Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County Commissioners Chambers
First Floor, County-City Building
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Immediately Following Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Larry Hudkins
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Others Present: Norm Agena, County Assessor
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor
Tom Kubert
Wayne Kubert
AGENDA ITEM
1 LOCATION OF PROTEST HEARINGS
Tom Kubert, appraiser, appeared and informed the County
Board there are four elementary schools which are air
conditioned that would be available, however, it is possible
that Southeast Community College (SCC) can be used. He
stated he had been informed that the current session at SCC
ends June 10 and will not begin again until July 15. Kubert
noted that the referee hearings can be held in the business
wing of the school, adequate parking is available, the
building is air conditioned and hours of use would not be a
problem. Kubert recommended the Board hold the referee
hearings at Southeast Community College.
Kubert stated the next step would be for the County to
contact Southeast Community College regarding usage and
coordination of offices.
The Board voiced no objections.
Kubert stated he would work with Kerry Eagan in negotiating
the use of Southeast Community College for referee hearings.
Discussion followed regarding procedures for filing a protest.
Kubert asked the County Board if they want to proceed with
the general statement notifying the filer that data needs to
be provided at the referee hearing contradicting the
Assessor's valuation.
It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with the
general statement.
Campbell asked if a taxpayer should get a hearing before the
Board of Equalization if they didn't appear at their referee
hearing.
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor, stated
there are not a great number of cases where the taxpayer has
missed their referee hearing and that he would assume the
Board would continue to hear those when the taxpayer has
information which hasn't been submitted.
Campbell suggested taxpayers check in prior to their
scheduled time with the Board of Equalization and request
that new information be in writing.
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, stated there is already an
informal check in the system in place.
Kubert stated with the possible volume of protests this year
it will be more important to be organized and suggested
setting up a room and retaining a referee during Board of
Equalization hearings. If a taxpayer missed their original
hearing they would then have a hearing with the referee
instead of going before the Board of Equalization.
Campbell asked if it was possible to ask taxpayers that they
appear for their hearing approximately 15 minutes early in
order to check in.
Wayne Kubert, appraiser, stated he felt it was possible, but
it would take more manpower. He noted that a market data
sheet will be provided for taxpayers who want the referee to
consider another property in relationship to their property.
Campbell asked if anything had transpired, from a legal
standpoint, regarding protests.
Agena stated only the JC Penney case.
2 APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM DISTRICT COURT CLERK
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, indicated there
are seven or eight individuals interested in the interim
District Court Clerk position. He noted there are three
individuals, who are not running for the office, who would
be qualified. Those individuals are Beth Tallon, Shirley
Crocker and Cindy Paul. The latter two are currently
employees in the District Court Clerk's office and Beth
Tallon was recommended by Joe Steele, State Court
Administrator.
Eagan recommended interviews be held with the three individuals.
Hudkins stated he was concerned that if an individual is
chosen from within the office that it will create a vacancy
or shortage of staff. He stated if there is a qualified
individual who is recommended by the State Court
Administrator's office he didn't see the need to hold
interviews if the Board is satisfied with the individual's
qualifications.
Campbell suggested Kerry Eagan contact Judge Merritt and
another District Court judge to set up an interview with
Beth Tallon and come back to the County Board with a
recommendation to the County Board.
4 WILDERNESS PARK SUB-AREA PLAN
Eagan stated he had visited with Kent Morgan, Planning
Department, regarding the Wilderness Park Sub-Area Plan. He
stated he has completed a draft of a letter to the City and
the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District requesting
financial contributions for the two components
(transportation and hydrology aspects of the study) which
the County is unable to fund.
He asked the Board if there is anything specific they would
like Morgan to be prepared on for the Common meeting on
Friday, May 15, 1998.
Eagan stated they can discuss the funding issue at the
Common meeting.
Campbell suggested that they inform the City and the Lower
Platte South Natural Resource District that they are looking
for some assistance in outside funding and that they will be
receiving a letter to consider in their budgets.
4 POTENTIAL LITIGATION
MOTION: At 2:50 p.m. Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter
into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
potential litigation. On call Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing,
Steinman and Svoboda voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: At 3:03 p.m. Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit
Executive Session. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
5 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to adjourn. On call
Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk