August 8, 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. 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 Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on August 1, 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 Sheriff, Register of Deeds, County Clerk and Clerk of District Court. 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 Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on August 1, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor on personal property. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Weems 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 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Veterans Service Committee Board Members, Joe Wiezorek and Geoff Florom appeared to relate the process used and information about the candidate interviews for the position of Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer. The candidate brought forward to the County Board by committee for consideration is Brookley Baker.
Commissioner Weems noted there was a split in the vote when he looked at the scoring.
Florom replied that they used the matrix as a guidance tool, but not an absolute.
County Board questioned if they felt all three of the candidates interviewed would be able to perform the duties of the office.
Committee members replied in the affirmative.
Board members stated they had received some concerns from citizens about the candidate. They also had questions about other candidates that were interviewed that already had some experience or training.
Florom replied that the committee looked at attention to detail on the application and resume, personality to work with Veterans. It was a difficult vote for the committee. Both committee members stated they felt that the candidate selected interviewed the best.
Wiezorek commented that his recommendation was based strictly on the resume and interview process.
Commissioner Woodruff stated that a professional appearance for this job is important and should be considered.
The committee members agreed. They had a long discussion concerning his appearance at the interview. However, his mannerism and passion for Veterans in the interview led to his recommendation. Mr. Baker was the only one interviewed that is active in a Veterans organization.
Commissioner Wuehler reported that her primary concern was from individuals that served on the City Council with him and his behavior and there were other candidates with more experience.
Veterans Service Committee members stated there had been considerable discussion during the interview and selection process, but the committee felt that the candidate selected interviewed the best.
Commissioners thanked the committee members for their service but want to make sure we have a high caliber person to work with Veterans.
Commissioner Wuehler told committee members that they were already making a difference in the community.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, informed the board and committee that they would not have to go back through the application and interview process again if the candidate that was presented is not selected. However, the committee will need to convene and interview again and make another recommendation.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to not accept the appointment of Brookley Baker as Veterans Service Officer.
Commissioner Hewgley asked for further clarification on the legal process moving forward.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Commissioner Bruns updated the other board members on research and discussion he had been working on with Tallgrass concerning the pipeline.
Commissioner Weems expressed concern about where this project will be in 5 or 10 years and the political climate.
Commissioner Woodruff said that coal fire plants have a problem with carbon dioxide as well. It is not a problem to capture carbon dioxide but transporting it is.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to adopt Resolution No. 2022-14 supporting the conversion of a portion of the Trailblazer Pipeline from natural gas to carbon dioxide.
Commissioner Wuehler stated her concerns were safety and protection of fossil fuels.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to go into closed session at 10:49 A.M. to discuss possible real estate purchase. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to go into open session at 11:31 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:
General:
AJ Sht Mtl se 237.50
Acclrtd Rcvbls Sltns se 1237.50
Ace Hrdwre su 281.47
Allo Cmmmnctns se 1596.81
Amzn Cptl Srvc su 88.04
Br Cmmrcl Flr Cr se 2115.00
Brlltt Dgn Trshyski se 370.00
Cptl Bsnss Sytms agre 291.36
Csh-Wa Dstbtng se 150.55
St Ne Adim Srvc contr 204.30
Cvll Acdmc Cnsltng &Ttrng eq 2867.37
Cty Np pblc Srv Dpt su 339.46
Clk Dst Crt se 425.00
Crtfd Crt Rprtr se 164.00
Eks Offc su 3852.94
First Cncrd Bnfts ex 145.00
Glblstr se 130.40
Hmtwn lsng se 235.35
Hb Intrntnal Grt Plns su 40.00
Hbnr’s Lwn & Grdn se 92.69
Idl Ln Spply su 316.16
Intgrtd Cmputr Systms su 78.75
Jstc Wrks LLc se 200.00
Lncln Cnty Trsr se 2672.84
Lncln Cnty Crt se 3304.25
Lncln cnty jal ptty csh su 7.52
Lwmn’s Ato Rpr se 1538.25
Mlcm Nlsn Wndm se 4149.89
Mrk R McKn se 4531.50
Mrl Hns se 343.00
Mrtn Trsynsk contr 7012.50
Mnrds se 421.83
Mntzrs I-80 Cnx Sth su 208.06
Mntzer su 597.96
Mffy Mrrs se 6692.50
Ne St Ptrl Fndtn se 2070.80
NP Anmal Shltr se 120.00
NP Hrdwr se 204.74
Nrthwstrn Enrgy se 53.17
NPZA se 760.00
Pl Cpr Reb 26.25
Pdrsn Lw Offc se 2100.00
Pplr Strt Cr Wsh se 15.75
Rbcc Rssll mi 114.66
Rdn II hmn Serv se 11900.59
Schbn Snttn se 938.24
Svrs At Cr se 68.49
Cnty Shrff’s Fs se 2744.58
ShI Intrntnl crp Eq 765.30
Shrd It se 235.38
Strcycl Inc su 163.46
Stvn Elmshur se 40.00
Stv Maly se 4800.00
T.O Hs su 239.64
Th Spply Cche su 163.99
US Pstmstr se 1100.00
Unted Lbs su 225.37
Vrzn se 514.83
Wndt Hmmrln reb 42.79
Wllm Trshyns cntr 4500.00
Wntr pblc sfty Grp su 157.96
Wx Bnk su 8486.56
911 Cstm eq 186.36
Roads:
Ace Hrdwr Su 26.99
AKRS se 442.95
Allo se 155.18
Blck Hlls Enrgy se 70.04
Bmgrs se 13.95
Crqust se 864.37
Cty NP su 63383.20
Crnhskr Intrntonl Trcks se 10.09
Gthnbrg Tr & Serv su 215.50
Hrshy Cprtv Tlphns se 79.37
Inlnd Trck Prts Cmpny se 75.89
Lncln Cnty Wd Cntrl se 342.00
Mnrds su 29.93
Mntzr Ol Cmpny su 564.60
Mrphy Trctr & Equpmnt se 6394.98
NE Trck Inc su 4258.41
Nwmn Sgns su 749.72
Stherlnd Frm & At Splly se 289.46
Tryr Entrprs se 1530.30
Vllg Brdy se 88.29
Vllg Hrshy se 129.44
Vllg Mxwll se 74.50
Vllg Wllc se 25.00
P&M Fund
Eaks se 20.36
Mcrflm Imgng System se 45.00
Self-Funded Ins:
First Cncrd Bnfts Grp ins 2019.94
ARPA Fund:
Brdg Hp Advcy cntr grnt 17000.00
Cmmnty Cnnctn Lncln grnt 11705.00
NP Snr Cntr grnt 20000.00
The meeting was adjourned at 11:41 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the August 8, 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 August 3, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on August 3, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, August 15, 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
