Meeting Minutes and Proceedings Statements

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the County Courthouse. Notice of the meeting was published in the Sheridan County Journal Star and on the County website sheridancountyne.gov. The meeting was open to the public and a ZOOM connection was also available. Present were Chairman James Krotz, Commissioners Bruce Messersmith and Dan Kling, Clerk Sindy Coburn, Treasurer Renee Thies and Clerk of the District Court Carol Stouffer.

Assessor Tina Skinner presented to the Board of Equalization (BOE) two Correction Sheets. For STANDY, LLC, DBA Highway Express, for the acceleration of personal property taxes because the business is being sold.
For Open Range Beef, for the acceleration of personal property taxes because the business is being sold to TWO GOOD SONS of Bellingham WA. The BOE approved both Corrections. 

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported on several small projects along the Hwy 250 corridor south of the river. All but three motor graders are out working the roads today, some operators are otherwise needed to haul gravel. Norton reported his intent to begin a more intense than usual advertising campaign to promote roadside mowing. There is some concern that the roadside mowing moratorium prompted by the drought and fire hazard last fall may have led some landowners to forget the need to destroy those weeds.

Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover presented her monthly reports. UNL Extension 4-H Lead Educator presented a proposed addendum to the Interlocal Agreement for the Provision of Cooperative Services setting the terms for a new employee position, “Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development.” This employee will provide services to Box Butte, Dawes and Sheridan County. Funding for the position to be provided as follows; Box Butte – 25%, Dawes – 25%, Sheridan 20%, UNL 30%. The BOC approved the Memorandum of Agreement pending review by the County Attorney.

Grant writer Valerie Beel reported that the grant application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of the Ag. Society for the renovation of the “Dance Hall” at the Fairgrounds was completed and submitted on September 15. The grant, if approved, will provide the majority of funding for the proposed “Sheridan County Community Center.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the BOE/BOC will be Tuesday, September 23. 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 Commissioners met in regular session at 9:15 A.M. on September 9, 2025. All members present along with Clerk Sindy Coburn, Renee Thies and Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton. Krotz stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. This meeting was posted on the official County website and posted in the Sheridan County Journal Star on September 3, 2025.

Kling made a motion to accept the agenda. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Messersmith made a motion to approve the minutes of 8-26-2025. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Kling made a motion to approve the minutes of 8-27-2025. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

The board reviewed an updated Lease Agreement with the Department of Administrative Services and the State Patrol for a tower, located on Donna Jech property. Messersmith made a motion to approve tower lease agreement #65182265 for 25 years. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported on several projects that his department are working on. Norton stated that he has 5 applicants for the position he has advertised.

Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover presented the board with a new revised Advisory Board Bylaws. Messersmith made a motion to accept the changes to the bylaws, addressing attendance requirements. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.
Grover informed the board that the Inspection Notice will now have the Advisory Board Chair and Vice-Chair signatures on it along with her signature.
Grover stated that she is going together with Cherry County on a Biocontrol Plan for Leafy Spurge Flea Beetles. They will have a presentation on October 2, 2025 in Valentine at Mid-Plains Community College at 10 A.M.

Building & Grounds Superintendent Jeff Davis was not present.

Sheriff Jeff Brewer was not present.

Valarie Beel joined the meeting to visit with the board about the Community Block Grant for the renovation of a building at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds.

At 11 A.M. the board opened a public hearing concerning an application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant for the renovation of a building at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds in Gordon. Present at the hearing: Valarie Beel, David Russell, Phyllis Lindsey, Rene Thies & Tina Skinner. Sheridan County is named as the applicant for the $630,000 grant request. The name of the project (Gordon Event Venue) was discussed. It was felt a name change could be done. Other discussion was all favorable with good economic development for Sheridan County. It was determined if the grant is awarded to Sheridan County that a federal audit would be triggered. Unsure of the cost of a federal audit but Russell felt he could get a commitment from the 4H Foundation to pay for a portion. The hearing was closed at Noon. Kling made a motion to approve resolution #2025-20 authorizing James Krotz to sign an application for Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $630,000. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

 Public Comment: The board returned a phone call from Rushville City Council member Mark Loosvelt. Loosvelt informed them that a representative from Open Plains Transit came to the August council meeting and plans to attend the September meeting also. The lines of communication are opening and Loosvelt will keep the board posted on progress.

Adjourn: 1 P.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Equalization met in regular session at 9 A.M. on September 9, 2025. All members present along with Clerk Sindy Coburn & Renee Thies. Krotz stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. This meeting was posted on the official website and published in the Sheridan County Journal Star on September 3, 2025.

Kling made a motion to accept the agenda. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Messersmith made a motion to approve the minutes of 8-26-2025. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Public Comment: None No action taken.

Adjourn: 9:07 A.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen