May 9, 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. Hewgley offered prayer. Bruns called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Bruns 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 May 2, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff 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 Weems to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds & Clerk of District Court. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to authorize the Chairman to sign the right-of-way application submitted by Telecom Construction for Lumen/Century Link. 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 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 Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on May 2, 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.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:16 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Chairman Bruns proposed the creation of a countywide purchasing and surplus program to explore whether this could save the county money.
Commissioner Hewgley reported that this proposal had been tried twice before over his tenure.
Commissioner Weems encouraged the use of state bid purchases and for the county to sell motor graders on auction rather than trade.
Commissioner Woodruff asked what he envisioned this person doing and where would they be housed.
Commissioner Bruns would like to see a person with a logistical supply background and bulk purchasing purchase for the county and have a consolidated storage point.
Commissioner Woodruff commented this would be a new full time department head that reports to the County Board.
Several other elected officials spoke stating they try to buy locally if possible and that they already look for the best value.
Commissioner Hewgley reminded them that NACO also has a purchasing program. He feels it might be a good idea to look at how we dispose of high dollar items in the road department.
Commissioner Woodruff suggested looking at leases vs purchase.
Commissioner Wuehler would like to explore the idea further.
Commissioner Weems thought that emphasis on the road department might be a good start for a systematic process with the involvement of the road committee.
After discussion, it was decided that the road committee would focus on the road department initially.
Discussion was held on the 100 Year Celebration Coloring Contest in conjunction with the North Platte Telegraph. The coloring page has already been circulated and it states that winners will be drawn randomly. The contest will move forward as originally planned.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve the appointment of James Smith to the Veterans Service Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Steve Anton with the term to end in 2025. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the appointment of Scott Bell to the Veterans Service Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jerry Jurgens with the term to end in 2026. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Dormie Network representatives appeared to discuss a contribution agreement for an overlay of a portion of North Maxwell Road. Shelco was the only bid they received for the project. They plan to build a world class 18 hole golf facility. It is a national network that will include cottages and a clubhouse. Construction is to begin later this summer with an anticipated completion date of June 2024.
Commissioner Bruns reported they are proposing a 50/50 cost share for the ¼ mile of road.
Commissioner Hewgley commented he would like to see a granite base before the overlay.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to enter into an agreement with the Dormie Network for a 50/50 cost share for an overlay project of a portion of North Maxwell Road.
Commissioner Hewgley clarified that the entire project would be a 50/50 split not just the overlay.
Commissioner Weems stated he does not like open-ended agreements.
Dormie Network representatives stated the cost estimate of the project is $450,000.00.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussion was held concerning the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance renewal, which had an increase of 17.14%
Commissioner Hewgley commented that he was not the committee this year but has been part of this committee many years. Higher increases have been bought down by the NACO pool. He reported that NACO Benefit Services has looked at other health insurance carriers. They are looking at this as a one-year spike. They use a three to five year average.
Commissioner Bruns stated the high number of participants in the insurance pool with diabetes was alarming to him and he thinks the county will see an upward trend in the future. He suggested that the benefits committee look at other carriers.
Commissioner Weems told board members that the NACO insurance reserve pool is down to 5 million dollars. He feels the entire program structure should be reviewed with an emphasis on wellness programs. The trends are industry wide.
Commissioner Hewgley would like several board members to visit with NACO on the health insurance relationship and history with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The County Board heard an update from Gary Person of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation on the proposed Inland Port Authority and Industrial Rail Park.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to go into closed session at 11:08 A.M. to discuss strategy with respect to a pending 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 Weems to go into open session at 11:50 A.M. 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:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:13 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the May 9, 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 May 6, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on May 6, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, May 16, 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
