Lincoln County commissioners approve routine fiscal items, consultant engagement and permits

Lincoln County commissioners on Monday approved a set of routine administrative actions that authorized payment of a federal health‑care excise fee, the signing of an amended services contract, engagement of a CPA firm for 2025–26 budget work, acceptance of local fee reports and several permits.

The board authorized the vice chair to sign Form 720, the quarterly federal excise tax return, to remit the Patient‑Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee tied to the federal health care law. The meeting record shows the PCORI charge for county health plans at $444.36 for the reporting period and the motion passed by roll call (Commissioners Kent Weems, Chris Brons and Jerry Woodruff voting aye).

The board also approved an amended contract for services with William Trusinski (recorded elsewhere in the packet as Traczynski; the transcript contains both spellings). County staff said the amendment updates an employer identification number for payment and clarifies how the contractor will submit renewal reporting; the vice chair was authorized to sign the amendment and the motion passed unanimously.

In routine finance business commissioners received and ordered filed fee reports submitted by county offices: the register of deeds ($27,082.12), the county sheriff (two fee reports listed at $4,045.91 and $1,452.14) and the county clerk ($961). The board approved receipt of those reports by roll call vote.

The board engaged McChesney Martin Sagehorn, CPAs for 2025–26 budget services, with a cap on fees in the engagement letter “not to exceed $9,300,” and authorized the vice chair to sign the letter. County staff identified Susan Moline as the principal contact for those services.

The board authorized participation in the Region 2 interlocal agreement for behavioral health services for 2025–26. Commissioners said the regional agreement covers 17 counties; county staff described Lincoln County’s share during the meeting as “only $101.51” (as spoken in the meeting record). The record shows the motion to authorize the vice chair to sign the interlocal agreement passed by roll call.

The board granted a right‑of‑way permit submitted by Beveridge Well Drilling on behalf of Charter Communications for work on Scouts Ranch Road, authorizing highway staff to proceed after a pre‑construction meeting and accepting a permit fee of $129.91. Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz (identified in the meeting as Lake County Highway Superintendent) described the work as overhead line removal and bore installation in the road ditch; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.

Also on the consent/action docket, commissioners approved a special designated liquor permit for the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center to serve at a chamber after‑hours event on Aug. 1, 2025. Kirsten Parker, executive director of the Golden Spike Tower, and assistant director Kelsey Keating described a fenced, ticketed event with volunteer banders and county staff said the sheriff’s office had no unresolved objections. The permit was approved by roll call.

Finally, the board authorized sending a letter of recommendation in support of Lincoln County deputy attorney Tyler Volkmar’s application for a Dawson County district court judgeship; the board authorized signatures to be collected and the letter forwarded to the state’s judicial nominating authority.

Votes at a glance: all items listed above passed on recorded roll‑call votes with Commissioners Kent Weems, Chris Brons and Jerry Woodruff recorded as voting in favor on each motion.

Why it matters: These administrative approvals clear payments and contracts, maintain county participation in regional services, and permit local infrastructure work and community events. Several items also lock in consultant help for the coming budget year and finalize routine financial receipts.

What’s next: The amended contractor and CPA engagement documents will be executed by the vice chair; the behavioral health interlocal will be implemented on the regional schedule; staff will file the PCORI return as authorized.