WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday June 2nd, 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). 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 May 19th, 2020 meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to pay claims and payroll. All members present voted in favor. At 8:35am, Paul Stoner met with the Board. The crews continue to work on bridges and roads. A bridge on P Road badly damaged is in need of repairs that may possibly cost around $20,000.00. There is also one on 900 Road needing attention. More tubes are being fixed. The Crews are also working on the Bladen Road. Paul discussed his Road Budget. Lutz & Associates (Sara James) will be doing our Budget again this year as we have a 3 year contract with them. The Officials will start making appointments with the Board in July. At 9:15am, Teresa Young met with the Board and gave her report on the Museum. She gave a detailed account of activity and monies pertaining to the Museum. At 9:30am, Jo Springer from SASA met with the Board by phone conference on funding request of $1,800.00 for the fiscal year of 2020/2021. She gave a highlight of activity and assistance given to numerous clients. Claim was submitted for next fiscal year. Gary Ratzlaff will be doing a 12 week Leadership Development course for the County Board at no cost to the County. Gary was able to accomplish this by talking to the people putting on the Webinar. At 9:45am, Dan Rutt from Revive Ministries along with representatives from his office (Carol, Riley and Brittany) met with the Board and gave a report on programs offered to troubled individuals who are having a hard time during these trying times the coronavirus has created. The Board felt this was a needed cause at this time and motion was made by Vance, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve funding of $2,000.00 for the next fiscal year of 2020/2021. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Commissioner Trevor Karr spoke to the Board about funding for Region 3 Behavioral Services which was discussed at the last meeting but was not on the agenda to act on. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to pay this one time only funding of $1,301.38. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. At 10:30am, Jerald Reimers spoke to the Board by phone conference on behalf of Congressman Adrian Smith about the various things he is trying to do for the State of Nebraska. The Board asked him several questions pertaining to legislation in the works. At 10:45am, Liz Petsch for Petsch Billing met with the Board about her Ambulance Contract with the Red Cloud and Blue Hill Ambulance Services. It has to be renewed each year by July 1st. The Board approved of $400.00 monthly to continue to do the billings to Medicare/Medicaid and private insurance if requested by the patient. Chairman Keith Buschow signed the contract for fiscal year 2020/2021. The outstanding Clerk’s Imprest Account Report was given to the Board for review. Chairman Buschow reminded the Board of the Recycling Event on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 from 8am to 12pm in Blue Hill, Nebraska. At 11:00am, Bids for C-91 (652) Structure #1018 Replacement were opened. Bids were received from Ace/Eaton for $42,037.92, Contech for $38,575.00 and Midwest Service & Sales for $44,103.00. Following discussion, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve of Contech for price bid above. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Attorney Sara Bockstadter was scheduled to appear by zoom but was unable to do this and has rescheduled for next meeting of June 16, 2020 at 11:30am. At 11:15am, Assessor Krueger gave to the Board a Reports & Opinions review from TERC showing Sonja fulfilled her duties as County Assessor in an appropriate and correct manner for the County. At 11:30am, the Board Members, County Officials and several employees met about opening of the Courthouse. Following a lengthy discussion, the decision was made to open the Courthouse, West Door only, on Wednesday June 3rd, 2020. The Courthouse will start taking appointments to come in to the building. The drop boxes on both sides of the building will remain open permanently for the public who do not want to come in. The Group was in consensus of hiring someone to sit at the West Entrance to monitor public coming in by appointment for the various offices pertaining to titling, homesteads, etc. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to hire Cheyenne Knehans on a contract basis starting tomorrow and will be reevaluated at the June 16th meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Governor Ricketts has mandated the Courthouses will be open to the public on June 15, 2020 Alexa Pedersen and Katlyn Bolte informed the Board that starting the week of June 22nd, Sydney and Beth will be coming in to the office again on separate days. GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$484.78; Bockstadter & Glen Law, LLC (Contract)-$1705.00; Ron Brumbaugh (Contract)-$1766.67; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Fees)-$448.00; S.S. (Fica)-$529.78; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)- $71.65; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$235.26; Phillip Fisbeck (Phone)-$120.00; Michael Goebel (Phone)-$120.00; Great Plains Communications (Phones)-$1174.44; Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$371.00; J&A Auto Supply (Repairs)-$4.29; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$15.00; Tanner Krizek (Phone)-$120.00; Leaf (Lease)-$424.45; Margaret Anne Meline (Prior Service)-$42.00; Mips (Support)-$451.58; NIRMA (Insurance)-$39,089.00; O’Keefe Elevator Company (Contract)-$4419.04; Onsolve (Supply)-$1925.01; Pierce Electronics (Repairs)-$5075.63; Quadient Finance USA, Inc (Postage)-$1000.00; City of Red Cloud (Utility)-$1210.78; Rene Rodriguez (Expense)-$57.99; SASA Crisis Center (Funding)-$1800.00; Ronald L Sunday (Phone)-$120.00; Clara Tietjen (Prior Service)- $60.00; University of Nebraska (Supply)-$1390.12; Daniel Vodicka (Phone)-$120.00; Williams Exterminating, Inc (Pest Control)- $88.00. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$59.54; Heath Arterburn (Phone)-$120.00; Nevin Arterburn (Phone)-$120.00; Paul Bencken (Phone)-$120.00; Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc (Gravel)-$19,618.24; Country Corner (Fuel)-$51.12; S.S. (Fica)-$67.47; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$111.52; Monte Garvin (Phone)-$120.00; Great Plains Communications (Phone)- $48.92; Linda Grummert (Prior Service)-$57.00; Hometown Market (Supply)-$62.71; Michael Hunt (Phone)-$120.00; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$116.33; Bruce Johnson (Phone)-$120.00; LRNRD Rural Water Project (Water)-$24.42; Monica Montgomery (Expense)-$188.44; NAPA Auto Parts (Repairs)-$268.98; David Niles (Phone)-$120.00; NIRMA (Insurance)-$34,978.00; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)-$742.50; Oak Creek Engineering, LLC (Fee)-$566.87; City of Red Cloud (Utility)-$20.00; Michael Reiman (Phone)-$120.00; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$170.89; Paul Stoner (Phone)-$120.00; Marvin Webber (Phone)- $120.00; Windstream (Phone)-$73.71; Kary Winslow (Phone)-$120.00. ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: Cencon of Kansas Utility Contractors (Fees)-$871.38; Oak Creek Engineering, LLC (Fees)-$1086.80. MODERN RECORDS: First National Bank Omaha (Supply)- $114.98; Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$484.00. NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$14.92; S.S. (Fica)- $16.90; NIRMA (Insurance)-$1953.00; Brian Pedersen (Expense)-$90.00. AMBULANCE FUND: Bound Tree Medical LLC (Supply)- $116.99; S.S. (Fica)-$177.65; Great Plains Communications (Phone)-$48.37; Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$484.00; Gene Horne (Expense)-$205.90; NIRMA (Insurance)-$4267.00; Petsch Billing (Contract)-$350.00. Total Wages: $10,350.22. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the meeting at 12:00pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 2nd day of June, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk