23-101. Counties; corporate name.

Each county, established in this state according to the laws thereof, shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of The county of ..............., and by that name may sue and be sued, plead and shall be impleaded, defend and be defended against, in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter, either in law or equity, or other place where justice shall be administered.

Source:Laws 1879, § 20, p. 359; R.S.1913, § 948; C.S.1922, § 848; C.S.1929, § 26-101; R.S.1943, § 23-101.


Annotations

23-102. County seal; use.

The board shall procure and keep a seal, with such emblems and devices as it may think proper, which may be either an engraved or ink stamp seal and which shall be the seal of the county, and no other seal shall be used by the county clerk, except where the county clerk is ex officio clerk of the district court, in which case he shall use the seal of said court in all matters and proceedings therein. The impression or representation of said seal by stamp shall be a sufficient sealing in all cases where sealing is required.

Source:Laws 1879, § 46, p. 368; R.S.1913, § 949; C.S.1922, § 849; C.S.1929, § 26-102; R.S.1943, § 23-102; Laws 1971, LB 653, § 2.    


23-103. Powers; how exercised.

The powers of the county as a body corporate or politic, shall be exercised by a county board, to wit: In counties under township organization by the board of supervisors, which shall be composed of the town and such other supervisors as are or may be elected pursuant to law; in counties not under township organization by the board of county commissioners. In exercising the powers of the county, the board of supervisors or the board of county commissioners, as the case may be, may enter into compacts with the respective board or boards of another county or counties to exercise and carry out jointly any power or powers possessed by or conferred by law upon each board separately.

Source:Laws 1879, § 21, p. 359; R.S.1913, § 950; C.S.1922, § 850; C.S.1929, § 26-103; R.S.1943, § 23-103; Laws 1953, c. 48, § 1, p. 173.


Annotations

23-104. Powers.

Each county shall have power: (1) To purchase and hold the real and personal estate necessary for the use of the county; (2) to purchase, lease, lease with option to buy, acquire by gift or devise, and hold for the benefit of the county real estate sold by virtue of judicial proceedings in which the county is plaintiff or is interested; (3) to hold all real estate conveyed by general warranty deed to trustees in which the county is the beneficiary, whether the real estate is situated in the county so interested or in some other county or counties of the state; (4) to sell, convey, exchange, or lease any real or personal estate owned by the county in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed in the best interest of the county; (5) to enter into compacts with other counties to exercise and carry out powers possessed by or conferred by law upon each county separately; and (6) to make all contracts and to do all other acts in relation to the property and concerns of the county necessary to the exercise of its corporate powers, except that no lease agreement for the rental of equipment shall be entered into if the consideration for all lease agreements for the fiscal year exceeds one-tenth of one percent of the total taxable value of the taxable property of the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 22, p. 359; Laws 1889, c. 61, § 1, p. 491; R.S.1913, § 951; C.S.1922, § 851; C.S.1929, § 26-104; R.S.1943, § 23-104; Laws 1953, c. 48, § 2, p. 174; Laws 1963, c. 109, § 1, p. 437; Laws 1967, c. 116, § 1, p. 364; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 92;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 13; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 13.    


Annotations

23-104.01. Compacts; conditions; limitations; powers.

Compacts between counties for the joint exercise of powers may be made only upon compliance with the following conditions and subject to the following limitations:

(1) The terms of the obligation imposed by the compact shall be reduced to writing, shall be required to be signed by a majority of the board of supervisors or commissioners of each county that is a party thereto, and after being so signed, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of each county that is a party thereto;

(2) The powers that may be exercised and the obligations that may be incurred by each party under the compact shall be definitely set forth and specified therein;

(3) The powers that may be contracted to be exercised under the compact shall only be those imposed by law upon the county as such or upon its board of supervisors or county commissioners and shall not extend to or include powers specifically conferred upon and required to be carried out by other elected officers of the county;

(4) The share of the expense to be paid by each county in carrying out the compact shall be allocated and set forth in the compact and provision made for the payment thereof;

(5) Final action upon the allowance and payment of any claims and obligations against each county shall be reserved to and remain a function of the board of supervisors or commissioners of each county that is a party to the compact;

(6) The levy and collection of taxes to pay the claims and obligations allowed shall be reserved to and remain a function of each county that is a party to the contract; and

(7) The compact shall be subject to the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

Source:Laws 1953, c. 48, § 3, p. 174; Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 27.    


Cross References

23-104.02. Counties containing a city of the primary class; public grounds; powers.

Any county in which is located a city of the primary class shall have power to purchase, hold, and improve public grounds and parks within the limits of the county, to provide for the protection and preservation of the same, to provide for the planting and protection of shade or ornamental trees, to erect and construct or aid in the erection and construction of statues, memorials, and works of art upon any public grounds, and to receive donations and bequests of money or property for the above purposes in trust or otherwise.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 83, § 1, p. 293.


23-104.03. Power to provide protective services.

Each county shall have the authority (1) to plan, initiate, fund, maintain, administer, and evaluate facilities, programs, and services that meet the rehabilitation, treatment, care, training, educational, residential, diagnostic, evaluation, community supervision, and protective service needs of dependent, aged, blind, disabled, ill, or infirm persons, persons with a mental disorder, and persons with an intellectual disability domiciled in the county, (2) to purchase outright by installment contract or by mortgage with the power to borrow funds in connection with such contract or mortgage, hold, sell, and lease for a period of more than one year real estate necessary for use of the county to plan, initiate, fund, maintain, administer, and evaluate such facilities, programs, and services, (3) to lease personal property necessary for such facilities, programs, and services, and such lease may provide for installment payments which extend over a period of more than one year, notwithstanding the provisions of section 23-132 or 23-916, (4) to enter into compacts with other counties, state agencies, other political subdivisions, and private nonprofit agencies to exercise and carry out the powers to plan, initiate, fund, maintain, administer, and evaluate such facilities, programs, and services, and (5) to contract for such services from agencies, either public or private, which provide such services on a vendor basis. Compacts with other public agencies pursuant to subdivision (4) of this section shall be subject to the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 599, § 1;    Laws 1972, LB 1266, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 393, § 15;    Laws 1986, LB 1177, § 4;    Laws 2013, LB23, § 2.    


Cross References

23-104.04. Commission on the status of women; establish; fund.

Any county may establish and fund a commission on the status of women. Such commission shall advise the county board on the existence of social, economic, and legal barriers affecting women and ways to eliminate such barriers.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 780, § 1.


23-104.05. Commission on the status of women; purposes.

The purpose of a commission established under section 23-104.04 shall be to emphasize studying the changing and developing roles of women in American society including:

(1) Recognition of socioeconomic factors that influence the status of women;

(2) Development of individual potential;

(3) Encouragement of women to utilize their capabilities and assume leadership roles;

(4) Coordination of efforts of numerous women's organizations interested in the welfare of women;

(5) Identification and recognition of contributions made by Nebraska women to the community, state, and nation;

(6) Implementation of this section when improved working conditions, financial security, and legal status of both sexes are involved; and

(7) Promotion of legislation to improve any situation when implementation of subdivisions (1) to (6) of this section indicates a need for change.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 780, § 2.


23-105. County property; control; duty of county board; annual inventory.

The county boards of the several counties shall have the power to take and have the care and custody of all the real and personal estate owned by the county; and, in connection with the foregoing, to file and to require each county officer of the county to file the annual inventory statements with respect to county personal property, as required by sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 350; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 287; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 73; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 273; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 231; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 134; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 236; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 144; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 235; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(1), p. 224; R.S.1943, § 23-105.


Annotations

23-106. County funds; management; establish petty cash fund; purpose; power of county board.

(1) The county board shall manage the county funds and county business except as otherwise specifically provided.

(2) The county board shall have the authority to establish a petty cash fund for such county for the purpose of making payments for subsidiary general operational expenditures and purchases. Such county board shall set, by resolution of the board, the amount of money to be carried in such petty cash fund and the dollar limit of an expenditure from such fund and such amount shall be stated in the fiscal policy of the county board budget message.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 350; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 287; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 73; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 273; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 231; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 134; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 236; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 144; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 235; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(2), p. 224; R.S.1943, § 23-106; Laws 1976, LB 686, § 1; Laws 1978, LB 643, § 1.    


