[5:16] Let's get everybody. >> Good morning. Welcome to the Lancaster

[5:19] County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, September 8th, 2026.

[5:24] I am your chair. My name is Christa Yokum. To my left is Vice Chair Chelsea

[5:29] Johnson. To her left is Commissioner Matt Schulty. To my right, Commissioner

[5:34] Sean Flower Day and Commissioner Rick Best. Please stand and recite the Pledge

[5:38] of Allegiance with us. I pledge algiance to the flag of the

[5:45] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation

[5:51] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[6:03] » Mr. Clerk, can you please start the meeting?

[6:06] » This meeting is subject to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. Written materials to

[6:09] be discussed at today's meeting can be viewed at the county's website at

[6:12] lancaster.n.gov. Printing copies are available upon

[6:15] request. Brings us to item one, minutes, approval of the minutes of the board of

[6:19] commissioners meeting held on September 1st, 2026.

[6:25] » Move approval. >> Second.

[6:28] » Have a motion and a second to approve. I see no discussion. Please call the role.

[6:34] » Flower. >> Yes.

[6:35] » Shulty. Yeah. >> Vesting.

[6:39] Uh, yokum. >> Yes.

[6:42] » Motion carries. Brings us to item two, claims, approval of the claims process

[6:47] through September 4th, 2026. And I'll note there is an amendment for payroll.

[6:52] » I would move approval of the claims u item 2 to and add the payroll

[6:59] dispersements through September 2nd, 2026.

[7:04] » Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the claims including the payroll

[7:08] dispersement through September 2nd. Please call the role.

[7:11] » Schulty. >> Yeah.

[7:12] » Best. >> Yes. Flarding?

[7:14] » Yes. >> Yokum.

[7:16] » Yes. >> Motion carries. 2B. Approval of a claim

[7:20] to El Centro de los Americas in the amount of $11,662.33.

[7:26] Approval. >> Second.

[7:28] » We have a motion and a second to approve this claim. Please call the role.

[7:34] Uh, Vest, >> yes.

[7:36] » Johnson, >> yes.

[7:37] » Loway, >> yes.

[7:39] » Shulty, >> yes.

[7:40] » Yokum, >> I will abstain as I serve on the board.

[7:44] » 2C, approval of a claim to the mediation center in the amount of $4,000.

[7:49] » Move approval. >> Second.

[7:51] » We have a motion and a second to approve the claim to the mediation center.

[7:55] Please call the role. >> Johnson,

[7:57] » yes. >> Flowing.

[7:58] » Yes. >> Shelton,

[8:00] » yes. Best >> abstain. Yokum.

[8:04] » Yes. >> Motion carries.

[8:07] 2D. Approval of claims for goods and services beyond the 90-day time period

[8:11] provided in Nebraska size statute 23-135.

[8:15] The city of Lincoln information services dated September 7th, 2026 for a total of

[8:20] $869.18. Billsburg Holton Olvig dated September

[8:24] 7th, 2026 for a total of $37,762.50.

[8:29] St. Monica's dated September 7th, 2026 for a total of $1,213.83

[8:34] and Community Corrections dated September 7th, 2026 for a total of

[8:38] $42.33.

[8:43] » Move approval. Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve

[8:47] these claims. Please call the role. >> Flower,

[8:50] » yes. >> Schulty,

[8:51] » yes. >> Vest,

[8:53] » yes. >> Johnson,

[8:54] » yes. >> Yokum,

[8:55] » yes. >> Motion carries.

[8:58] Item three, a special presentation. Our first special uh presentation,

[9:02] recognition of Sydney Stats, team supervisor for the crisis center for 37

[9:05] years of service. >> Yeah, please come forward. This is this

[9:10] is something. Yeah, we can we can clap. I think that's in order. [applause]

[9:18] » Yeah. >> Scott with the crisis center. It's my

[9:22] privilege to uh recognize and honor Mr. Stats. Uh Mr. stats is an original hire

[9:28] at the crisis center. We've been through thick and thin uh maintaining safety of

[9:33] clients and public safety and for for a lot of years we've we've seen it.

[9:40] Um yes, this is uh as of uh Halloween this year it would have been 31 38 or 38

[9:47] years. So yep, >> that's a big commitment in a an or in a

[9:53] role that's not an easy role. Um there's been a lot. You've seen a lot, I'm sure,

[9:58] and been through a lot. Uh thank you. That's so critical for the well-being of

[10:03] our county. Yeah. [cough and clears throat]

[10:05] » If we have a city, it's my honor and privilege to present you with this

[10:09] appreciation, certificate of appreciation. Thank you so much for your

[10:12] service to our community, to our county. The work you've done has genuinely made

[10:17] our the town, the county we live in a much better place. So, thank you.

[10:21] » Thank you very much. >> Absolutely. One more time. THANKS.

[10:24] » [applause]

[10:37] » A PHOTO OFF. [laughter] >> It didn't happen unless there's a photo.

[10:43] » All right. Our next presentation is recognition of Rebecca Simmerly, mental

[10:47] health technician in the crisis center for 23 years of service.

[10:52] Uh Becky, this is uh Becky. She's been with us, as we said, for 23 years as a

[10:58] mental health technician and the whole day shift the whole time.

