February 22, 2022
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Micaela Wuehler, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Woodruff offered prayer. Woodruff called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Commissioner Bruns was absent.
Vice Chairman Woodruff 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 Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 14, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Sheriff. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the Vice Chairman to sign the right-of-way application submitted by Pete Baumgartner. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye’. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Vice Chairman Woodruff 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 Weems, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 14, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Wuehler abstained. Bruns absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the Vice Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor on personal property. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to approve the real and personal property tax application submitted by North Platte Baptist Church as recommended by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger, gave a brief synopsis on the real and personal property tax application submitted by New Life Assembly and why she recommended denial of the application. When the original application was filed, the county did not show them as the owner of the property. The deed has now been filed with the Register of Deeds. Another reason for denial was that the three parcels had been for sale and not being used for church activities. She is denying the parcels that include the church and parking lot. They did not file an application for the parcel with the parsonage.
Jeff Baker, representing New Life Assembly, stated that he understands that the attorney and the accountant missed some parts of procedure and that a parcel is missing from the application. New Life Assembly is now the owner of the Good Life Assembly properties. They have cleared out personal property and had the property rezoned. He reported that as of January 19, 2022 North Platte Baptist Church signed a lease, with option to purchase, to use the property for a daycare facility.
Commissioner Hewgley asked if the daycare was a for profit business.
Baker stated he did not want to speak for North Platte Baptist Church. He commented that New Life Assembly has a tax exempt daycare in the Kearney facility.
Commissioner Weems responded that this board follows proper procedures and state statute.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to deny the application by New Life Assembly due to procedural incompleteness as recommended by County Assessor, Julie Stenger.
Deputy County Attorney, Angela Franz, questioned how the property was going to be used and what portion is exempt.
Commissioner Hewgley asked that this item be tabled for further research.
Commissioner Weems withdrew his motion and Commissioner Wuehler withdrew her second.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Weems to approve the real and personal property tax exemption application submitted by Apostolic Worship Center on Parcels 43745.00 and 43750.00 (church and parking lot) and to deny the exemption on Parcel 6417.51 as recommended by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:49 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
The agenda item for additional funding for the Midwest Nebraska Problem Solving Court (Drug Court) for defense counsel was tabled until 3-21-22.
Andy Forney of D. A. Davidson updated the County Board on possible 2022 Refunding Bonds. He reminded board members that the bonds are not callable until June, 2022. The current interest rate is 2.3% as of today rates are 1.5% – 1.6% which would be a cash flow savings of $60,000 – $70,000 for the county. If the county decides to take action today the rate could be locked in.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to authorize D.A. Davidson to move forward with redemption of the 2017 Jail Bonds and issuance of the 2022 Refunding Bonds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
The Personnel Committee met with Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, to update the Lincoln County Highway Supt. job description.
Commissioner Hewgley asked that any and all other job duties as assigned by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners be added to the job description. In addition, he also requested that they will report to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.
Discussion was held if the job description should include language concerning annual reappointment or if it should be stricken from the job description.
Commissioner Hewgley also asked questions concerning other items concerning bi-weekly reports and Class A & Class B Highway Supt. licenses.
Deputy County Attorney, Angela Franz, stated some of these items could be set out in the employee contract instead of the job description and that she could update the changes discussed today.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to take the proposed Lincoln County Highway Superintendent job description and further define it as discussed today with legal counsel, for a finished document for publication.
Tammy White, Lincoln County Board Assistant, asked where the County Board wanted the position to be advertised. She discussed the information she had received from Max Recruiter.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Bruns absent.
Commissioner Woodruff reported on the list of possible Commissioner Room updates that had been discussed: 1) Sound Boards, 2) Authorized paint colors, 3) Ceremonial Flags and 4) a Large County Seal for the wall.
Commissioner Hewgley questioned if the sound boards would work in the small room.
Commissioner Wuehler reported that Building & Grounds staff requested that there be fewer approved paint colors.
Commissioner Woodruff asked if grey colors should be added to the list.
Commissioner Wuehler stated that Hershey Public School has new equipment that can do woodworking projects in great detail. She will follow up with Hershey Public School to see if students could do this project, if the county supplied the wood, size options available and expense.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
General:
AT&T Mbl se 429.60
A Gurciullo eq 203.25
Axon Entr su 396.15
C Bazata se 1200.00
B Gillett se 170.00
B Barker Co su 4005.96
B Boyer mi 23.40
M Jackson se 300.00
Brown’s ex 255.00
Cptl Busn rt 104.00
C O’Dell reb 623.44
Cash-Wa se 492.90
DAS eq 130.00
C Shaw se 7161.80
C Bruns mi 249.21
C Korf reb 87.75
City of NP se 7.50
Civil Air Ptrl Mag se 145.00
Cmnity Conn se 5392.46
DAS-Ctl Fin cont 395.82
Dell se 922.29
Devco se 30000.00
Eakes su 201.31
Eakes su 118.32
ECCA Ctl se 50.00
Elletts Auto se 56.03
Fastenal su 63.97
Galls ex 281.09
GP Hmcr se 14.00
HHS-Linc se 111.00
Hintons su 249.50
Holiday Inn Ldg 229.90
Ideal su 211.55
Jacks Unif ex 401.68
Rudolph Law se 1220.00
J Gosnell mi 10.66
Kelley Tree se 1100.00
Larry’s Glass se 659.68
L Frederick mi 2.93
Madison Life ins 397.99
M Bellany se 28.45
Menards su 188.35
Mentzer su 193.72
Mdwst Conn se 966.68
Mi6 Pizza su 41.93
ML&W se 580.97
NACO se 245.00
A Verplank reg 50.00
NE Safety su 1609.95
NE Weed Ctl Assn reg 165.00
Norfolk Regnl se 465.00
NP Bulletin se 177.50
NWE se 154.20
Oak HallInd su 455.95
Pathology se 228.04
PIP su 1235.65
Quadient Pstg se 594.14
R Schroeder se 850.00
Sherwin Wms su 67.96
Snells se 3480.85
S Elmshaeuser se 760.00
Summitt Fd cont 13943.29
T Johnson mi 22.23
US Bank su 1365.57
K Young se 1687.50
Verizon cont 841.35
Viaero se 183.46
Winsupply su 250.00
Wex Bank su 574.00
Zones eq 1676.00
Roads:
AT&T se 5.46
Blk Hls Engy se 380.40
Cptl Busn se 104.00
City of NP su 30238.82
Croell su 3573.98
Hintons eq 41.00
Madison Life ins 67.14
M Friend Trk re 1706.27
Mdwst Elec se 540.66
NSG su 4500.50
Oak Crk Eng se 2150.00
Scottys Intgrtd re 161.36
Tital Mach re 436.27
US Bank su 2120.63
SPCI su 96.75
4D Repair se 100.00
Lodging:
Madison Life ins 9.00
Self-Funded Ins:
First Concord ins 8391.95
Juvenile Fac:
C Bazata se 222.70
Building Fund:
NE Fire/Safety eq 675.00
The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 22, 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 February 18, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on February 18, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, February 28, 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
