The Sheridan County, Nebraska Board of Commissioners (BOC) met on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the County Courthouse in Rushville. Notice of the meeting was published on the county website sheridancountyne. gov. The meeting was open to the public and a ZOOM connection was also available. Present were Chairman James Krotz, and Commissioners Dan Kling and Bruce Messersmith. Also present were Clerk Sindy Coburn and Treasurer Renee Thies.
Acting as the Board of Equalization (BOE) the Commissioners heard from a property owner who appeared to request that the valuation of his house be reduced in order to correct what he believes to be an erroneous description that has applied for the past several years. The Board explained that valuation protests can only be filed in June of the year being protested and must be filed with the County Clerk using the appropriate form. The BOE reminds all property owners to read carefully the “Notice of Valuation Change” mailed out by the Assessor each May. If you do not agree with the assessed value of your property, you must follow the directions printed at the bottom of that statement in order to file a protest. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to read the Notice and to follow the directions for protest. If you do not understand the Valuation Notice or, if you have questions about the process, please call the Assessor.
Assessor Tina Skinner presented a Correction Sheet to adjust the homestead exemption for Shirley Stouffer. The Board approved.
Skinner presented two Correction Sheets made necessary by the decision of the state Tax Equalization and Review Committee (TERC) to overturn the BOE’s approval of Permissive Exemptions for the Highland Bowling Club in Ellsworth (primarily a community meeting space) and the Gordon Community Theater (a venue sometimes used by the public schools). The Sheridan County BOE, having been overruled by a higher authority, approved the correction to the Assessors records.
Weed/Prairie Dog Superintendent Seth Tausan presented the final draft of a contract with Leota and Roger Ray for the control of Prairie Dogs on their property. The BOC approved the contract.
Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton reported that good weather has made it possible for his crews to continue hauling gravel at an unexpected pace. Norton also presented to the BOC an equipment replacements wish-list. The Board will consider the list at their next meeting.
Megan Heath. CEO of Gordon Memorial Hospital, and Kelsey Smith CFO, appeared to present two ARPA grant requests. The two requests, for elevator repair and updated fire suppression equipment at the hospital, exceed the amount remaining in the County fund but will be addressed at the February 27 meeting of the BOC.
At 11:00 a.m. the Board interviewed, via ZOOM, an applicant for the position of Road Superintendent. No action was taken.
The next meeting of the BOE/ BOC is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20 at 9:00 a.m.
The minutes of this and all meetings of the Board of Commissioners will be available to the public at the office of the Sheridan County Clerk and now are available online at sheridancounty. ne.gov. All meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in compliance with Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the public is always welcome.
Submitted by James Krotz