On the agenda: Howard County Minutes — Data Center (Sep 22)

HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S MINUTES
September 22, 2026
A Meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open and public
session on the 22nd day of September, 2026, in the Boardroom, Howard County Courthouse, St.
Paul, Nebraska. Notice of the meeting was given thereof on the 16th day of September, 2026.
Copies of the agenda were posted in the courthouse, emailed to each Commissioner, and kept
current and available to the public at the Clerk’s office. Chairman Hirschman called the meeting
to order at 8:40 a.m. Roll Call: Kirt Lukasiewicz, Aye; Kathy Hirschman, Aye; and Jessie
Urbanski, Aye. Also, present is County Clerk, Brenda Klanecky.
Pledge of Allegiance- The Pledge of Allegiance was recited during the Board of Equalization
meeting.
Chairman Hirschman stated to those in attendance that a current copy of the Nebraska Open
Meetings Act is available for review and indicated the location of such copy in the room where
the meeting is being held.
Public Comment-None.
County Road Discussion –Highway Superintendent, Janet Thomsen and Road Foreman, Jerry
Thompson were present to discuss the following:
Employee Resignations- Employee resignations were received from Ethan Hurt and Janet
Thomsen. Mr. Hurt’s last day is September 22, 2026 and Ms. Thomsen’s last day is October 9,
2026. Lukasiewicz made a motion to accept both resignations and seconded by Urbanski. Roll
Call: Hirschman, Aye; Urbanski, Aye; and Lukasiewicz, Aye. Chairman Hirschman thanked Ms.
Thomsen for all of her years of service to the County and Mr. Hurt for his services.
Tree & Mowing Policy-Resolutions-The Commissioners discussed a Tree and Brush Policy in
great detail. Enforcement of the policy, charges to landowners if they are not compliant after
receiving notice and the amount of time after notice is received were among the items
discussed. Following discussion, the Commissioners had some changes to the policy. Urbanski
made a motion to table the tree policy and seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call: Lukasiewicz,
Aye; Hirschman, Aye; and Urbanski, Aye. This item will be placed on the October 13, 2026,
agenda. The Mowing of County Right-Of-Way Policy was discussed. A few minor changes were
made to the policy as presented. Following review, Urbanski made a motion to approve
Resolution 2026-21 A Resolution of the Howard County Board of Commissioners to Establish a
Policy Regarding Mowing of Right-of-Way following the changes made to the policy as discussed
and seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call: Urbanski, Aye; Lukasiewicz, Aye; and Hirschman, Aye.

Engineering Study for Stop Signs-5th Ave. and Denton Rd.-Discussed was adding stop signs to
the intersection of 5th Avenue and Denton Road. In order to add the stop signs an engineering
study would need to be completed. The cost would be between $750.00 and $1,000.00. Also
discussed was installing a blind intersection sign which would not require to have an
engineering study to see if this would help with safety issues at this intersection and possibly
attaching orange flags to the signs to get the attention of drivers. Urbanski made a motion to
decline the engineering study at this time and seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call: Hirschman,
Aye; Urbanski, Aye; and Lukasiewicz, Aye.
FEMA Rep. Authorization-Lukasiewicz made a motion to approve the FEMA Authorized
Representative Designation of Chief Elected Official-Kathy Hirschman; Authorized
Representative-Michelle Woitalewicz; and Fiscal Officer-Sara Roy, and seconded by Urbanski.
Roll Call: Hirschman, Aye; Urbanski, Aye; and Lukasiewicz, Aye.
Advertise Road Positions-Lukasiewicz made a motion to advertise for road positions for two
weeks with recommendations being brought back to the Commissioners at the October 13 th
meeting and seconded by Urbanski. Roll Call: Lukasiewicz, Aye; Hirschman, Aye; and Urbanski,
Aye. Also discussed was the open position of Highway Superintendent. Hirschman had spoken
with Lance Harters of Oak Creek Engineering about consulting for Howard County. A contract
will be drawn up and presented at the October 13, 2026 meeting. Ms. Thomsen was asked if
she would be interested in the consulting position. She stated she would think about it.
MailNIRMA Assist Grant-Roads Department
Information regarding Door Fobs
NPERS Letter
Unfinished Business- None.
Resolution 2026-23-Data Center Moratorium-Planning and Zoning Administrator, Cherri
Klinginsmith was present to discuss the Data Center Moratorium. Urbanski made a motion to
approve Resolution 2026-23 a Resolution Establishing a Moratorium for any and all Permits on
Data Center Projects and seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call: Lukasiewicz, Aye; Hirschman, Aye;
and Urbanski, Aye.
Service Contract-TKE-The Clerk has been unable to get information from TKE. Mr. Urbanski has
been in contact with TKE and will continue to work on resolving our current issues. The County
has been paying a monthly invoice to TKE and TKE has not been out to check the elevator since
September 26, 2024. Lukasiewicz made a motion to have the County Attorney send a letter to
TKE regarding the service contract and to be reimbursed for the monthly amounts the County

paid when no services were provided and seconded by Urbanski. Roll Call: Urbanski, Aye;
Lukasiewicz, Aye; and Hirschman, Aye.
Nebraska State Fire Marshal-Elevator Inspection – During the inspection, one test that is to be
done annually, has not been completed since September 26, 2024. Urbanski stated he would
reach out to TKE and if they are not able to complete there are a couple of other elevator
companies that he will reach out to so the elevator can be in compliance.
Veterans Service Contract Letter- A letter was received from the Howard County American
Legion Posts of Boelus, Dannebrog and St. Paul, addressed to the Howard County Board of
Commissioners regarding services provided by the Veterans Service Officer to Howard County
Veterans. The Commissioners acknowledge that they received the letter. No action taken.
K-9 Handler Contract-Sheriff Mike Hoff and Chief Deputy, Paul Tartaglia were present to discuss
a contract with the K-9 Handler, Deputy Hunt. The County’s insurance carrier won’t insure the
canine unless the County owns the canine. Deputy Hunt purchased the canine from the
previous County he was employed at. A monthly stipend for kennel time to take care of the
canine was also discussed. The Sheriff’s Department will present a contract at the next
meeting.
County/City Interlocal Law Enforcement Agreement Discussion- Sheriff Hoff and Chief Deputy
Tartaglia were present to discuss the Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Paul regarding
Law Enforcement. The City of St. Paul approved the Interlocal Agreement at their regular
meeting on September 21, 2026. There are some minor items that would need to be worked
out between the Sheriff’s Department and the City of St. Paul. Following discussion, Urbanski
made a motion to approve the Interlocal Law Enforcement Agreement as presented and
seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call: Urbanski, Aye; Lukasiewicz, Aye; and Hirschman, Aye.
Lukasiewicz made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-22 a Resolution of the Howard County
Board of Commissioners to approve an Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Paul, Nebraska
for Law Enforcement Services and seconded by Urbanski. Roll Call: Hirschman, Aye; Urbanski,
Aye; and Lukasiewicz, Aye.
Consent Agenda - The Commissioners reviewed the payroll and claims dated 9/22/2026.
Motion was made by Lukasiewicz and seconded by Urbanski to approve the payroll and claims
dated 9/22/2026, General $300,416.11, and Roads-$66,993.23, for a total of $367,409.34, and
Commissioner regular meeting minutes dated 9/8/2026, and authorize Board Chair, Kathy
Hirschman to sign the minutes. Roll Call: Urbanski, Aye; Lukasiewicz, Aye; and Hirschman, Aye.
The Board Chairman recessed the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
Meeting was reconvened at 1:52 p.m.

Discuss/Approve 2026/2027 County Budget- Lukasiewicz made a motion to adopt the 20262027 fiscal year Budget as Resolution 2026-24 and seconded by Urbanski. Roll Call:
Lukasiewicz, Aye; Hirschman, Aye; and Urbanski, Aye.
Discuss/Approve Setting the Property Tax Request for 2026-2027-Resolution 2026-25Commissioner Hirschman stated the property tax request for 2026-2027 is in the amount of
$2,615,048.76. The final tax rate will be 0.131793 per $100 of assessed value. Copy of
Resolution 2026-25, is on file in the Clerk’s office for review. Urbanski made a motion to
approve Resolution 2026-25, the Property Tax Request in the amount of $2,615, 048.76 and the
final tax rate of 0.131793 per $100 of assessed value and seconded by Lukasiewicz. Roll Call:
Urbanski, Aye; Lukasiewicz, Aye; and Hirschman, Aye.
There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Lukasiewicz
and seconded by Urbanski to adjourn the meeting at 1:56 p.m. Roll Call: Hirschman, Aye;
Urbanski, Aye; and Lukasiewicz, Aye. Meeting Adjourned. The next regular meeting of the
Howard County Board of Commissioners will be October 13, 2026.
Dated this 22nd day of September, 2026.

Kathy Hirschman
Howard County Board Chair
ATTEST:

Brenda Klanecky
Howard County Clerk