March 28, 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. Woodruff offered prayer. Bruns called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Bruns announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments are posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on March 21, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems 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 Weems, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to sign the right of way application submitted by Mortensen Farm and Ranch. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the return of sale proceedings on real property from the public tax sale. 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 Bruns announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments are posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared as well as County Treasurer, Alex Gurciullo.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on March 21, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
A representative for North Platte Baptist Church appeared to discuss the new exemption applications that had been submitted on the property they are leasing from New Life Assembly. She reported that the parsonage is being renovated and the assistant pastor plans to move on May 1, 2022, as the parsonage will be part of his pay structure.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger, commented that she had denied the application for the parsonage. If the pastor does move in, they could refile before June 2022. If they file the application, and it is approved there would no real estate taxes for 2022, however there would be the late filing penalty.
Chairman Bruns requested that North Platte Baptist Church file documentation with the County Assessor stating the use of the parsonage.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to deny the exemption application submitted by New Life Assembly (Parcel #’s 38155.00 and 38270.00) that came before the Board of Equalization on February 22, 2022 based on ownership of the property at that time. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to approve the exemption application submitted by New Life Assembly (Parcel #’s 38155.00 and 38270.00) which is the church and parking lot as additional information was received and the property ownership has been corrected. There will be a $200 late filing fee on each parcel. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to approve the exemption application submitted by New Life Assembly (Parcel # 38265.00) on the parsonage based on the testimony received today if used for the intended purpose and requested documentation is received by the County Assessor. The County Assessor did not recommend this action. There will be $200 late filing fee on this parcel. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by American Red Cross as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Bethel Free Evangelical Church as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:39 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Judy Clark, Lincoln County Planning Director, reported that the application by Zachary & Shayla Paulman is to split 6.17 acres for a future dwelling site. Planning staff had no objections to the application.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve an application by Zachary and Shayla Paulman for Paulman Administrative Subdivision located at the intersection of S King Rd and W Correction Line Road in an A-1 Agricultural District. The property is described as part of the NW ¼ of Section 2; Township 12 North, Range 34 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, has completed his research on these easements and recommends them for board consideration.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the donation of temporary easement from Brent & Kara Reeder (Sutherland North Bridge project). Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the purchase of real property for a permanent easement from Brent & Kara Reeder (Sutherland North Bridge project) for $9000.00. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
A public hearing opened at 10:00 A.M. to receive comments on the One & Six Year Road Plan of Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Commissioner Woodruff recognized former Commissioner Bill Henry for his efforts on the road committee. He thanked the road department personnel for their hard work.
Brian Glos, Highway Construction Foreman, along with road department office personnel, Jennifer Lydic, reviewed the One Year Plan and then the Six Year Plan. He reported that he has heard the cost of asphalt may run from $189 a ton to $300 a ton.
Commissioner Weems commented that he did not feel last year’s overlays were deep enough. If the roads get a lot of traffic, instead of a 2-inch overlay, he feels it should be a 3-inch overlay done in two lifts in the future.
Commissioner Woodruff concurred. The road department committee and road department personnel have discussed changing this process.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that a 2-inch overlay on a good road is fine but not a road in poor condition.
Commissioner Bruns asked about concentrating on dirt roads now due to the inflationary situation.
Glos spoke on Eugene Avenue. He is not sure about the ditches. He suggests having an engineer do a hydraulics study and possibly widening the road.
Commissioner Wuehler commented that Eugene Avenue has a good road structure but is very narrow. She would like to see a study done.
Commissioner Weems brought up Garfield Table Road, which gets a lot of traffic. An asphalt project would not be economical right now with the cost of asphalt but there is a good base on the road now.
There was discussion concerning the current crushed granite contract and other projects that might be able to use granite. Also discussed, was moving North Maxwell Road up to the One Year Plan next year due to the future resort that is planned.
Commissioner Hewgley suggested breaking up the 17.5 mile project on N River Road into several segments.
Ken Main of Sutherland questioned if there would be federal and state funding used for the Sutherland North Bridge project.
Commissioners responded that 90% of the cost would be paid by federal and state funds.
Bill Henry suggested this might be a good year to look at armor coating to extend the life of roads that have a good base.
Mike Cook, a resident that lives on Eugene Avenue, asked for improvements to made to Eugene Avenue. Eugene Ave became an arterial road when Buffalo Bill was extended. The road does not have consistent right of way. There is still issues with truck traffic even though it is posted. The longer this project is put off the more the cost will increase.
Ryan Blagdon commented on East Walz Road. The road has drainage issues and is completely underwater when it rains. There is truck traffic that uses this road.
Commissioner Weems reported that the road needs to be elevated and the ditches pulled up, as it is an inverted road. They thought it was a minimum maintenance road, but it is not.
The public hearing was closed at 10:58 A.M.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve the One Year and Six Year plans as presented.
Commissioner Wuehler thanked road personnel and Jennifer Lydic for coordinating and working together.
Commissioner Hewgley commented that the plan is a work in progress as money is an issue due to the cost of materials.
Commissioner Bruns stated that due to the inflationary environment these plans are guides and the county needs to be flexible. He thanked road department personnel for their hard work.
Commissioner Wuehler told road department personnel that their professionalism and opinions are appreciated.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Region 51 Emergency Management Director, Brandon Myers, updated the County Board and recognized first responders/units that assisted with the fire in southeastern Lincoln County that started on March 19, 2022.
Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recognized Todd Herndon for 10 years of service to Lincoln County.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to go into closed session at 11:38 A.M. to discuss strategy with real estate purchase. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Bruns restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to go into open session at 12:33 P.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
County Board conducted a quarterly inspection of the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the March 28, 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 March 25, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on March 25, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, April 4, 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
