On the agenda: Harrison Minutes — data center (Sep 1)

Sioux County Board of Commissioners
Harrison, Nebraska
September 1, 2026
The Sioux County Board of Commissioners met at the Sioux County Courthouse meeting room September
1, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with the following present: Commissioners J.W. Geiser and Hal Downer. Also present
was County Clerk Michelle Zimmerman. Josh Skavdahl entered the meeting at 10:35 a.m. The pledge of
allegiance was recited. J.W. Geiser opened the meeting in prayer. Reference was made to the Open
Meeting Laws posted in the meeting room. Motion made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve the
minutes of the August 3, 2026 meeting. On roll call vote Downer, yes, Geiser, yes. Motion carried. Motion
made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve the agenda. On roll call vote, Downer yes, Geiser, yes.
Motion carried. The board met with elected and appointed officials.
The following claims were submitted and approved for payment:
AMANDA LASHLEY
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
ANNE HOSTETTER
AT&T
AT&T MOBILITY
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
BROCK ORTNER
BYTES COMPUTER SOLUTIONS
CENTURYLINK
CHAD MCCUMBERS
CRAWFORD CLIPPER/HARRISON SUN
CRITES & SHAFFER LAW OFFICE
DAS STATE ACCOUNTING-CENTRAL
FINANC
DONALD ALLEN BRUSH
DOUGLAS, KELLY, OSTDIEK, ET. AL.
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS
FIRST CONCORD BENEFITS GROUP, LLC
HERREN BROTHER'S TRUE VALUE
HULLINGER GLASS & LOCKS, INC
IRENE RICHEY
JOHNSON CAMPBELL
LACY KLEIN
LIFE FIRST LEARNING
LOTTON'S SERVICE & REPAIR
MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO, INC
MATTHEW PARKER

-29.00
3,858.41
-82.32
106.18
495.34
14,884.38
155.04
4,657.39
644.19
598.87
421.63
6,508.96
582.00
4,818.75
90.00
407.32
3,150.93
74.99
225.00
19.00
-71.94
106.40
225.00
62.50
16.07
350.00

MICHELLE J. ZIMMERMAN
MIPS INC.
MOBIUS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
NACO
NE LAW ENFORCEMNT TRAINING CENTER
NEBRASKA STATE TREASURER
NIOBRARA ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
PINE RIDGE SERVICE CENTER
QUADIENT FINANCE USA, INC
QUILL CORPORATION
REGION I BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORIT
SANTANDER BANK, N.A.
SCOTTSBLUFF CO DETENTION CENTER
SECURITY FIRST BANK
SECURITY FIRST BANK - CHADRON
SIOUX COUNTY COURT
SKAVDAHL, EDMUND & STECHER
SMITH, KING & SIMMONS, P.C.
TRANSFER TO ROAD & BRIDGE FUND
TRANSUNION RISK & ALTERNATIVE
U-SAVE MART
VILLAGE OF HARRISON
WINDBREAK CABLE
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
BEEF STATE AGENCY
BEGUIN PROPANE
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
CENTURYLINK
DEBRA MACK
DOOLEY OIL, INC.
FRANK PARTS CO
HERREN BROTHER'S TRUE VALUE
INLAND TRUCK PARTS AND SERVICE
iWorQ Systems, Inc
MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO, INC
Menards - Scottsbluff
MORRILL HARDWARE
NEBRASKA MACHINERY CO.
NEBRASKA STATE TREASURER
NIOBRARA ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
PINE RIDGE SERVICE CENTER
POMP'S TIRE & RETREADING, INC
POWERPLAN

573.80
2,705.21
140.00
55.00
-200.00
183.26
649.20
1,763.74
500.00
451.30
5,865.00
8,393.00
4,070.00
4,432.69
254.44
17.00
752.40
70.00
55,000.00
120.00
552.70
1,584.20
106.83
2,634.65
1,288.00
751.58
17,348.53
84.79
-600.00
510.98
47.89
445.72
245.81
5,400.00
8.35
46.99
2,070.00
5,346.01
600.00
92.84
12,453.85
1,089.79
29.40

SANDBERG IMPLEMENT, INC
SECURITY FIRST BANK
SKEETER'S NAPA
SMS POWERTRAIN & HARDWARE LLC
T.D.S. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
U-SAVE MART
VILLAGE OF HARRISON
VILLAGE OF MORRILL
CRAWFORD CLIPPER/HARRISON SUN
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
BOOKS-A-MILLION
MCCARTY'S MAGIC CARPET CLEANING
NIOBRARA ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
NT&T
SECURITY FIRST BANK
VIAERO WIRELESS
VILLAGE OF HARRISON
WINDBREAK CABLE
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
CENTURYLINK
HERREN BROTHER'S TRUE VALUE
SECURITY FIRST BANK
WEST NEBRASKA SEED & CHEMICAL, LLC
AFLAC
AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO, INC
MASA GLOBAL
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
SECURITY FIRST BANK
SIOUX COUNTY INSURANCE TRUST FUND
VISION SERVICE PLAN (IC)

799.00
2,767.75
1,361.21
1,394.65
35.00
256.97
111.25
103.03
19.92
111.10
231.78
289.00
104.24
87.55
125.91
122.27
110.25
59.95
60.65
335.55
84.80
20.39
59.37
95.00
1,566.46
4,559.24
8,142.09
118.50
225.00
2,753.12
12,648.84
200.00
327.65

Jake Stewart met with the board and advised them of a tire amnesty program, and SWANN’s Ready to
Serve program.
Kevin Grote met with the board with concerns regarding SWANN. Grote asked for equal access to
representation on the SWANN board. Larry Wickersham asked for common sense and keeping it as
practical as they can.
Austin Paxson, Project Manager from NextEra Energy met with the board and updated them on the
progress of the wind project.
Michelle Zimmerman, Sioux County Clerk, submitted financial reports to the board. Motion made by
Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve a contract submitted by Contryman and Associates to perform
the county’s audit for 2027-2029. On roll call vote, Downer yes; Geiser, yes. Motion carried.
Inventories for the various county offices were presented to the commissioners for their approval. Motion
made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve the inventories as presented. On roll call vote, Geiser,
yes; Downer, yes. Motion carried.
October 1, 2026 was set for protest hearings.
Lacy Klein, County Treasurer, submitted financial reports to the Board.
Sheriff McCumbers provided a fee summary and updated the board on recent activities.
Motion made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve Resolution 2026-6, a resolution to put a 12month moratorium on development of battery energy storage systems, cryptocurrency-mining
operations, data centers, artificial-intelligence facilities, carbon dioxide capture, transport and
sequestration facilities, and other utility-scale or specialized technology facilities. On roll call vote,
Downer, yes; Geiser, yes. Motion carried. The full resolution can be viewed at the Sioux County Clerk’s
office.
Motion made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve a Special Designated Liquor License for Diamond
Jacks Corner Bar for September 26, 2006. On roll call vote, Downer, yes; Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes.
Motion carried.
Road/Weed Superintendent Eric McCoy requested the hiring of an interim office administrative assistant.
Motion made by Downer, seconded by Geiser to approve running an ad for the position. On roll call vote,
Downer, yes; Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve the following resolutions:
Resolution of Sympathy #2026-7 was read. The resolution states:
Resolution of Sympathy
WHEREAS, Sioux County lost a valued lifetime member of the County with the passing of Donald Mack;
and,

WHEREAS, the honorable Mr. Mack served the county for over 30 years selflessly; and,
WHEREAS, the honorable Mr. Mack was a man of high character, conviction and principles, let it be
known that his contributions to county, community and family are deeply appreciated,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE Sioux County Board of Commissioners honor the passing
of the honorable Donald Mack with this heartfelt resolution of sympathy for a dedicated husband,
father, grandfather, mentor and friend.
On this 1st day of September, 2026.
May God bless and protect the United States of America and Sioux County, Nebraska.
Sioux County Board of Commissioners: Joshua T. Skavdahl, Allerton H. Downer and John W. Geiser, III.
Motion made by Geiser seconded by Downer to pass resolution #2026-7. On roll call vote, Downer, yes;
Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.

Resolution of Sympathy #2026-8 was read. The resolution states:
Resolution of Sympathy
WHEREAS, Sioux County lost a valued lifetime member of the County with the passing of Nick
Sanderson; and,
WHEREAS, the honorable Mr. Sanderson served the county for over 20 years selflessly; and,
WHEREAS, the honorable Mr. Sanderson was a man of high character, conviction and principles, let it be
known that his contributions to county, community and family are deeply appreciated,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE Sioux County Board of Commissioners honor the passing
of the honorable Nick Sanderson with this heartfelt resolution of sympathy for a dedicated husband,
father, grandfather, mentor and friend.
On this 1st day of September, 2026.
May God bless and protect the United States of America and Sioux County, Nebraska.
Sioux County Board of Commissioners: Joshua T. Skavdahl, Allerton H. Downer and John W. Geiser, III.
Motion made by Geiser seconded by Downer to pass resolution #2026-8. On roll call vote, Downer, yes;
Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.

The Sioux County Board of Commissioners met for a public budget and tax request hearing at the Sioux
County Courthouse meeting room on September 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with the following present:
Commissioners Josh Skavdahl, J. W. Geiser and Hal Downer. County Clerk Michelle Zimmerman was also
present.
A “Notice of Budget Hearing and Budget Summary” and “Notice of Special Hearing to Set Final Tax
Request” for the 2026-2027 Sioux County Budget was printed in the Crawford Clipper/Harrison Sun on
August 26, 2026, and was also posted in the Sioux County Courthouse.
There was no one from the public wishing to speak at the public hearing. The public hearing was closed
and the board reconvened into regular session at 1:13 p.m.
RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION AND APPROPRIATIONS
WHEREAS, a proposed County Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, prepared by the
Budget Making Authority, was transmitted to the County Board on the 1st day of September, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Sioux County, Nebraska, as
follows:
SECTION 1: That the budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, as categorically evidenced
by the Budget Document be, and the same hereby is, adopted as the Budget for Sioux 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,
2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
SECTION 3: That the income necessary to finance the appropriations made and the 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.
Motion made by Hal Downer to approve the 2026-2027 budget, seconded by J.W. Geiser. On roll call
vote: Downer, yes; Geiser, yes; Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.
Motion made by Geiser, seconded by Downer to approve Resolution 2026-5, a resolution stating the
Property Tax Request for the 2026-2027 Sioux County Budget be set at $1,713,404.89, resulting in a
proposed tax rate of .188271. On roll call vote, Geiser, yes; Downer, yes; Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.
A copy of the resolution is available to the public at the Sioux County Clerk’s Office.
Kerri Remmp, representing the travel board requested Rick Arnold and Brenda Chase to be reappointed
to the Travel Board and Dash Rohan to be added to the board. Motion made by Geiser, seconded by
Downer to approve the appointments of the three members. On roll call vote, Downer, yes; Geiser, yes;
Skavdahl, yes. Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. The Sioux County
Board of Commissioners will meet October 1, 2026.
Notice: Recently posted minutes may be subject to final approval and correction by the Board
of Equalization and Board of Commissioners.

/s/Josh Skavdahl
Chairman of the Board

/s/Michelle
Sioux County Clerk

J.

Zimmerman