Minutes of the Burt County Board of Supervisors The Burt Co.Board of Supervisors met Nov. 12, 2025 in the Boardroom of the Burt Co. Courthouse in Tekamah, NE. Notice was given in advance; proof of publication is on file with the Co.Clerk. The following members were present: Gary “Bird” Swanson, Jeff Kutchera, Sam Titus, Carl Pearson, Jay W. Johnson, Paul Richards and Ted Connealy. The meeting opened at 9:00 A.M. with the pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Connealy informed the public that the Open Meeting Act is posted on the wall. The agenda was approved. The minutes of 10/28/2025 Bd of Supervisors and Bd of Equalization meetings were approved. Office financial reports, misc. receipts and fund balances for October were approved. Verbal OFFICE UPDATES: (1) Co.Attorney – Edmond Talbot III; (2) Surveyor – Fred Franklin – DID NOT ATTEND. COMMUNICATION (2): (1) 2025-2026 Levies are now available on Co.website. (2) City of Tekamah – notice of hearings Nov. 24 & 25 – redevelopment plans. Board of Equalization Meeting (9:09 -9:26 a.m.): (A) Review of granted 2025 Property Exemption for Kansas-Nebraska Assoc. 7th Day Adventists Church (parcel 532501600): Per REG-40-006.08, a public hearing was held on Oct. 28, 2025. No evidence of use of the church was presented to the County until 11/11/2025. The Assessor received an email from Melvin Santos on 11-11-25 @ 12:46 pm with church bulletins that were dated 11/1/25 and 11/8/25; both Vic Jensen and Melvin Santos have previously communicated to the Assessor that no church bulletins are produced or used. The Assessor received another email from Melvin Santos on 11-11-25 @ 7:48 pm stating reasons the church should be considered exempt. Reasons given, such as security cameras installed to deter vandalism and mowing the grass, do not prove a religious use of the church building. Katie reported to the Board that she is still recommending denial of exemption for 2025 tax year based off physical reviews of the property, lack of evidence showing the actual use of the church, no electricity or heat at a public church, and no testimony at the public hearing held. She reminded the Board that three of them had also seen the conditions of the church. Katie stated she must stay consistent with all properties and that she can’t treat this property any differently. Action on Form 451 (10/16/2025 church signature date): CBOE agreed with the Assessor and VOTED TO DENY 2025 EXEMPTION; Motions Kutchera, Johnson. Passed with All Ayes. (B) Tax List Correction: - personal property (# 710700124)- 2024 taxes corrected to remove carport - deduct $45.32 CBOE approved; Motions Pearson, Kutchera, Passed with All Ayes. Conditional Use Permits (13): Planning/Zoning: Ann Chytka, Zoning Adminr (1) for Patrick Kelly to place a cabinetry shop on his property at 3360 CoRd F, Tekamah. Public Hearing held 9:27-9:28 a.m. Patrick was present to answer questions; there was no public comment. Co.Planning commission approved the CUP at their Nov. 3rd meeting. #25-19CUP was approved; motion Richards, Titus, Passed with All Ayes. (12) for various landowners all represented by Bret Brodersen to spread Biomass from Cargill on parcels of land. Public hearing held 9:29-9:35 a.m. Bret was present and answered questions about the product and application; there was no other public comment. Co.Planning commission approved the CUPs at their Nov. 3rd meeting. #25-07CUP through #25-18CUP approved; motion Titus, Swanson, Passed with All Ayes. LISTING OF CUP LANDOWNERS AND PARCELS: see website. www.burtcountyne.gov Application for Zoning Permit (Form): Ann brought before the board a recommended revisal to the Application for Zoning Permit; to change from the current 3-page form to an updated 1-page form. After discussions involving the Assessor’s office, the board took NO ACTION to approve the new form due to concern about the new form lacking property information that is needed by the County. The board asked Ann to continue using the current 3-page form, and to make sure it gets filled out in its entirety before signing off on the permit. Chytka was also reminded that she is to be following up with permit compliance after issuance, i.e. checking setbacks, etc. Burt Co.Economic Development Corp. (BCEDC): Cindy Chatt, Director (2) grant applications approved; motions Titus, Johnson, passed with All Ayes. (1) CO FUND 0900 - COMMERCIAL RENO for Connealy Ins – exterior façade being siding, roof, posts, windows, signage. $15,000.00 (max.) (2) LODGING TAX FUND 0990 for Pheasant Bonanza - marketing at ‘Safari Club Intl.’ Feb. 2026 event. $500.00. ROADS: Ann Chytka, Highway Superintendent C-11(450) Co.Rd. L: regarding armor coating outcome, Josh Keithley with Midwest Engineering reported that he had met with the Contractor (Oban). Josh explained his next step will be to submit written communications to Oban addressing the concerns. He reminded the board that although the current surface is not a favorable outcome in the current state, the base is now solid for the future resurfacing; until then the Board has the option to limit the speed on the roadway until the final project completion. Upon motion by Kutchera, seconded by Johnson, the Board adopted Resolution 2025-13 for speed limit signs Adopted by motion Kutchera, Johnson, All Ayes.RESOLUTION FOR 45 MPH SPEED SIGNS TO BE PLACED ON COUNTY ROAD L EAST OF HWY 77 TO COUNTY ROAD 23 WITHIN BURT COUNTY, NEBRASKA. WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 60.6,190.3 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska, the County Board has the authority on county highways which are not part of the state highway system or within the limits of any state institution or any area under control of the Game and Parks Commission or a natural resources district and which are outside of the corporate limits of cities and villages, county boards shall have the same power and duty to alter the maximum speed limits as the department if the change is based on an engineering and traffic investigation comparable to that made by the department. WHEREAS, the County Highway Superintendent met with Engineer Joshua Keithley on said road and based on the current condition of the roadway, safety considerations, as well as multiple complaints from local residents, we recommend reducing the posted speed limit to 45 MPH “Midwest Engineering performed a site visit and visual inspection of County Road L, from Hwy 77 east, in Burt County. During the site visit we noted a rough ride, loose surface material, multiple potholes and lack of pavement markings. It is understood that this condition is temporary in nature as part of an ongoing resurfacing project. The County intends to complete the surfacing project in the spring/summer of 2026, as weather permits. WHEREAS, based on the current condition of the roadway, safety considerations, as well as multiple complaints from local residents, we recommend reducing the posted speed limit to 45 MPH until the roadway conditions are addressed. Note that this reduction in posted speed is temporary and, upon completion of the project, the roadway shall be posted back to 55 MPH. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Burt County Board of Supervisors that the County Highway Superintendent by given the authority pursuant to, Sec 60.6,1903 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska that the County Board has the authority to alter the maximum speed limit based on an engineering investigation and that now to be it further resolved that this resolution shall take effect immediately and that it be in effect for any subsequent year until rescinded at a future date. Dated this 12th day of November 2025 at Tekamah, Nebraska. PUBLIC COMMENT: none. The meeting adjourned at 11:07 A.M. Next meeting: Nov. 26, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. 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 11-20-25
