Chairman Burke called the meeting to order in the Board Room, second floor of the County Courthouse, 515 Box Butte Ave., Ste 202, Alliance, NE at 9:00 a.m., December 16, 2024, following an opening prayer. Notice of meeting was published December 4, 2024, in the Alliance Times Herald. Affidavit of publication has been received in the office of the County Clerk. Agenda was emailed and posted on the county’s website: boxbuttecountyne.gov, December 13, 2024. Roll call: Mike Sautter, present; Brett Ditsch, present; Steve Burke, present. Judy Messersmith, Office Clerk, recorded the proceedings of the meeting. Deputy County Attorney Terry Curtiss was present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairperson Burke acknowledged that this meeting will follow the open meeting act posted on the North wall of the County Board Room. Sautter moved to remove claims from the Consent Calendar, seconded by Burke. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Burke moved to approve the remaining Consent Calendar, seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. The Consent Calendar included the following items: Agenda – December 16, 2024; Minutes – December 4, 2024; Elected Officials and Office Reports – Sheriff; Correspondence. Public comment on the agenda items (9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.). Larry Bolinger, 507 Niobrara Ave, Alliance, NE 69301 had questions about updating the jail. Burke moved to approve claims with the exception of Mike Johnson’s request for reimbursement of expenses in the amount of $149.41 until the Board receives clarification of expenses, seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. With Johnson being a private contractor discussion was held regarding reimbursement of expenses. Specifically, the difference between expenses related to the comprehensive plan versus every day expenses that are built into his contracted fee. Commissioners reported on meetings they had recently attended and upcoming meetings. Burke moved to open BOARD OF EQUALIZATION at 9:25 a.m., seconded by Sautter. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Assessor Michelle Robinson, presented one tax list correction. Sautter moved to sign correction book No. 284 to include 100% veteran homestead exemption erroneously left off by clerical error for Property ID 070005974, seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Sautter moved to close BOARD OF EQUALIZATION at 9:27 a.m., seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Burke stated minimum wage will go into effect January 1, 2025 at the rate of $13.50/hour. Sautter moved to open the One Year Road Plan Amendment PUBLIC HEARING at 9:30 a.m., seconded by Burke. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Road Superintendent Barb Keegan has completed a traffic count study of 2500 CR71. A drainage study was discussed with an estimated repair cost of $49,000.00 plus depending on if contracted installation is required. Burke moved to close the One Year Road Plan Amendment PUBLIC HEARING at 9:45 a.m., seconded by Sautter. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Sautter moved to adopt Resolution 2024-19 approving the amendment to the one-year road plan for Box Butte County to include project 24-289, seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Road Superintendent Keegan provided a road and equipment report. Burke moved to appoint Callan Ackerman to the Box Butte County Extension Board, seconded by Sautter. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Burke moved that the cost of living raises previously established during budget time remain at a 5% increase for non-elected and full-time positions, seconded by Ditsch. Sautter, yes; Ditsch, yes; Burke, yes. Motion carried. Chairman Burke recessed at 10:16 a.m. Chairman Burke resumed the meeting at 10:21 a.m., with roll call: Mike Sautter, present; Brett Ditsch, present; Steve Burke, present. Jail discussion – Ryan Graham, 319 E 15th St #6, Alliance, NE 69301. Graham discussed observations made during his employment with the Box Butte County Jail and the County Grievance Policy. The identified plumbing issues have been approved for repairs; the County is waiting on the plumber. Curtiss stated that getting equipment that complies with Jail Standards has been an ongoing problem. Graham also expressed concerns regarding the radios, cameras, and dogs being allowed in the jail. With all agenda items addressed, Chairman Burke adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
/s/ Martie Burke, Box Butte County Clerk Complete minutes, resolutions and agreements are on file in the office of the County Clerk, available for public inspections during regular business hours.
Publish: January 15, 2025
ZNEZ
