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DUNDY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  MAY 18, 2026 MEETING

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DUNDY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 
MAY 18, 2026 MEETING
 The regular meeting of the Dundy County Commissioners was held on May 18, 2026, in the Commissioner Room. The notice of this meeting was published on May 14, 2026, in the issue of the Scoop Media News.
 Present: Chairman Sye Tecker, Commissioner Tom Richard, Deputy Clerk – Christina Collier, Assessor-Tish Burrell, Treasurer-Penny Denny, Sheriff Bang, County Attorney-Arlan Wine, Karen Baker, Deputy Lucci, Steve Melnick (Colonial Life), Joann Decker, Bob Willis, Russell Stamm, Wendi Vanderford, and Brian Hill (Lake Mac Assessments).
 Chairman Sye Tecker called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM and announced the location of the Open Meetings Act on the board on the south wall.
 Motion was made by Commissioner Richard to approve the agenda, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 Commissioner Richard moved to approve the minutes of May 4, 2026, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 Public Comment: Steve Melnick addressed the commissioners to share there are no changes with the Colonial Life premium fees and thanked the county for their business.
 Brian Hill with Lake Mac Assessments addressed the commissioners to share findings for the previous year’s property assessments. Approximately 700, rural properties were evaluated with no major changes due to assessment tables being similar to previous years. There was approximately $25 million in new construction, primarily from Blackshirt Feeders. Notices of Valuation Changes will be mailed by June 2, 2026, with Lake Mac Assessments to be here to assist with any valuation protests. The coming year’s assessments will be for commercial properties.
 The Benkelman Cemetery Board spoke with the commissioners about their concerns for the future of the cemetery. The most important concern is the upkeep of the cemetery grounds. Currently, there is no cemetery sexton to take over when Bob Willis ceases his maintenance duties at the end of May (totaling 32 years). The tax income for the cemetery each year is approximately $14,000 with insurance costs last year of $4,104.44. This does not leave enough funds to properly pay sextons even though they recently raised the rate for plot purchases. The cemetery board asked if the county would be willing to take on the grounds keeping as they may have an easier time hiring a sexton. Chairman Tecker would like to be able to look over budgeting information and revisit at the next meeting.
 Commissioners reviewed claims for the pay period of April 26 – May 9, 2026. Questions and/or comments were addressed and discussed as presented. Motion made by Commissioner Richard to approve claims as presented, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 General Fund Amount

Aflac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .692.25

Ambrosek, Yolanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217.50

Ameritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Retirement . . . . . . . . .6700.23

Applied Connective Technologies . . .IT Support Agreement . . . . . . . . .3160.27

AT&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff Cell Phones . . . . . . . . . . . .567.63

Baker, Karen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reimbursement/Mileage . . . . . . . . .762.15

Baney, Lora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240.00

Beall, Tina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202.50

Black Hills Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448.85

Blair, Joyce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202.50

Blue Cross/Shield of Neb . . . . . . . .Employee Health Insurance . . . . . . .8948.34

Blue Cross/Shield of Neb . . . . . . . .Employee Dental Insurance . . . . . . . .385.69

BWTelcom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phone Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258.57

City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2001.60

Collier, Christina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94.80

Colonial Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .569.17

Cook, Kimberly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Communications/Mileage . . . . . . . . .178.95

Credit Management Services . . . . . . . . . . .Garnishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268.24

DAS State Acct – Central Finance . . . . . .Program Support . . . . . . . . . . . . .623.15

DataShield Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . .Document Shredding . . . . . . . . . . . .48.00

Discover Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Garnishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .504.26

Dundy County Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Court Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67.00

Dundy County District Court . . . . . . . . . . . .Court Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39.00

Eakes Office Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41.46

EFTPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Payroll Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . .14894.33

Election Systems & Software, LLC . . . . .Election Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . .813.56

First Concord “HRA” County . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . .1347.20

First Concord “HSA” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .1174.93

Frenchman Valley COOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheriff Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2918.33

GWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Annual Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .7277.00

Harford, Karen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284.13

Hilton Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Conference Lodging . . . . . . . . . . .350.00

Hometown Leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Copier Lease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241.01

Ideal Linen Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janitorial Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . .74.66

La Quinta Inns & Suites Kearney . . . . .Conference Lodging . . . . . . . . . . .624.75

Lashley, Baleigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Communications/Mileage . . . . . . . . . .27.03

Law Office of Ashley K Spahn . . . . . . . .Court Appointment . . . . . . . . . . .1900.00

Liberty National Life Insurance Co . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . .31.33

Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . .116.28

Medical Air Services Association . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . .131.82

MIPS Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Program Support . . . . . . . . . . . .2554.83

Morris, Rick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251.58

Mousel, Brooks, Schneider, Mustion . .Court Appointment . . . . . . . . . . .1140.80

Nebraska Department of Revenue . . . . . . .Payroll Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .2439.43

Nebraska Juvenile Justice Assoc. . . . . . .Conference Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . .185.00

Nelms, Sue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217.50

North America Benefits Co . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .221.68

Parker, Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240.00

Parman, Wanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217.50

Peterson, Carol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304.50

Pinnacle Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84.36

Prairie States Communication Serv. . . .Equipment Repair . . . . . . . . . . .1459.96

Quill Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . .660.94

Raile, Loretta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240.00

Red Willow County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . .Inmate Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . .1950.00

Region 51 Emergency Management . . .Quarterly Payment . . . . . . . . . . .8511.25

Reichert, Pam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phone/Internet Use . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00

Reinick, Nina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261.00

Rettele, Lori . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217.50

Scoop Media LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Partial May Publishing . . . . . . . . .2532.27

Seabolt, Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.00

Stamm, Deborah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217.50

US Postal Service (District Court) . . . . . . . . . .Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234.00

US Postal Service (County Court) . . . . . . . . . .Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390.00

Vision Service Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Vision Insurance . . . . . . . . .142.17

Warne Chemical & Equipment Co. . . . . . .Sprayer Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387.57

Warning, Rita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poll Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240.00

Westfield Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inmate Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.89

Wine, Arlan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reimbursement/Mileage . . . . . . . . .503.82

Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36193.78

Road Fund

Ameritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Retirement . . . . . . . . . .1690.63

Black Hills Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180.14

Blue Cross/Shield of Neb . . . . . . . .Employee Health Insurance . . . . . . .5431.50

Blue Cross/Shield of Neb . . . . . . . .Employee Dental Insurance . . . . . . . . .121.52

Bush Tire & Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tire Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46.51

Colonial Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.91

Dickinson Land Surveyors, Inc. . . . .Section Corners/Project . . . . . . . . .1800.00

EFTPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Payroll Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .1852.15

First Concord “HSA” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . .378.03

Floyd’s Truck Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .469.55

Frenchman Valley COOP . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tire Repair/Fuel . . . . . . . . . . .12253.15

Imperial NAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parts/Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .747.71

John Deere Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.69

Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.68

Medical Air Services Association . . . . . .Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . .68.18

Medical Enterprises, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Drug Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41.00

Nichols, Justin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90.90

Powerplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parts/Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . .3660.21

Sapp Bros., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24080.00

Slick Spot Farm Truck & Auto . . . . . . . . . .Parts/Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . .4443.58

Southwest Public Power District . . . . . . . . . . .Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119.36

St. Francis Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13587.42

Tremain, Kurt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CDL Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700.00

Waste Connections, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Waste Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90.00

Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17356.23

Ambulance Fund

Bolio, Roger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60.00

EFTPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Payroll Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.74

Ham, Brandy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.00

One Billing Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ambulance Billing . . . . . . . . . . . .1137.55

Reichert, Pam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.00

Turpin, Shauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191.91

Turpin, Vince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102.48

Unger, Keisha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EMT Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62.48

Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115.66

     No monies were transferred from the Inheritance Tax account.
     Penny Denny addressed the commissioners on behalf of the Methodist Church. The church is hosting Vacation Bible School next week and would like to use the grass area to the north of the courthouse. The commissioners agreed that would be an acceptable use of the area.
     Christina Collier shared information pertaining to the recent primary election. She reported there were no major issues on election day and appreciated the extra help from Dave Shively, sent to help by Secretary of State Evnen’s office. The deputy clerk thanked Sheriff Bang and Chief Deputy Lucci for their assistance transferring voting machines to and from Haigler. She wanted to especially thank the poll workers and businesses/groups that allow their buildings to be used as polling places.
     Karen Baker spoke on changes that were approved for the employee handbook in December 2025 but had not been followed through on. In the meeting minutes from December 15, 2025, there were three changes to take effect. Firstly, changing “Probationary Period” to “Introductory Period”. Second, changing billing hours from 35 to 32 for employees to earn PTO hours. Lastly, there was a change regard

