Perkins County Commissioners reorganize for 2026, address ongoing business at January and February meetings
The Perkins County Board of Commissioners addressed annual reorganization matters and continued county business during meetings held Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the Perkins County Courthouse in Grant.
January 20, 2026 – Reorganization Meeting
The board held its annual reorganization meeting on January 20, with Commissioners Darin Robertson, Mark Bottom, and Steve Tucker present.
During reorganization, the board unanimously elected Darin Robertson as chairman and Mark Bottom as vice chairman for 2026. The board approved Resolution 2026-3, the county’s annual reorganizational resolution, which designates The Grant Tribune-Sentinel as the official county newspaper and establishes meeting schedules, financial policies, and county appointments for the year.
The resolution confirmed regular meeting dates on the first and third Mondays of each month, county depositories, employee mileage reimbursement rates, uniform and cellular allowances, indigent burial assistance, health insurance options, Health Savings Account contributions, and the 2026 county holiday schedule. Numerous committee and board appointments were also approved.
Commissioners approved minutes from the January 5 meeting, along with payroll and claims, including $74,219.09 in employee salaries and expenditures across county departments.
Sheriff Jeffrey Miller reported on inmate housing, vehicle repairs, and law enforcement training updates. Highway Superintendent Steve Leimer and Assistant Superintendent Brian Brassfield reported on road operations, including implementation of the iWorq software system and progress on road district transitions. Perkins County EMT Travis Ogg provided an ambulance activity report and an update on his paramedic training.
Unfinished business included review of draft updates to the Perkins County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations presented by Edward Dunn of the West Central Nebraska Development District. Commissioners also considered Conditional Use Permit 03-2025 for a Lightsource BP commercial solar conversion system. The permit was approved by a 2-1 vote (see separate article in this edition), with Robertson voting against the measure due to concerns about the loss of productive agricultural land.
New business actions included authorization to sign Department of Agriculture reports, appointment of road and weed department personnel, approval of a lease-purchase agreement for a new motor grader not to exceed $415,000, and adoption of the updated 2026 Perkins County Employee Handbook.
February 2, 2026 – Regular Meeting
The board reconvened for its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, with all commissioners present. Chairman Robertson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The agenda and minutes from the January 20 meeting were approved unanimously.
Commissioners approved payroll and claims totaling $73,946.94 in employee salaries, along with additional expenditures across general, road, fair, transit, ambulance, emergency communications, and inheritance tax funds.
Veterans Service Officer Kim Dickmeyer met with commissioners regarding Legislative Bill 1072. By unanimous vote, the board authorized sending letters to Perkins County’s Senators Mike Jacobson and Teresa Ibach opposing the proposed transfer of Nebraska Veterans’ Aid funds to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Cash Fund. Dickmeyer also discussed plans for County Government Day, scheduled for February 17.
Edward Dunn of WCNDD again updated commissioners on legislative matters, including LB1204, and continued work on the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.
New business included approval of a memorandum of understanding regarding courtroom cameras involving the Perkins County and District Courts, the Nebraska Supreme Court, the County Board, and the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioners also reviewed statutory rates for borrow dirt and gravel previously adopted at the January meeting.
Highway Superintendent Steve Leimer presented an intersection study for Roads 332 and 758 and will work to post recommended signage. He also presented the 2026–2032 One and Six Year Road Plan, with a public hearing scheduled for February 17 at 9 a.m.
Public comment was opened and closed at both meetings with no comments received.
The February 2 meeting adjourned at 9:47 a.m. The Perkins County Courthouse will be closed Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. The next regular meeting of the Perkins County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, Febr. 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Perkins County Courthouse.
NOTE: This report was compiled from the Perkins County Clerk’s minutes of the meetings with the assistance of AI, and was edited by the Tribune-Sentinel for accuracy and style.