Minutes of the Burt County Board of Supervisors The Burt Co. Board of Supervisors met September 26, 2025 in the Burt Co. Courthouse in Tekamah, NE. Notice was given in advance thereof by Publication in the Burt Co. Independent, on 1st floor courthouse bulletin board and on Co.’s Website; proof of publication is on file with Co. Clerk. The following members were present: Gary ‘Bird’ Swanson, Jeff Kutchera, Carl Pearson, Jay W. Johnson, Paul Richards and Ted Connealy. Absent -Sam Titus. The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance at 9:00 A.M. Chairman Connealy informed the public that the Open Meeting Act was posted. The agenda was approved. The minutes of Sept 10, 2025 Bd of Supervisors meeting were approved. September claims of $519,013.68, including $169,934.18 for payroll, were approved. ALL THINGS TECH; SUPPLIES; 75.00 ALLISON ELECTRIC; REPAIR; 45.72 ANDY'S QUICK SHOP; FUEL; 140.60 ACT; IT.CYBER.SOFTWARE.SUPPORT; 7,429.90 BOMGAARS; SUPPLIES; 83.94 BRANIFF SERVICE ; FUEL/REPAIR; 1,912.71 BRUMMOND DISPOSAL; GARBAGE; 225.00 BRYAN EVANS; EQUIP; 119.01 BRYAN HEALTH-INFO MGMT; SUPPLY; 42.50 BUDDIES MINI MART; FUEL; 448.22 BURT CO. COURT; COURT; 339.00 BURT CO. DIST COURT; COURT; 189.00 BURT CO. INDEPENDENT; PUBLISHING; 400.74 BURT CO. PPD; UTILITIES; 243.80 BURT CO. SHERIFF; SERVICE FEES & OFFICE; 304.36 BURT CO. TREASURER; FUND TRANSFER; 10,000.00 CANON FINANCIAL; COPIER; 286.49 CENTURY LINK; 911; 322.96 CHARLEY CULL; ZONING MILE; 75.60 CITY TEKAMAH; UTILITIES; 273.75 CC CARWASH; SHERIFF MISC; 135.48 CLEARFLY; PHONES; 1,447.03 COREY MCCULLOCK; COURT MILE; 44.80 CUBBY'S; FUEL; 1,840.84 DAS STATE ACCT; SOFTWARE; 411.60 DAS STATE ACCT; SOFTWARE; 258.75 DEAN CARLSON; ZONING MILE; 30.80 DECATUR EXPRESS - KB'S MINI MART; FUEL; 1,328.17 DEREK WARNER; SUPPLIES; 85.98 DILLON FREESE; COURT MILE; 35.00 DODGE CO. SHERIFF; SERVICE FEES; 36.66 DON JOHNSON; ZONING MILE; 98.00 EAKES; SUPPLY; 900.29 ERIC NICK; MILE; 185.63 FAIRFIELD INN ; HOTEL; 170.00 FIRST CONCORD; INS ADMIN; 805.00 FIRST NATL BANK OMAHA; SUPPLIES; 578.45 GARY SWANSON; MILE; 88.20 GENE STEFFY; FLEET; 3,526.44 GREAT AM FINANCIAL ; COPIER; 177.63 HEARTLAND FIRE; MAINT; 1,278.25 HERMANSON LAW; ATTY FEES; 4,944.50 HOMETOWN LEASING; COPIER; 76.93 JAMES BUCK; MILE; 26.43 JAY HOVENDICK; ZONING MILE; 112.00 JEANNETTE BLANC; MILE MEETING; 167.72 JEFF KUTCHERA; MILE; 64.40 JEFFREY & DANAE MADSEN; COURT MILE; 32.20 JILL SPENNER; ZONING MILE; 22.40 JOHNSON & MOCK; ATTY FEES; 978.50 JOHNSON & PEKNY.; ATTY FEES; 867.50 JUSTIN PUNKE; COURT MILE; 25.20 KATHY RAY; OFFICE SUPPORT; 290.25 KRAVIEC MAURSTAD LAW; ATTY FEES; 2,009.49 KRISTINE HABER; SUPPLIES; 106.49 LINDA HOLLIS; COURT MILE; 35.00 LORI WACHTER; POSTAGE; 13.45 MAIN STREET SERVICE; SUPPLIES; 183.95 MARY LOFTIS; MEDICARE CONTRACT; 3,100.00 MICHELE QUICK; MILE MEETING; 98.00 MID-AMERICAN ; INSURANCE; 30,247.50 MIDWEST SERVICE ; FUEL; 9,563.89 MIPS ; SOFTWARE; 2,353.55 MIPS ; SOFTWARE; 70.00 NACO; CONFERENCE; 245.00 NE DHHS; LODGING/SERVICES; 93.00 NPPD; UTILITIES; 1,034.40 NICH WURTH LAW; ATTY FEES; 2,614.50 NORTHEAST COMM COLLEGE; SUPPLY; 240.00 ONE OFFICE ; SUPPLY; 846.82 OPTK ; INTERNET; 642.99 PENNY WARREN; MILE; 214.05 QUADIENT; POSTAGE; 752.52 REGION 4 ; QTRLY; 5,335.75 RMR COURT REPORTING; COURT COSTS; 200.00 