Meeting Minutes and Proceedings Statements

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met at the Courthouse on September 15, 2020. Present at the Courthouse were Chairman Loren Paul, Commissioners Bruce Messsersmith and James Krotz, Clerk Sindy Coburn and Treasurer Renee Thies. 

At 9:00 a.m. the Board opened a public hearing to present and review the proposed 2020-2021 County Budget.  Citizen Rick Herian was present for the hearing but offered no testimony.The Commissioners subsequently approved resolutions adopting the budget and appropriations as proposed; setting the final tax request for the fiscal year; approving a 1% increase in restricted funds; and authorizing petty cash funds of $500 for the County Court, $50 for the Treasurer and $50 for the County Clerk.  The full texts of those resolutions are available for review in the office of the County Clerk. 

Road Superintendent Richard Cross reported that the Gordon Airport bridge project may be delayed until next year because of the approval process by the Army Corps of Engineers. 

Supt. Cross and Rick Herian, a representative from Road District 31 north of Antioch, reported on a cost-share proposal for a short section of 396th Trail near Palmer Lake.  Cross hopes to secure millings from the state at $5/ton and apply a 3-inch layer to the much-degraded asphalt strip to test its durability. 

The Commissioners considered and approved a resolution declaring that beginning January 1, 2023 the office of Sheridan County Public Defender will no longer be an elected position.  

After that date the Public Defender will be appointed by the Board of Commissioners from a list of qualified applicants submitted by a Policy Board of two attorneys and one layperson. 

Building Superintendent Jeff Davis reported that the bat removal and clean-up project in the Courthouse attic has been completed and the re-surfacing of floors in the jail and public safety building stairwell has begun. Sheriff Jeff Brewer reported that the floor resurfacing project at the jail has required the relocation of several inmates.   Brewer also reported that his department is in the process of acquiring a drone aircraft with the substantial assistance of a grant from the Ukena Foundation.  The drone should be especially helpful in search and rescue operations in rough terrain. 

The Commissioners met briefly in closed session to discuss a personnel issue. 

Jeremy Harris of MANNA Systems visited with the Board about information technology issues and recommended the purchase of a wireless, omni-directional microphone for the Commissioner's office.  The microphone should substantially improve the sound quality of meetings broadcast from the office over the internet.  The Commissioners approved the $300 purchase. 

The next scheduled meeting of the Commissioners will be Tuesday September 22 at 9:00 at the Courthouse.  The minutes of this and all meetings of the Board of Commissioners will be available to the public at the office of the Sheridan County Clerk and now are available online at sheridancounty.ne.gov. 

All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the public is always welcome.  

Written by James Krotz
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:15 A.M. in the Commissioners Office, Courthouse. 
Krotz was present and both Paul and Messersmith were present via zoom. Paul stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. 

Messersmith made a motion to accept the agenda. Krotz seconded the motion. All voted aye. Krotz made a motion to approve the minutes of 8-26-2020. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote Mesersmith and Krotz voted aye and Paul abstained. 

Jeremy Harris of MANNA Systems appeared to present a cost analysis of the IT services provided to the County by his firm. To date the County has saved $4,333. Harris also asked that any issues be directed to support@mannapc.com so that a ticket can be issued for service. The board directed Harris to proceed with the establishment of an e-mail domain for Sheridan County. 

Sandy Heesacker of SACKER'S in Hay Springs was present to ask for local approval for an application to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for a Special Designated License. The SDL would permit the sale of alcohol at the Farmer’s Market to be held at Galyen Farms on October 3 from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Messersmith made a motion to approve the SDL for SACKER'S for October 3, 2020. Krotz seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye. 

Road Superintendent Richard Cross reported that all scheduled construction projects for the year have been completed. Crew have been hauling water and doing some grading. Leonard Smith appeared to request a cost share agreement for a section of 450th Lane that the County has vacated. No decision made but the board will review further. 
Extension Service 4-H Assistant Marie Nelson visited with the board on recent activities with the youth in the county. Some of the activities included developing curriculum for homeschooling and assisting with the publication of an article for the general public on animal byproducts. Nelson also reported that the County Fair went well this year, with only 4 less participants than last year. 

Adjourn: 10:45 A.M.  
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Clerk 
Loren L. Paul, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Equalization met in regular session at 9 A.M. in the
Commissioners Office, Courthouse. Krotz was present and both Paul and Messersmith were
present via zoom. Paul stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. Krotz made a motion to accept the agenda.
Messersmith seconded the motion. All voted aye.

County Assessor Tina Skinner presented the board with two correction sheets.
Messersmith made a motion to approve corrections on PI#810063522-RE and 810063524-RE
removing a mobile home because it was incorrectly affixed to land. Krotz seconded the motion.

With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Adjourn: 9:10 A.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Clerk
Loren L. Paul, Chairman 
Posted by Jack Andersen