Annotations

23-107. Public grounds and buildings; sale or lease; terms; illegal sale; when validated.

The county board shall have power to make all orders respecting the property of the county; to keep the county buildings insured; to sell the public grounds or buildings of the county, and purchase other properties in lieu thereof; Provided, that the county board may, if it deems it for the best interests of the county, sell county property upon such terms of credit as shall be determined upon by resolution of the board; but any deferred payment shall be for not more than two-thirds of the purchase price, which shall be secured by note or notes, and a first mortgage upon the property so sold, and shall draw not less than six percent interest per annum from date until paid, the interest to be paid annually. The county board shall also have the power to sell or negotiate, without recourse upon the county, the notes and mortgages so taken; but they shall not be sold for less than par value including accrued interest. If, for any reason, such sale of the public grounds by a county board was irregular, illegal, or void, and the purchaser of such public grounds or his grantees have been in open, notorious, undisputed, continuous and adverse possession thereof for more than ten years, and during which ten years the county board has not refunded or offered to refund the purchase price, then in all such cases the county board is authorized and empowered and, when requested by the proper person, is required to convey to the purchaser of such grounds or his grantees, by good and sufficient deed without cost, the fee simple title to the public grounds so irregularly or illegally sold.

Source:Laws 1879, § 24, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 350; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 287; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 73; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 273; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 231; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 134; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 236; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 144; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 235; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(3), p. 224; R.S.1943, § 23-107; Laws 1961, c. 84, § 1, p. 294; Laws 1971, LB 698, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 125, § 1;    Laws 1977, LB 363, § 1.    


Annotations

23-107.01. Real estate owned by county; sale or lease; terms and procedures.

(1)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and section 80-329, any county board has power to sell or lease real estate owned by the county and not required for county purposes at a fair market value regardless of the value of the property. The county board of such county shall hold an open and public hearing prior to any such sale or lease at which any interested party may appear and speak for or against the sale or lease and raise any issue regarding the fair market value of the property as determined by the county board. Public notice of any such public hearing shall be run once each week for two consecutive weeks prior to the hearing date in any newspaper or legal publication distributed generally throughout the county.

(b) The county board shall set a date of sale which shall be within two months of the date of public hearing pursuant to subdivision (1)(a) of this section and shall offer such real estate for sale or lease to the highest bidder.

(c) The county board shall cause to be printed and published once at least ten days prior to the sale or lease in a legal newspaper in the county an advertisement for bids on the property to be sold or leased. The advertisement shall state the legal description and address of the real estate and that the real estate shall be sold or leased to the highest bidder.

(d) If the county board receives no bids or if the bids received are substantially lower than the fair market value, the county board may negotiate a contract for sale or lease of the real estate if such negotiated contract is in the best interests of the county.

(2) A county board may, by majority vote, sell real estate owned by the county in fee simple to another political subdivision in fee simple in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed in the best interest of the county. A county board shall cause to be printed and published at least thirty days prior to the sale in a legal newspaper in the county a notice of the intent to sell county real estate to another political subdivision. The notice shall state the legal description and address of the real estate to be sold.

Source:Laws 1975, LB 125, § 2;    Laws 1976, LB 805, § 1; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 93;    Laws 1980, LB 184, § 10; Laws 1997, LB 396, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB525, § 1.    


23-108. Roads; establishment; abandonment; eminent domain.

The county board shall have power to lay out, alter or discontinue any road running through its county, to vacate or discontinue public roads running parallel and adjacent to state or federal highways not more than four hundred yards from said highway, or any part thereof, or any abandoned or unused road or part thereof, and for such purpose may acquire title to lands therein, either by gift, prescription, dedication, the exercise of the right of eminent domain, purchase or lease, and may perform such duties concerning roads as may be prescribed by law; Provided, that the county board shall not vacate or discontinue any public road or any part thereof which is within the area of the zoning jurisdiction of a city of the metropolitan, primary or first class without the prior approval of the governing body of such city.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 351; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 288; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 73; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 274; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 232; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 135; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 236; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, § 145; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 236; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(4), p. 225; R.S.1943, § 23-108; Laws 1971, LB 192, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-109. Claims; audit; settlement; imprest system of accounting.

(1) The county board shall have power to examine and settle all accounts against the county and all accounts concerning the receipts and expenditures of the county.

(2) The county board may adopt by resolution an imprest system of accounting for the county and authorize the county clerk to establish an imprest vendor, payroll, or other account for the payment of county warrants in accordance with any guidelines issued by the Auditor of Public Accounts.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 351; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 288; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 74; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 274; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 232; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 135; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 237; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 145; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 236; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(5), p. 225; R.S.1943, § 23-109; Laws 1997, LB 34, § 1.    


Annotations

23-110. City or village plat; vacation.

The county board shall have power to authorize the vacation of any city or village plat when the same is not within an incorporated city or village, on the petition of two-thirds of the owners thereof.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 351; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 288; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 74; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 274; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 232; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 135; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 237; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 145; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 236; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(6), p. 225; R.S.1943, § 23-110.


23-111. City or village plat; change; when authorized.

The county board shall have power to change the name of any city or village plat on the petition of a majority of the local voters residing therein, when the inhabitants thereof have not become a body corporate.

Source:Laws 1879, § 23, p. 360; Laws 1887, c. 26, § 1, p. 351; Laws 1905, c. 44, § 1, p. 288; R.S.1913, § 952; Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 74; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 273; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 232; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 135; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 237; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 145; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 236; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(7), p. 225; R.S.1943, § 23-111.


23-112. Claims or judgments; power to compromise.

The county board shall have power to settle by compromise or by accepting in full settlement thereof less than the face or full amount on any claim, judgment or demand in favor of the county, on which said claim, judgment or demand no payment or payments have been made or recovered during a full period of five years from and after the date or dates on which said claim, judgment or demand became due and enforceable, and execute full acquittance or receipt for said claim, judgment or demand, or to sell, at public or private sale, any claim, judgment or demand in favor of a county for cash, at the best price obtainable in the judgment of said board, and execute and deliver a proper transfer or assignment of said claim, judgment or demand so sold; Provided, that no member of the board may be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in the purchase of any such claim, judgment or demand.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 17, § 1, p. 74; C.S.1922, § 852; Laws 1925, c. 93, § 1, p. 274; Laws 1929, c. 60, § 2, p. 232; C.S.1929, § 26-105; Laws 1931, c. 40, § 1, p. 135; Laws 1933, c. 36, § 1, p. 237; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 5, p. 145; Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 235; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(8), p. 225; R.S.1943, § 23-112.


23-113. Transferred to section 12-805.

23-113.01. Transferred to section 12-806.

23-113.02. Transferred to section 12-806.01.

23-113.03. County board; general duties.

The county board shall have power as a board, or as individuals, to perform such other duties as may from time to time be imposed by general law.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(14), p. 227; R.S.1943, § 23-116.02; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-116.02.


23-114. Zoning regulations; when authorized; powers; manufactured homes; limitation of jurisdiction.

(1) The county board shall have power: (a) To create a planning commission with the powers and duties set forth in sections 23-114 to 23-114.05, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376; (b) to make, adopt, amend, extend, and implement a county comprehensive development plan; (c) to adopt a zoning resolution, which shall have the force and effect of law; and (d) to cede and transfer jurisdiction pursuant to section 13-327 over land otherwise subject to the authority of the county board pursuant to this section.

(2) The zoning resolution may regulate and restrict: (a) The location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, including tents, cabins, house trailers, and automobile trailers; (b) the percentage of lot areas which may be occupied; (c) building setback lines; (d) sizes of yards, courts, and other open spaces; (e) the density of population; (f) the uses of buildings; and (g) the uses of land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence, industry, and trade, after considering factors relating to soil conservation, water supply conservation, surface water drainage and removal, or other uses in the unincorporated area of the county. If a zoning resolution or regulation affects the Niobrara scenic river corridor as defined in section 72-2006, the Niobrara Council shall act on the measure as provided in section 72-2010.

