Buffalo County commissioners approve payroll and vendor claims, release pledged collateral and solicit facilities assessment bids

BUFFALO COUNTY, Neb. — The Buffalo County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 26 approved routine payroll and vendor claims, released pledged collateral for the county treasurer and instructed a committee to review bids for a county facilities condition and needs assessment.

Chairperson Ivan H. Klein opened the meeting at 1:00 P.M. in the Buffalo County Board Room and led the Pledge of Allegiance. County Clerk Heather A. Christensen recorded the proceedings.

The board unanimously approved the Dec. 12 meeting minutes after a motion by County Commissioner Daniel Lynch and a second by County Commissioner Ronald Loeffelholz. Commissioners then ratified payroll processed Dec. 15, 2023; the clerk’s payroll summary listed General Fund net payroll of $331,933.46 and Road Fund net payroll of $65,497.98.

The board approved the December vendor claims as submitted by the County Clerk, a list that includes many line items across funds. Notable entries included City of Kearney charges totaling $727,707.04 and road-contract and construction items such as a listed Wern er Construction amount of $258,986.50 and a Wilke Contracting Corp. item of $98,449.92. The claims also included a COVID American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) road contract entry for Adams Construction of $251,722.80. Separately, the board ratified correction of an earlier claim changing the vendor from Oak Creek Engineering to Adams Construction for an ARPA payment of $86,088.60. The vendor-claims motion was moved by County Commissioner Sherry Morrow and seconded by Daniel Lynch; the vote was six "Aye" (Higgins absent).

The board also approved release of pledged collateral for the Buffalo County Treasurer: $1,000,000 at NebraskaLand Bank and $275,000 at Firstier Bank. The motions to release collateral carried unanimously among the six members present.

On procurement, Chairperson Klein directed County Clerk Christensen to open and read bids received for a facilities condition and needs assessment. Bidders listed in the minutes included Prochaska & Associates; Wilkins Architecture Design Planning +; Parkhill and Davis Design; and others. The board asked the review committee to evaluate the proposals and report back at the Jan. 23, 2024 meeting.

The board recessed its regular session at 1:14 P.M. to convene as the Board of Equalization. On the county-treasurer’s recommendation, the Board of Equalization approved Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption renewals for: Faith United Methodist Church (a 2012 enclosed trailer); First Lutheran Church (a 2005 Ford F-350 bus); and Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska Inc. (a list of donated/used vehicles from model years 2013–2019), with motions passing by recorded roll call votes.

At 1:30 P.M. the board entered executive session to discuss contract negotiations; those present included Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller, County Attorney Shawn Eatherton, Board Administrator Lynn Martin and Facilities Director Stephen Gaasch in addition to commissioners. The board left executive session at 1:45 P.M. The minutes record the session’s purpose as contract negotiations; no substantive negotiation details are included in the minutes.

County Assessor Roy Meusch later presented an Assessor’s Office update; the report will be on file with the County Clerk. Chairperson Klein called for public comment and none was offered. The board adjourned sine die at 2:13 P.M. and instructed the County Clerk to publish notice of the reorganization meeting set for Jan. 9, 2024 at 9:00 A.M.

The full vendor-claims list, payroll detail and the Assessor’s report are on file in the County Clerk’s office.