Webster County Board of Commissioners

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday July 21st, 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), and Keith Buschow (District Four). Gary Ratzlaff (District Five) was absent. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to approve the minutes of the July 7th, 2020 meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: Gary Ratzlaff. Motion carried. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to pay claims and payroll. All 4 members present voted in favor. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. At 8:30am, Paul Stoner met with the Board. He presented two Resolutions to the Board to be signed. Resolution 23-2020 located at SW corner of Section 8-1-10 would install stop sign and stop ahead sign so as to control West bound traffic as it approaches the intersection. Resolution 24-2020 located at SW corner of Section 3-3-12 would install yield sign and yield ahead sign so as to control North bound and South bound traffic as it approaches the intersection. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to sign both Resolutions 23-2020 and 24-2020. Voting in favor: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. Paul and the Board also discussed purchasing an Excavator. They discussed options and Paul will report more information at the next Board Meeting. Road crews are continuing as usual with all the jobs needing attention. At 9:15am, Treasurer Janet Knehans presented her Semi-Annual Statement for the Board to review. At 9:20am, the Board discussed SCEDD funding. Due to Coronavirus, no representative was present. After discussion, the Board ruled unanimously to not give any funding at this time. At 9:30am, several Fire Board members met with the Board for their annual request. These requests were from Bladen, Blue Hill, Guide Rock and Red Cloud. The Webster County Board of Commissioners hereby denies preliminary requests for levy allocation for the Budget Year 2021/2022. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to deny preliminary requests for levy allocation from: Bladen Rural Fire District Blue Hill Fire District Guide Rock Rural Fire District Red Cloud Rural Fire District Voting in favor of these denials: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. Resolution 25-2020 was signed by Chairman Buschow. The Fire Boards also presented their preliminary requests for levy allocation. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to deny preliminary requests for levy allocations. Voting in favor: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. Resolutions 26 through 29 were signed. RESOLUTION 26-2020 Resolution Requesting A Preliminary From the County Board WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board, and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Bladen Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that $64,244.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2020-2021 for the Bladen Rural Fire Protection District. ADOPTED this 21st day of July, 2020. RESOLUTION 27-2020 Resolution Requesting A Preliminary From the County Board WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board, and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Blue Hill Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that $80,000.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2020-2021 for the Blue HillADOPTED this 21st day of July, 2020. RESOLUTION 28-2020 Resolution Requesting A Preliminary From the County Board WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board, and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Guide Rock Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that $28,550.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2020-2021 for the Guide Rock Rural Fire District. ADOPTED this 21st day of July, 2020. RESOLUTION 29-2020 Resolution Requesting A Preliminary From the County Board WHEREAS, Nebraska Statute 77-3443 (3) requires all political subdivisions subject to Webster County Levy Authority to submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the County Board, and WHEREAS, The Webster County Board is the levy agent for Red Cloud Rural Fire Protection District; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that $65,000.00 is Tax Request for budget year 2020-2021 for the Red Cloud Rural Fire District; ADOPTED this 21st day of July, 2020. At 9:45am, the Board discussed use of County owned vehicles for personal reasons. They can only be used for county business. Clerk Louise Petsch also presented the Petsch Billing Accountability Report on Red Cloud and Blue Ambulances for the Board to review. The Board also decided to retain Cheyenne Knehans until the next Board Meeting for COVID Safety for the public and employees and people attending District Court and County Court. At 10:00am, Sara James and some officials met with the Board and reviewed Budgets. At 11:00am, Ann Giebler met with the Board on Identify Theft and Legal Plan. She wanted the Board’s approval to speak with the employees and give them information on this option. The Board approved of her coming and meeting with employees. She will send information to Clerk Petsch to give to employees. The Board discussed issues on the wood floors in the Courthouse that need repaired. At 11:45am, Clerk Petsch met about signing Cash Management papers with South Central State Bank with signers of Louise Petsch and Abbey Harig. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Buschow to approve of this. All four members present voted in favor. Absent was Ratzlaff. Motion carried. At 11:45am, Tami Scheuneman, Deputy Assessor reviewed with the Board on Gottsch’s Feeding Waste Expansion Project already approved by the State and will soon be constructed. The following claims are listed below as approved. GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$6894.68; Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt (Counsel)-$686.80; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$75.76; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$17,025.65; Blue Hill Leader (Publish)-$263.09; Busch Construction (Mowing)-$60.00; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$1807.02; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Fees)-$225.52; S.S. (Fica)-$7360.53; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$613.56; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$12.50; First Concord Benefits Group (Medical)-$202.50; Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$1591.92; Hometown Market (Supply)-$365.52; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$249.80; JDS (Fee)-$175.00; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Repairs)- $279.98; Cheyenne Knehans (Contract)-$1200.00; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$34.34; Mips Inc (Support)- $2285.22; Nebr Assn of County Clerks (Registration)-$250.00; Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc (Phone)-$77.79; Quadient Leasing USA, Inc (Postage)-$303.00; Red Cloud Chief (Publishing)-$698.29; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)- $2827.00; Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$1205.01; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$24.80; Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$1401.50; Turner Technology (Fee)-$26.25; Union Bank & Trust Co. (Fee)-$65.67; USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services (Fee)-$2724.01; Verizon Wireless (Phone)-$240.06; Web Co Clk of Dist Court (Fee)-$1674.06. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$2446.43; Auto Glass Experts LLC (Repairs)-$165.00; Barco Municipal Products, Inc (Signs)-$757.90; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$45.83; Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc (Gravel)-$23,776.15; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$9550.80; C&D Service Center (Supply)-$131.50; Century Lumber Center (Concrete)- $51.50; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$1656.20; Country Corner (Fuel)-$265.20; S.S. (Fica)-$2758.35; First Concord Benefits Group (Medical)-$150.00; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$10.00; Fleetpride (Repairs)-$214.28; GIS Workshop (Expense)-$4500.00; Village of Guide Rock (Utility)-$81.25; J&A Auto Supply (Repairs)-$62.61; Jim’s OK Tires (Repairs)-$2608.44; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Supply)-$60.00; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$4.10; Mips, Inc (Support)-$108.98; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)-$1138.08; Oak Creek Engineering, LLC (Surfacing)- $10,289.52; Olson Enterprises LLC (Repairs)-$34.00; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$884.00; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$123.71; Sunbelt Rentals (Rental)-$874.03; Timm’s Service (Fuel)-$1082.72; Universal Hydraulics (Repairs)-$160.02; Webster County Hospital (Supply)-$214.00. ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: Red Cloud Chief (Publish)- $49.45. MODERN RECORDS FUND: Mips Inc (Support)-$112.00. SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Sean M Daly, D.D. S.

(Dental)-$132.80; Minden Dental Clinic (Dental)-$163.00; Pediatric Dental Specialists (Dental)-$1379.20; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$467.60. INHERITANCE TAX FUND: Estate of Holly L Timm (Refund)-$8819.27. NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$233.10; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$239.43; S.S. (Fica)-$264.18; Madison Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$3.15; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$34.00. AMBULANCE FUND: Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$33.11; Village of Campbell (911 Fee)-$210.00; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$145.18; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$30.72. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the Board meeting at 12:15am. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4th, 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. At 12:20pm, July 21st, 2020, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to go into Board of Equalization to hear a Protest that had been misplaced. Voting in favor: All members present. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. After review, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to approve this request. Voting in favor: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to go out of Board of Equalization. Voting in favor: Buschow, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Absent: Ratzlaff. Motion carried. The Board of Equalization Hearing adjourned at 12:45pm. WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER’S On June 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the Board of Equalization convened. Members present: Buschow, Karr, Ratzlaff, Vance and Deputy Assessor Scheuneman. Absent: Shipman. PROTESTS OF VALUATION HEARING WERE: Protest #1: Darrell Oeltjen, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest #2: Antonette Turner, owner; no one present; valuation increased Protest #3: Antonette Turner, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest #4: Silver Lake Schools; no one present; valuation increased Protest 2020-19: Heritage Bank; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-16: Mick Brown, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-2: Barry & Kristina Lewis, owners; no one present; valuation decreased-salvaged Protest 2020-3: Sydney Summerlin, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 202-4: Robert & Lois Marlene Albin, owners; Robert present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-11: Claudia J & Brandon J Berkley, owners; no one present; valuation decreased-salvaged Protest 2020-6: Darlene Davis, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-22: Michael & Sharon McCartney, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-20: Mark Kriley, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-18: Ricky Hitchler, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-13: Max Merrill, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-26: Thomas Mohlman, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-27: Don Theobald, Trustee; no one present; valuation decreased Board of Equalization meeting recessed @ 2:10 p.m. until the July 7 hearing date. On July 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the Board of Equalization reconvened. Members present: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Shipman and Deputy Assessor Scheuneman. Absent: Karr. Board approved accelerated taxes from previous meeting Protest 2020-3. PROTESTS OF VALUATION HEARING WERE: Protest 2020-9: Mitchell & Sharon Woeste, owners; present on zoom; valuation decreased Protest 2020-14: Stephanie Hamel-Blue Hill Floral LLC, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-24: Derrick & Jolene Duffy, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-25: Derrick & Jolene Duffy, owners; no one present; valuation no change Protest 2020-21: Ken & Sheri Lukasiewicz, owners; no one present; valuation decreased-salvaged house Protest 2020-23: Adam & Kelli Gilbert, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-15: Christi Lewis, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-28: Donna Mae Figgins-Figgins Construction Co, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-68: Merle Illian-Webster County Natural Resources Conservation Foundation, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-5: Little Blue Natural Resource District, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-17: Mark Bauman-Trustee, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-7: Ralph Anderson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-59: Steve Miner, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-78: Keith & Cindy Pavelka, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-12: Robert & Cheryl Hennig, owners; present on zoom; valuation decreased Protest 2020-10: Roger & Linda Mans, owners; present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-40: Joe & Michaelle Strickland, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-41: Joe & Michaelle Strickland, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-32: Duane Streit, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-33: Denny & Lori Smith, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-36: Greg & Teresa Denney, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-34: Bruce Johnson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-42: Donald & Diane Hoffman, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-45: Joanne Alber, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-38: Connie Cornett, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-46: Donald & Jamie Kosse, owners; no one present; valuation increased Protest 2020-39: Rose Frey, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-44: Dallas Bridwell, owner; Dallas Duffy present; valuation no change Protest 2020-11: Claudia & Brandon Berkley, owners; no one present; valuation decreased-salvaged house Protest 2020-43: Doug Pierce, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-65: Shane Brumbaugh, owner, no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-66: Dave Berns, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-57: Charlotte Bell, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-58: Charlotte Bell, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-72: Lisa Hunter Daily-Lori Colburn, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-77: Teena Smith-Matthew Smith, owner; no one present; valuation decreased-salvaged house Protest 2020-37: Robin Peterson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-61: Christi Lewis & Gwen Lewis, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-63: Steve Dack, owner; no one present; valuation increased Protest 2020-52: Tony Peterson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-53: Justin Armstrong, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-64: Bryan & Eileen Berry, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Board of Equalization meeting recessed @ 3:20 p.m. until the July 16 hearing date. On July 16, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., the Board of Equalization reconvened. Members present: Ratzlaff, Vance and Deputy Assessor Scheuneman. At 5:00 p.m., Buschow was present: Absent: Karr and Shipman. PROTESTS OF VALUATION HEARING WERE: Protest 2020-1: Bruce Sundling, owner; present; valuation no change Protest 2020-71: Doug Cline, owner; present; valuation no change Protest 2020-62: Robert & Suzi Schulz, owners; present; valuation no change Protest 2020-51: Ken Zimmerman, owner; Adam Pavelka present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-50: Adam Pavelka-Plow Share, owner; present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-67: Joel & Sara Macklin, owners; Adam Pavelka present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-47: Hayes McDole, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-48: Hayes McDole, owner; no one present; valuation no change Protest 2020-49: Hayes McDole, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-74: Benjamin Hobbs, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-73: Benjamin Hobbs, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-75: Benjamin Hobbs, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-76: Benjamin Hobbs, owner; no one present; valuation no change Protest 2020-69: Eric & Lori Brown, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-70: Eric & Lori Brown, owners; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-30: Jarod McCartney, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-79: Jarod McCartney-Red Cloud Opera Hotel, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-54: TJ Jameson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-55: TJ Jameson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-56: TJ Jameson, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-8: Mike Buschow, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-31: Katrina Brenn, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-29: Teresa Young, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Protest 2020-60: Miles McDole, owner; no one present; valuation decreased Deputy Assessor Scheuneman also presented Greenbelt applications. Board of Equalization approved all applications. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to approve all 79 Protest Valuations. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff & Vance; Voting no: none; Absent: Karr & Shipman. Motion carried. Board of Equalization adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Dated this 21st day of July, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk