April 8, 2019
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Walt Johnson, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Weems offered prayer. 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 Johnson, seconded by Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on April 1, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by the County Sheriff, Clerk of District Court, Register of Deeds and County Clerk. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson 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 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 as well Lorie Koertner, County Treasurer.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Johnson to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on April 1, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:21 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Johnson to approve the special designated liquor permit submitted by Lincoln County Ag Society for business after hours on May 17, 2019 at the fairgrounds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
County Board requested the Clerk to draft a form for interested persons to fill out and turn in that are considering the vacancy on the Noxious Weed Board. The person must reside in a city or village for this vacancy.
The County Board had a lengthy discussion about the condition of Cattle Growers Road in the northern part of Lincoln County which is adjacent to a feed yard owned by Steve Scholz. There have been issues with road maintenance between the Lincoln County Department of Roads and Mr. Scholz. The board discussed how to best address the issues.
Commissioner Henry commented that the county is committed to solving the issue the best we can. He has done some background research on this matter. The bottom line is that the road will not support the traffic the feed lot is producing. He went back and looked at the Planning Commission minutes from when the feed lot was established. In those minutes former Highway Supt., Jerry Hitchcock, reported that this road would not support the traffic this would produce and the county could not afford a project to build a different type of road.
Commissioner Johnson stated the question now is how do we maintain it. He suggested a committee meet with Mr. Scholz at the feed lot. Mr. Scholz has told him he might cost share with the county for aggregate or crushed concrete.
Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright, stated the County Attorney’s office recommendation was to have the committee get involved and see if a compromise can be reached.
Commissioner Hewgley sees the two issues being pot holes in the road and the feed trucks. The county has done some cost sharing projects in the past that have worked to both parties benefit. He feels the road department has been placed in a no win situation. The public cannot take on the maintenance of roads by themselves. He does realize individuals do work the roads sometimes due to certain situations.
Commissioner Johnson did not see an issue if the county Road Foreman could direct the feed yard what to do on maintenance. If Mr. Scholz is willing to work with the county let him do it.
Joe Wright noted that according to Nebraska State Statute roads are maintained by the county at the expense of the county.
Commissioner Woodruff questioned if the road could be put in a state that will support the traffic.
Commissioner Henry replied that a black, hard top surface road is a solution but how does the county pay for it. He feels the county could get by adding more aggregate but we still have the problem because it is a sand hill road.
Commissioner Weems asked Carla O’Dell, Lincoln County Highway Supt., how she felt about Mr. Scholz maintaining the road.
O’Dell replied that she wants the county to maintain the road to standards.
Commissioner Woodruff commented that the feed yard is in the business of taking care of cattle but is not in the business of maintaining roads.
Commissioner Weems stated that he felt the cost share was a fine idea but the county dictates who maintains the road and the liability does not go away for the county.
Commissioner Woodruff asked if a cost share project would work out and the county road department was willing to put the rock down, would this be doable for the county.
O’Dell responded that it could be done. All of Cattle Growers Road need to be redone. It is just expensive and time consuming.
Duane McClain stated that he is the real estate broker that sold the real estate to the current owner. He asked if the County Board supported an entity that produces jobs and a tax base in a designated livestock friendly county.
Commissioner Hewgley replied yes but this board is discussing a county wide policy on maintenance of roads.
Commissioner Woodruff commented that any industry is vital to the county. We want to support him but he has to work with the county road department as well.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Weems to appoint Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Woodruff to a committee to work on the Cattle Growers Road situation along with the county Highway Supt. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson 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 April 8, 2019 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 April 5, 2019; and was also emailed to the media on April 5, 2019.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 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
