October 4, 2021
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Bruns offered prayer. Weems called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Weems 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 Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 27, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to approve the right of way application submitted by Western Irrigation & Rodney Anderson contingent upon the County Attorney’s Office being able to review and make minor corrections to the application. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the Final Report of Distress Warrants issued in Lincoln County, Nebraska by the County Treasurer that need to be stricken. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor license application resubmitted by Big Red Liquor @ The Barn for a fundraiser at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds on October 14, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor license application resubmitted by Big Red Liquor @ The Barn for a wedding at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds on October 23, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Bruns to adopt Resolution No. 2021-32 directing the County Treasurer to issue tax sale certificates to Lincoln County on those parcels which are three years delinquent on real estate taxes or special assessments. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Weems 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 along with Alex Gurciullo, County Treasurer.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on September 27, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to deny the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Two Rivers Fellowship as recommended for denial by Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by American Red Cross as recommended for approval by the Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by Great Plains Health as recommended for approval by the Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Bruns to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by North Platte Opportunity Center as recommended for approval by the Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by North Platte Baptist Church as recommended for approval by the Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No action was needed on the homestead rejection notices at this time as no appeals had been filed.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:30 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Discussed concerns of local landowners regarding Wildfire Management. Landowners Bill Rundback, Bob Long and Philip Charlton spoke about a recent wildfires and how they were handled. Sheriff Kramer spoke about what is required of them to do their job which is to protect people and property during these situations. Emergency Management Director, Brandon Myers, explained the purpose of an incident commander.
County Board requested that Region 51 Emergency Management try to set up a town hall meeting to include landowners, fire departments, law enforcement and any other entities that would be involved in wildfires to discuss the issues of liability and safety.
Judge Joel Jay appeared to speak on the remodel request for Lincoln County Court Judges that was heard last week by the County Board.
County Board recessed at 10:02 A.M. to go look at the office space in County Court.
County Board reconvened at 10:14 A.M.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to deny the remodel request for Lincoln County Court at this time. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to approve the agreement with the City of North Platte for Dispatch Services effective October 1, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The agreements with the City of North Platte for Emergency Management Services, Network Services and maintenance of roads in the County’s jurisdiction were tabled for negotiation and/or corrections.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to approve the agreement with the City of North Platte for maintenance of roads in the City’s jurisdiction from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Commissioner Weems suggested that the Highway Supt. look at setting up an account with the granite wholesaler and having independent trucking firms haul it here.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to set November 1, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. to accept bids for granite for Lincoln County Department of Roads. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to set November 1, 2021 at 10:10 A.M. to accept bids for the St. Farm Bike Trail project. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to go into closed session at 10:46 A.M. concerning strategy session regarding pending litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Weems restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to go into open session at 11:36 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads and their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the October 4, 2021 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 October 1, 2021; and was also emailed to the media on October 1, 2021.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, October 11, 2021 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
