On the agenda: Merrick County Minutes — Data Center (Aug 11)

August 11, 2026
The Merrick County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 9:05 a.m. in the Supervisors
Room, County Courthouse, Central City, NE, with, Jarecke, Dexter, Wiegert, Placke, Weller, Kucera,
Clerk Fate and County Attorney Kunz present, Kreachbaum absent. Sarah Hansen, Barbee Sweet, Jeff
Wegner, Matt King and Tyson Benner were present.
Notice of the meeting was given thereof by publications in the Republican Nonpareil and The Palmer
Journal and the Merrick County Website. Proof of publication is filed in the Clerk’s Office. Copies of the
agenda were given to each Supervisor and kept current and available to the public at the County Clerk’s
Office.
Moved Wiegert, second Placke to convene as Board of Supervisors at 9:05 a.m. Roll Call: All Ayes
Chairwoman Kucera declared the meeting was preceded by publicized notice and having acknowledged
and identified the location of the posting of the current copy of the Open Meetings Act, called the meeting
to order and in open session at 9:05 a.m.
Moved Dexter, second Placke to approve the agenda. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Jarecke, second Dexter to approve the minutes from July 28, 2026 with the correction of culvert
instead of concrete tube on the bids that were presented. Roll Call: All Ayes
Meetings: Central District Health, August 8-Midland Area on Aging, August 6-Roger Wiegert; Supreme
Court Visit, August 10-Wiegert, Jarecke, Placke, Dexter and Kucera; Institute of Excellence August 6Placke; SCEDD July 30 and Merrick County Economic Development Board August 7-Dexter.
Officials Reports: Treasurer Gilg stated the DMV will be closed August 14 and August 28 due to staff
shortage. Sara Dexter will be coming in one day for a few weeks to begin training. Maintenance
Supervisor Maw suggested purchasing different chairs for when the DMV is at the courthouse. Highway
Superintendent Kunze informed the board another bridge was closed due to buckling. Resurfacing on 3rd
Road and on 21st Rd are completed. Work on Z Rd will begin today. Kunze also mentioned NT&T will
cease operation and he does not feel like the shop needs a landline. On the south side of 25th Rd of Clarks,
fiber is being relocated. Assessor Myers presented centrally assessed values for the new Trail Blazer
entity.
Doug Reeves presented handouts with pictures during public comment in regards to the drainage issue
south of the Archer bridge.
Sarah Hansen from Central City, Barbee Sweet and Jeff Wegner from Clarks spoke individually during
public comment with their concerns regarding a Data Center in Merrick County.
Sampson Construction is on site at Long Term Care
Emergency Manager Jenna Church provided updates. The E911 address signs have been delivered;
Church also was approved for the performance grant and discussed the training she has been and will be
attending. Church went over the updates to the Local Emergency Operations Plan.
Moved Wiegert, second Dexter to approve Resolution 2026-0014 accepting the 2025 Local Emergency
Operations Plans. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Placke, second Dexter to appoint Clerk Fate as the NIRMA contact. Roll Call: All Ayes
Chairwoman Kucera stated the former Board Assistant, Rebekah Osman was working towards a NET
grant with SCEDD. Kucera and Dexter said they will speak with SCEDD to continue with the process.
Moved Weller, second Jarecke to approve the chairwoman to sign Resolution 2026-15 directing the
transfer of $200,000.00 from the Inheritance Fund to the General Fund. Roll Call: All Ayes
Treasurer Gilg presented a handout detailing the refunds to Green Plains after the TERC settlement for
years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Juvenile Diversion Officer McNeff appeared before the board with the Interlocal Agreement with
Hamilton County.
Township gravel prices were discussed in whether to raise the pricing. Matt King was in attendance for
Midland Township and suggested to the board it would be beneficial if they could provide the cost per

mile to maintain a township road and to do so before budget time. After much discussion, it was decided
to wait until those numbers could be calculated and discuss again at a later date.
Moved Placke, second Weller to approve signing Resolution 2026-13: County Annual Certification of
Program Compliance 2026. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Jarecke, second Dexter to approve the chairwoman to sign the Annual Certification of Program
Compliance to Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards 2026. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Placke, second Dexter to approve the July fees received from District Court, Clerk and the Sheriff.
Roll Call: All Ayes
GENERAL
ANTELOPE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT
BOARDING COSTS
$585.00
APPLIED CONNECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
MAINTENANCE
$240.00
AT&T MOBILITY
PHONE SERVICE
$750.86
AURORA NEWS REGISTER
SUPPLIES
$49.63
JULIE L BELLIS
COURT EXPENSE
$287.53
BENCHMARK GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS
MEALS
$863.60
BOMGAARS
LAWN CARE
$136.87
BOMGAARS
WEED SUPPLIES
$217.79
BULLFROG GROUP, LLC
E911 SERVICE
$33.16
CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING
SUPPLY/LEASE
$1,926.84
CENTRAL CITY MALL
FUEL
$60.00
CENTURY LINK
E911 PHONE SRV
$336.32
CIDNET
INMATE SUPPLY
$50.00
CITY OF CENTRAL CITY
OLD HOSP UTIL
$1,983.61
CITY OF CENTRAL CITY/ UTILITIES
UTILITIES
$2,912.54
CITY OF G.I. UTILITIES DEPT
UTITLITIES
$24.27
CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT/CC
COURT COSTS
$170.00
CULLIGAN OF GRAND ISLAND
OFFICE WATER
$459.05
ED DEXTER
MILEAGE
$173.28
EAKES OFFICE PLUS INC.
EQUIPMENT
$138.89
EAKES OFFICE PLUS
OFFICE EQUIP
$356.27
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS
SUPPLY/EQUIP
$457.88
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS
SUPPLIES
$12.58
EAKES OFFICE PLUS
SUPPLY/RENTAL
$481.71
EAKES OFFICE PLUS
SUPPLIES
$37.35
TRISHA FATE
CELL PHONE
$30.00
FIRST CONCORD
HRA BUYDOWN
$869.78
FIRST CONCORD
HRA FEES
$279.00
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS
CELL PHONE
$64.17
GALUSHA ELECTRIC
BDLG REPAIR
$273.32
SHARON GILG
CELL PHONE
$30.00
GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES
$1,045.00
GREAT PLAINS COMMUNICATIONS
CELL PHONE
$95.88
HALL COUNTY CORRECTIONS
BOARDING COSTS
$241.00
HAMILTON CO SHERIFF
BOARDING COSTS
$8,050.00
HAMILTON TELECOMMUNICATIONS
PHONE/INTERNET
$3,001.73

DEAN HARTWIG
HOMETOWN LEASING
CINDIE HOSTLER
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
JACKSON SERVICES
JACKSON SERVICES
LEXIPOL, LLC
MARTIN'S FLAG CO.
DOUG MAW
MCILNAY & CO
MCILNAY AND COMPANY
MERRICK CO. HIGHWAY DEPT.
MERRICK CO. SHERIFF
MERRICK CO. TREASURER
MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC
MIPS INC.
MIPS INC.
JENNIFER MYERS
NACO
NE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER
NE PUBLIC HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL LAB
NE WEED CONTROL ASSOCIATION
NNTC
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS
PAPER TIGER SHREDDING
PINNACLE BANK CC
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
JAN PLACKE
PYE-BAKER FIRE SAFETY
REPUBLICAN NONPARIEL
REPUBLICAN NONPARIEL
REPUBLICAN NONPARIEL
SHOWORKS, LLC
STATE OF NEBRASKA-DEPT OF ADM SRVC

POSTAGE
EQUIP RENTAL
EQUIP/SUPPLIES
PCORI FEES
SERVICE SUPPLY
SERVICE SUPPLY
L.E. TRAINING
SUPPLY
PHONE/SUPPLIES
A/C REPAIR
BLDG REPAIR
TRANSFER FUNDS
COURT EXPENSE
MISC EXPENSES
IMAGING
SUPPORT
CHECKS
CELL PHONE
REGISTRATIONS
L.E. TRAINING
INVESTIGATIVE
REGISTRATION
CELL PHONE
CAR REPAIR
SHRED
CHECKS
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
FUEL
SUPPLY/REPAIR
FUEL
REGISTRATION
MAINT AGREE
PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION
REGISTRATION
TELETYPE

$10.48
$466.07
$269.80
$161.28
$217.39
$160.72
$504.85
$50.69
$55.97
$245.65
$25.99
$200,000.00
$18.70
$519.00
$90.00
$3,959.41
$131.63
$30.00
$50.00
$150.00
$105.00
$150.00
$133.35
$21.99
$43.00
$174.22
$180.69
$452.42
$947.28
$278.30
$263.64
$816.16
$614.80
$212.20
$282.40
$636.31
$200.00
$264.96
$1,045.85
$884.11
$1,028.18
$847.45
$859.52

