HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES 

FEBRUARY 23, 2006 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open an public session on the 23rd day of February 2006, in the Boardroom, Howard County Courthouse, St. Paul, Nebraska.

Notice of the meeting was given thereof by publication in the Phonograph-Herald on the 1st day of February 2006, a proof of publication filed in the Clerk’s office. Copies of the agenda were posted in the courthouse, the county web site, mailed to each Commissioner, and kept current and available to the public at the County Clerk’s office.

Notice of the meeting was given to the County Board and a receipt of their acknowledgment is also filed in the Clerk’s office.

Chairman Bader called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. Roll Call: Jim Watson, AYE; Bill Sack, AYE; Larry Seifert, AYE; Gary Rasmussen, AYE; Philip Bader, AYE. Also present is County Clerk Marge Palmberg.

Road Discussion – Job Applications

The County Board and foreman Don Wilson had received the job applications previously so they could review. We received about 25 applications for employment. The Board stated they wanted to reduce the number of applicants and felt the employee should live fairly close to the district they will be working in. They also discussed having a 90 day probation period and the starting salary. They reduced the number of applicants to seven (7). After much discussion, motion was made by Rasmussen to offer Ray Hurt the position of road grader operator at the starting salary of $2091.67 for a 90 day probationary period at which time he will be reviewed by the full board. Second by Watson. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The Clerk will send a letter to each applicant thanking them for their interest in the position.

One & Six Year Public Hearing

Motion was made by Seifert to open the public hearing on the one and six year road plan at 9:12 am. Second by Watson. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. Superintendent Jay Meyer is present to discuss the one and six year plan with the Board. Jay went over the plan with the Board. They discussed Old St. Paul Road in the St. Libory area and what could be done. Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to close the public hearing at 9:33 am. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Seifert to accept the one and six year plan as presented by Hwy Supt Jay Meyer with the addition of the project on Old St. Paul by St. Libory. Second by Rasmussen. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The new project added is C47-204.

Road secretary Jackie Mayberry met with Board to discuss the Qwest permit. They are requesting permission to bury wooden posts for equipment along the roadway in Sections 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 22, 27, & 32- T15 & 16 N, R9 & 10W. Motion was made by Seifert and second by Sack to approve the permit. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

She also stated that she had been contacted by Melvin Meyer regarding the replacement of an old culvert which has collapsed. Commissioner Bader stated that the county will check this out first and make a determination.

She also requested permission from the Board to place several defibrillators here in the courthouse. These will be furnished at no charge but the county will have to replace the batteries if they are used. The Board stated that this would be an excellent idea to have them available.

Mail

The Board reviewed the correspondence which includes two fliers, a letter from the Sheriff regarding Reserve Deputy Mike Thompson.

Minutes

Motion was made by Sack and second by Rasmussen to approve the minutes as submitted by the Clerk. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

District Court

Motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to approve the Maximus agreement which pertains to the child support allocation reimbursement for the county. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Claims

Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Watson to approve the payroll claims as submitted by the Clerk. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The following claims were audited and warrants drawn from their regular funds:

CLAIMS

General Salary 57,189.52

Road Salary 28,669.96

Weed Salary 2,343.42

Civil Defense 245.25

Communications Salary 8,254.46

Federal W/H 7,290.58

State W/H 2.774.63

FICA/Medicare 14,762.98

Retirement 9,581.98

NE Child Support Center 216.00

Blue Cross Blue Shield 25,794.44

Courthouse Roof

Discussion was had on the roof of the courthouse which is in need of repair. Commissioner Sack stated that when they had planned to look at the roof, the weather was too cold. This will be scheduled again.

Loup Basin Health Department

Discussion was had on the letter received from the Loup Basin Public Health Department regarding Greeley County’s desire to withdraw from the nine county districts and be released from their contract. The Commissioners stated they feel no reason to vote on this issue. Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Watson to this effect. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

911 Communications Center Bids

The Board had received bids previously which they reviewed and received no further bids. They are the following:

Jorgensen Electric- St. Ppaul

Electrical 12,411

Generator 9,500

BJ Harris, Inc. - Greeley

Generator 13,042

Motion was made by Watson to approve the bid received from Jorgensen Electric for $12,411 and $9500 for the generator and 100 amp transfer switch. Second by Sack. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Consultant John Whitlock was also present for this. He and Commissioner Watson stated the building that will house the communications center is coming along very well.

County Surveyor

Tim Aitken was present to discuss several projects with the Board.

Lodging Tax Increase

The County Clerk submitted a resolution she has prepared for the additional lodging tax which had been approved by the Board in March 2005. This will be sent to the Department of Revenue. Motion was made by Watson and second by Rasmussen approving Resolution 2006-5. This resolution is on file in the Clerk’s office.

Planning & Zoning Appointment

This is on the agenda to appoint someone to replace Franz Trumler on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Jack Reimers from the Boelus area was in attendance. Motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to appoint Jack Reimers to complete the term of Franz Trumler. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Assessor Discussion

Deputy Assessor Katie McCann was present at the meeting as Assessor Neal Dethlefs was not able to be here. The Assessor had visited with the Board about his receiving extra money for doing the reappraisal work for the county. Attorney Karin Noakes has been doing some research on this. No action was taken and it will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Sack and second by Watson to adjourn the meeting at 12:03 pm. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The next regular meeting will be on March 9, 2006 at 8:30 am in the Boardroom.

Dated this 23 rd day of February 2006.

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Philip G. Bader, Chairman

ATTEST:

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Marge Palmberg, Howard County Clerk