Meeting Minutes and Proceedings Statements

The Sheridan County, Nebraska Board of Equalization (BOE) and Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the County Courthouse in Rushville. Notice of the meeting was published on the county website sheridancounty.ne.gov. The meeting was open to the public and a ZOOM connection was also available. Present were Chairman James Krotz, Commissioners Dan Kling and Bruce Messersmith, County Clerk Sindy Coburn, and Treasurer Renee Thies. 

There was no business for the Board of Equalization.

 The Board received from Treasurer Renee Thies her report on Pledged Securities from our depository banks. Thies also presented and the Board approved a proposal for providing a “floating holiday” for staff in place of the fixed date of Arbor Day. 

Road Department Office Manager Thomas Price presented cost analysis reports on the recently completed projects on Walgren Lake Road ($151,201) and Strotheid Road ($117,261) and five gravel only projects totaling $655.154. 
The Board approved a claim presented by the Road Department for payment to Eagle Chevrolet in Chadron for $54,995 for a new one-ton pickup truck. 

Melissa Mracek 4-H Lead Educator reported on recent Extension Service hires and the need for additional office space. The Board approved the construction of partitions for two offices in the building at 800 South Loofborrow at a cost of approximately $4,000. 

Assessor Tina Skinner reported a new hire in her office and discussed with the Board the need for an increase in starting pay. The Board agreed to proceed with the planned transition of most salaried positions to hourly wage positions even though a federal judge has struck down the Department of Labor rule that required the change. There is the possibility that the ruling may be overturned on appeal, and it seems in the best long-term interest of the county continue with the planned transition. 

The Board appointed Melissa Grover to the position of Weed Superintendent. Grover has been serving as Interim Superintendent for the past three months. 

The next meeting of the BOE/BOC is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 at 9 am. 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 and by Zoom (ID#87981717732 Passcode# 625274) at 9:15 A.M. All members present along with Clerk Sindy Coburn, District Court Clerk Carol Stouffer 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 November 13, 2024.

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

Kling made a motion to approve the minutes of 11-12-2024. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

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

At 9:15 A.M. the board held a zoom meeting with representatives, Chantal Vonasek and Jacob McMullin, from ZELLE Human Resources. Discussion was had about the search for a Road Superintendent. The search will continue.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that the contract for hauling red rock has ended for the year. Bridge Inspections are complete with only one out of twelve needing minor repairs. Norton plans to place an order for a 1000 gallon fuel tank for the Hay Springs shop.
Yardley informed the board that he signed a 2 year lease with Jerry Peters for gravel.

The board tabled the discussion concerning comp time and overtime policy. With the recent Federal Court action overturning a Department of Labor Ruling on overtime the board will visit with NIRMA for guidance.

Interim Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover met with the board. Grover informed the board that she only had one board member show up for the Prairie Dog meeting so therefore doesn’t have a name to recommend for a new board member. The next meeting will be December 16 and she will report back after that.
Grover informed the board that the new pickup will be delivered in the middle of December.

Chairman James Krotz visited with the board about the proposed Flood Plain Ordinance. All members approved that they had reviewed it and agreed to send it on to the county attorney for legal approval. 

Building & Grounds- Not available

Sheriff-Not available

The board visited about the telephone proposals that were presented by Eakes Office Solutions and Great Plains Communications. Krotz made a motion to approve the proposal from Eakes Office Solutions with the purchase of the equipment at the cost of $17,160.22. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote Krotz and Kling voted aye, Messersmith voted no.

Adjourn: 11:05 A.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen

The Sheridan County Board of Equalization met in regular session and by Zoom (ID#87981717732 Passcode# 625274) at 9 A.M. on November 19, 2024. All members were present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, District Court Clerk Carol Stouffer 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 website and published in the Sheridan County Journal Star on November 13, 2024.

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 11-12-2024. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Public Comment: None. No action taken. 

Adjourn: 9:05A.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen