Meeting Minutes and Proceedings Statements

The Commissioners and other Elected Officials began the day at 9:00 at an assembly with area high school students and teachers at the American Legion for the observation of the Legion’s County Government Day program.

The assembly moved to District Courtroom where Commissioner Messersmith presented a brief history of Sheridan County with an overview of county governance.

The Elected Officials then each offered a review of the duties of their respective offices and fielded questions from the students.

The most questions were directed at Sheriff Brewer.

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners convened at 11:00 at the County Courthouse. Notice of the meeting was published in the Sheridan County Journal Star and on the County website, sheridancounty.ne.gov. The meeting was open to the public and conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. Present were Chairman James Krotz, Commissioners Dan Kling and Bruce Messersmith, Clerk Sindy Coburn and Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton. There was no business for the Board of Equalization. Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that Big Iron auction has accepted for sale all the equipment declared “surplus” except for a large pile of scrap iron. Because there is scrap metal dealer in the area with the heavy equipment needed to remove the scrap and because that dealer will pay $50/ton, the Commissioners directed Norton to sell to that dealer since the material had already been declared “surplus.” 

Assessor Tina Skinner informed the Board that the office of the Nebraska Property Tax Commissioners had disseminated incorrect information regarding the “updating” of assessments at a workshop earlier this year. Skinner, and a number of other Assessors in the area, acted on that information and now they are being called on the carpet. There is no penalty for these actions and necessary corrections will be made

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the BOE/BOC will be Tuesday, April 14. 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. 

Written by James Krotz
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:15 A.M. on March 24, 2026. All members present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Treasurer Renee Thies, Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton and Mark Cover. Krotz stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. This meeting was published in the Sheridan County Journal Star on March 18, 2026 and posted on the official website.

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 3-17-2026. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call all voted aye.

The board audited and approved salary claims and signed claim checks.

County Treasurer Renee Thies presented her Pledged Security Report to the board. Thies also presented the board her Report of Public Tax Sales for Delinquent 2024 Real Estate Taxes. Thies reported that she had 8 registered bidders and 2 unregistered bidders with 99 Parcels and 7 Special Assessments offered. Forty Five parcels were purchased during the tax sale yielding $62,396.03.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton and Road District #36 Chairman/Commissioner Bruce Messersmith presented minutes of Road District #36 meeting of 3-20-2026. The Road District board voted to rescind a previous action taken on 9-17-2025 to abandon the plan for an asphalt overlay on 3.5 miles of 400th trail and 4.0 miles of 269th Trail and pursue a plan to overlay the said roads with gravel which would be done by Sheridan County with Road District #36 matching the expense. Rescinding the motion will place the Road District back in the plan for the second asphalt project. This plan will need to be approved by the Board of Commissioners and submitted to the State by March 25, 2026. Mark Cover addressed the board stating that the first proposal did include this stretch of road and was at 7 million dollars and the board felt that the County could fund a 20% cost share. When we were only awarded 3.4 million this cuts the County share down considerably. Cover asked the board to reconsider as it is still much less that the first request. Because of the County share cost and the Federal funding necessary for the project, as well as the length of time involved when funding through the Federal Government, no motion was brought forward. Commissioner Messersmith chose to recuse himself because of a conflict of interest. This project will not proceed at this time. Norton informed the board that the design consultant (A & E) chosen for the Antioch Asphalt project replied that they did not think they would have time to do complete our request. The board directed Norton to reach out to JEO of Scottsbluff.

Norton presented the board with a list of surplus items that he plans to sell on Big Iron action. Messersmith made a motion to approve the following items as surplus.
1965 Fruhauf and 1968 Fruhauf 5,000 gallon tanks,
1992 ¾ ton Chevy Pickup, 2005 ½ Ton Ford Pickup,
2008 ½ ton Ford Pickup,
1974 Ingersol Rand Air Compressor,
1974 M & B brush chipper,
1994 CAT 140G Motor Grader,
2 pallets signs,
2 Hotsy pressure washers,
1 toolbox and pile of scrap iron.
Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Building & Grounds Superintendent Jeff Davis visited with the board about courthouse security. Davis stated that it will cost approximately $500 for a new door to close off the basement. The board asked Davis to proceed with it. Discussion was had about hiring someone that could open/close when Davis is not available. The board would like to see that the Elected Officials are not asked to do this task. Davis stated that he has one applicant and will discuss this with them. 

Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover reported that she has received counsel from the County Attorney regarding the billing for a recent Forced Control of a prairie dog infestation. Grover will proceed with filing a lien against the property with a copy going to the land owner.

Sheriff Jeff Brewer reported that he needs to hire a couple of new jailers.

David Schleve, Retired Scottsbluff County Sheriff and a long-time educator in the field of criminal justice, appeared to present a memorial plague in honor of John Red Horse a Department of Interior and Tribal Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty in Rushville on November 15, 1894. Mr. Schleve is trying to present memorial plaques to every community where a Nebraska police officer has lost their life.

Public Comment: Time Clocks were visited about. Thies will do some checking on them and report back. 

Adjourn: Noon
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn County Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Equalization met in regular session at 9 A.M. on March 24, 2026. All members present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Treasurer 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 published in the Sheridan County Journal Star on 3-18-26 and posted on the official website.

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 3-17-2026. 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, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen