Lancaster County board approves routine contracts, adopts two proclamations and enters executive session

The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on May 5 approved a series of routine claims and contracts, adopted two proclamations honoring law enforcement and corrections staff, and voted to go into executive session to discuss real estate transactions and potential litigation.

The board unanimously approved a series of procurement and contract actions, including an annual crack-sealing contract with Highway Improvement Inc. not to exceed $594,000 to preserve county asphalt surfaces, and a $421,225.50 award to Labari Construction LLC to repair County Bridge H253 in the Waverly area. County Engineer Pam Dingman said the crack-seal work is “one of our biggest cracks contracts to date” and explained the bridge project will seek reimbursement from the Railroad Safety Transportation District.

The board also approved a $150,000 contract with Your Techch USA Inc. for a proprietary soil-stabilization foam used behind bridge abutments and under slabs to stabilize roadways, and a vehicle-repair memorandum of understanding with Sous City Truck Sales (doing business as Peterbilt) with an estimated cost not to exceed $50,000.

The board adopted proclamations recognizing May 10–16 as National Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 3–9 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner thanked the board and noted upcoming memorial events; Wagner said the county’s law enforcement workforce is well supported by the community. Brad Johnson, director of the Lancaster County Department of Corrections, thanked the board for recognizing correctional staff’s service.

The board approved memoranda of understanding with St. Monica’s and with the Center for People to support Second Chance Act community-based re-entry services for incarcerated women and to expand re-entry education and employment programming. Maria Hatfield, administrator for the Department of Corrections, said the St. Monica’s MOU would mirror existing ARPA-funded programming and target individuals serving at least 90 days when federal grant proscriptions apply.

During the public hearing on a requested change of zone for a 5.91-acre property at 9950 Stage Coach Road, planning staff presented the request to rezone from AG to AGR so the property owner could build an accessory structure closer to the side yard; staff said the request conforms with the comprehensive plan and that the planning commission recorded no opposition. No members of the public testified on the rezoning at the hearing.

The board voted to enter executive session for strategy sessions related to real estate transactions, potential litigation evidenced by communications of claims or threats, and to receive legal advice to protect the public interest. The transcript records the motion and roll-call approval but does not disclose details of the executive session.

The commissioners also handled standard governance items: approval of the minutes, claims approvals (including several claims beyond the 90-day statutory period), adoption of Board of Equalization policies and procedural arrangements for property valuation protests (including renting space at the Lincoln Firefighters Reception Hall at $500 per day), and appointment of referees to hear valuation protests for tax years 2026–2028.

The Board of Equalization convened immediately after and approved motor vehicle tax-exemption applications for a list of nonprofits. Both the commissioners meeting and the Board of Equalization adjourned after completing the agenda.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (April 28, 2026): approved (5–0) - Claims and payroll amendment (Claims 2A): approved (5–0) - Claim to Rabble Mill: approved (5–0) - Claims beyond 90 days (Jetplash LLC; Midwest Alarm Services; Verizon VSAT): approved (5–0) - Consent agenda (contracts and public hearing set): approved (5–0) - Proclamation — National Police Week / Peace Officers Memorial Day: adopted (5–0) - Proclamation — Correctional Officers and Employees Week: adopted (5–0) - Exceptional circumstance pay increase for Katie Aileri: approved (5–0) - MOU — St. Monica’s (Second Chance Act re-entry): approved (5–0) - MOU — Center for People (Second Chance Act program): approved (5–0) - Resolution extending protest hearing deadline: adopted (5–0) - Adoption of Board of Equalization policies: approved (5–0) - Space rental for valuation protests ($500/day): approved (5–0) - Contract — Crack sealing with Highway Improvement Inc. (≤ $594,000): approved (5–0) - Contract — Soil stabilization with Your Techch USA Inc. ($150,000): approved (5–0) - Contract — Bridge H253 repair, Labari Construction LLC ($421,225.50): approved (5–0) - Executive session motion: approved (5–0) - Board of Equalization: motor vehicle tax exemptions: approved (5–0)

What’s next The board set a public hearing on May 12 for an amendment to Lancaster County General Assistance Guidelines and will hold budget hearings May 7. Several grant applications noted in the MOUs were due May 11; the department staff cited follow-up work required for those applications.