Banner County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Banner County Board of Commissioners Proceedings

                The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 8:45 A.M. in the courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse.  Notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Western Nebraska Observer. A copy of the proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk.  Notices were also posted in the Harrisburg, Nebraska Post Office; the Banner County Public School; the office of the County Clerk; and the front window of the Banner County courthouse.

                The agenda of the meeting is kept current and is available during the regular business hours in the office of the County Clerk.  A copy of the agenda was sent to the Commissioners on Monday, April 6, 2026. 

                Chairperson Darnall called the meeting to order at 8:45 A.M. County Clerk Katie West took roll call showing: Don Lease, present; Robin Darnall, present; Laif Anderson, absent. Chairperson Darnall stated that the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted by the back door of the courtroom. 

                Lease led prayer.

                The Pledge of Allegiance was said. 

                The agenda was examined. Lease moved to approve the agenda, moving the claims to item 11 after the commissioner reports. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent. Motion carried. 

                The minutes of the March 17, 2026, meeting were examined. Lease moved to approve March 17, 2026, minutes. Darnall seconded the motion. Discussion was had.  Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, no; Anderson, absent. Motion failed. 

Correspondence:

• Men’s Health Month – The Board reviewed the information. The Board instructed West to put it on the next agenda. 
• Department of the Air Force – The Board reviewed the information.  Discussion was had. 
• Propane gas contract information – The Board reviewed the information. Discussion was had. 
• Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska – The Board reviewed the information. Discussion was had. The Board stated this information should be presented to the Planning Commission Committee. 
• EECBG Grant Opportunity – Lease stated that the Building and Grounds Committee is working on this opportunity. Discussion was had.

Public Comment:

• Carl Gilbert – Harrisburg, Nebraska – Surveyor – Gilbert gave the Board a report on the surveys he has been doing in Banner County and what will be surveyed later this year. 

Reports:

• Commissioner Reports 
  1. Don Lease – Discussion was had.
  2. Robin Darnall – Discussion was had. 
  3. Laif Anderson – Not present.

Claims:

General: Aflac - $506.30 – Employee Benefits; Aflac Dental - $901.39 – Dental; Banner Capital Bank - $4,094.80 – HAS; Banner County DC - $72.00 – Court Fees; Bytes - $1,969.25 – IT Management; Election Systems & Software - $743.52 – Election Fees, Tim Grubbs - $54.00 – Food Reimbursements; Holiday Inn - $419.85 – Lodging; Hometown Leasing - $138.64 – Copier Lease; Ideal Linen - $220.08 – Janitorial Supplies; Kimball County Treasurer - $1,842.81 – Extension Office; MIPS - $1,718.87 – Data Processing; NE Child Support - $193.99 – Child Support; North Platte NRD - $42.92 – Water; Pack Rat Disposal - $45.00 – Trash; Scottsbluff Detention Center - $2,610.00 – Prisoner Board; Triad - $11,281.49 – Health Insurance; US Bank - $236.98 – Office Supplies and Fuel; VSP - $300.12 – Vision; Western NE Observer - $1,913.60 – Advertising; Wildcat Surveying - $1,600.00 – Surveys; Zulty’s - $631.67 – Telephone; Total - $31,537.28

Sheriff: AT&T - $225.74 – Cell Phone; Caleb Scott - $799.72 – EMT Certification; Galls - $95.24 – Law Equipment; Heartland Radar - $90.00 – Subscription; Lynn Peavy Co - $58.01 – Law Enforcement Supplies; NE Public Health Environment Lab - $105.00 – Blood Alcohol Tests; US Bank - $430.40 – Office Supplies, Fuel, Law Equipment; Total - $1,804.11

Road: Aflac - $594.80 – Employee Benefits; AT&T - $185.20 – Cell Phone; Banner Capital Bank - $1,458.35 – HAS; Colonial Life - $29.48 – Dental; First Concord - $289.00 – HRA; Ideal Linen - $61.84 – Janitorial Supplies; iWorQ Systems - $7,000.00 – Software; Kimball Auto Parts - $1,370.28 – Supplies and Posts; Legacy Coop - $2,598.17 – Grease & Oil; Michael Todd - $205.68 – Shop Supplies; NACO - $110.00 – Registration; North Platte NRD - $31.42 – Water; Peetz - $443.64 – Propane; Power Plan - $52,072.95 – Repair Parts and Labor; The Wrays LLC - $40,089.29 – Belly Dump Trailer; Triad - $4,243.39 – Health Insurance; US Bank - $446.18 – Repairs and Subscriptions; VSP - $73.30 – Vision; WPCI - $226.00 – Drug Tests; Total - $111,528.97

                Discussion was had on claims.  Lease moved to approve all the claims except claim number 02604082 to Caleb Scott for $799.72 until further discussion and not to get excited about it. Darnall seconded the motion. Discussion was had. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent.  Motion carried. 

Items of Business Before the Board:

• Discussion and Vote on Hydraulic Engineering Agreements (Road 18) – Jay Dove – The Board reviewed two quotes Dove presented. Dove explained the hydraulic studies and introduced Dave Schaff from MCS Engineering. Schaff explained their quote. Discussion was had. Lease moved to accept MCS Family Companies proposal for the hydraulic study on road 18 to pay up to $12,000.00 this year and the balance on October 1 or after. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent. Motion carried. 
• Natural Disaster Interlocal Agreement Discussion and Approval – Eric McCoy – McCoy explained the interlocal agreement to the Board.  Discussion was had. The interlocal agreement still has some work to be done with other entities and will be discussed further.  
• Annual Public Tax Sale – Kathy Natale – Natale presented and explained the report to the Board. 
• Groundskeeper Position – Jacob Parsons – Katie West – West asked the Board when they would like to hire a groundskeeper. Discussion was had regarding pay rate and duration. Lease moved to appoint Jacob Parsons as a seasonal, temporary, part-time groundskeeper at $17.50 per hour, starting April 8, 2026, and continuing no later than October 1, 2026, or at the discretion of the Board. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent. Motion carried. 
• Interlocal Agreement for Regional Juvenile Detention – Don Lease – Lease explained the interlocal agreement.  Discussion was had. Lease moved to accept the Interlocal Agreement for Regional Juvenile Detention Needs Assessment, authorizing the Chairperson to sign. Darnall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Lease, yes; Darnall, yes; Anderson, absent. Motion carried. 

Chairperson Darnall adjourned the meeting at 10:25 A.M.

The next meeting will be held on April 21, 2026, at 8:45 A.M. or at the call of the clerk. An agenda for the matters to be considered on such date and time is kept continually and is available for public inspection during the normal business hours at Banner County in the courthouse of Harrisburg, Nebraska. 

Banner County Board of Commissioners

Robin Darnall, Chairperson

Don Lease II, Vice Chairperson

Laif Anderson, Member

Attest: _____________________________________

                Katie West, Banner County Clerk