible 100 year celebration for the Lincoln County
Courthouse in June, 2022.
Commissioner Bruns reported that NebraskaLand Days would be going on concurrently with the courthouse’s 100 year anniversary. If the county decides to hold a celebration it could be published in the NebraskaLand Days brochure. Items have to be in by February 1, 2022 to be published.
County Board Assistant, Tammy White, commented she had done some preliminary work. She contacted Lisa Burke at the Visitor’s Bureau for her assistance including possible grant money. She requested a small informal committee be formed to work on the event.
Lisa Burke, Executive Director of the Visitor’s Bureau, said her office could help promote the celebration. Some initial ideas are history tours, music, and an ice cream social. She wondered about having it on parade day instead of Wednesday, June 22, 2022 which is the actual anniversary date. Her concern would be it getting lost with all the other activities that day.
Commissioner Bruns would like to see the historical museum bring in history and artifacts. He questioned where the possible grant funds would come from for the event.
Burke replied that Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and the Visitors’ Bureau promotion funds were possibilities. She will prepare applications as they would both be due by next week. She asked for clarification on what the County Board would like to see overall for the celebration and time of day for actual events.
Commissioner Woodruff commented he liked the idea of food or an ice cream social with the family aspect.
Commissioner Bruns stated there is lots of local talent for music.
White commented that a time capsule was suggested by the County Clerk.
Chairman Weems asked Commissioner Bruns to head up the committee for the celebration.
Commissioner Wuehler told board members that she would like to see the event on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 on the anniversary date.
White reported that she had contacted the courts in the building and asked them to not schedule court on June 22nd.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Hewgley to set Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 3 to 7 P.M. (time is flexible) for the Lincoln County Courthouse 100 year celebration working with NebraskaLand Days to get this in the 2022 brochure. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The following bids was received for a salt shed for Lincoln County Dept. of Roads: Winston Michael Contracting, Inc. – $210,000 for a 59 ‘X 96’ fabric building including concrete.
The bid was tabled until next week’s meeting.
Chairman Weems stated he had asked for the agenda item on processing, issuing, monitoring, modifying and discontinuing door passes throughout the county system. This part of the process was not addressed when the security was transitioned to the Sheriff’s Office. He would like to see the process streamlined and feels that someone needs to be available 24/7 to handle the door passes.
Chief Deputy, Rolly Kramer, reported that the Tammy White has one software system and the Sheriff’s Office has an additional software system for the doors. The Sheriff’s Office has several employees trained on the system.
After further discussion, it was decided that one main point of contact would be best and that additional access for those that need it will still be available. The ability to lock down the courthouse if necessary would still be functional.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to make the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office the primary contact for continuity to issue, monitor, modify and turn off door passes for the courthouse building only. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns, and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussion was held concerning the resolution setting elected official’s salaries for the 4 year term beginning January, 2023 and ending January, 2027.
Commissioner Hewgley asked about the additional percentage increase for the County Sheriff as Jail Administrator.
Commissioner Wuehler stated the informal committee looked at job responsibilities and duties and agreed collectively that additional 40% of the base was a fair level of compensation for the jail.
Commissioner Bruns asked Commissioner Hewgley, who was part of the NACO Salary study, what went into the NACO study.
Commissioner Hewgley replied that the committee looked at additional duties and additional compensation. The percentage recommended for jail administration addressed the eastern end of the state with the higher percentage.
Commissioner Bruns questioned how Commissioner Hewgley felt about the base salary recommendations for all elected county officials.
Commissioner Hewgley responded that the recommendation was very solid for our array.
Commissioner Bruns wanted to clarify that the 12% increase that was previously discussed was from the base salary in 2019 to the recommended base salary for 2023.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that the benefit packages were not as big a part of the base as they have been in the past.
Commissioner Bruns commented that the additional responsibilities for elections, budget and jail administration are lined out separately in the proposed resolution for clarification. If a vacancy should occur those additional duties are part of the indicated salary.
Chairman Weems reminded the board they are setting salaries for the office not the individual.
Commissioner Wuehler said the NACO salary recommendation for the jail administrator was and additional 125% to 140% of the base salary. They looked at operations, size of the jail, size of the county, staffing and work load which went into the recommendation.
Commissioner Bruns stated the proposed salaries would bring these offices to the minimum recommendation as recommended by NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials).
Commissioner Wuehler reported that professionals are leaving government in record numbers. Lincoln County needs to be competitive to attract good quality candidates to these jobs.
Commissioner Bruns commented that in past salary resolutions the county had used the Midwest CPI index for cost of living adjustments during the term. This resolution uses a flat 3% cost of living adjustment for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Commissioner Wuehler feels it will be easier to budget with a set amount and the county officials will know what the salary will be in subsequent years. Commissioners Bruns and Wuehler both commented that budgeting was a big part of the salary discussion.
Commissioner Woodruff agreed with the validity of the base salary. He noted that other counties in our array used a certain dollar amount or percentage rather than the CPI index.
Commissioner Wuehler replied that there is a 3% a year increase in subsequent years in the proposed resolution.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that there are no counties at the top of the base salary in our array. He then brought up the number of hours per week that elected officials are at work, which may be less than 40, and the additional budget amount for the County Clerk.
Commissioner Weems feels we should define the added duties then you can fairly compensate officials as they come and go.
Commissioner Wuehler commented that with employees in a salaried position you hope for balance.
Commissioner Weems then asked about the increase in salary for the County Commissioners on the proposed resolution.
Commissioner Bruns replied that the compensation would be half of the base salary. He was willing to look at lowering it but Commissioners often put in more than 20 hours per week.
Commissioner Weems said he ran for the county’s interest and not the paycheck.
Commissioner Wuehler stated that it was her understanding the County Board members had been considered ½ time elected officials in the past.
Commissioner Woodruff commented that the salaries are important not only to maintain people for these positions but also to attract them.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to adopt Resolution 2022-01 setting the elected officials salaries for the 4 year term beginning January, 2023 and ending January, 2027 as presented. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
General:
Ace Hrdwr se 645.31
Agri Comp Sales se 629.14
Allo Comm se 737.73
Al’s Lock & Safe se 35.00
Al’s Twg & Rpr se 32.00
A Colburn se 648.50
A Speichert se 1,030.00
Amazon se 149.88
Bear Comm Flr Care se 700.00
B Meyer pse 300.00
Brouillette, Dgn, Trshnski se 6,573.18
Capital Bus Sys contr 502.68
Cash-Wa se 88.26
DAS St Acctg contr 204.30
Charter Comm se 150.33
C Shaw se 5,532.49
Cty of No Platte se 120.15
Clk of Dist Court se 1,030.00
Community Connections grnt 5,863.75
C Chrisman pse 11.54
D Hild pse 34.68
D Collins pse 168.00
D Moore pse 11.54
D Seerley pse 23.04
D Ochsner pse 23.08
Dr Scrubs & More se 131.18
Eakes su 1,440.26
E Krone Jr pse 17.34
Ellett’s Auto se 8,465.45
E Torres pse 252.00
Express Arrow trns 214.50
Fair Law Ofc se 2,525.00
Fairfield Inn & Sts ldg 344.85
First Concord ins 175.00
F Fleecs pse 57.70
Galls ex 313.89
G Burke pse 34.68
GlobalStar se 106.32
GP Homecare Eq su 14.00
Heartland Anml Ctr se 52.95
Hometown Lsng se 528.64
Ideal Linen Sply su 211.55
J Babcock Jr pse 80.76
J Rudolph se 330.00
J Wilson pse 11.52
K Kostman pse 11.54
K Dailey pse 23.08
Knobel Refrig se 5,030.22
Lancaster Co Shrff se 19.18
Lincoln Co Court fee 2,981.75
Malcom, Nlsn, & Wndrm se 572.80
M Jones pse 168.00
M McKeone se 3,159.50
M Benzel psse 57.70
Masa Global ins 1,062.50
Maximus Inc se 3,400.00
Menards su 514.40
Mentzer Oil se 35.80
MIS se 130.00
Midwest Connect se 151.35
MIPS se 2,784.41
Mi6 Pizza su 35.94
Modern Tire Pros se 92.49
M Morris pse 11.54
NE Assoc of CO Assessors dues 60.00
N Trofholz pse 46.16
N P Anml Shltr se 192.00
NP Police Dept se 10,441.87
NP Telegraph se 494.00
Office Depot su 342.79
P Heng se 8,934.70
Prodigy Solutions se 9,824.46
Ramada ldg 96.00
Region II Hmn Svcs rent 11,642.02
R Gibbons pse 92.32
R O’Neill pse 34.68
R Newton pse 92.32
Sheriff Fees se 2,149.49
Sherwin Williams su 88.34
SteriCycle se 748.25
Snell Svcs se 1,902.50
Summit Food Svcs contr 8,690.74
T O Haas se 119.96
Home Depot su 1,202.39
Transunion Risk & Alt se 125.00
US Bank se 155.76
Univ of NE Lincoln rent 750.00
US Cellular se 805.19
Vanguard Appraisal eq 20,305.00
Verizon se 242.38
Wex Bank se 6,509.84
Co Roads:
AKRS se 951.13
Anderson & Sons se 55.59
Capital Bus Sys su 20.16
CarQuest se 3,048.91
Contractor Svcs su 17,674.00
Hershey Coop Tele se 78.62
Masa Global ins 525.00
Menards su 154.25
Miller Repair se 30.38
Murphy Tractor & Eq se 4,160.63
Pauls Porta Pottys su 305.00
RS Hydraulic Sltns se 27.63
Vill of Brady se 88.29
Vill of Hershey se 129.44
Lodging:
Affordable Storage rt 99.00
Allo Comm se 364.74
A Connick mi 128.80
Cornhusker Clng se 541.00
Culligan su 42.82
Eagle Comm se 600.00
Eakes se 85.48
Husker Radio se 1,500.00
Ideal Linen se 117.48
Integrated se 164.00
Joe Cruz Ent se 750.00
KS Plus rt 3,500.00
Lamar Co se 600.00
Linc Co High Sch Rodeo grt 500.00
Link Media se 1,200.00
Masa Global ins 62.50
Meyer Creative se 130.00
Midwest Champ Fighting grt 5,000.00
Miles Partnership se 10,000.00
Moreland Ent se 90.71
ML & W se 254.67
NP Telegraph se 469.27
Northwestern Engy se 184.00
Presto X se 42.00
Probitas Prmtns se 4,908.75
Snell Svcs se 277.50
S Maly se 2,483.33
US Bank se 7,223.13
US Cellular se 321.78
Wex Bank se 113.28
Building Fund:
T Wentz se 4,600.00
P & M Fund:
Microfilm Img Svcs se 45.00
Juvenile Fac:
Brouillette, Dgn, Trshnki se 842.58
Inheritance Tax:
Treanor HL se 1,904.42
ARPA Fund:
West Central NE Dev Dist contr 2,199.75
The meeting was adjourned at 11:53 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the January 10, 2022 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 January 7, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on January 7, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 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
