WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), TJ Vance (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2020 meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance and Shipman. Abstaining: Karr. Motion carried. Chairman Buschow asked the Board Members if there was any old business requiring completion before adjourning the 2019 Board. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to adjourn the 2019 Board with the following projects being continued to the 2020 Board: Road/Bridge Projects and the discussion concerning construction and/or refurbishing of the Courthouse and Jail Buildings. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. The 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners convened with the following members present: Dan Shipman, Trevor Karr, TJ Vance, Keith Buschow and Gary Ratzlaff. The annual Organization Meeting began with the election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to reappoint Keith Buschow as Chairman and Gary Ratzlaff as ViceChairman. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Karr, Vance and Shipman. Abstaining: Buschow and Ratzlaff. Motion carried. At 8:35am, Paul Stoner met with the Board. Nothing new to report except the Road Crew continues to work on projects and maintain roads. Paul stated Walnut Creek Bridge is completed. All that is left is dirt work. The Board discussed the Bladen road. A NIRMA meeting will be held at the Guide Rock Shop on Thursday, January 23rd . Chairman Buschow reported to the Board that the blinds for some of the windows have been ordered. Ratzlaff reported the lights around the Courthouse has been taken care of. The Key fobs are on hold right now but will be done at a later time. Shipman reported Johnny Bostock is working on designing the fence around the HVAC System. Keith Buschow, Gary Ratzlaff and Ron Brumbaugh did a walk-around the Courthouse with Dustin Gay to inspect all the work and changes done with the HVAC System. Dustin will address some concerns and complete the projects suggested. At 9:15am, Paul Stoner met with the Board on behalf of Lance Harter for the One and Six Year Plan. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to go into Public Hearing Session for the One and Six Year Plan. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Motion carried. Paul presented a revised plan for the Board to sign. He presented a condensed version of projects that had already been completed and what needed to be done in the future. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to accept the One and Six Year Plan as amended. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Motion carried. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to go out of Public Hearing. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. Chairman Buschow reported on tort claim previously presented to the Board by Co Attorney Bockstadter who was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. At 9:40am, Clerk Petsch presented several Resolutions for the Board’s approval and signatures. RESOLUTION 2-2020 Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to adopt Resolution 2 – 2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. RESOLUTION 2 -2020 was signed. RESOLUTION 2 - 2020 WHEREAS, Nebraska Law requires County Officials to make certain publications in official newspapers designated by the County Board; WHEREAS, Nebraska Law recognizes the Webster County website www.co.webster.ne.us as a form of publication and information; BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that the Red Cloud Chief, the Blue Hill Leader and the Webster County Website be designated as the official publications for all County Board Proceedings and job openings of Webster County for the year 2020. The Red Cloud Chief and the Blue Hill leader will publish all official publications, the County Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Statements, the Delinquent Tax Lists at one-half of the legal rate each. Advertising of roads to be opened, closed or constructed will be published in only one newspaper, that being the newspaper closest to the road under construction. All other publications may be required in only the newspaper nearest the area to be served. This Resolution is adopted contingent that both legal newspaper have comparable rates and agree to same; ALSO BE RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that the Webster County website www.co.webster.ne.us will publish the County Board Proceedings, the County Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Statements, Delinquent Tax Lists and advertising of roads to be opened, closed or constructed. ADOPTED this 21st day of January, 2020. RESOLUTION 3 -2020 Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to adopt Resolution 3 -2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. RESOLUTION 3- 2020 WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute §77-1918 places specific duties on the County Board, County Treasurer and County Attorney for the collection of delinquent real estate and special taxes; and, WHEREAS, the County Board of Commissioners will receive the Webster County Treasurer’s Annual Report setting out a complete list of all parcels of real estate in the County on which any taxes are delinquent and which are not sold for want of bidders at the annual tax sale in Webster County, as required by Nebraska Statute §77-1813;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that the Webster County Treasurer, pursuant to §77-1918 of the Nebraska Statutes, is hereby authorized and directed to issue Tax Sale Certificates on or before October 1, 2020 covering the delinquent taxes upon such aforesaid parcels of real estate, and deliver the same to the County Clerk, the Board of Commissioners and the Webster County Attorney; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, By the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that the Webster County Attorney is hereby directed to commence the foreclosure of each outstanding Tax Sale Certificate held in the name of the County, and for the benefit of all governmental subdivisions entitled to participate therein, within six (6) months after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of the issuance of such Tax Sale Certificate, and then to continue such foreclosure to conclusion. ADOPTED this 21st day of January, 2020. RESOLUTION 4 -2020 Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to adopt Resolution 4-2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Resolution 4-2020 was signed. RESOLUTION 4- 2020 WHEREAS, Depository Banks are required for the security of all funds for Webster County; BE IT RESOLVED, That Heritage Bank of Red Cloud, The South Central State Bank of Blue Hill and Red Cloud and the Cornerstone Bank of Guide Rock be designated and approved for Webster County Funds for the year 2020; BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, That the Treasurer of Webster County, acting in the best interests of Webster County, be and hereby is authorized to deposit funds and invest excessive monies of Webster County and its various districts into any depository bank with sufficient collateral in compliance with Nebraska Revised Statues §77-2318.01 for the year 2020; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That all public monies paid to or coming into the hands of all elected or appointed Webster County Officials shall be deposited in the aforesaid designated depository banks until making payment to the Webster County Treasurer. ADOPTED this 21st day of January, 2020. RESOLUTION 5 -2020 Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to approve Resolution 5-2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Resolution 5-2020 was signed. RESOLUTION 5- 2020 WHEREAS, The 2019-2020 County Budget adopted September20, 2019 by the Webster County Board of Commissioners provided for the transfers of funds in the total of $600,000.00 from General Fund to the County Road/Capital Construction Fund (#800); WHEREAS, Sufficient funds are available in the County Treasurer’s General Fund (#100) to allow for this transfer; WHEREAS, There are pending bridge replacement projects that require funding; BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, That $150,000.00 be transferred from the General Fund (#100) to the Road/Capital Construction Fund (#800) pursuant to the requirements set forth in the 2019-2020 County Budget; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above designated transfer of funds shall be made by submitting a claim from the General Fund Account (0100-705-7.0202 Expense) and issuing an Imprest Check to the Road/Capital Construction Fund (0800-590.02 Revenue). ADOPTED, this 21st day of January, 2020. RESOLUTION 6 -2020 Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to approve Resolution 6-2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Resolution 6-2020 was signed. RESOLUTION 6-2020 WHEREAS, The 2019-2020 County Budget adopted September 20, 2019 by the Webster County Board of Commissioners, provided for transfers of funds in the total of $780,000.00 from the General Fund to the County Road/Bridge Fund #300; WHEREAS, Sufficient funds are available in the County Treasurer’s General Fund (#100) to allow for the first transfer; WHEREAS, There are pending bridge projects that require funding; BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that $195,000.00 be transferred from the County General Fund #100) to the County Road/Bridge Fund (#300) as the first transfer of funds as stated in the 2019-2020 Webster County Budget Document; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above designated transfer of funds shall be made by submitting a claim from the General Fund Account (0100-705-7-0200) and issuing an Imprest Check to the Road/Bridge Fund (0300-590.2). ADOPTED, this 21st day January, 2020. RESOLUTION 7-2020 Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to approve Resolution 7 -2020. Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Resolution 7-2020 was signed. RESOLUTION 7- 2020 WHEREAS, the Webster County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2019-2020 Webster County Budget Document on September 17, 2019; WHEREAS, there was not enough sufficient cash balance to pay the Hospital Bond payment to Union Bank & Trust Company for $205,106.76, we transferred $10,000.00 from Inheritance Fund to the Hospital Bond Fund to make the above mentioned payment. WHEREAS, there is now sufficient cash balance in the Hospital Bond Fund to transfer $10,000.00 back to the Inheritance Fund.
BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska that $10,000.00 be transferred from the Hospital Bond Fund (3100-590.02) to the Inheritance Fund (2700-590.06). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above designated transfer of funds shall be made by submitting a claim on the Hospital Bond Fund (3100-900-7-0207) and issuing an Imprest Check to the Inheritance Fund (2700-590.06. ADOPTED this 21st day of January, 2020. The Board went over the various appointments to the different Boards of Webster County and motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to approve the 2020 County Board Appointments as listed below: Upon roll call vote, voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Motion carried. 2020 COUNTY BOARD APPOINTMENTS Webster County Board of Commissioners: Keith Buschow, Chairman; Gary Ratzlaff, Vice-Chairman Region III Governing Board (Behavioral Services): Trevor Karr, Delegate; Keith Buschow, Alt. Midland Area Agency on Aging: Dan Shipman, Delegate; Keith Buschow, Alt. Mid-Nebraska Individual Services – Kearney: Keith Buschow, Delegate; Trevor Karr, Alt. Central Community College: Trevor Karr, Delegate; Dan Shipman, Alt. Webster County Hospital Trustees Board: Gary Ratzlaff, Board Liaison; Dan Shipman, Alt. COUNTY ENGINEER: Lance Harter, Oak Creek Engineering COUNTY MUSUEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES: (5-year term) Jim Fitzgibbon (01/01/2025), Michelle Cole (01/01/2024), Sharon Berns (01/01/2024), Debbie Albers (01/01/2023), Roger Crook (01/01/2023), Judy Ord (01/01/2022). COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT: County Board COUNTY SURVEYOR: (4-year term) Thomas Krueger (01/05/2023) COURTHOUSE CUSTODIAL CONTACT: Gary Ratzlaff and Keith Buschow EMERGENCY MANAGER: Ron Sunday EXTENSION SERVICE BOARD: (3-Year Term) Doug Hubl (12/31/2021), Joe Strickland (12/31/2021), Buffy Niemeyer (12/31/2021), Riley Skrdlant (12/31/2022), Nelson P. Trambly (12/31/2022). FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION REPONSIBLE CHARGE: Paul Stoner and Lance Harter FLOOD PLAINS MANAGER: Tami Scheuneman GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATOR: Louise Petsch HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEE: (6-Year Term) Richard Armstrong (01/01/2021), Corri McCarter (01/01/2025), Michael Buschow (01/01/2025), Janice Hartman (01/01/2023), Charlene Troudt (01/01/2021). JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION: (3-Year Term) Troy Himmelberg (01/01/2022), Scott Schmidt – Bladen (01/01/2023), Marvin Hartman – Guide Rock (01/01/2022), Garth Wentworth (01/01/2023), Keith Waechter (01/01/2023), Jerry Langer (01/01/2021), Paul Stoner (01/01/2021). NIRMA SAFETY COMMITTEE: Abbey Harig, NIRMA Contact Person, Paul Stoner, Troy Schmitz, Carla Jameson, Ron Sunday, Monica Schmitz, Monica Montgomery, Alexa Pederson. NIRMA CONTACT PERSON: Abbey Harig PLANNING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: Tami Scheuneman SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD: Gary Ratzlaff SOUTH CENTRAL PARTNERSHIP YOUTH TASK FORCE: SOUTH CENTRAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT: Dan Shipman SOUTH HEARTLAND DISTRICT BOARD OF HEALTH: (3-Year Term) Mirya Hallock (03/01/2022), Ron Kuehner (03/01/2022), TJ Vance (03/01/2023). TITLE IV-ADA/504 COORDINATOR: Abbey Harig TRAILBLAZER RC & D: Jim Farmer VETERAN’S SERVICE OFFICER: Gary Ratzlaff VETERAN’S SERVICE COMMITTEE: (5-Year Term) Don Beitler (06/30/2021), Michael Barton (06/30/2025), Keith Waechter (6/30/2024), Ron Schutte (6/30/2023), Roger Mans (6/30/2025). VISITOR PROMOTION COMMITTEE: (4-Year Term) Ashley Olson (01/01/2023), Jill Coffey (01/01/2024), Rod Ely (06/30/2023, Linda Hitchler (01/01/2022), Wade Gibson (04/01/2024). WEBSTER COUNTY ROAD SUPERINTENDENT: Oak Creek Engineers – Lance Harter WEBSTER COUNTY TRANSIT COUNSEL: Gary Ratzlaff WEED CONTROL AUTHORITY: Dennis VanWey ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: (3-Year Term) Dean Zalman (01/01/2022), Linda Mans (01/01/2022), Scott Schmidt (01/01/2023), Kevin Herrick (01/01/2021), Rob Wilson (01/01/2021), Tim Meline, Alt. At 10:05am, Noxious Weed Supt Dennis VanWey met with the Board about the position opening for the Noxious Weed Superintendent due to Dennis VanWey retiring. The Board discussed working hours and maybe working part-time with the Road Department to make it a 40 hour a week job position instead of a 30 hour week. Everyone approved of this idea and will publish new hours in newspapers and county website. Deadline for applying will be February 14, 2020. Applications can be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office. At 10:40am, Deputy Clerk Abbey Harig met with the Board about charging for Dissolution packets as other counties are doing this because of cost. Board stated to charge $15 for a Dissolution packet without kids and $25 for a Dissolution packet with kids.
