July 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. Woodruff 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 Henry, seconded by Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on July 1, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Johnson, 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 Johnson, seconded by Henry to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by the 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 and County Treasurer, Shelli Franzen appeared.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on July 1, 2019. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Johnson to approve the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor and authorize the Chairman to sign. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Weems to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Great Plains Health as submitted by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Woodruff to approve valuation changes notices numbered 2019-32 & 2013-33 as submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Henry to approve a portion of the real and personal property tax exemption application submitted by New Life Assembly as recommended by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
County Board considered Form 425 established in LB 512 for two parcels.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger, explained that per the Nebraska Department of Labor regulations for the new Form 425 it must be damage to improvements or to the land itself. Damage to crops is not part of the criteria to be considered. The two parcels being discussed did not show any issues in prior years using aerial maps. The standing water now does not necessarily change the topography of the land or the soil type.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Henry to make no change on Form 425 submitted by Judy & Jim Buss on Parcel #68508.50 leaving the valuation of the land at $287,986 and improvements at $88,360 for a total valuation of $376,346 as it did not meet the requirements of LB 512. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Johnson to make no change on Form 425 submitted by D.L. Partnership LTD on Parcel # 68508.60 leaving the valuation on the land at $89,765 for a total valuation of $89,765 as it did not meet the requirements of LB 512. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization recessed at 10:02 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
David Hopson, representing Steve and Tricia Scholz, owners of Lincoln County Feedyard appeared to discuss ongoing repair and maintenance issues of Cattle Growers Road and East Garfield Table Road. He read a prepared statement including past history of the feed yard, current head of cattle at the yard, and road traffic numbers.
Commissioner Henry stated that the solution requires more than maintenance and that it would take a hard surface in that sand but we have to figure out how to pay for it. We are going to have to work together to solve it.
Commissioner Hewgley asked for a written response to his question concerning whether Mr. Scholz took the road conditions into account when he considered expansion.
Commissioner Weems commented that when you expand twice on an existing road base that is deteriorating was that a good business choice. Weems suggested focusing using Garfield Road into the main facility moving forward and restricting traffic on Cattle Growers. He questioned if the owner might be willing to do a cost share if that is even allowed by law.
Commissioner Johnson again questioned if cost share might be possible and stated that he would like some assurance from Lincoln County Feedyard that they would be willing to use the Garfield Road.
Commissioner Woodruff stated he feels the problem can be fixed but it will not be easy. The county has put a lot of resources into these roads already this last year and we need to take that into account also.
Hopson reported that the last few weeks had been better but it is still going to be a challenge. Scholzes want to operate a business here long term and a safe, passable road is the end result that we would all like to see.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Johnson to approve the special designated liquor permit submitted by Lincoln County Ag Society for an event on July 26, 2019 at the Beveridge Outdoor Pavilion at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds and authorize the Chairman to sign. 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 Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 11:40 A.M. and reconvened at 1:03 PM.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 1:03 PM and reconvened as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization at 1:04 PM.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization discussed and considered property valuation protests – Form 422.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization recessed at 4:35 PM and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:36 PM.
Advance notice and the agenda for the July 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 July 5, 2019; and was also emailed to the media on July 5, 2019.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, July 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
