The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners met at the County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m. 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, Assessor Tina Skinner and Treasurer Renee Thies. 

Krotz, having lost his voice to particularly nasty cold, asked VC Messersmith to chair the meeting, which he did.

Assessor Tina Skinner presented to the Board of Equalization (BOE) her list of Permissive Exemptions (Ag. Society, charitable organizations, cemeteries, educational foundations, religious). After review, the BOE accepted the list of Permissive Exemptions.

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

Treasurer Renee Thies presented her report on pledged securities from banks holding county funds in excess of the FDIC maximum.

Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that there had been many instances of road damage by heavy rains in the west central part of the county in the past week. Rainy conditions have caused him to delay the deployment of motor graders on some recent days.

At 10:00 a.m. the BOC voted to set the Final Tax Request for the General Fund at $4,779,472 and for the Building Fund at $60,127.

At 10:00 a.m. the BOC opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 Budget. The hearing was held open for 15 minutes, but no one appeared to testify.

The BOC voted to approve the 2026-27 Budget.

Tabitha Lux of Chamberlain Chapel appeared to discuss with BOC the application process for county burial assistance. The Board agreed that Lux might serve as an intake person for such assistance and the group agreed to work together on an update of the current application form.County assistance is available only for the truly indigent.

Sheriff Jeff Brewer appeared to discuss with the BOC the need for a transport van for County prisoners. 

The Sheriff has several obsolescent vehicles which might be applied as trade-ins.

Dustin Wells of Benefit Management appeared via ZOOM to discuss the United Health Care plans he is proposing.

The BOC voted to offer two plans to county employees; a $3,500 deductible HSA plan and a $0 deductible SUREST plan. The switch to UHC will take place in January.

The BOE voted to approve a transfer from the General Fund to the Weed Fund of $112,792.70

The Commissioners discussed possible salary schedules and cost of living raises.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the BOE/BOC will be Tuesday, October 13. 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 are available online at sheridancounty.ne.gov. 

Written by James Krotz
Posted by Jack Andersen