Clerk Petsch presented to the Board the MIPS bill for microfilming of all Deeds, Miscellaneous and Real Estate records in the vault in the Clerk’s Office. This had been previously discussed and decided to go ahead with the project. A claim will be submitted at the next meeting for the full amount. This will benefit the abstractors and preserve the records. At 10:55am, the Board went into Executive Session with motion by Vance and second by Ratzlaff. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, second by Karr to go out of Executive Session at 11:10am with no action being taken on the discussion. The Board discussed the Health Fair coming up but since it was not on the agenda, it will be discussed at next meeting. At 11:15am, Assessor Krueger reported to the Board a list of Permissive Tax Exempt Properties for the Board to go over and they will be approved at the February 18, 2020 meeting. The Board discussed the refinishing of the window frames and decided to have Bob Schultz give an estimate on this project. The following claims and payroll were approved for payment by motion being made by Vance and seconded by Karr. All members present voted in favor. GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$6603.10; Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt (Counsel)-$542.73; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$72.58; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$17,705.93; Blue Hill Leader (Publish)-$126.25; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$1649.36; Corporate Image Design (Supply)-$195.00; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Clk/Treas/Co Crt)-$225.52; Fica (S.S.)-$7373.26; Eakes Office Solutions (Fees)-$295.09; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$192.00; Hometown Leasing (Lease)- $121.00; Hometown Market (Supply)-$194.80; Howard County Sheriff’s Office (Fee)-$35.08; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$105.95; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Repairs)-$6.29; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$37.49; Mailfinance (Lease)-$303.00; Mary Lanning Healthcare (Medical)-$1824.59; Midland Area Agency on Aging (Handibus)-$1474.27; Nebr Assn of County Clerks (Dues)- $75.00; Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc (Phones)-$61.12; Olson Enterprises LLC (Repairs)-$49.98; Gary Ratzlaff (Supply)-$12.14; Region 3 Behavioral Health Services (Dues)-$2344.26; Sam’s Club (Supply)-$79.98; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$2954.00; Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$1061.25; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$24.80; Sullivan Shoemaker P.C. L.L.O. (Counsel)-$721.50; Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$1140.00; USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services (Funding)-$1786.87; Dennis L VanWey (Expense)-$74.82; Verizon Wireless (Phones)-$240.06; Web Co Clk of Dist Court (Fees)-$66.00; Webster County Treasurer (Transfer)- $195,000.00; Webster County Treasurer (Transfer)-$150,000.00; Zee Medical Service (Supply)-$66.00. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$2587.04; Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc (Gravel)-$2326.62; Village of Bladen (Utility)-$56.60; Village of Bladen (Utility)-$56.60; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$9092.80; Cencon of Kansas Utility Contractors (Gravel)- $813.44; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$1615.19; Fica (S.S.)-$2959.18; Fastenal (Supply)-$123.26; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$10.00; J&A Auto Supply (Repairs)-$1724.91; LCL Truck Equipment, Inc (Repairs)-$90.00; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$6.15; Monica Montgomery (Expense)-$6.71; NAPA Auto Parts (Repairs)-$123.01; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)- $79.58; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$8047.86; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$995.00; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)- $216.91;Charles Stokes (Repairs)-$225.00; Paul Stoner (Expense)-$15.00. ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: Norfolk Contracting Inc (Culverts)-$207,119.00. SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Larry Baker (Dental)-$1392.00; Kory L Bumgardner D.D.S. (Dental)-$404.80; Bush Family Dentistry (Dental)-$92.20; Sean M Daly, D.D.S. (Dental)-$240.00; Heartland Periodontics & Implant (Dental)-$126.40; Island View Dental (Dental)-$372.00; Minden Dental Clinic (Dental)-$868.40; Pediatric Dental Specialists (Dental)-$403.40; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$872.00. HOSPITAL BOND: Webster County Treasurer (Transfer)-$10,000.00. NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$299.32; Fica (S.S.)-$684.16; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$296.35; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$2.05; NE Assn of County Officials (Registration)-$140.00; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$111.00; Dennis L VanWey (Expense)-$90.00. AMBULANCE FUND: Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$293.23; Village of Campbell (911)-$210.00; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$191.16; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$6.74. TOTAL WAGES: $135,197.65. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the meeting at 12:00pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 21st day of January, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners Attest: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk