he Sheridan County Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Wednesday, November 25, 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 conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. Present were Chairman James Krotz and Commissioner Dan Kling. Commissioner Bruce Messersmith was absent with the flu. Also present were Clerk Sindy Coburn, Clerk of the District Court Carol Stouffer and Treasurer Renee Thies.

Assessor Tina Skinner presented to the Board of Equalization (BOE) two permissive exemptions for two parcels in Gordon owned by the Northwest Nebraska Community Action Partnership (NCAP). The two parcels comprise the Head Start Center at 116 East Lariat once St. Mark’s Church. The Commissioners approved the exemptions.

Treasurer Renee Theis presented to the BOC her report on pledged securities by depository banks holding more that the FDIC maximum of County funds.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that crews have been busy with spot graveling projects, grading and improving access to one of the County’s gravel pits.

Weed Superintendent Melissa Grover presented the state evaluation of the Weed Department which scored 1000 out of a possible 1000 points. She also presented her end-of-season of chemicals inventory and her 2025 Noxious Weeds Inspection Log which detailed 246 parcels. 

Assistant Extension Educator for Rural Prosperity Caitlin Roes presented a report on plans to strengthen our Local Food System and for a “Panhandle Frontier Finds” event, an 11 county “Junk Jaunt” in early June.

The BOC accepted and approved a request from Extension to appoint Mark Haller to the Board. 

The BOC authorized the Chairman to sign an Addendum to the Interlocal Agreement with the University to provide Extension Services to the County.

Clerk of the District Court Carol Stouffer informed the Board that the state connected computer services were growing worse by the day. Krotz informed those present he would join technicians from Great Plains Communications for a walk-through of buildings next Tuesday to assess the necessary upgrades to wiring and cables needed to support our own local internet service. 

County Attorney Jamian Simmons briefed the BOC on an upcoming Tax Sale foreclosure. Simmons agreed that the Board could accept the Great Plains Communications proposal for internet and phone system upgrades which succeeds the since vacated proposal from Eakes Office Equipment. Simmons announced that attorney Andy Taylor has joined her firm and will serve as her Deputy County Attorney. Taylor is currently serving out the last year of his term as Brown County Attorney. The Commissioners continued their discussion with Simmons, Thies, Skinner and Stouffer regarding the pending Resolution Setting Salaries of County Officials for the 2027-2030 term of office. Because of the special requirements for the Office and the shortage of attorneys willing to locate in our area, Simmons encouraged the Board to consider a salary somewhat higher than that of the other elected officials. All those present were supportive of the idea. The salary threshold for County Attorney recommended by the Nebraska Association of County Officials is 160% of that for other officials. Simmons thought was too large an increase. The Board asked that she calculate an increase that might be sufficient to attract a new attorney. The Board took no action on the matter and will consider it further on December 9.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the BOE/BOC will be Tuesday, December 9. 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