May 23, 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. Bruns 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 Weems, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on May 16, 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.
Commissioner Woodruff reported that payment applications number 5 & 6 are being paid to Dowhower Construction but payment application number 7 is being held.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor permit submitted by Nebraska Bar & Grill in Gothenburg for a reception at Harbor Lights on June 11, 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 fee report submitted by the County Sheriff for $1729.76. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to authorize Chairman to sign right of way application submitted by Great Plains Communications. 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 Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on May 16, 2022. 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 certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor on real property. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:17 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to authorize the chairman to sign mini-grant application from Nebraska Dept. of Transportation Highway Safety for $18,500 for alcohol and speed enforcement for NebraskaLand Days June 15 to June 26, 2022 for the County Sheriff. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Planning Director, Judy Clark, appeared to comment that planning staff has no objections to the application for McCrone Administrative Subdivision.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the planning application submitted by Jon and Michelle McFarland for McCrone Administrative Subdivision located at 135 W Suburban Rd in a TA-1 Transitional Agricultural District to separate one parcel into two parcels. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Tanner Pettera of Hub International Insurance presented a revised summary of quotes for property and casualty insurance with changes discussed at the previous board meeting. He suggested again that the county review the cybersecurity coverage in the near future. The updated quote from EMC is $705,861 and the updated quote from Traveler’s is $677,858.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to approve the renewal of Lincoln County property & casualty insurance with EMC.
Commissioner Woodruff verified there would be a follow up with cybersecurity.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Woodruff voted “aye”. Bruns voted “nay”. Motion carried.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the life joinder agreement with National Insurance Services, which adds supplemental life insurance coverage to the life insurance policy to be effective July 1, 2022 at the employee’s option to purchase. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussion was held on Sanitary Improvement Districts. Cory Johanson and Craig Jones of FNBO were present to give a brief summary. SID’s are limited purpose political subdivisions that must be outside a city or village. They are authorized by statute to issue warrants and bonds to pay for construction, operation and maintenance of public facilities. They may levy taxes and special assessments against property to pay the principal and interest on the warrants and bonds. Eventually an adjacent municipality may annex and SID if it is financially feasible for the municipality. Upon annexation, the SID’s liabilities become obligations of the annexing municipality.
County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell, asked about the election statutes concerning the board members of the SID.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, questioned who handled the money.
Jones replied that the County Treasurer handles the money.
Discussion was held concerning amending the asphalt contract from 2021. Commissioner Woodruff stated that a portion of the contract was not completed on time. Paulsen’s will allow a substitution switching the overlay to Antelope Road instead of Prairie Trace Road. He felt this would be a good option for the county.
Volkmer commented that swapping out contracts is a gray area that could create issues for the board.
Highway Supt. Schultz will reach out to Paulsen’s and see if the project can be pushed back.
Amber Kuskie of West Central District Development District appeared to present two revised applications for consideration from the first round of SLFRF applications received. The first application is from Episcopal Church of Our Savior for $20,000 and the second application is from Deborah’s Legacy, Inc. for $40,100. The Episcopal Church does not have a SAM UEI# yet so payment will not be made until that is complete if approved by the County Board.
Applications that were received after the deadline will be put into the second application window for consideration.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to approve SLFRF payment to revised Deborah’s Legacy, Inc. application for $40,100. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve SLFRF payment to revised Episcopal Church of Our Savior application for $20,000 after SAM UEI# is issued. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Commissioner Bruns asked if the area of focus for the SLFRF funds had changed for the County Board. The County Board is looking at long term goals by setting aside $5.1 to $5.4 million for a potential long term economic development project; 1.2 to 1.4 million for the Lincoln County Department of Roads; and $300,000 for community betterment projects.
Commissioner Woodruff stated that childcare providers and employees are still needed to provide these services.
Commissioner Bruns replied that childcare is still a focus for the community betterment funds.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to direct the West Central Development District to advertise for applications for SLFRF funds for a 45-day window with a due date of July 8, 2022.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that preference would be based on areas of focus as discussed today.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to go into closed session at 11:50 A.M. to discuss strategy with respect to a real estate purchase and contract negotiation. 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 Weems, seconded by Woodruff to go into open session at 12:25 P.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:
General:
AT&T Mblty cont 298.28
Adms & Swns se 1150.00
Amzn Cptl Srvc su 68.00
Ambr Wllrd reb 75.50
Andrsn & Sns se 96.23
Brrckmn &Bzt se 1820.00
B Myer se 205.92
B Rgw mi 4.68
Cptl Bsnss rt 270.89
Cntrl Fnncng se 130.00
Chrls Bdn mi 37.44
Cty NP Pblc Srvc Dpt se 177.92
Cty NP Sntn se 7.50
Clfr Wd Lyn & Wd se 2137.06
DAS St Accntng cont 813.06
Dvd Ltt reb 80.23
Dwsn Tr Srvc su 20.00
Dr Db Exprss se 450.00
Eks Off su 4420.22
Elctn Systm & Sftwre se 2489.59
Erc Hrdr reb 10.77
GWrks se 23567.73
Grt Plns cmmnctns se .99
HHS Lncln Rgnl se 180.00
Jstce Dta Sltns cont 6450.00
Kth Cnty Shrff Off se 6.00
Knbl Refrgrtn agree 3771.00
Mdsn Ntnl Lf ins 413.22
Menards se 158.64
Mntzr Oil Co su 292.71
Mtch Mrhd mi 23.40
M Morris se 1283.45
ML & W se 183.49
NE Lw Enfr Trng se 360.00
Nrflk Rgnl Cntr se 450.00
Np Fr Equpmnt su 39.45
Np Tlgrph se 320.57
NWE se 130.38
NPAS su 795.87
Pedrsn Lw se 1530.00
R Schroeder se 1800.00
Rck’s Twng se 100.00
Rdny Rybrn mi 30.42
Rsnbrg Ins su 70.00
Sqg Cln se 814.00
Stpl Crdt pln su 460.41
Stv Kch mi 23.40
Tri-Tch Frnscs reg 1198.00
Tlyr Tchlgs se 898.00
U S Bnk su 6595.21
Vrzn su 700.30
Wstrn NE Prcss Srvc ex 45.00
Wd & Atkn se 2737.80
County Rds:
Cptl Bunss Sys su 123.60
Crll su 320.64
Gwrks se 2760.00
J Sukraw reb 31.00
Mdsn Ntnl Lf ins 70.74
Mdlnd’s Occptnl Mdcn su 55.00
Pls’s Prt Pttys se 305.00
RS Hydrlc Sltns LLC se 6638.64
US Bnk su 155.98
Lodging:
Mdson Ntnl lf ins 9.00
Self-Funded Ins:
First Concord ins 5463.15
Building Fund:
W Dwhwr Cnst se 84227.87
The meeting was adjourned at 12:34 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the May 23, 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 20, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on May 20, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Tuesday, May 31, 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