[11:02] » I was trying to remember exactly. I man, it goes back a long time, but um yep,

[11:06] she's been a vital part of our our services uh for forever. So,

[11:12] congratulations. >> Yeah. [clears throat]

[11:14] » Got a late start. [laughter] You came then with experience and

[11:20] wisdom. Right. >> Right.

[11:22] » Well, I guess it's Becky then instead of Rebecca.

[11:24] » Call me whatever you want. >> Well, yeah. Call you retired, I guess,

[11:28] is the best thing. On behalf of the board, I want to present you with this

[11:32] certificate of appreciation. 23 years of helping people who are in desperate need

[11:38] of change and support, and you faithfully carried out those.

[11:43] The board of commissioners deeply appreciate so much. Congratulations.

[11:54] » Thank you so much. Thanks for letting me work there. [laughter]

[11:58] » Thank you. Thank you for let for working there. I we we so appreciate it. In this

[12:03] day and age when people don't stay in jobs for a real long time, the wisdom

[12:07] and experience that you both have brought through these years is just

[12:10] incredible to our community. That's a lot of years of experience walking out

[12:14] the door. Yeah, congratulations on your

[12:19] retirement. It's a great great opportunity. I'm glad you guys served so

[12:23] long here and enjoy your retirement. >> Thank you, Beck.

[12:26] » Thank you,

[12:34] » commissioners. That brings us to item four, consent items. These are routine

[12:38] business items that are expected to be adopted without dissent. Any individual

[12:41] item may be removed for special discussion and consideration by

[12:44] commissioner by any member of the public without prior notice.

[12:48] Unless there is an exception, these items will be approved as one single

[12:51] vote of the board of commissioners. These items are the approval of a

[12:55] amendments of the following county contracts C-25-0742

[12:59] with the National Safety Council for of Nebraska for use of its defensive

[13:03] driving computer based learning course material for the county's stop traffic

[13:07] diversion program. C-23-000031 with ODP Business Solutions LLC, a

[13:13] Delaware limited liability company for office supplies and products.

[13:16] C-25-000052 with Fastenol Company for facilities,

[13:21] MRO and industrial supplies. C-24-0784 with Superstream for carpet upholstery

[13:27] cleaning. C-26-0318 with Vogal Traffic Surfaces Incorporated

[13:32] for 2026 pavement markings. C-25-0606 with J&M Construction LLC for

[13:38] replacement of structures G114, G226, G115 and G222 B. Amendments the

[13:45] following county contracts to provide interpretation translation services.

[13:48] C-24-0712 with Flick Translations Group LLC.

[13:53] C-24-0713 with Fox Translation Services. C-24-0714

[13:58] with Global Interpreting Network Incorporated. C-24-0782

[14:04] with Langbridge LLC. C. Rightway contracts with the following uh Kelly

[14:09] and Kathleen Anderson Olive Creek Road and South 54th Street in the amount of

[14:13] 2377. WSL Farms LLC South 148 Street and First

[14:19] Road in the amount of $487. James and Mary Ericen South 148th Street

[14:23] and First Road in the amount of $595. D. Receive and place on file the

[14:28] following reports for August 2026. clerk of the district court, assessor register

[14:32] of deeds, records management, county clerk, and finally e, setting a public

[14:36] hearing on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in room 112 of the county

[14:40] city building regarding setting the final tax request at a different amount

[14:44] than the prior year's tax request. >> Move approval.

[14:49] » Second. >> We have a motion and a second to

[14:53] approve. Please call the role. >> Schulty,

[14:56] » yes. >> Vest,

[14:57] » yes. >> Johnson,

[14:58] » yes. Flower. >> Yes.

[15:00] » Yokum. >> Yes.

[15:03] » Motion carries. Item five, public hearings. A public hearing regarding the

[15:07] Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department. Amendments. The following.

[15:10] Open burning permits. Regulation for the operation of body art and piercing

[15:14] establishments. Procedures for the inspection of on-site water supply

[15:18] systems and on-site wastewater treatment systems prior to the sale transfer

[15:21] conveyance property. And procedures of the regulation of on-site wastewater

[15:25] treatment systems. Morning.

[15:33] My name is Brock Kesh, division manager. Oh, sorry. It's right here. Yep.

[15:36] » Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the

[15:39] truth and nothing but the truth? >> I do. All right. Good morning. My name

[15:42] is Brock Kesh, division manager of environmental public health, Lincoln

[15:45] Lancaster County Health Department. Um, before you today are the resolutions uh

[15:50] for body art, property transfer, on-site wastewater, and open burning. Uh these

[15:54] permit fees are reviewed each budgetary cycle on a program byprogram basis and

[15:58] in line with our environmental public health policy. If you have uh any

[16:02] questions, I'm happy to answer those. Generally speaking, um the the fee

[16:06] increases are between5 and $10 permit.

[16:11] » Those small and incremental um increases are important. Any

[16:16] questions? So Brock, just to make sure

[16:23] I'm aware of what we're doing, the burning permits, you know, that's just

[16:26] an increase. There's no change in the permitting.

[16:30] » No changes. The only thing that's changed in in any of these is just the

[16:33] permit fee. >> Okay. It's all fees.

[16:36] » Just fees related. Yes, sir. >> And this is something I know we've

[16:39] talked about regularly about the planning department [snorts]

[16:44] because we used to jump. I mean, there was a time when we would suddenly

[16:48] increase by 20 30% or something to catch up with the costs of issuing these

[16:54] permits. We don't do that anymore thanks to the leadership of people like you.

[16:59] » Correct. Generally speaking, um the policy that we utilize in environmental

[17:03] public health, 3% uh per cycle is generally the the aim that that helps us

[17:10] get away from going multiple budgetary cycles and then doing a large percentage

[17:15] increase. So yeah, >> and these fees capture our costs.

[17:19] They're not a money maker. We But >> the people who are getting the services

[17:24] are paying the fees rather than the taxpayers.

[17:27] » Correct. Yes. Yep. The fees cover the costs for our staff to perform these

[17:33] required uh programs. >> Okay, that's all I have.

[17:40] » Any other questions or concerns? >> Any uh we we can now close the public

[17:46] hearing. Thank you,

[17:50] » commissioners. That brings us to a public hearing action items. Uh 6A, I'll

[17:55] read all four resolutions in the matter of the following. Open burning permits,

[17:59] regulations on the operation of body art and piercing establishments, procedures

[18:03] for the inspection of on-site waste on-site water supply systems and on-site

[18:07] wastewater treatment systems prior to sale transfer conveyance property and

[18:10] the procedures for the regulation of on-site wastewater treatment systems.

[18:14] » I would move approval. >> Second.

[18:17] » We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the role.

[18:22] » Vest, >> yes.

[18:23] » Johnson, >> yes.

[18:25] » Flity, >> yes.

[18:26] » Shulty, >> yes. Yokum.

[18:28] » Yes. >> Motion carries.

[18:31] 6B. Uh resolution in the matter of vacation a portion of the public right

[18:35] ofway and alleyway generally located on Weight Avenue between North 148th Street

[18:40] and North 149th Streets Village or Prairie Home, Lancaster County, and more

[18:44] particularly described in exhibit A. >> We will now open the public hearing on

[18:48] this resolution. >> Uh I think I'm sorry this one.

[18:52] » Yes. [laughter] >> Lost myself in the agenda a little bit.

[18:55] I will move approval. >> I would second.

[18:58] » We have a motion. >> Go ahead. Go ahead.

[19:00] » And a second to approve this this vacation. Did you have something you

[19:04] wanted to add? >> Yeah. I just want to add I said this

[19:06] last week. I I drove down this alleyway. If you look in some of the

[19:10] documentation, you can see that the property lines were originally going to

[19:13] be lined up different direction and that never happened. in this alleyway has

[19:17] been vacant and um so I think it's a good move in Prairie Home to go ahead

[19:23] and uh vacate this to the adjacent land owners.

[19:28] » This is just the weight avenue. This is not the air street.

[19:32] » Yeah, we wanted to wait a for a little bit more information on that.

[19:37] » Yeah, we appreciate the engineering department bringing this to our

[19:40] attention. Let's get it to the property owners.

[19:44] » Any further discussion? Please call the role.

[19:47] » Johnson, >> yes.

[19:48] » Flower, >> yes.

[19:49] » Shelty, >> yes.

[19:50] » Vest, >> yes.

[19:51] » Yokum, >> yes.

[19:53] » Motion carries. [snorts] >> Brings us to item seven, new business

[19:57] 7A, reclaiming September 10th through 19th, 2026 as welcoming week.

[20:04] » Have some guests to come forward here. And we have a a proclamation to read.

[20:09] Correct. >> Absolutely. Proclamation before the

[20:12] board of county commissioners of the county of Lancaster, Nebraska in the

[20:15] matter of proclaiming September 10th through 19th, 2026 is welcoming week in

[20:19] the county of Lancaster, Nebraska. Whereas welcoming week is an annual

[20:23] campaign and celebration to showcase the movement of communities striving to be

[20:26] more welcoming places by encouraging people to share their stories and listen

[20:30] to those of others. Whereas this initiative launched in 2012 provides

[20:34] individuals and communities with the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values

[20:38] through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding and

[20:41] connection among neighbors as well as deeper belonging for all. Whereas

[20:45] Lancaster County is a community that values fresh perspectives and ideas

[20:48] contributed by people of diverse backgrounds and experiences and is

[20:52] committed to providing a welcoming environment which all residents have

[20:55] opportunities to grow and succeed. And whereas treating all individuals with

[20:59] compassion, respect regardless of their background enhances Lancaster County's

[21:03] cultural fabric, economic growth, overall prosperity in for current and

[21:07] future generations. And whereas Lancaster County is stronger than when

[21:11] we work together for a foster a welcoming community where people,

[21:14] families, businesses, and institutions thrive, where all residents are

[21:18] encouraged to participate in a fully civic life and feel a sense of

[21:21] belonging. Now therefore, the board of county commissioners of the county of

[21:24] Lancaster, Nebraska, hereby proclaim September 10th through 19th, 2026 as

[21:28] welcoming week in the county of Lancaster, Nebraska. In witness thereof,

[21:32] we have here to signed on September 8th, 2026 by the board of county

[21:35] commissioners to the county of Lancaster, Nebraska.

[21:38] » Good morning. >> Good morning, everybody. Yeah, nice to

[21:41] be here. And my name is Tom Randa. I'm uh the chair for the culture centers of

[21:46] Lincoln and uh also wanted to introduce uh our new welcoming coordinator for our

[21:51] county uh so that you may get to know her uh in the audience also I do have

[21:56] Romel our executive director from El Centro as well uh but we are very

[22:00] excited to have Marielle on board and uh she's been spending uh time at our

[22:05] cultural centers getting to learn what we do over there and she's also been in

[22:09] these corridors as well getting to learn uh the city and county part of Lincoln

[22:15] and Lancaster County. So, we're very excited that we have this opportunity to

[22:18] have her and she's been busy learning the job and uh we put her to task so so

[22:23] she can also help us uh with this process of the welcoming week. So, uh

[22:28] here is Mariela. I'll just get her to introduce herself and I get to talk to

[22:33] you more about this uh process. >> Brandon, good morning. Uh yes. So,

[22:38] welcoming week, right? Like here you go. Here's a new project. um welcoming week.

[22:45] Oh my goodness, it is amazing to see all of the different

[22:50] community centers, the cultural centers, all of these opportunities, right, for

[22:55] people to come belong and be seen. Uh and so I'm very excited. There is

[23:02] multiple uh events happening uh the whole month of September. So normally,

[23:08] yes, as we said, like September 10th through the 19th, but we'd like to do it

[23:12] a little different, right, in Nebraska. Um, and so it's the whole month. And so

[23:16] there's many opportunities for people to come together um to be involved and to

[23:22] really see the fabric of Lincoln and the cultures, the opportunities that people

[23:30] have to come together um to belong, to be seen, and to be heard. And so there's

[23:37] everything from the Latino Festival coming up on Saturday. We have um the

[23:43] next event that it's a big one Lincoln unites uh that will be at you and I

[23:48] place um where again community members can come together. Uh the moon festival

[23:56] uh in late September again opportunities for people to come together and to

[24:01] really belong in our community. And that's what welcoming week really um

[24:08] puts it all into place of how can we be a people and be together and be able to

[24:16] express ourselves to be able then to um come together as a community and Lincoln

[24:24] obviously has done that. um we're a certified uh welcoming city. And so

[24:30] again, how do we continue to provide opportunities for people to come and to

[24:35] to belong? And so that obviously is welcoming week, but that's also part of

[24:41] my work uh with the welcoming coordinator. I know I've met a few of

[24:45] you and I hope to be able to partner with you and um to really bring together

[24:51] our community into a larger um community of people. This was a big undertaking to

[25:00] jump right into when somebody a friend asked me the other day who does

[25:04] welcoming week in Lincoln. I'm like everybody does welcoming week. So people

[25:09] can find the events at welcominglnk.org or right on the calendar of events and I

[25:14] see things from um inter interactions like playing ma jang or an educational

[25:19] session to the festivals that you mentioned so there's a lot of different

[25:23] activities things going on in schools and libraries and um workplaces uh the

[25:28] chamber of commerce has joined in alpads joined in um do you know how many events

[25:33] there are >> there's over 34 events

[25:36] » and our it still keeps coming >> I I was going to say I think I counted

[25:41] 44 last week when I was counting. Um so that's yeah something for everyone.

[25:47] » Yes. And again how involved all of the community is it um because again yes you

[25:53] said the city libraries they're doing story time. Um there's a really good one

[25:59] um again for our English language learners uh to come together and see

[26:05] like the different tutoring services that are going to be provided at the

[26:08] city libraries that have apps or different you know formats of how to

[26:16] learn English, how to get engaged uh with our community.

[26:21] » Yeah, this is great. This is really exciting. So I would encourage everyone

[26:24] to find an activity, take part in something.

[26:27] » Please do. Thank you very much. I appreciate you coming this morning.

[26:30] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[26:32] » We have a motion regarding the proclamation.

[26:34] » I would move approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[26:38] approve this proclamation. Please call the role.

[26:41] » Flowerick. >> Yes.

[26:42] » Schulty. >> Yes.

[26:44] » Vest. >> Yes.

[26:45] » Johnson. >> Yes.

[26:46] » Yokum. >> Yes.

[26:48] » Motion carries. 7B. Uh the child support supervisor classification description

[27:00] » commissioners pack and Lancaster County Attorney. Um I think this and the next C

[27:05] and D also uh kind of go on to to that. So anyway, um just uh this is for a

[27:11] supervisor in our child support division. You see the the job

[27:16] description there in the uh in the material. Um, you know, right now we

[27:21] have, uh, well, we're going to be back up to full strength there. We have three

[27:26] attorneys that'll be going there, 15 staff. Um,

[27:31] I'm sure you you realize or you you've been there and you've seen that, but

[27:35] those our offices are split because of the type of material that um, the uh,

[27:40] child support people are dealing with, the medical, the social security

[27:43] numbers. So, all that always has to be secured in a different place. So now

[27:46] with this uh that supervising attorney can kind of supervise the the attorneys

[27:52] and also the staff there and we just our our uh our office managers and our on

[27:58] the other side of the office on the criminal and civil side. So this um will

[28:03] kind of allow us to uh have that supervision in that office over the 18

[28:08] people that are in that specific portion of the office.

[28:12] Pat what um the part this is a little tangential the parts of the child

[28:19] support the um that we are reimbured for from the feds

[28:22] » right 66% >> right

[28:26] » what exactly is reimbured in that it how do we

[28:30] » it's I think it's it's it's everything I mean it's salaries it's benefits it's

[28:34] it's all all that information of the people that that are in that in that uh

[28:39] in that area >> okay all Okay, fine. All good. It It's

[28:44] really not not about this. I'm I'm I'm in support of this. I'm I'm working on

[28:48] some legislation that I think you might be interested in. I'll talk about it

[28:51] later. Had questions. Just remind me of >> And we did we did um we have worked with

[28:56] um HR on this and HR is also supportive of this of this.

[29:00] » Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Seems to like just I got some questions on how that

[29:04] reimbursement works. Sure. But we we'll talk more later.

[29:07] » So saying you're in support of this, does that mean was that a motion?

[29:09] » That's a motion. I move we move approval.

[29:14] » I I would second Pat and I do have a question as I make that second. So this

[29:21] person is going to basically be the one the go-to person for matters involving

[29:27] child support. They've got you said 10 15 staff.

[29:31] » We have we have three attorneys and 15 staff. and and you know, I think we

[29:35] we've talked about this before, that area handles roughly 12,000 cases. So,

[29:41] » yeah, >> you know, they get a lot of calls. This

[29:43] gives somebody, you know, that they can if they have sometimes they have people

[29:47] that aren't happy with what's going on in that. So, they'll they'll they'll

[29:50] call and they'll be upset and this gives them a supervisor to to pass that off

[29:54] to. Whereas, I always told them if they if they just are not getting anywhere,

[29:58] give them to me and I'll take I'll take the call.

[30:00] » Well, it's important. I mean, you have a lot of responsibility. Let's be be very

[30:05] clear. The county attorney's position is a very responsible position. So this

[30:10] delegation of authority seems to me it'll be more effective way to handle

[30:15] those disputes. I know that a lot of departments handle other happy people.

[30:20] I'm surprised to hear you have some of those as well. So glad we're spreading

[30:24] around. >> So it seems like a very move towards

[30:27] good efficiency in your operations is what

[30:30] » I think it is. And it's also somebody that then can help out with the with the

[30:33] evaluations and things like that of those individuals that they deal with on

[30:37] a day-to-day basis. Our office on our side, we don't deal with them on a

[30:40] day-to-day basis. So, this allows that that that individual to really help out

[30:44] on that part. >> They're the expert.

[30:46] » Yeah. It's a true specialization separate from everything else that that

[30:49] happens in your office. So, it makes sense that you're going to have a point

[30:52] person. >> Right. Second.

[30:54] » Okay. We have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Please call the role.

[30:58] » Shulty. Yes. >> Vest.

[31:01] » Yes. >> Johnson.

[31:02] » Yes. >> Flower.

[31:03] » Yes. >> Yokum.

[31:05] » Yes. >> Motion carries. 7 C. Resolution in the

[31:10] matter of adopting benefits for county employees in the unclassified service to

[31:13] include the child support supervisor. >> Move approval. Second.

[31:17] » We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the role.

[31:20] » Vest. >> Yes.

[31:21] » Johnson. >> Yes.

[31:22] » Flower. >> Yes.

[31:23] » Shulty. >> Yep.

[31:24] » Yok. >> Yes.

[31:26] » Motion carries. 7D. Resolution in the matter of adopting a salary schedule for

[31:32] child support supervisor. >> Approval. Second.

[31:36] » We have a motion and a second. Please call the role.

[31:38] » Johnson? >> Yes.

[31:39] » Flower? >> Yes.

[31:41] » Schulty? >> Yes.

[31:42] » Best? >> Yes.

[31:43] » Yokam? >> Yes.

[31:45] » Motion carries. Uh, that brings us to 7E. uh the special

[31:51] designated license applications for National Otabon Society for fundraisers

[31:54] at the Spring Creek Prairie Ottobon Center for the following dates, October

[31:58] 5th and October, excuse me, October 7th and October 25th, 2026.

[32:04] » Good morning. Um these are both um fundraiser, fundraiser, and outreach

[32:08] events. So October 7th is our new event um music and metal arcs. So we're

[32:13] anticipating probably around 150 folks there um just have beer and wine. and

[32:17] we'll have staff and volunteers monitoring um and have one exit in and

[32:21] out. The 25th is actually covers two different days, the 25th and 26th as

[32:25] part of our Sparrow Fest, an event on the evening of the 25th and the evening

[32:29] of 26th. That's probably going to be smaller event and that will be all

[32:32] contained within our building. So, happy to answer any questions.

[32:36] » I just have one statement. If you've never been to an event there, do it.

[32:39] They're always everyone I've been to has been great, a lot of fun.

[32:43] » We'd love to have you all there. >> Learn something and have fun.

[32:46] Absolutely. Great great part of our community. I move approval.

[32:50] » Second. We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the role.

[32:54] » Flowing. >> Yes.

[32:56] » Shulty. >> Yes.

[32:57] » Vest. >> Yes.

[32:58] » Johnson. >> Yes.

[32:59] » Yokam. >> Yes.

[33:01] » Motion carries. 7F.

[33:06] grant contract with the city of Lincoln Police Department for the Lincoln

[33:09] Lancaster County Investigative Narcotics Cooperative in the amount of 176,283.

[33:17] » Move approval. >> Second.

[33:19] » We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the role.

[33:22] » Shelton, >> yep.

[33:24] » Vest, >> yes.

[33:25] » Johnson, >> yes.

[33:26] » Flowering, >> yes.

[33:27] » Yokam, >> yes.

[33:29] » Motion carries. 7G.

[33:33] grant contract with the city of Lincoln Police Department for the Lancaster

[33:36] County Investigative Narop Narcotics Cooperative in the amount of $152,286.

[33:43] » Approval. >> Second.

[33:45] » We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the RO.

[33:48] » Sorry. Can I just ask? >> Yes.

[33:50] » Is that [clears throat] period in the >> cash

[33:54] » supposed to be a comma? >> Yes, it's supposed to be a comma.

[33:57] » Okay. So, we'll just correct that then. Actually, now that we're doing that, did

[34:02] we get the the terms are correct? Right. The the

[34:08] we're doing two different two different years basically here. Okay, great.

[34:14] » Okay, so with that correction, um please call the role.

[34:18] » Vest, >> yes.

[34:20] » Johnson, >> yes.

[34:21] » Flouty, >> yes.

[34:23] » Shelty, >> yes.

[34:24] » Yokum, >> yes.

[34:26] » Motion carries. 7H

[34:30] agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated to provide Axon software

[34:33] and services to the county attorney's office not to exceed 1 million50,000

[34:38] $780 $1,50,780. >> And Patrick Conan, Lancaster County

[34:44] Attorney again, um I I just wanted to kind of clarify. So this is a a

[34:50] five-year contract with an automatic renew for five years. So it's a 10-year

[34:53] total is that is that figure. And and I think the same is true with the with the

[34:58] next item which is Christie's probably for that. But um so that total over the

[35:03] 10 years the five current and then the auto renew for the next five years would

[35:09] be that 1,ion5780. Does that make sense?

[35:13] » Yes. That's a little more palatable too. >> Yeah.

[35:16] » Tell us a little bit about what this will do for the for your department.

[35:21] » Yeah. So, I mean there's Axon is really um they're they're developing this um

[35:27] this program uh to allow us to uh take the like you know one of the things we

[35:33] look at is the bodywn cameras. And not only does it take the body worn cameras,

[35:37] but the in-car cameras. And then if there's a shop that has cameras inside

[35:41] its facility, like a a grocery store or gas station, um we can take all those uh

[35:47] all those videos and put them in and all the reports and put them in all together

[35:52] and do some um AI searches on that uh to say, you know, show us show us all

[35:58] photos of guns, show us all reports where gun is mentioned. And that's done,

[36:02] you know, very quickly. again, we have to go back and make sure that that's

[36:06] where it is and that's where it's at and that's, you know, something that we do.

[36:09] But it's something that we can do. Um, it also translates um uh I think I think

[36:16] it's like 96 different languages that it can translate um like phone calls and

[36:21] things like that from individuals that we have that that we may be uh uh using

[36:26] in our in our prosecution. Um, so it it'll really affect uh

[36:32] really help the attorneys on both the the prosecution and the defense in

[36:38] preparing for their cases and making a good uh uh good presentation from the

[36:43] state's point and also from the defense standpoint.

[36:46] » So it really gets the in efficiently gathers the information, saves the

[36:51] attorney a lot of time that they might have to search,

[36:54] » right? I mean, yeah, we still gota and that's one of the things I I harp on my

[36:58] attorneys is they got to go back and make sure that, you know, it is there

[37:01] where they where the AI says it is, but but it'll it'll like tell you exactly

[37:06] where in the video it is so we can look things up. Um we are we have been

[37:11] working with um LPD um and working with their contract with Axon because

[37:20] um the more your universe includes Axon the more uh uh kind of economy of scales

[37:28] they'll give you. So um we are continuing to work with them to see if

[37:32] we can uh bring more people in. I know the university also has uh Axon. So, if

[37:38] we could bring the university under, you know, kind of a do a some type of a an

[37:42] agreement that that the county and the state or the county and the university

[37:46] and the city and everybody is all working under this, the public defenders

[37:50] office, our office, that may affect um the cost in the future. It won't go down

[37:56] up, it'll go down because they'll they'll share that cost among all the

[38:00] agencies that are using them. >> Appreciate that, Pat. I move approval.

[38:06] » Second. We have a motion and a second to approve this agreement. Please call the

[38:10] role. >> Johnson,

[38:11] » yes. >> Flower,

[38:13] » yes. >> Shulty,

[38:14] » yes. >> Vest,

[38:15] » yes. >> Yokum,

[38:16] » yes. >> Motion carries.

[38:19] 7 I. Agreement with Axon Enterprise Incorporated to provide Axon Software

[38:23] and services to the public defenders office and the amount not to exceed

[38:26] $876,900. >> Good morning. Chris Jagger, Lancaster

[38:31] County Public Defender. For the reasons stated by Mr. Condan, I would ask that

[38:35] you approve this. Um, this was a contract that was negotiated between the

[38:39] county attorney's office and my office. We get all of our discovery in our

[38:44] county attorney cases from the county attorney's office. City attorney is a

[38:49] different system, but I agree with Pat. It's going to be very helpful in helping

[38:54] us do timelines and tracking GPS and we can track where officers were at a

[39:01] certain time or you know locations of cruisers and so it will be very useful.

[39:07] We're looking forward to getting this started. It will help in every case

[39:12] whether it's a a DUI or a theft case. Lots of videos we deal with come from

[39:21] like Super Saver or Casey's and they run on different systems lots of times. So,

[39:27] this will be able to adapt and incorporate all of those different

[39:31] viewing systems into one which will really help. My office is trying to

[39:38] be more accessible to people as well. And so I really appreciate the number of

[39:43] languages that we can translate things into so that we can use this system

[39:48] instead of hiring out an interpreter. And I see the interpreter contracts were

[39:53] also on the calendar. But I'm hoping that this will be able to let us put in

[39:57] letters and translate those things um effectively so that we can notify our

[40:03] clients who are in jail or who are out in the community and don't have access

[40:07] to interpreters for them. Um so I look forward to being able to use this for

[40:13] all of our attorneys and staff. >> And this is the same length of term,

[40:17] five years plus five years. >> Yeah. the civil side of the county

[40:20] attorney's office negotiated this contract and yeah, so what Pat indicated

[40:25] is my understanding for our office as well and I'm glad to hear that if other

[40:30] people get involved that may reduce the cost as well. I was hoping that it would

[40:35] reduce it more than what they did but you know it's a necessity now with

[40:42] all of the data that we're getting. >> So I'd ask you to approve this.

[40:47] It's such a tremendous responsibility ensuring that people's rights are

[40:51] adequately defended and we're glad that you and Pat have worked together to find

[40:56] this tool to help accurate stories be told when they go to court. So I I move

[41:02] approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[41:06] approve this agreement for the public defenders office. Please call the role.

[41:10] » Flare? >> Yes.

[41:11] » Shulty? >> Yes.

[41:12] » Nest? >> Yes.

[41:13] » Johnson? >> Yes.

[41:14] » Yokam? >> Yes. Motion carries.

[41:17] » Thank you. [clears throat] >> 7 J. Approval of consultant work order

[41:23] modifying county contract C-18-0721 with Felsburg Holton Olvig to add design

[41:29] plan modifications production utility coordination and project management work

[41:33] order for an additional cost of $51,68.50.

[41:37] » Tam Dingman, Lancaster County Engineer. Uh this change order is primarily for uh

[41:43] utility coordination. It has been a heavy lift to get the utilities in this

[41:47] uh corridor coordinated appropriately for uh the construction of this project.

[41:52] We do still expect the uh first phase of this project to bid this year and we're

[41:57] hoping that the second phase bids about a year from now.

[42:02] » Great work. I move approval. >> Can I ask just real quick clarifying

[42:07] question? So this is a modification just to the planning. It's not like since we

[42:13] haven't bid the project yet, this isn't like the additional cost for putting

[42:17] utility work in. Correct. >> This is um additional cost for adding

[42:21] for doing the utility coordination itself um which has taken um an

[42:26] extraordinary amount of time as well as plan modifications and production.

[42:30] » Okay. Okay. >> We have a motion and a second to

[42:34] approve. Please call the role. >> Shelton,

[42:37] » yes. >> Vest,

[42:38] » yes. >> Johnson,

[42:40] » yes. Flower, >> yes.

[42:41] » Yokum, >> yes.

[42:44] » Motion carries. 7K, agreement with the International Cybernetics Company, LP

[42:49] doing business as IMS Infrastructure Management Services to conduct a

[42:53] pavement condition survey of county roadways at a cost of $11,915.87.

[43:00] » Pam Ding, the Lancaster County Engineer. Uh you may or may not be aware that

[43:04] we've been visually assessing the condition of our pavement um for

[43:09] actually about 12 years now and that's where we come up with that number uh

[43:13] that we present on an annual basis of what percentage of our uh what number of

[43:18] miles of our system need maintenance. Uh this is a new technology. Uh there are a

[43:25] lot of new technologies out there uh that we researched in order to get here.

[43:30] This particular technology uh uh videotapes the surface of the road and

[43:35] cataloges all the cracking in the road and the depths of the cracking as well

[43:40] as does some um uh what we call refer to as dynamic penetration of the pavement

[43:46] in order to determine how strong it is. Uh we feel this is really important

[43:51] going forward to determine the overall condition of our system.

[43:56] » Move approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[43:59] approve. Please call the role. >> Vest,

[44:03] » yes. >> Johnson,

[44:04] » yes. >> Flower,

[44:06] » yes. >> Schulty, [clears throat]

[44:07] » yes. >> Yokum,

[44:08] » yes. >> Motion carries.

[44:11] 7 L. Recommendation from the purchasing agent on behalf of the county engineer

[44:15] to award a purchase order to LCL truck equipment for four Henderson Mark E 16T

[44:20] dump bodies with plows, spreaders, and wet systems in the amount of

[44:23] $949,987.36.

[44:27] Pam Dingman, Lancaster, County Engineer. Uh, as I was here last week, we ordered

[44:31] the chassis only for these four trucks, and I said to be coming uh back this

[44:36] week for the upfit for these trucks. And so, uh, this dollar amount is the upfit

[44:42] for these trucks. Notice that we have changed vendors um because we have still

[44:48] uh not been able to get the seven trucks that we previously ordered uh from a

[44:52] vendor. I'm very concerned uh going into this winter with the health of our

[44:57] fleet. Um we do have 23 of these plow trucks. Um but some of them are um since

[45:03] we haven't been able to get any delivered in about three and a half

[45:06] years now. Uh the fleet is definitely hurting.

[45:11] » Move approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[45:15] approve. Please call the role. >> Johnson.

[45:17] » Yes. >> Flick.

[45:18] » Yes. >> Chelty.

[45:20] » Yes. >> Best. Yes.

[45:23] » Yoko. >> Yes.

[45:25] » Motion carries. 7 M. Recommendation from the purchasing

[45:30] agent on behalf of the county engineer to award a contract to Neimah Sports

[45:34] Construction LLC doing business as Neaha Infrastructure for replacement of box

[45:38] culvert D121 in the total amount of $317,275.54

[45:45] improvement. >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Pam. Tell us more

[45:48] about this covert improvement. Pam Deng, Lancaster County Engineer. This

[45:52] particular box cover is downstream from Branched Oak Dam. It replaces a uh

[45:59] corrugated metal arch pipe which uh which recently failed. Um we we have not

[46:05] worked uh with Neaha Infrastructure before. We are excited to have the

[46:09] opportunity to work with them. They are on NDOT's approved contractor list which

[46:16] makes them eligible to do work with us. I still move approval

[46:20] » and I'll >> we have a motion and a second to

[46:24] approve. Did you have something else to share?

[46:25] » I'll I'll I'll add that um this was about $20,000 over the engineers

[46:31] estimate. So, that's not exactly the direction that we like to go with these,

[46:35] but we still did get eight biders. And so, uh the uh two lowest biders were

[46:40] separated by $200. >> Wow.

[46:44] » Thank you. Please call the role. >> Flick.

[46:47] » Yes. Shulty, >> yep.

[46:49] » Best, >> yes.

[46:50] » Johnson, >> yes.

[46:51] » Yogam, >> yes.

[46:53] » Motion carries. 7N.

[46:57] Uh, quote from K&M Land Surveying Incorporated for an ALTA NSPS survey on

[47:02] block 90, original Lincoln, Nebraska. Cost is not to exceed $10,000. Move

[47:07] approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[47:11] approve. Please call the RO. >> Schulty.

[47:13] » Yeah. >> Vest.

[47:14] » Yes. >> Johnson?

[47:15] » Yes. >> Flowy?

[47:17] » Yes. Yokum. >> Yes.

[47:18] » Motion carries. 7.

[47:23] Contract with Lincoln Journal Star for publishing legal notices and all other

[47:26] verbiage to conduct city, county, and public building commission business. The

[47:30] costs shall not exceed $13,000. >> Move approval.

[47:34] » Second. >> We have a motion and a second to

[47:36] approve. Please call the role. >> Vest,

[47:39] » yes. >> Johnson,

[47:40] » yes. >> Flower,

[47:41] » yes. >> Shelty,

[47:42] » yes. >> Yokam,

[47:44] » yes. >> Motion carries. Item 7P, recommendation

[47:48] from the personal policy board for the following. I do have a note to hold item

[47:52] one. So, it's just item two, revise the classification of grant coordinator.

[47:56] » I'd move approval of the grant coordinator.

[47:59] » Classification. >> Second.

[48:01] » We have a motion and a second to approve. Please call the role.

[48:05] » Johnson, >> yes.

[48:07] » Flowery, >> yes.

[48:08] » Shulty, >> yes.

[48:09] » Vest, >> yes.

[48:11] » Yokam, >> yes.

[48:12] » Motion carries. brings us to item eight, public comment.

[48:18] » Are there any members of the public wishing to speak on items on related

[48:22] county business but not on the agenda? Please come forward at this time.

[48:28] » Seeing no one, we can proceed. >> Item nine, announcements. The board of

[48:32] commissioners will hold a staff meeting on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 in

[48:36] room 112 of the county city building. The board of commissioners will hold its

[48:39] next regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with

[48:43] the board of equalization immediately following in room 112 of the county city

[48:46] building. Commissioners can be reached at 4024417447

[48:50] or commission at lancaster.n.gov. Board of Commissioners meetings are

[48:54] streamed live in LNKTV, YouTube, and Facebook. The LNKTV app is also

[48:58] available in most streaming devices. Item 10 is adjournment.

[49:01] » Move we adjourn. >> Second. We have a motion and a second to

[49:05] adjurnn. Please call the role. Flare, >> yes.

[49:08] » Shelty, >> yes.

[49:10] » Best, >> yes.

[49:11] » Johnson, >> yes.

[49:12] » Yokam, >> yes.

[49:14] » Motion carries.

Lancaster County Board of Commissioners Meeting September 7, 2026

Agenda

Transcript