Buffalo County commissioners approve $15 million collateral increase, sheriff vehicle purchase and unanimous vendor claims

Kearney — At its July 26, 2022 meeting, the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a series of routine but fiscally significant actions, including increasing pledged collateral at First National Bank to $15,000,000, authorizing purchase of a sheriff’s patrol vehicle for $43,441 and approving July vendor claims.

Chairman Ivan Klein presided over the meeting. The board recorded a full roll call of Commissioners Timothy Higgins, Myron Kouba, Ronald Loeffelholz, Bill Maendele and Sherry Morrow; Commissioner Daniel Lynch was absent. County Clerk Janice Giffin recorded the minutes and County Attorney Shawn Eatherton was present.

The board approved three separate bank collateral actions for the County Treasurer: release of $125,000 of pledged collateral at Exchange Bank; addition of $185,000 in pledged collateral at Exchange Bank; and addition of $15,000,000 in pledged collateral at First National Bank. All motions passed unanimously with six aye votes and Lynch absent. The minutes record those votes as routine treasury-authority actions taken to secure county deposits.

Sheriff Neil Miller described the procurement process that followed the County Purchasing Act (three informal bids) and the commissioners authorized purchase of a 2023 Ford F-150 patrol vehicle for $43,441. The motion was moved by Commissioner Bill Maendele and seconded by Commissioner Myron Kouba and passed unanimously.

The board approved several…