Meeting Minutes and Proceedings Statements

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:15 A.M. on July 21, 2026. Krotz and Messersmith present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Assessor Tina Skinner and Clerk of District Court Carol Stouffer. 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 July 15, 2026.

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

Messersmith made a motion to approve the minutes of 7-14-2026 with corrections. Krotz seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

The board audited and approved salary claims and signed claim checks.
The board approved a claim to Medica Insurance in the amount of $103,097.98 for the months of July and August.

Dustin Wells of Benefit Management met with the board to present a review of the county’s health insurance plan. The view is a large increase coming due to high medical claims in the past years. Wells informed the board that he will work and try to get the proposed increase down. Wells stated that he understands the board reviewing other providers as a means of reducing the impact on the budget. The Medica contract expires on October 1 so the board has time to review all options.

Sheriff Jeff Brewer met with the board to inform them that he has been asked by the new Grant County Sheriff to renew the contract for enforcement in the Southern end of the County. The board is fine with the contract renewal.
Brewer informed the board that the radio system currently used is obsolete and will need to be replaced in the next couple of years.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton presented a study of the County Road #217 between Sections 17 and 20 in Township 32 North, Range 44 West. Messersmith made a motion to adopt Resolution #2026-15 to set a public hearing date of August 18, 2026 at 10 A.M. to discuss options. Krotz seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye. The Clerk will publish the resolution and Norton will send certified letters to adjoining land owners. Norton and the board reviewed the Nebraska Department of Transportations proposal to widen and improve Highway 87 from 5.7 miles north of the junction of US 20 and N 87 extending north to 4.6 miles south of the Nebraska-South Dakota state line. Norton expressed concerns over the proposed modification to the intersection of the highway and county road 340th Lane. The board agreed with Norton’s concerns due to site distance. 
Chairman Krotz will contact the project engineer and discuss prior to signing the agreement.

The board reviewed a subdivision request for Victor Hermansen property. Messersmith made a motion to approve Resolution #2026-14 authorizing the subdivision of 6.24 acres in SE1/4SE1/4 of Section 15 and in the NE1/4NE1/4 of Section 22, Township 29, Range 46. Krotz seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Adjourn: 11:45 A.M.
Attest: Sindy L Coburn, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9 A.M. on July 7, 2026. All members present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Clerk of District Court Carol Stouffer and Treasurer 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 July 1, 2026.

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 6-23-2026 with corrections. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Chairman Krotz informed the board that Zelle has notified him that Trent Kling did not accept the offer presented for the Highway Superintendent position. Commission Kling informed the board that there must be some type of communication error, because Trent had told him that he did accept the position. The board made a call to Zelle to discuss the matter. Zelle informed the board that Trent had asked for the benefit package and asked for an extension on the acceptance of the contract. The benefit package was sent to him and Zelle did extend the offer until 7-6-2026. Kling in return asked for the contract to be extended to 7-8 2026. At that time Zelle said that it was an automatic decline of the contract because they did not extend it to his requested date.

Commissioner Kling stated that Trent Kling did accept the position in an email on 7-6-26 that requested Zelle to send an updated contract for signature to accept the position. Zelle did not respond back to him.
Krotz made a motion to direct Zelle to withdraw the offer to Trent Kling due to timing issues and proceed with the next candidate. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote. Messersmith and Krotz aye. Kling abstained.

Commissioner Kling stated that two things that were discussed prior to hiring someone was not hiring within and hiring someone who was willing to take the Highway Superintendent License. Kling stated that he thinks we need to look at these things.

The board reviewed a special claim presented by the Sheriff’s Department to Great Plains Communication. This claim is for late fees and missed payments. Messersmith made a motion to approve the claim for $1,568.44 to Great Plains. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Public Comment: Treasurer Renee Thies informed the board that Intra Links was planning to come on Wednesday to start on the telephone update.

Adjourn: 10:10 A.M.
Attest: Sindy L Coburn, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen