On the agenda: Wheeler County Minutes — Data Center (Aug 24)

Bartlett, Nebraska
August 24, 2026
The Wheeler County Commissioners met to conduct a regular meeting at 8:00 a.m. Legal Notice of the meeting was
published in the August 19, 2026, print edition of the Burwell Tribune and Official Agenda posted according to law. Chairman
Heinz called the meeting to order and stated that copies of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act were available to the public.
Answering to roll call were Commissioners Heinz, Plugge, and Pokorny. Clerk Snider, Sheriff Larby, Treasurer Seamann,
County Attorney Joe McNally, and Road Foreman Reed were also present along with members of the public.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Pokorny made a motion to approve the July 15, 2026 Board of Equalization meeting minutes, seconded by Plugge. Voting
aye: Pokorny, Plugge, and Heinz. Voting nay: none.
Plugge made a motion to approve the July 29, 2026 minutes, seconded by Pokorny. Voting aye: Plugge, Pokorny, and Heinz.
Voting nay: none.
Public comment was held. James Burtwistle visited with the board about getting a road built leading to where they are
wanting to build a new house.
Road foreman Reed reported that Vlach’s provided a $10,000 bid to dig out a ditch around Tim Esch and Seamann Farms.
The board discussed looking at the locations to see what they felt needed to be done to fix the issue and report back. This is
an ongoing issue that reoccurs about every 3 to 5 years.
Sheriff Larby reported on the status of the FLOCK cameras and that FLOCK has stated that the county is obligated to complete
the contract term before they can be removed. McNally advised that he would look at the contract and report back to the
board. Sheriff Larby stated that he is trying to get this issue resolved as he would be interested in a different program to be
more compatible with the surrounding counties and Region 26.
Treasurer Seamann stated that there are taxes coming and feels that no transfers are needed at this time.
Treasurer Seamann stated that she has contacted NPAIT and would like to transfer one CD at this time. Pokorny made a
motion to authorize Treasurer Seamann to transfer one CD from Cornerstone Bank to NPAIT, seconded by Plugge. Voting aye:
Pokorny, Plugge, and Heinz. Voting nay: none.
Snider presented a map of the areas that Kelley’s Spraying has sprayed and reported the are hoping to be done spraying the
last week of August.
Heinz stated he had Bill Root come and look at the courthouse ceiling tile and the county is waiting for a bid to be sent in.
Christi Larby presented information on Data Centers in hopes of having them prohibited within the county. She was advised
that the Planning Commission is in the process of revising the zoning regulations to address the issue.
The budget workshop was postponed until August 31, 2026.
Snider presented county inventories. All inventories excluding the Weed Department inventory were accepted, by a motion
made by Pokorny and seconded by Plugge. Voting aye: Pokorny, Plugge, and Heinz. Voting nay: none.
GENERAL FUND
Commissioner, salary
Commissioner, salary
Commissioner, salary
Attorney, salary

$1,359.27
1,359.27
1,359.27
4,530.91

Clerk, salary
Deputy Clerk, salary
Treasurer, salary
Deputy Treasurer, salary
Janitor, salary
Sheriff, salary
Deputy Sheriff, salary
Sheriff Clerical, salary
Emergency Manager, salary
Zoning Administrator, salary
Aflac, insurance
Ameritas Retirement Plans Division, retirement
Appeara, services
Applied Connective Technologies, camera upgrade
Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, dental/health insurance
Burwell Tribune, publication
Cafaro, Michael Joseph, mileage
Cenex Fleet Fueling, sheriff fuel
Colonial Life Insurance, insurance
DAS State Accounting-Central Finance, AS400 Fees
Elan Financial Services, treasurer mtg registration/supplies
Farmers and Merchants Bank, payroll w/h
First Concord Benefits Group, fees
Freedom & Glory, flags
Gall’s LLC, sheriff uniform
Garfield County Treasurer, extension support
Holt County Treasurer, veterans contract
Hometown Leasing, services
Jack’s Uniforms, sheriff badge
LaQunita Inn-Kearney, meeting lodging
Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District, services
Marvin Planning Consultants, Inc, zoning planning
McNally Law Office, clerical/rent
Microfilm Imaging Systems, INC, equipment rental
MIPS Inc, services
Nebraska Association of County Officials, mtg registration
Nebraska Department of Revenue, state w/h
Northeast Nebraska Telephone Co, services
Presto-X, monthly services
Quill Corporation, supplies
Region 26, support
Seamann, Carol, mtg mileage
Sears, Donna, supplies
Snider, Cara, meeting postage
Verizon Wireless, sheriff cell
VSP Insurance Co. vision insurance
We Mart, sheriff fuel
Wheeler County Court, court costs
Wheeler County Treasurer, postage
ROAD FUND
Road Employee, salary
Road Employee, salary
Road Employee, salary
Road Employee, salary

4,583.80
3,534.11
4,077.82
1,609.50
212.28
4,712.15
480.50
4,134.00
850.00
750.00
189.21
3,958.53
160.72
1,599.24
21952.34
443.80
48.64
128.59
261.24
272.00
207.20
6,652.40
131.00
211.62
90.46
2,146.08
1,133.33
60.41
107.99
110.00
452.76
1,700.00
2,358.34
60.00
1,489.23
50.00
832.70
577.26
102.82
151.48
17,330.93
182.27
10.51
28.78
276.12
181.35
43.91
119.00
98.27
4,779.88
4,823.13
4,768.75
4,818.00

Road Employee, salary
Road Employee, salary
Road Foreman, salary
Highway Superintendent, salary
Weed Superintendent, salary
Ace Irrigation, culvert
AFLAC, insurance
ARKS, repairs
Ameritas Retirement Plans Division, retirement
Appeara, services
Blue Cross Blue Shield, dental/health insurance
Bomgaars Supply, Inc., supplies
Colonial Life Insurance, insurance
DirtWorx Excavating & Demolition, crushed concrete
DMC Wear Parts LLC, grader blades
Emme Sand & gravel, gravel
Farmers and Merchants Bank, payroll w/h
First Concord Benefits Group, fees
John Deere Financial, grader payment
Kelley Spraying, LLC, tree spraying in ROW
Kings Crushing, LLC, crushed rock
Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District, shop services
Madison Nation Life, insurance
Miller Tire Service, tire repair
Molt Manufacturing Inc, repairs
National Sign Company, LLC, pickup light bar
Nebraska Department of Revenue, payroll w/h
Nebraska Machinery Co, repairs
Northeast Nebraska Telephone Co, services
O’Neill Shopper, help wanted ad
PowerPlan, repairs
Road Rakes Attachments, LLC, equipment
Sapp Bros Petroleum, INC., diesel
Straka, Jeremy, mileage
The Advisor, help wanted ad
The Parts Bin, Inc, supplies
Ulrich Gravel Inc, gravel
Verizon Wireless, services
VSP Insurance Co, vision insurance
We Mart, fuel

4,550.00
3,106.25
6,395.65
833.33
150.00
1,219.00
66.10
57.14
3,794.06
86.37
12,826.45
446.47
739.07
34,126.89
6,825.00
11,514.75
7,109.51
45.00
25,592.60
12,907.94
20,822.51
208.45
14.53
5,360,95
338.00
780.76
982.54
1,847.84
92.11
147.75
12,568.74
5,750.00
21,001.54
98.80
364.40
2,193.20
29,606.80
39.93
63.68
182.93

Pokorny made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Plugge. Voting aye: Pokorny, Plugge, and Heinz. Voting nay:
none.
Pokorny made a motion at 9:28 A.M. to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Plugge. Voting aye: Pokorny, Plugge, and Heinz.
Voting nay: none.
The next special meeting will be held on Monday August 31, 2026, at 8:00 am.
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Cara Snider, County Clerk
Travis Heinz, Board Chairman