September 16, 2013
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, Joe Hewgley and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Hewgley offered prayer. Chairman Hewgley called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Hewgley 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 Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 9, 2013. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the fee reports submitted by the County Sheriff, Clerk of District Court, County Clerk, Register of Deeds and County Sheriff. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to continue until next week an agreement with Consolidated Telecom, Inc., in which the County would lease from Consolidated Telecom, Inc., the use of the radio tower that is located near Brady, Nebraska, and Jeffrey Lake. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley 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 Hewgley 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 Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on September 9, 2013. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization recessed at 9:16 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Attorney, Todd McWha appeared to represent the Boerkirchers on the conservation easements to be discussed.
McWha informed the County Board that there is a 34 acre building site in the conservation easement and the conservation easement will only allow one building site. It cannot be split into additional parcels. The Nebraska Land Trust Inc. is a 501(c)3.
Commissioner Deterding stated that his concern is the property staying on the tax rolls in the future.
McWha reported that it would stay on the tax rolls.
Commissioner Hewgley asked if there is a monetary exchange involved in this process.
McWha replied yes. The owner is giving up some of their property rights and are being compensated for that.
Commissioner Hewgley stated that some counties in the eastern end of the state have had some property valuation protests filed on conservation parcels stating that they felt the valuation should be reduced because of the restrictions.
Commissioner Roethemeyer would like to see wording added to the agreement stating that the parcels will be valued like adjacent parcels in the area.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to refer a proposed acquisition to and receive comments from the Lincoln County Planning Commission regarding the conformity of the proposed acquisition to comprehensive planning for the area submitted by The Nebraska Land Trust Incorporated, that is acquiring a conservation easement on real property owned by Brent L. Boerkircher and Mary Jane Boerkircher, husband and wife, located in the East Half and West Half of Section 17, East Half of Section 20, and West Half of Section 21, all in Township 11 North, Range 28 West of the 6th p.m., Lincoln County, Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
McWha told County Board members that the Dunse conservation easement is already in place but three acres were omitted in the original conservation easement which should belong to the Boerkirchers so he asking for an amendment.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to refer an amended proposed acquisition to and receive comments from the Lincoln County Planning Commission regarding the conformity of the amended proposed acquisition to comprehensive planning for the area submitted by The Nebraska Land Trust Incorporated, that is amending its conservation easement on real property owned by John W. Dunse, located in Section 20, Township 11 North, Range 28 West of the 6thp.m., Lincoln County, Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Susan Maline, CPA, gave a brief review of the proposed budget document.
Commissioner Hewgley opened the public hearing at 10:03 A.M. to receive comments on the proposed 2013/2014 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget.
Mrs. Ziegler asked about a total figure on the summary page. She stated that she is in the courthouse building a lot and it does need repair. She also noted that the inheritance tax transfers are still increasing.
Mike Greone, representing the Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association, spoke on the $20,000 contribution to DEVCO, rural ambulance aid, charity to private organizations, lodging taxes being used to fund a new building and the multi-year grant pledged to the Railroad Container Art Museum.
Commissioner Roethemeyer commented that the rural fire district is not obligated to provide ambulance service and the tax collected goes back to the area where taxpayers live. Public safety is a major concern.
Donna Tryon stated that great people and volunteerism are what draw people here not tourism. The main things the Commissioners should be concerned with are infrastructure, safety and keeping the taxes down.
Eric Seacrest was disappointed to see the road equipment cut. Equipment needs regular replacement and eventually the county will have to spend it. The board needs to come up with a strategy for replacing road equipment. He also feels that the county should be supporting economic development.
The public hearing was closed at 10:32 A.M.
Commissioner Hewgley explained that the spending lid ties ours hands on the flexibility of where we can use the funds.
Commissioner Deterding commented that with the road conditions they do the best they can. He thanked all the departments for being mindful of the budget.
Commissioner Roethemeyer reported that the increase in health insurance and the unfunded state mandate of LB 561 used up more than the 3.5% increase allowed.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to adopt Resolution No. 2013-20 to adopt the proposed 2013/2014 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget as presented. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
A public hearing was opened at 10:37 A.M. to receive comments relating to setting the final tax levy request at a different amount than the prior year tax request.
Mike Groene thanked for them reducing the tax rate.
The public hearing was closed at 10:40 A.M.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2013-21 setting the final tax levy request at a different rate than the prior year tax request. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
General discussion was held concerning future plans for the County Road Department. Mr. Hitchcock reported his plan is to get Lincoln County thru the final audit for the Bird wood Project which could be anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
He highly recommended Carla O’Dell as his replacement at that time. She has a Class “A” Highway Superintendents license and is encouraging her to get her RC license for future projects. She has been taking a county vehicle home and does go out nights and weekends to handle issues and does plow snow.
The County Board of Commissioners recessed at 11:14 A.M. and reconvened at 12:00 P.M.
Met with other elected officials to discuss various county topics.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the September 16, 2013 board meetings were sent to members of the County Board, County Attorney and all others requesting the same. Notice was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and on the county website.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, September 23, 2013 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
