September 10, 2012
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Deterding offered prayer. Chairman Roethemeyer called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Roethemeyer 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 Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 4, 2012. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by County Clerk, Clerk of District Court, Register of Deeds and County Court. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the right of way permits submitted by Dawson Public Power District and Headwaters Corp. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative, Sue Warner, gave an update.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Roethemeyer 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 Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on September 4, 2012. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Board considered a protest of denial of homestead exemption filed by Charles W. Lynch Jr.
County Assessor Stenger reported he is not 65 years of age and the doctor did not qualify him as disabled, therefore they had to deny the application.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to uphold the decision by the County Assessor to deny the application as he does not meet state qualifications. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:25 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to set October 1, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. to receive bids for one pickup truck for the Emergency Management Department. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the chairman to sign an interlocal agreement to extend our current agreement for cooperative public safety services among the 15 counties in the South Central Planning, Exercise and Training Region. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The public hearing to receive comments on the proposed 2012/2013 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget was opened at 10:00 A.M.
Susan Maline, CPA, presented the budget summary.
Ken Main asked about the DEVCO contribution.
Commissioners responded that is $20,000 which is the same as last year.
Mike Groene, representing the Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association, commented that he disagrees with the DEVCO funding as tax increment financing hurts the county. He feels that $20,000 could have been put towards the roads which are a basic duty of the county. He thanked them for not donating to private charities. He appreciated them lowering the tax levy and complimented Willis Roethemeyer on keeping the new jail at 3 mils. Groene commented on the county attorney’s office budget increase. He also questioned the Lodging Tax Fund for capital improvements.
Commissioner Hewgley responded that they budgeted for this last year as well and did not spend it and there is no plan to spend it this year.
Eric Seacrest told the board that tax payers appreciate their work in bringing the tax levy down. He has concerns that the county is not keeping up with the road system. They get less money and have old equipment. He also complimented them on the jail project. He feels that the DEVCO donation is a modest sum to contribute to economic development. He asked about the Courthouse Building Fund and its anticipated expenditures.
Commissioner Roethemeyer reported that county had a study completed and have a 10 phase plan to update the courthouse building. An electrical upgrade was done last year and this year the project will be to replace windows.
Roethemeyer also commented that he realizes the position on roads, but the county has a spending lid and has to juggle finances and obligations.
County Attorney, Rebecca Harling, stated that she returned money from last year’s budget. She explained they have a high case load per attorney for both the criminal and child support division. The city attorney makes significantly more than the county attorney and the other attorneys could make more in the private sector.
The public hearing was closed at 10:32 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve Resolution No. 2012-25 to adopt the 2012/2013 Lincoln county budget and appropriations. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The public hearing was opened at 10:33 A.M. to receive comments relating to setting the final tax levy request at a different amount than the prior year tax request.
No comments were received.
The public hearing was closed at 10:34 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve Resolution No. 2012-26 setting the final tax request at 10,777,671 and the tax levy at .32193 for 2012/2013. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to appoint Joe Hewgley to negotiate for Lincoln County with Wilkinson Development, Inc. regarding future North Platte/Lincoln County Convention & Visitors Bureau rental space. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Deterding to approve an agreement with the City of North Platte to provide certain planning services to the county for 5 years. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2012-27 for Project No. RRZ-TMT-DPU1390 (3) (Front Road Grade Separation) concerning funding, selection of to whom the contract was awarded and authorizing the Chairman to sign contracts for above mentioned work on behalf of the County. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Deterding and Roethemeyer voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:34 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the September 10, 2012 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 17, 2012 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