regarding the use of PTO hours, from a minimum of two-week notice to as much notice as practicable. Chairman Tecker instructed the deputy clerk to insert a copy into each employee paystub for employee knowledge.
 Ms. Baker also addressed the ongoing issue of the emergency phone in the courthouse elevator, which has been out of compliance for over a year. Approximately a month to a month and a half ago, she had given information to the County Clerk to contact Kone Service Center and was informed the company doesn’t come here. Ms. Baker felt that it was possible the information wasn’t relayed correctly so she contacted the company herself. She was informed that the company provides services for several counties in our region and they are willing to come here to do repairs. Sheriff Bang asked about the phone control being ajar from its control panel and the door open as he feels it could be a safety concern. Ms. Baker informed the group that there had been an attempt to correct the issue by the County Clerk and phone had never been put back into its proper position. The issue has been continued until the next meeting so that the board can review forms presented to allow services to be completed by KONE.
 Mike Boden and Jessica Witting with NACO presented material and addressed the commissioners with the changes coming as it is nearly time for open enrollment for county employees. It looks as though the rate for the plans we have will go up 4.68% from the current year. Commissioner Richard mentioned the difficulty of finding applicants for open positions with no paid family insurance coverage. Mr. Boden stated that there are several counties that are going or have gone to partial pay for family insurance. The commissioners asked for information on some plans with family options for the next meeting.
 Elaine Menzel, also with NACO, discussed different pieces of legislation that have been passed or failed to pass in the state of Nebraska and how they pertain to Dundy County. Some of those are LB 663, LB 468, LB 1219, LB 596, and LB 803.
 Approving the bid(s) for contract hauling gravel will be added to the 6/1/26 agenda.
 Next on the agenda was to approve the gravel agreement with Windmill Ranch, LLC. The agreement is for $7/ton and will not renew automatically on an annual basis. Commissioner Richard made a motion to approve the agreement as written, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 With the absence of Commissioner Keiser, the topics of truck leasing bids and road maintenance routes will be moved to the 6/1/26 agenda.
 County Attorney Arlan Wine addressed the commissioners on the Region 51 Emergency Management Agreement that the commissioners approved at the 5/4/26 meeting. The agreement has been sent to the City of Benkelman for their meeting this evening. After the city has approved the details, the agreement will be sent to the Village of Haigler.
 The next topic for Mr. Wine was the Max tornado siren. Brophy Electric inspected the current siren and deemed it unusable. The estimated cost to replace it is $10,000-$25,000. Brandon Meyers with Region 51 Emergency Management is working on a grant for the expense of replacing the siren. The siren must be functioning or taken down; therefore, it will be completely removed until a replacement has been found.
 Sheriff Bang presented his April report including 38 calls for the month. There are two inmates in long-term lodging, one in Red Willow County and one in Lincoln County.
 Deputy Clerk Collier asked for a discussion in executive session to protect the information and reputation of a county employee. A motion was made by Commissioner Richard to go into executive session at 10:15 am, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 At 11:02 am, Chairman Tecker made a motion to exit executive session, seconded by Commissioner Richard. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser.
 Regarding the executive session, Mr. Wine will draft a letter to the employee discussed. The commissioners also approved the hire of a full-time employee for the County Clerk’s office.
 With no further business, there was a motion made by Commissioner Richard to adjourn the meeting at 11:04 am, seconded by Chairman Tecker. Ayes: Richard, Tecker. Absent – Keiser. The next meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2026, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners Room.
 These minutes are not the official record and may be corrected. A copy of the approved minutes is available to The Public in the Dundy County Clerk’s Office. Any resolutions contained herein are available for viewing at the Dundy County Clerk’s Office.
/s/ Christina Collier /s/ Sye Tecker
       Deputy County Clerk Chairman
PUBLISHED: MAY 28, 2026; SMN:ZNEZ
Posted in Dundy County Legals

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