The Sheridan County Commissioners met in regular session and by Zoom ( ID#87981717732 Passcode# 625274) at 9:10 a.m. All members present along with Clerk Sindy Coburn, Renee Thies, Carol Stouffer, Rod Norton and Tina Skinner. 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 October 2, 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 9-24-2024 with corrections. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton was present to give an update on the road department projects. With the lack of moisture, the roads have several blowouts. The department is working to deal with them. Norton presented the board with a model plan for a Dig Permit that he wants to implement. The board will review and take action at a later date.

Treasurer Renee Thies presented her Tax Sale Certificate/Foreclosure list. Messersmith made a motion to adopt Resolution #2024-19 authorizing the Treasurer to issue tax sale certificates upon all parcels of real estate upon which there are delinquent taxes. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Kris Pyle of the Veteran’s Service Board presented a positive evaluation of the current Veteran Service Officer Jason Hotz. The VSO Board recommended an increase in his salary for the new fiscal year. Kling made a motion to increase the Veteran Service Officer Jason Hotz from what he received last year to the budgeted amount of $54,080 in the future, as recommended by the Veteran Service Committee. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Philip Jensen of Great Plains Communication presented a proposal for the replacement of the County telephone system. The present system is considered obsolete, and they are unable to find replacement parts. The board will review and consider proposals at a later date.

Interim Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover presented the updated and revised Prairie Dog Control resolution. Grover informed the board that the resolution has been reviewed by the County Attorney. Kling made a motion to adopt Resolution #2024-20 approving the Sheridan County Prairie Dog Management Plan. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.
Kling made a motion to approve the Prairie Dog Management Fee Schedule as follows. Management Fees of $250 to be assessed on property owners who do not comply with notices to control noxious weeds or prairie dogs. The rate for Labor/Machine Hire/Spraying will be charged at the normal rate times two, and mileage will be charged at $2/mile. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Grover provided an update on her departments activities and reported that she has hired Ryan Lovell as a temporary employee to assist with spraying.

The board discussed the use of county vehicles. County vehicles are not to be used for personal business.

The board wanted to inform the public that the weed department truck is housed in the Gordon shop because it is the only locked garage with space at the current time.

The board discussed the implications of the US Department of Labor’s Final Rule on “white-collar exemptions”. This revised rule deals with the amount of money an employee can earn on an hourly basis. Several of county employees will be affected as they have been paid salaries rather than on an hourly basis. Krotz made a motion to transfer all County employees to hourly wage system effective 1-1-2025 in compliance with the new DOL final rule. Messersmith seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all vote aye.

The board will work on a memo to go out to all departments.

Adjourn: 1 p.m.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Co Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen