On the agenda: Bassett Minutes — Data Center (Aug 18)

August 18, 2026
Bassett, Nebraska
The Rock County Board of Commissioners meeting was advertised in the Rock County Leader on August
12, 2026. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hollenbeck at 8:00 a.m. as posted. Roll call was
taken. Present were Commissioners Wade Hollenbeck, Faye Smith & Colby Sybrant. Also present were
Caleb Johnson, Budget preparer, Stacey, Sharina Ammon, RC Ag Society, Stacey Knox, Hospital
Administrator, Daunitta Buoy, Clerk.
Hollenbeck stated the Clerk has a copy of the Open Meetings Law in the Commissioner’s box.
The agenda for the day was reviewed. Motion by Smith and seconded by Sybrant to approve the agenda
as posted in the Clerk’s office. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion carried.
The minutes were presented to the Commissioners for the August 4, 2026 regular meeting, published
August 12, 2026 & August 11, 2026 Special Meeting that will be published August 19, 2026. Motion by
Smith and seconded by Sybrant to approve the minutes for the August 4, 2026 regular meeting as
presented. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion carried. Motion by Smith and seconded by
Hollenbeck to approve the August 11, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes. Roll Call Vote: Hollenbeck – Yes Smith
– Yes Sybrant – Abstained. Motion carried.
Sharina Ammon & JW Ogier, Ag Society met with the Commissioners with their 2026-2027 Budget. Caleb
Johnson, Budget Preparer met with the Commissioners to discuss the 2026/2027 Rock County Budget.
Also present were Stacey Knox, Hospital Administrator, TJ Ellermeier, Assessor, Lacey Friedrich, Treasurer,
Ben Shelbourn, Sheriff, Jessica Pozehl, Emergency Manager Deputy & Waylon Reynolds, Road Foreman.
John Strelow met with the Commissioners to discuss road matters. Also present was Waylon Reynolds.
Road 878 needs pulled up & with trees in the road ditches it can’t be done. Statute 39-1812 states the
responsibilities of tree removal is the land owners. Kurt Arganbright, County Attorney joined the discussion
at 2:02 p.m.
Scott Erthum, Weed Superintendent left a report for the Commissioners on Weed & CWDG updates.
Motion by Hollenbeck and seconded by Sybrant to surplus the 2006 Ambulance after all salvageable
components are removed from it. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against Motion Carried.
Annual Certification of Program Compliance & Signing Resolution was presented to the Commissioners.
Motion by Hollenbeck and seconded by Sybrant to approve the Resolution for Signing of the County
Annual Certification of Program. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion carried.
Commissioners called Jason Lehn, Department of Roads to discuss the Carn’s bridge cracking. Elizabeth
Yost, Highway Superintendent was also present by phone. Lincoln is researching the cracking issue & will
give a recommendation if needed.
The NMC Lease was discussed. Motion by Smith and seconded by Hollenbeck to approve the Lease
Agreement with Flatrock Group, LLC (NMC) for $1000.00/month for the next year, October 1, 2026 –
September 30, 2027. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against Motion carried.
TJ Ellermeier, Assessor met with the Commissioners. Motion by Hollenbeck and seconded by Sybrant to
go into Board of Equalization at 3:34 p.m. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion carried. State Audit
for 2023 were discussed. Motion by Hollenbeck and seconded by Sybrant to go out of Board of Equalization
at 3:35 p.m. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion by Smith and seconded by Sybrant to approve
the 2023 State Auditor corrections. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against. Motion carried. The Planning
Commission asked TJ to address Data Centers & Crypto Mining with the Commissioners. Arganbright will
work on a Resolution for a moratorium regarding them. TJ gave updates on the Comprehensive Plan.
Appointment of a new zoning board member was discussed. Motion by Smith and seconded by Sybrant
to appoint Bjarn Bearnson to the Planning Commission Board. Roll Call Vote. All For None Against. Motion
carried.
Ben Shelbourn met with the Commissioners on the Sheriff’s office’s Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance
Agreement (SRT). Discussion on two stolen vehicles was held. One was returned and one was found in a
ditch West of Rock County Agronomy. Extensive damage was done to the vehicles. The County is looking
in to installing cameras at the road shop viewable by the Sheriff’s Office. Ben will look into a camera system
like his.
Lacey Friedrich, Treasurer, TJ Ellermeier, Assessor & Daunitta Buoy, Clerk met with the Commissioners on
extending Courthouse hours to accommodate the public & closing at noon on Fridays. The Clerk has to be
open 5 days because of District Court accessibility. Everyone felt that all offices should operate with the
same hours. The Courthouse hours will remain 9:00-12:00 &
1:00 - 5:00.
The following claims were audited:

Employees
Employees
Ameritas
Applied Connective
AT&T
Black Hills Energy
BC/BS
CashWa
Charmex
City
Colonial Life
Culligan
DAS
Fastwyre
191.33
Governmental Law
IRS
J. Turpin(Turp’s)
Kearney Holiday
Kurt Arganbright
Microfilm
MIRA Safety
MIPS
NACO
NPPD
Office Products
RC Senior Center
Scott’s
US Bank
Road Crew
Road Crew
Ameritas
B’s
BC/BS
Buckles
Central Valley Ag
City
Colonial Life Ins.
GI Trailers
IRS
Jamie Turpin(Turp ‘s)
KBR RPPD
NMC
Pioneer
RC Tire
Employees
Employees
Ameritas
Colonial
IRS
Rau Repair

GENERAL
Salaries
Medical Reimb
Matched Retire
IT Support
Cells/Hot Spots
Natural Gas
Ins. Premium
Sr Ctr Support
Cot Mattresses
Wtr/Swr/Trash/Rent
Employer Share Life Ins.
Water Cooler
Data Process
Phone/Internet
Legal Fees
Matched SS
Battery
Lodging
Registration
Equip. Rent
Tactical Supplies
Supplies
Registration
Sr Ctr Support
Copy Machine
Natural Gas/Sr Ctr Sup.
Fuel
Supplies/Postage
ROAD
Labor
Medical Reimbursement
Matched Retirement
Culvert
Ins. Premium
Supplies
Fuel
Wtr/Swr/Trash
Employer Share Life Ins
Repairs
Matched SS
Supplies
Electricity
Repairs/Parts
Snow Plow Sup
Tires/8970
LIBRARY
Salaries
Medical Reimbursement
Matched Retirement
Employer Share Life Ins
Matched SS
AMBULANCE REPLACEMENT
Labor

34658.07
22953.92
2436.59
1898.16
169.80
145.95
1434.62
1516.00
1392.56
994.32
28.92
110.00
196.00

6477.60
4277.55
56.99
159.00
550.00
117.50
499.90
204.00
30.00
863.58
460.90
113.62
1043.79
461.89
9736.31
2869.24
657.20
8100.00
4303.86
118.82
12057.15
247.78
8.00
5855.10
902.79
73.98
60.79
2643.61
1107.38
23.95
3059.27
2869.24
166.54
4.08
401.28
478.50

Motion by Hollenbeck and seconded by Smith to approve August 18, 2026 claims. Roll Call Vote: All For
None Against Motion carried.
Motion by Smith and seconded by Sybrant to adjourn at 5:06 p.m. Roll Call Vote: All For None Against The
next meeting will be a Special Meeting August 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss & act on Budget Resolutions
due August 31, 2026 & the regular meeting will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the
Commissioner’s room of the Rock County Courthouse.
S/Wade D. Hollenbeck, Chairman of the Board
Attest: S/Daunitta J. Buoy, County Clerk