Minutes of the Burt County Board of Supervisors The Burt Co Board of Supervisors met January 14, 2026 in the Boardroom of the Burt Co Courthouse in Tekamah, NE. Notice was given in the Burt County Independent, on 1st floor bulletin board in the courthouse and on Co Website; proof of publication is on file with Co Clerk. The following members were present: Ted Connealy, Gary “Bird” Swanson, Samuel M. Titus, Carl Pearson, Jay W. Johnson, Paul Richards and Jeff Kutchera. The meeting opened at 9:00 A.M. with the pledge of Allegiance. The Open Meeting Act is posted on the wall. Chair/Vice-Chair 2026: The first order of business was reorganization. Jeff Kutchera was elected Chairman for 2026. Paul Richards was elected Vice-Chairman. The agenda was approved. The minutes of Dec. 26, 2025 Bd of Supervisors and Bd of Equalization meetings were approved. The Financial Reports of offices; the Zoning Report; Miscellaneous Receipts of $192,050.03 and Fund Balances for December; as well as the Sheriff’s Quarterly Report and Treasurer’s 6 month report were all approved. Verbal office updates were given by: (1) Veterans – Penny Warren (2) Assessor – Katie Hart. 2026 Depository Designations: adoption of Resolution 2026-01. Naming the following institutions: First Nebraska Bank, Decatur; First Northeast Bank of Nebraska, Tekamah, Lyons, Oakland; and Washington County Bank, Tekamah. Burt Co Extension Board member appointed for 2026:–(Dist. 5) Devin Hegge to replace Kassie Jensen. Board Committee Appointments for 2026:As part of reorganization, the Board reviewed and agreed upon their respective board committee appointments: Samuel M. Titus - Region IV & North Star Services; Burt Co Grievance Board-Supervisor Representative; F.O.P. Negotiations (2026). Jeff Kutchera - Region 4; Burt Co Road Committee; F.O.P. Negotiations (2026). Ted Connealy – NE Nebr Community Action Partnership (NENCAP); Burt Co Eco Dev Board; Burt Co (IMT) Incident Mgmt Team (w/ Burt Co Em Mgr). Carl Pearson – NE Nebr Juvenile Services; NE Nebr. Eco Dev District; Burt Co Extension Liaison. Paul Richards - Elkhorn- Logan Valley Public Health Dept; Burt Co (IMT) Incident Mgmt Team (w/ Burt Co Em Mgr); NE Nebr Solid Waste Coalition alternate; Burt Co Road Committee. Bird Swanson - Nebr Loess Hills RC&D Council; Burt Co Eco Dev Board; NE Nebr Juvenile Services alternate; Burt Co Road Committee. Jay W. Johnson - N.E. Nebr Area Agency on Aging; NE Nebr Solid Waste Coalition; F.O.P. Negotiations (2026). All of the Burt County Supervisors are on the Burt County Weed Board. Solid Waste Coalition requires a Resolution for their records; Resolution 2026-02 was adopted, it states who was appointed to their board and will be sent to them for their records. County Website & Newspaper Designation: As part of reorganization for 2026, the Board declares designation of the Burt Co Website (burtcountyne.gov) as an official method of providing meeting dates, holiday closing dates, notice of meetings and other publications for Burt Co business. The Burt County Independent is the newspaper used for Legal publications. Communications (3): (1) 2026 annual seal report-completed (2) IRS compliance reminders for employees meals, travel guidelines, etc; (3) 2026 mileage rates: $0.725 and $0.755 for civil process Verizon. Cell Phones . Fleet Tracking: The Verizon bill was reviewed for cell phones and fleet tracking charges. Cell Phones: The following cell phones are being paid for by the County.(8) Sheriff’s Dept (Sheriff +7 Deputies +1 for Dispatch) (1) Roads Shed, Tekamah – to be used for hotspot for internet at that shed (1) Highway Supt. (1) Building & Grounds(1) Emergency Manager = (12) Total. Fleet tracking: Verizon fleet tracking (GPS) is on Roads fleet and the Emergency Manager pick-up. The Highway Superintendent’s office monitors these services. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application- Dennis Gill to add a 3rd dwelling (single wide mobile home) to 12-acre parcel: CUP for parcel 431102500,a 12 ac. pt. S½ NE¼ of 25-23-10; there is already a single wide home and another house on this parcel. Zoning Admin, Ann Chytka reported that the Burt Co Planning Commission approved the CUP 1/5/2026 with a density waiver and the requirement of a mobile home permit. A Public Hearing was opened at 9:30 a.m. Having no public comment; Chairman Kutchera closed the public hearing at 9:31 a.m. The Burt County Board approved the CUP. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application - Ryan Kent Bacon property owner & Derek Petersen to build a house: CUP is needed for a house to be built on a parcel under 20 acres. This property is in pt. SW¼ SW¼ of 10-23-8. Chairman Kutchera opened the public hearing at 9:31 a.m. Zoning Admin, Ann Chytka reported that the Burt Co Planning Commission approved the CUP 1/5/2026. PUBLIC COMMENT: Derek Petersen was present and answered questions; Gregg Smith, rural Lyons questioned the County Roads that bordered the property. Chairman Kutchera closed the public hearing at 9:34 a.m. The Burt County Board approved the CUP. BURT COUNTY SOLAR - Sandhills Energy – Project Update: Present speaking: Brian Boerner Senior Vice-President, Development with Sandhills Energy and Eric Case Construction Manager -gave an update on the 250-megawatt project. The lay-down yard started at the end of last year and construction will be started in the next couple of months. The project is underway; and he will continue to attend meetings with regular updates. Also, a nameplate capacity tax agreement has been executed by their parties and will be sent over for the Chairman to sign. Lot Split: AIRE KNOLL– 3.68 ac. in pt. NW4NE4& pt. NE4NW4of Sec. 36, TWP 21N, Rge. 8 E of the 6th P.M. Burt County, NE. Board of Equalization: Meeting was held from 9:45-9:50 a.m. with Assessor Katie Hart presenting 21 Tax List Corrections, most of which were a result of State audit of 2022-2023 homestead exemptions. The board approved the corrections; Hart explained because of the State’s audit, most taxpayers would have to payback money. Full listing can be found in Jan. 14, 2026 BOE minutes online @ burtcountyne.gov or by request from the Burt County Clerk’s office. ROADS: Appoint 2026 Highway Superintendent: The Board appointed Ann Chytka as Burt Co Hwy Supt for 2026. Fleet: Chytka will have available a fleet report of Roads equipment mileage/hours. C-11(450) Co. Rd. L: The road continues to deteriorate. Discussions were held regarding the need to withhold pay from both the contractor and engineering due to both parties being at fault. Potholes and cracks will need addressed when weather permits and before final overlay can take place. PUBLIC COMMENT(S): (1) Ted Japp, 13514 Co Rd P30, Blair – candidate for Legislature Dist. 16; introduced himself. (2) Gregg Smith, rural Lyons – comments Co. Rd. L. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 A.M. Next meeting: January 28, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. SARAH J. FREIDEL, BURT COUNTY CLERK These minutes are not the official record; a complete copy is available at the Clerk’s Office or on our website at www.burtcountyne.gov. Official minutes are not yet approved. ZNEZ BCI 1.22.26
