On the agenda: Hitchcock County September 08, 2026 — data center (Sep 8)

Hitchcock County Board of Commissioners
Trenton, Nebraska
September 8, 2026
A meeting of the County Board of Commissioners of Hitchcock County, Nebraska was held
at the Hitchcock County Courthouse Commissioner’s Room, 229 East D Street, Trenton,
Nebraska on Tuesday the 8th day of September 2026 commencing at 9:00 o’clock a.m. Present
were Chair Paul Nichols, Vice Chair Ron Wertz, Member Christopher Baker and County Clerk
Margaret Pollmann. Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication on
September 3rd, 2026 in Scoop Media News, the designated method for giving notice. Board
agendas are posted on the County’s website www.hitchcockcounty.ne.gov. Notice of the
meeting was given to the Chair and all members of the Board. All proceedings hereafter shown
were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public. The Open
Meetings Act was available for review and Chair indicated the location of such copy in the room
where the meeting was being held. Also present Bill Roddy, Jeff Huss, Dennis Egle, Tom
Faimon, Wes Drain, Larry Hubl, Thomas Rife, Kyle Sutton, Nick Ladenburger, and Scott
McDonald.
Chair Nichols opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Member Nichols moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of approval of the
September 8th, 2026 agenda and approval of the August 17th, 2026 meeting minutes. Member
Baker seconded the motion and after consideration a roll call vote was had as follows: Nichols,
Yes; Baker, Yes; Wertz, Yes. Motion carried.
Member Wertz moved to approve the following claims. Member Nichols seconded the
motion and after consideration, a roll call vote was had as follows: Baker, Yes; Wertz, Yes;
Nichols, Yes. Motion carried.
GENERAL FUND:
General Fund payroll -------------------------------------------------------------- $ 39,568.27
Quality Farm & Ranch, supplies------------------------------------------------- $
83.52
American Electric, repair--------------------------------------------------------- $
14.28
Applied Connective, IT services------------------------------------------------- $ 2,715.52
AT & T, service-------------------------------------------------------------------- $
307.78
Christopher Baker, mileage ------------------------------------------------------ $
340.75
Brouillette, Troshynski PC, ct. appt. counsel----------------------------------- $
575.00
Centec Cat Metal, supplies-------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,253.13
Clerk of the District Court, adv. costs ------------------------------------------ $
72.00
Community Hospital, inmate health -------------------------------------------- $ 9,360.99
Kimberly Cook, mileage/communications ------------------------------------- $
174.72
Cornhusker State Industries, supplies ------------------------------------------- $
643.50
Curbs & All LLC, services ------------------------------------------------------- $
655.00
Justin Daake, ct. appt. counsel --------------------------------------------------- $ 1,337.50
Dollar General, supply/provisions ----------------------------------------------- $
125.01
Eakes Office Solutions, supplies ------------------------------------------------- $
347.04
Government Forms & Supplies, supplies --------------------------------------- $
489.89
Great Plains Uniforms LLC, supplies/provisions ------------------------------ $
337.80
Marc Harpham, service ------------------------------------------------------------ $
40.00
Henderson State Bank- Trenton, FICA/OASI/Fed.---------------------------- $ 12,250.05
Hitchcock County Court, costs -------------------------------------------------- $
17.00
Hitchcock County Sheriff, service fees ---------------------------------------- $
52.06
Hometown Leasing, equip. ------------------------------------------------------- $
159.20
J A Automotive, repair ----------------------------------------------------------- $
395.19
Justice Data Solutions, subscription -------------------------------------------- $ 3,400.00
Baleigh Lashley, mileage/communications ----------------------------------- $
132.92
Med. Air Service Assco.,-B2B suppl. ins. -------------------------------------- $
12.50
Microfilm Imaging System Inc., service ---------------------------------------- $
696.00
Mid-American Research Chemical, supply ------------------------------------ $
352.45
MIPS Inc., data process ----------------------------------------------------------- $ 2,226.86
NE Dept. Rev., state employment tax withholding --------------------------- $ 1,714.92

Paul Nichols, mileage ------------------------------------------------------------- $
North Platte NE Hospital Corp., inmate health -------------------------------- $
Office Service INC., supply ------------------------------------------------------ $
Point C, deductible funding ------------------------------------------------------ $
Postage, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- $
Prairie States Comm Inc., patrol equipment ----------------------------------- $
Retirement Plans Division Ameritas, retirement ------------------------------ $
Rippen Oil LLC, repair ----------------------------------------------------------- $
Scoop Media, publication -------------------------------------------------------- $
Southwest Public Power District, utility --------------------------------------- $
Ashley Spahn, ct. appt. counsel ------------------------------------------------- $
TKO Pest Control, service ------------------------------------------------------- $
Trails West Texaco, supply/fuel ------------------------------------------------ $
Corporate Payment Systems, supply -------------------------------------------- $
Milton Varney, reimb. supply ---------------------------------------------------- $
Village of Trenton, utility --------------------------------------------------------- $
Ryan Wilcox, public defender contract ----------------------------------------- $

355.25
32.00
78.02
5,000.00
1,000.00
742.17
6,468.07
342.00
853.23
3.78
375.00
85.00
174.01
1,313.23
200.00
322.58
4,000.00

ROAD FUND:
Road Fund payroll ------------------------------------------------------------------ $ 21,597.12
B & H Paving Inc., asphaltic ------------------------------------------------------ $179,550.00
Modern Farm Equip. Corp., repair ----------------------------------------------- $
451.51
Henderson State Bank – Trenton, FICA/OASI/Fed. --------------------------- $ 6,052.58
J A Automotive, repair ------------------------------------------------------------- $
207.46
Lakeside Sand & Gravel, gravel -------------------------------------------------- $ 15,101.99
NE Dept. of Revenue, state employment tax withholding -------------------- $
867.35
NE Machinery Company, parts/repair ------------------------------------------- $ 5,265.85
Oak Creek Engineering, engineering -------------------------------------------- $ 23,300.00
Point C, deductible funding ------------------------------------------------------ $ 5,000.00
Retirement Plans Division Ameritas, retirement ------------------------------ $ 3,070.31
Southwest Farm & Auto Supply, repair ---------------------------------------- $
346.83
Southwest Public Power Dist., utility ------------------------------------------- $
46.94
Stratton auto Parts, repair --------------------------------------------------------- $
85.69
Steve Berges, building repair ----------------------------------------------------- $ 7,250.54
Village of Trenton, utility --------------------------------------------------------- $
171.57
REGISTER OF DEEDS P&M FUND:
MIPS, Inc., data process. ----------------------------------------------------------- $

264.94

E 911 FUND:
Centurylink, service --------------------------------------------------------------- $ 3,705.88
Dennis Egle addressed road and administrative concerns and discussion was held. Mr. Egle
asked that Christopher Baker resign. Tom Faimon, Jeff Huss, Wes Drain, Kyle Sutton and Nick
Ladenburger addressed road, administrative and safety concerns. Former, long time road
employee Larry Hubl offered his assistance and knowledge regarding road maintenance to
current District 3 employees.
Attorney D. Eugene Garner joined the meeting.
Informal propane quotes for the 2026/2027 winter season for the county shops located in
Culbertson, Trenton and Stratton, the courthouse in Trenton and the 911 towers located in
Culbertson, Stratton and Trenton were opened as published. Two quotes were received.
• Farmers Coop Grain and Supply – $1.25 on a pay as you go basis
• Bosselman Energy – Present were Valerie Mote and Austin Hunter - $1.30 on a pay as
you go basis.
Member Wertz moved to accept the quote of Farmers Coop in the amount of $1.25 on a pay
as you go basis for the contract period of October 1, 2026 to April 1, 2027. Member Baker
seconded the motion and after consideration, a roll call vote was had as follows: Nichols, Yes;
Wertz, Yes; Baker, Yes. Motion carried.