ROBIN OLSON; MILE MEETING; 98.00 RODNEY BROMM; ZONING MILE; 26.60 ROGER POND; ZONING MILE; 94.50 SARAH FREIDEL; MILE MEETING; 213.85 SAVE MORE; SUPPLIES; 574.21 SCOTT RONNFELDT; ZONING MILE; 176.40 SEC OF STATE; CONFERENCE; 85.00 STACEY KEYS; MILE EXTENSION; 44.56 TAYLOR ATKINSON; MILE TRAINING; 106.40 USPS; POSTAGE; 198.00 THE APOTHECARY SHOP; JAIL MEDICAL; 85.14 THERESE MAGILL; COURT MILE; 25.20 THURSTON CO. SHERIFF; JAIL; 3,600.00 TK ELEVATOR; MAINTENANCE; 344.49 TYLER WEITZENKAMP; ZONING MILE; 50.40 VERIZON ; CELL PHONES; 785.17 WASHINGTON CO. SHERIFF; JAIL; 4,095.00 ANN CHYTKA; MILE; 97.86 BARCO MUNI; SUPPLIES; 1,979.59 BIERSCHBACH EQUIP; SUPPLIES; 1,529.31 BLACK HILLS ENERGY; UTILITIES; 52.25 BLUFF AGGREGATE; MATERIALS; 6,493.72 BOMGAARS ; SUPPLIES; 1,086.48 BRUMMOND COUNTRY DISPOSAL; GARBAGE; 90.00 CITY LYONS; UTILITIES; 132.43 CITY OAKLAND; UTILITIES; 25.18 DPA TRUCK & EQUIP; PARTS; 92.87 FARMERS PRIDE; FUEL; 6,646.19 FILTER CARE OF NEBR; PARTS; 34.10 FIRST NATL BANK OMAHA; SUPPLIES; 354.26 JRAY'S REPAIR; REPAIR; 395.38 MAINELLI, WAGNER & ASSOC; ENGINEERING; 8,565.00 MEL'S SMALL ENGINE; REPAIR; 252.68 MIDWEST SERVICE AND SALES; FUEL; 3,970.00 NMC; REPAIR; 9,603.42 OAKLAND EXPRESS; FUEL; 80.00 RAKA RENTALS; BC ROADS; 2,537.50 SAPP BROS ; FUEL; 312.76 SCOTT'S HARDWARE; SUPPLIES; 13.98 SHAMBURG AUTO ; SUPPLIES; 252.93 STALP GRAVEL; MATERIALS; 21,944.24 STEINY'S GEN STORE; FUEL; 83.17 TRI-STATE COMM; BC ROADS; 158.50 TRUCK CENTER CO; PARTS; 101.94 VERIZON CONNECT; FLEET; 454.97 VILLAGE DECATUR; UTILITIES; 202.45 WEST POINT AUTO ; PARTS; 433.62 WESTPOINT IMPL; PARTS; 135.36 STA-BILT CONSTR; MATERIALS; 22,147.04 CENTURYLINK; 911; 707.20 LANGUAGE LINE; 911; 33.96 NNTC; 911; 130.98 AFLAC; EMPE PD ADDL; 371.01 ALLSTATE; EMPE PD ADDL; 43.70 BCBS; INSURANCE; 59,050.37 FIRST NATL BANK NE; FEDERAL TAXES; 48,198.49 GLOBE LIFE ; EMPE PD ADDL; 669.20 MADISON NATL; EMPE PD ADDL; 45.96 MUTUAL OF OMAHA; EMPE PD ADDL; 367.14 NATIONWIDE; EMPE PD ADDL; 150.00 AMERITAS; RETIREMENT; 25,759.02 STATE TAX COMM; STATE TAXES; 7,106.01 TRUSTMARK ; EMPE PD ADDL; 222.62 VSP; EMPE PD ADDL; 794.27 COLONIAL LIFE ; EMPE PD ADDL; 57.79 NE CHILD SUPPORT PAY; GARNISHMENT; 480.00 Burt Co. Economic Development (BCEDC): Cindy Chatt, Director Fund 0900 – DEMO Grants: Chatt reported applications for two buildings with a shared wall on main street Craig: (1) 130 N Main St., $10,165.00 (50% low bid); (2) 140 N Main St., $8,565.00 (50% low bid). The Board of Supervisors approved the Grants. Grievance Board Members: A previous employee was removed, Ashley Wimer and Lori Wachter were added to be on the list of employees who may be requested to be part of the Grievance Board when a grievance has been filed. Zoning: Ann Chytka, Planning & Zoning Administrator Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Beeline Solar Energy LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy Solar Project Development LLC to place a solar facility in Sec. 28,29,32 and 33, in TWP 21N, Rge 11 E; and Sec. 3,4,5,8,9,10, and 15, in TWP 20N, Rge 11 E, Burt Co., NE. Burt Co. Planning Commission held a meeting and public hearing on Sept 8, 2025 and recommended approval of the CUP to the Board of Supervisors with 3 conditions. Chairman Connealy abstained from participating and