THOMAS CREATIVE APPAREL, INC
THOMSON REUTERS-WEST
TILDEN DRUG
TRAV'S USAVE PHARMACY
UNL-NATURAL RESOURCES BUSINESS
VALLEY COUNTY SHERIFF
VAN DIEST SUPPLY CO.
PINNACLE BANK-VISA
1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGIES
1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGIES
308 JUSTICE & MEDIATION CENTER, LLC

SUPPLIES
LAW LIBRARY
PRISONER MEDS
PRISONER MEDS
SUBSCRIPTION
BOARDING COSTS
WEED CHEMICAL
SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPLIES
COMP CONSULT
ATTORNEY FEES

$301.00
$526.49
$17.53
$548.06
$90.39
$500.00
$1,812.00
$14.99
$1,121.97
$9,380.00
$10,000.00
$267,568.62

AKRS EQUIPMENT
AURORA CO-OP ELEVATOR CO.
BAUM HYDRAULICS
BLACK HILLS ENERGY
BOMGAARS
BOSSELMAN ENERGY INC
BOWMAN
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS
FIRST CONCORD-HRA BUYDOWN EFN
FIRST CONCORD-HRA FEES
FRONTIER COOPERATIVE
GROSSHANS, INC.
HAMILTON TELECOM
MERRICK CO. TREASURER
MERRICK MEDICAL CENTER
MID-NEBRASKA DISPOSAL, INC
MIDWEST SERVICE & SALES CO.
MIPS INC.
POWERPLAN
LEE NEEL
NT&T/SHOP
O'REILLY AUTO PARTS
PALMER SERVICE CENTER
POLK COUNTY RURAL PPD
SAPP BROS. INC
SOUTHERN POWER DISTRICT
VERIZON
VERIZON WIRELESS
VONTZ PAVING INC
WELDON PARTS

REPAIR/SUPPLY
FUEL
SHOP SUPPLIES
GAS SERVICE
PARTS
SUPPLY/FUEL
ENGINEER FEES
OFFICE SUPPLY
HRA BUYDOWN
HRA FEES
FUEL
SUPPLY/REPAIR
CELL PHONE
ROADS-POSTAGE
D & A TESTING
TRASH DISPOSAL
GRADER BLADES
SUPPORT
EQUIP REPAIR
UTILTIES
TELEPHONE
REPAIR
FUEL
ELECTRICITY
FUEL
ELECTRICITY
EQUIPMENT
PHONE/EQUIP
GRAVEL
LIGHTS

$211.94
$2,613.60
$408.04
$97.45
$200.83
$41,740.71
$6,757.32
$31.58
$1,959.70
$99.00
$1,711.84
$846.13
$34.95
$5.96
$76.00
$76.70
$3,750.00
$136.23
$1,412.75
$75.00
$98.61
$6.99
$64.71
$34.33
$3,850.20
$532.39
$350.90
$79.94
$38,178.36
$439.36

TOTAL
ROADS

TOTAL
JUV DIV

$105,881.52
FIRST CONCORD-HRA BUYDOWN EFN
FIRST CONCORD-HRA FEES
MERRICK CO. TREASURER
T-MOBILE

HRA BUYDOWN
HRA FEES
POSTAGE
CELL PHONE

$35.82
$9.00
$3.82
$527.66
$576.30

CENTRAL CITY VET CLINIC

K-9/STRAY CARE

$343.64
$343.64

TUCKPOINTING

$17,600.00
$17,600.00

SUPPLIES
TRASH DISPOSAL
FUEL
UTILTIES

$46.34
$110.00
$9.00
$2,079.04
$2,244.38

TOTAL
K-9 FUND
TOTAL

COURTHOUSE JORDAN MASONRY, LLC
TOTAL
4H BLDG

BOMGAARS
CARL'S SKRAP
CENTRAL CITY MALL
CITY OF CENTRAL CITY

TOTAL
Moved Jarecke, second Dexter to approve the August claims as presented. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Jarecke second Placke to approve the payroll as presented. Roll Call: All Ayes
Moved Dexter, second Wiegert to adjourn at 12:00 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes
/s/Carolyn Kucera, Chairwoman
/s/Trisha L Fate, County Clerk