Under agenda item #9, the consideration of imposing a 12 month moratorium on the
acceptance of applications for wind energy systems, solar energy systems, data centers etc., Scott
McDonald inquired as to a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. Attorney Garner advised as to
recent developments on the issue and discussion was held. Also discussed were the updates to
the County’s comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. Chair Nichols and Attorney Garner
advised as to the progress relating to said updates which is proposed to be completed by May
2027. Both Chair Nichols and Attorney Garner encouraged public participation in town hall type
meetings sponsored by West Central Nebraska Development District to be held in Trenton,
Stratton, Culbertson and Palisade as well as surveys that will be mailed to county residents
regarding updates to the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. Participating in discussion
in addition to those listed previously were Ron Bauer, Cody Lashley and Zoning Administrator
Mike Erickson.
Member Nichols offered Resolution #26-15 and moved for its’ adoption. Member Wertz
seconded the motion and after consideration the roll was called thereupon as follows: Wertz,
Yes; Nichols, Yes; Baker, Yes. Said resolution having been consented to by a majority of all
members elected to said County Board, was by the Chair declared passed and adopted. A true,
correct and complete copy of said resolution is on file in the office of the County Clerk and on
the County’s website www.hitchcockcounty.ne.gov.
RESOLUTION 26-15
WHEREAS, the County of Hitchcock County, Nebraska, hereinafter referred to as
“COUNTY”, is a duly organized county, existing pursuant to the law of the State of Nebraska;
and
WHEREAS, Hitchcock County receives funds from the Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) referred to as 911 PSC Funds which are maintained by COUNTY as a
separate fund identified as “911 PSC Fund #2913”; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has developed criteria for use and
expenditure of said PSC funds, one of which is dispatcher wages not to include benefits.
WHEREAS, the Hitchcock County Sheriff has budgeted to expend $160,000.00 of PSC (non
legacy) funds for dispatcher wages during the fiscal year 2026/2027; and
WHEREAS, Hitchcock County has paid dispatcher wages for the period of July 1, 2026
through August 12, 2026 from the General Fund (Line Item #0100-671-1-0400 “Regular Time
Salaries – Dispatchers”) in the total amount of $34,129.68 as follows:
• Roma Sensel
$9,124.74
• Shauna Shutz
$8,101.04
• Mary Forbes
$7,467.04
• Kayla Hodges
$1,123.43
• Alyson Lunsford
$2,177.67
• Carrie Sandmann
$6,135.76
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer PSC (non legacy) funds from the 911 PSC Fund
#2913 to the County General Fund as reimbursement for the dispatcher wages paid during said
period; and
WHEREAS, it is further necessary to make future transfers of PSC (non legacy) funds from
the 911 PSC Fund #2913 to the County General Fund for payment of dispatcher wages to paid
going forward for fiscal year 2026/2027 not to exceed a total of $160,000.00, the amount
budgeted for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Hitchcock County Board of
Commissioners, Hitchcock County, Nebraska, that the County Treasurer is hereby directed to
transfer at this time, the sum of $34,129.68 from the 911 PSC Fund #2913 to the County General
Fund per the supporting schedule of transfers budgeted, found in the 2026/2027 COUNTY
budget for Sheriff Department dispatcher wages; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed
to make future transfers, not to exceed a total of $125,870.32, during the 2026/2026 fiscal year
on a pay period basis from the 911 PSC Fund #2913 to the County General Fund per the
supporting schedule of transfers budgeted, found in the 2026/2027 COUNTY budget for Sheriff
Department dispatcher wages; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Treasurer shall make said transfers on a bimonthly basis upon receipt of documentation from the Hitchcock County Clerk certifying payroll
amounts for dispatcher gross wages for said pay period
PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of September, 2026.
_____________________________________
Paul Nichols, Chair
ATTEST:
______________________________
Margaret M. Pollmann, County Clerk

SEAL

Voting for the motion: Wertz, Nichols, and Baker
Voting against the motion: None
Abstaining: None
Absent: None
Daniel D. Miller CPA joined the meeting for work on the County’s 2026/2027 budget. The
Nebraska Political Subdivision Tax Request Act hearing will be Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026
at 6 p.m. in the Community Room, Hitchcock County Courthouse, 229 East D Street, Trenton,
Nebraska.
The following inventories were acknowledged: Sheriff, Emergency Manager and Road
District #3.
The Sheriff’s monthly report for August 2026 was acknowledged.
Attorney Garner advised as to the settlement agreement relating to Hitchcock County District
Court Case CI 25-1.
Member Baker moved to enter into the settlement agreement and mutual release in relation to
Hitchcock County District Court Case CI 25-1 and to direct Chair to execute the same. Member
Nichols seconded the motion and after consideration, a roll call vote was had as follows:
Nichols, Yes; Baker, Yes; Wertz, Yes. Motion carried.
Member Wertz moved to adjourn at 11:51 a.m. and to meet for the next regular meeting on
Monday, September 21st, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Member Baker seconded the motion and a roll vote
was had as follows: Nichols, Yes; Baker, Yes; Wertz, Yes. Motion carried.

ATTEST:
______________________________
Margaret M. Pollmann, County Clerk

__________________________________
Paul Nichols, Chair
Hitchcock County Board of Commissioners