voting during this portion of the meeting due to conflict; Vice-Chairman Richards presided during this portion of the Supervisors meeting. Richards opened a Public Hearing at 9:34 a.m. for the CUP. Alex Chandler, rep of Invenergy explained the Beeline Solar project, 500-megawatt (MW) capacity generation and storage, to be built in one or more phases; Phase One will be the 250 MW-ac generation facility in Burt Co., NE, project notes reference that as an approximate buildable area of 2,800 acres. SPEAKING DURING PUBLIC COMMENT (18): (7) OPPOSED; (9) SUPPORT; (2) NEUTRAL. (7) Letters received prior to meeting. Vice-Chairman Richards declared the public hearing closed at 11:02 A.M., and the Board went back into regular session. Motion Pearson: motion to approve the CUP with two (2) conditions: (1) Beeline must comply with all local building and zoning regulations; (2) Beeline must follow decommissioning plan regulations previously adopted by Burt Co. Motion Seconded by Kutchera. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pearson, Swanson, Kutchera and Johnson. Nays – Richards. Absent – Titus. Abstained from Voting - Connealy. Motion passed with (4) Voting Yes. -------------------------------------------- Burt Co. Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Business: Public Hearing for setting the final tax request: The County participated in the Joint Public Hearing on Sept 18, 2025 in lieu of having to hold a tax request hearing. Resolution #2025-08: to accept and approve the 2025-26 Budget was adopted. BUDGET ADOPTION AND APPROPRIATIONS WHEREAS, a proposed County Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, prepared by the Budget Making Authority, was transmitted to the County Board on the 10th day of September 2025. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of SUPERVISORS of Burt County, Nebraska as follows: SECTION 1. That the budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, as categorically evidenced by the Budget Document be, and the same hereby is, adopted as the Budget for Burt County for said fiscal year. SECTION 2. That the offices, departments, activities, and institutions herein named are hereby authorized to expend the amounts herein appropriated to them during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. SECTION 3. That the income necessary to finance the appropriations made and expenditures authorized shall be provided out of the unencumbered cash balance in each fund, revenues other than taxation to be collected during the fiscal year in each fund, and tax levy requirements for each fund. DATED AND PASSED THIS 26th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025. Resolution #2025-09: to accept and approve the 2025-26 Tax Request was adopted. SETTING THE PROPERTY TAX REQUEST WHEREAS, Nebraska Revised Statute 77-1632 and 77-1633 provide that the Governing Body of BURT County passes by a majority vote a resolution or ordinance setting the tax request; and WHEREAS, a special public hearing was held September 18, 2025, as required by law to hear and consider comments concerning the property tax request; NOW, THEREFORE, the Governing Body of BURT County resolves that: 1. The 2025-2026 property tax request be set at: General Fund $5,766,713.48; Building Fund $300,000.00 2. The total assessed value of property differs from last year’s total assessed value by +6.62 percent. 