June 20, 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. Wuehler 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 Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on June 13, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler 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 Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to sign an annual agreement with T.C. Engineering, Inc. for professional services. 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 special designated liquor permits submitted by Old Depot Vineyard & Winery at their location on July 16, 17 & 24, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to approve increasing the county mileage rate from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile effective 7-1-2022 per the IRS guidelines. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Hewgley to authorize Chairman to sign Memorandum of Understanding between the NE Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs and Lincoln County for use of VetraSpec software. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to authorize Chairman to sign right of way application submitted by Consolidated Companies. 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 June 13, 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.
The County Board thanked the North Platte Telegraph for hosting and coordinating the 100 Year Celebration coloring contest. There were five winners who each received a $100 bill. The following were recognized: Kinsley Hansen (4), Molly Jorgensen (14), Bonnie Erickson (95), Brynleigh Tillman (12) and Joslyn Reimer (6).
Rod Ury appeared to discuss maintenance of roads, ditches and culverts in the old Platte Valley School District area. He explained that the dust storm and high winds have piled up debris in the ditches in this area where drainage is a big issue. He also expressed his concerns about the quality of asphalt overlays and noxious weeds that need to be sprayed.
Lincoln County Highway Supt., Jason Schultz, reported that he had looked at this area, but due to other priorities, they will work on this area when time allows.
Other Commissioners reported this same issue in their areas of the county.
Schultz will meet set up a meeting with Mr. Ury to look at the area and discuss ideas.
The public hearing was opened at 10:04 A.M. to hear comments on amending the Lincoln County 2021-2022 fiscal year budget due to refinancing of Lincoln County Jail Bonds.
Susan Maline, CPA, reported the budget had to be amended to show the dollar amount to pay off the 2017 series bonds and for the county to receive the new 2022 bond revenue.
The public hearing was closed at 10:07 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to adopt Resolution No. 2022-10 amending the Lincoln County 2021-2022 fiscal year budget due to refinancing of Lincoln County Jail Bonds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussion was held concerning revocation of the authorization to grant conditional use permits conferred upon the Lincoln County Planning Commission pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute 23-114.01 (4) or the reservation of authority to grant certain conditional use permits pursuant to Nebraska Revised State 23-114.01(5).
Planning Administrator, Judy Clark, commented that she was neutral on the topic. Issues for the County Board to consider if revised are: 1) that it will take more time to process applications, 2) County Board would need to have public hearings, 3) hearings can take 15 minutes or many hours, and 4) they will need to know the county zoning regulations.
Commissioner Weems stated that the Planning Commission does a fantastic job but he feels these should be handled by a publicly elected board for accountability.
Commissioner Hewgley concurred.
Clark reported that any changes to the planning regulations would have to be done by resolution of the County Board.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to revoke the authorization to grant conditional use permits conferred upon the Lincoln County Planning Commission and authorize legal counsel to prepare a resolution transferring that authority to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to appoint Joseph Wiezorek to the Veterans Service Committee for a five-year term to begin June 2022 and end in 2027. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to appoint Geoffrey Florom to the Veterans Service Committee for a term to begin June 2022 and end in 2023. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to authorize Chairman to sign four special designated liquor license permits submitted by Lincoln County Ag Society for July 21 at the Rodeo Arena, July 22 at the Pavilion, July 23 at the Pavilion and at the Race Track for County Fair events. 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:
County Board conducted a quarterly inspection of the Lincoln County Detention Center.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the June 20, 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 June 17, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on June 17, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, June 27, 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