3. The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be 0. 231733 per $100 of assessed value. 4. BURT County proposes to adopt a property tax request that will cause total tax rate to be: 0.244608 per $100 of assessed value. DATED this 26th day of September 2025 Chairman Connealy signed the Budget Message; Burt Co.’s FY25-26 Budget will be filed with the Nebraska State Auditor’s office. The full and complete Burt Co. Budget document will be available in the Burt Co. Clerk’s Office and on the Nebraska State Auditor’s website. -------------------------------------------- Petty Cash: Co. Clerk, Sarah Freidel brought it to the attention of the board that the Auditor advised the County adopt a Resolution regarding authorization/reauthorization for the County’s use of Petty Cash accounts. The following resolution was adopted. RESOLUTION #2025-10 AUTHORIZATION/REAUTHORIZATION OF PETTY CASH FUNDS WHEREAS: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 23-106(2) authorizes Burt County to establish Petty Cash Funds, and WHEREAS: That statute requires that the Burt County Board of Supervisors set the amount of money to be carried in such petty cash funds, and WHEREAS: That statute also requires that the Burt County Board of Supervisors set the dollar limit of an expenditure from petty cash funds. NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED, THAT The Burt County Board of Supervisors authorizes/reauthorizes the following Petty Cash Funds and lists the amount to be carried in each fund and the dollar limit of an expenditure from each fund as follows: Co. Court $60.00; Co. Sheriff $750.00; Health Insurance Claims $20,000.00; Co. Clerk $300.00; Co. Treasurer $700.00. DATED this 26th day of September 2025. Annual Delinquent Tax List: (dated 9/23/2025) prepared by Co. Treasurer Robin Olson was noted and placed on file. Edmond Talbot, Burt Co Attorney will review for possible future foreclosures the County may proceed with. Communication: Notice public hearings City Lyons- Blighted & redevelop area per Nebr. Community Dev. Law. Lot Split signed by Chairman Connealy: ELDEN AHRENS TRUST 4.58 ac in pt. NW4SW4 of Sec. 27, TWP 22N, Rge. 11 E of the 6th P.M. Burt Co., NE. ROADS: Ann Chytka, Highway Superintendent Project C-11 (451) change orders: Project work has revealed areas of stabilization needed along Co.Rd. L. Chytka explained that County crews could solve drainage issues by cleaning out the ditches and keeping them clean; once the ditches were cleaned subgrade stabilization could be done, the work was quoted for $34,500.00 The board approved the change order. Board of Equalization: 11:32 – 11: 35 a.m. Three (3) tax list corrections were approved. (2) exempt parcels owned by Army Corps of Engineers – info only. (1) parcel 434604200 deducted from 2024 taxes $262.90 – correction issued to reflect correct square footage. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jill Spenner - Board of Equalization comment/question. The meeting adjourned at 11:36 A.M. Next Meeting: October 8, 2025 @ 9:00 A.M. ATTEST: SARAH J. FREIDEL, BURT CO. 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 10-09-25