(3)(a) The county board shall not adopt or enforce any zoning resolution or regulation which prohibits the use of land for a proposed residential structure for the sole reason that the proposed structure is a manufactured home if such manufactured home bears an appropriate seal which indicates that it was constructed in accordance with the standards of the Uniform Standard Code for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles, the Nebraska Uniform Standards for Modular Housing Units Act, or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county board may require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards for foundation system, permanent utility connections, setback, and minimum square footage which would apply to a site-built, single-family dwelling on the same lot. The county board may also require that manufactured homes meet the following standards:

(i) The home shall have no less than nine hundred square feet of floor area;

(ii) The home shall have no less than an eighteen-foot exterior width;

(iii) The roof shall be pitched with a minimum vertical rise of two and one-half inches for each twelve inches of horizontal run;

(iv) The exterior material shall be of a color, material, and scale comparable with those existing in residential site-built, single-family construction;

(v) The home shall have a nonreflective roof material which is or simulates asphalt or wood shingles, tile, or rock; and

(vi) The home shall have wheels, axles, transporting lights, and removable towing apparatus removed.

(b) The county board may not require additional standards unless such standards are uniformly applied to all single-family dwellings in the zoning district.

(c) Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to supersede any valid restrictive covenants of record.

(4) For purposes of this section, manufactured home shall mean (a) a factory-built structure which is to be used as a place for human habitation, which is not constructed or equipped with a permanent hitch or other device allowing it to be moved other than to a permanent site, which does not have permanently attached to its body or frame any wheels or axles, and which bears a label certifying that it was built in compliance with National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, 24 C.F.R. 3280 et seq., promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or (b) a modular housing unit as defined in section 71-1557 bearing a seal in accordance with the Nebraska Uniform Standards for Modular Housing Units Act.

(5) Special districts or zones may be established in those areas subject to seasonal or periodic flooding, and such regulations may be applied as will minimize danger to life and property.

(6) The powers conferred by this section shall not be exercised within the limits of any incorporated city or village nor within the area over which a city or village has been granted or ceded zoning jurisdiction and is exercising such jurisdiction. At such time as a city or village exercises control over an unincorporated area by the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance, the ordinance or amendment shall supersede any resolution or regulation of the county.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 237; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(10), p. 226; R.S.1943, § 23-114; Laws 1957, c. 381, § 1, p. 1325; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 1, p. 366; Laws 1994, LB 511, § 4;    Laws 1996, LB 1044, § 57;    Laws 1998, LB 1073, § 6;    Laws 1999, LB 822, § 4;    Laws 2000, LB 1234, § 10;    Laws 2002, LB 729, § 12;    Laws 2012, LB709, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-114.01. County planning commission; appointment; qualifications; terms; vacancies; compensation; expenses; powers; duties; appeal.

(1) In order to avail itself of the powers conferred by section 23-114, the county board shall appoint a planning commission to be known as the county planning commission. The members of the commission shall be residents of the county to be planned and shall be appointed with due consideration to geographical and population factors. Since the primary focus of concern and control in county planning and land-use regulatory programs is the unincorporated area, a majority of the members of the commission shall be residents of unincorporated areas, except that this requirement shall not apply to joint planning commissions. Members of the commission shall hold no county or municipal office, except that a member may also be a member of a city, village, or other type of planning commission. The term of each member shall be three years, except that approximately one-third of the members of the first commission shall serve for terms of one year, one-third for terms of two years, and one-third for terms of three years. All members shall hold office until their successors are appointed. Members of the commission may be removed by a majority vote of the county board for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or other good and sufficient cause upon written charges being filed with the county board and after a public hearing has been held regarding such charges. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired terms by individuals appointed by the county board. Members of the commission shall be compensated for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with their duties in an amount to be fixed by the county board. Reimbursement for mileage shall be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176. Each county board may provide a per diem payment for members of the commission of not to exceed fifteen dollars for each day that each such member attends meetings of the commission or is engaged in matters concerning the commission, but no member shall receive more than one thousand dollars in any one year. Such per diem payments shall be in addition to and separate from compensation for expenses.

(2) The commission: (a) Shall prepare and adopt as its policy statement a comprehensive development plan and such implemental means as a capital improvement program, subdivision regulations, building codes, and a zoning resolution; (b) shall consult with and advise public officials and agencies, public utilities, civic organizations, educational institutions, and citizens relating to the promulgation of implemental programs; (c) may delegate authority to any of the groups named in subdivision (b) of this subsection to conduct studies and make surveys for the commission; and (d) shall make preliminary reports on its findings and hold public hearings before submitting its final reports. The county board shall not hold its public meetings or take action on matters relating to the comprehensive development plan, capital improvements, building codes, subdivision development, or zoning until it has received the recommendations of the commission.

(3) The commission may, with the consent of the governing body, in its own name: Make and enter into contracts with public or private bodies; receive contributions, bequests, gifts, or grants of funds from public or private sources; expend the funds appropriated to it by the county board; employ agents and employees; and acquire, hold, and dispose of property. The commission may, on its own authority: Make arrangements consistent with its program; conduct or sponsor special studies or planning work for any public body or appropriate agency; receive grants, remuneration, or reimbursement for such studies or work; and at its public hearings, summon witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the giving of testimony.

(4) In all counties in the state, the county planning commission may grant conditional uses or special exceptions to property owners for the use of their property if the county board of commissioners or supervisors has officially and generally authorized the commission to exercise such powers and has approved the standards and procedures the commission adopted for equitably and judiciously granting such conditional uses or special exceptions. The granting of a conditional use permit or special exception shall only allow property owners to put their property to a special use if it is among those uses specifically identified in the county zoning regulations as classifications of uses which may require special conditions or requirements to be met by the owners before a use permit or building permit is authorized. The applicant for a conditional use permit or special exception for a livestock operation specifically identified in the county zoning regulations as a classification of use which may require special conditions or requirements to be met within an area of a county zoned for agricultural use may request a determination of the special conditions or requirements to be imposed by the county planning commission or by the county board of commissioners or supervisors if the board has not authorized the commission to exercise such authority. Upon request the commission or board shall issue such determination of the special conditions or requirements to be imposed in a timely manner. Such special conditions or requirements to be imposed may include, but are not limited to, the submission of information that may be separately provided to state or federal agencies in applying to obtain the applicable state and federal permits. The commission or the board may request and review, prior to making a determination of the special conditions or requirements to be imposed, reasonable information relevant to the conditional use or special exception. If a determination of the special conditions or requirements to be imposed has been made, final permit approval may be withheld subject only to a final review by the commission or county board to determine whether there is a substantial change in the applicant's proposed use of the property upon which the determination was based and that the applicant has met, or will meet, the special conditions or requirements imposed in the determination. For purposes of this section, substantial change shall include any significant alteration in the original application including a significant change in the design or location of buildings or facilities, in waste disposal methods or facilities, or in capacity.

(5) The power to grant conditional uses or special exceptions as set forth in subsection (4) of this section shall be the exclusive authority of the commission, except that the county board of commissioners or supervisors may choose to retain for itself the power to grant conditional uses or special exceptions for those classifications of uses specified in the county zoning regulations. The county board of commissioners or supervisors may exercise such power if it has formally adopted standards and procedures for granting such conditional uses or special exceptions in a manner that is equitable and which will promote the public interest. In any county other than a county in which is located a city of the primary class, an appeal of a decision by the county planning commission or county board of commissioners or supervisors regarding a conditional use or special exception shall be made to the district court. In any county in which is located a city of the primary class, an appeal of a decision by the county planning commission regarding a conditional use or special exception shall be made to the county board of commissioners or supervisors, and an appeal of a decision by the county board of commissioners or supervisors regarding a conditional use or special exception shall be made to the district court.

(6) Whenever a county planning commission or county board is authorized to grant conditional uses or special exceptions pursuant to subsection (4) or (5) of this section, the planning commission or county board shall, with its decision to grant or deny a conditional use permit or special exception, issue a statement of factual findings arising from the record of proceedings that support the granting or denial of the conditional use permit or special exception. If a county planning commission's role is advisory to the county board, the county planning commission shall submit such statement with its recommendation to the county board as to whether to approve or deny a conditional use permit or special exception.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 2, p. 366; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 22;    Laws 1978, LB 186, § 8;    Laws 1981, LB 204, § 21;    Laws 1982, LB 601, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 259, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 6;    Laws 2003, LB 754, § 3;    Laws 2004, LB 973, § 3;    Laws 2010, LB970, § 1.    


Annotations

23-114.02. Comprehensive development plan; contents.

The general plan for the improvement and development of the county shall be known as the comprehensive development plan and shall, among other elements, include:

(1) A land-use element which designates the proposed general distribution, general location, and extent of the uses of land for agriculture, housing, commerce, industry, recreation, education, public buildings and lands, and other categories of public and private use of land;

(2) The general location, character, and extent of existing and proposed major streets, roads, and highways, and air and other transportation routes and facilities;

(3) When a new comprehensive plan or a full update to an existing comprehensive plan is developed, an energy element which: Assesses energy infrastructure and energy use by sector, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors; evaluates utilization of renewable energy sources; and promotes energy conservation measures that benefit the community; and

(4) The general location, type, capacity, and area served of present and projected or needed community facilities including recreation facilities, schools, libraries, other public buildings, and public utilities and services.

The comprehensive development plan shall consist of both graphic and textual material and shall be designed to accommodate anticipated long-range future growth which shall be based upon documented population and economic projections.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 3, p. 368; Laws 2010, LB997, § 4;    Laws 2020, LB731, § 4.    


23-114.03. Zoning regulations; purpose; districts.

Zoning regulations shall be adopted or amended by the county board only after the adoption of the county comprehensive development plan by the county board and the receipt of the planning commission's specific recommendations. Such zoning regulations shall be consistent with an adopted comprehensive development plan and designed for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Nebraska, including, among others, such specific purposes as:

(1) Developing both urban and nonurban areas;

(2) Lessening congestion in the streets or roads;

(3) Reducing the waste of excessive amounts of roads;

(4) Securing safety from fire and other dangers;

(5) Lessening or avoiding the hazards to persons and damage to property resulting from the accumulation or runoff of storm or flood waters;

(6) Providing adequate light and air;

(7) Preventing excessive concentration of population and excessive and wasteful scattering of population or settlement;

(8) Promoting such distribution of population, such classification of land uses, and such distribution of land development as will assure adequate provisions for transportation, water flowage, water supply, drainage, sanitation, recreation, soil fertility, food supply, and other public requirements;

(9) Protecting the tax base;

(10) Protecting property against blight and depreciation;

(11) Securing economy in governmental expenditures;

(12) Fostering the state's agriculture, recreation, and other industries;

(13) Encouraging the most appropriate use of land in the county; and

(14) Preserving, protecting, and enhancing historic buildings, places, and districts.

Within the area of jurisdiction and powers established by section 23-114, the county board may divide the county into districts of such number, shape, and area as may be best suited to carry out the purposes of this section and regulate, restrict, or prohibit the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use of nonfarm buildings or structures and the use, conditions of use, or occupancy of land. All such regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of land or buildings throughout each district, but the regulations in one district may differ from those in other districts. An official map or maps indicating the districts and regulations shall be adopted, and within fifteen days after adoption of such regulations or maps, they shall be published in book or pamphlet form or once in a legal newspaper published in and of general circulation in the county or, if none is published in the county, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county. Such regulations shall also be spread in the minutes of the proceedings of the county board and such map or maps filed with the county clerk. The county board may decide whether buildings located on farmsteads used as residences shall be subject to such county's zoning regulations and permit requirements.

For purposes of this section and section 23-114.04, nonfarm buildings are all buildings except those buildings utilized for agricultural purposes on a farmstead of twenty acres or more which produces one thousand dollars or more of farm products each year.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 4, p. 368; Laws 1986, LB 960, § 18;    Laws 1999, LB 822, § 5;    Laws 2001, LB 366, § 1;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 6;    Laws 2012, LB709, § 2.    


Annotations

23-114.04. Zoning regulations; enforcement; county zoning administrator; appoint; compensation; permits; fees.

(1) The county board shall provide for enforcement of the zoning regulations within its county by requiring the issuance of permits prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or conversion of any nonfarm building or structure within a zoned area, and the county board may provide for the withholding of any permit if the purpose for which it is sought would conflict with zoning regulations adopted for the particular district in which the building or structure is situated or in which it is proposed to be erected. All plats for subdivisions in the area outside the corporate limits of cities and villages and outside of an unincorporated area wherein a city or village has been granted subdivision jurisdiction and is exercising such jurisdiction must be approved by the county planning commission.

(2) The county board may establish and appoint a county zoning administrator, who may also serve as a building inspector, and may fix his compensation or may authorize any administrative official of the county to assume the functions of such position in addition to his regular duties. The county board may also fix a reasonable schedule of fees for the issuance of permits under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section. The permits shall not be issued unless the plans of and for the proposed erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, use or change of use, including sanitation, plumbing and sewage disposal, are filed in writing in the building inspector's office and such plans fully conform to all zoning regulations then in effect.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 5, p. 370; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 23.    


Annotations

23-114.05. County zoning; violations; penalty; injunction.

The erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use of any building, structure, automobile trailer, or land in violation of sections 23-114 to 23-114.04, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376 or of any regulation made by the county board under such sections shall be a misdemeanor. Any person, partnership, limited liability company, association, club, or corporation violating such sections or any regulation of the county board or erecting, constructing, reconstructing, altering, or converting any structure without having first obtained a permit shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor. Each day such violation continues after notice of violation has been given to the offender may be considered a separate offense. In addition to other remedies, the county board or the proper local authorities of the county, as well as any owner or owners of real estate within the district affected by the regulations, may institute any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use, to restrain, correct, or abate such violation, or to prevent the illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about such premises. Any taxpayer or taxpayers of the county may institute proceedings to compel specific performance by the proper official or officials of any duty imposed by such sections or in resolutions adopted pursuant to such sections.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 6, p. 370; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 24;    Laws 1977, LB 40, § 83;    Laws 1991, LB 15, § 10;    Laws 1993, LB 121, § 162;    Laws 1999, LB 822, § 6;    Laws 2012, LB709, § 3.    


Annotations

23-114.06. County planning commission; notice to military installation.

When a county planning commission appointed pursuant to section 23-114.01 is considering the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance or the approval of the platting or replatting of any development of real estate, the commission shall notify any military installation which is located within the county if the county has received a written request for such notification from the military installation. The county planning commission shall deliver the notification to the military installation at least ten days prior to the meeting of the county planning commission at which the proposal is to be considered.

Source:Laws 2010, LB279, § 4.    


23-115. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 709, § 5.

23-115.01. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 709, § 5.

23-115.02. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 709, § 5.

23-116. Insect pests; plant diseases; control; cooperation with federal and state agencies.

The county board shall have power to cooperate with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or the United States Department of Agriculture in the control or eradication of insect pests or plant diseases for the protection of agricultural or horticultural crops within the county and to expend money from the general fund for this purpose.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 48, § 2, p. 237; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-105; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 1(12), p. 227; R.S.1943, § 23-116; Laws 1969, c. 146, § 1, p. 703; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 33.


23-116.01. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-116.02. Transferred to section 23-113.03.

23-117. Clerks; assistants of county officer; service in more than one office; when.

The clerks or assistants of any county officer may be required by the county board to serve or assist without additional pay in any other county office than that to which they were appointed, whenever the county board may deem it advisable and expedient for the efficient and economical administration of the affairs of the county.

Source:Laws 1923, c. 37, § 1, p. 151; C.S.1929, § 26-106; R.S.1943, § 23-117; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 1, p. 197; Laws 1967, c. 118, § 1, p. 379.


23-118. Repealed. Laws 1977, LB 363, § 2.

23-119. Property tax; limitation.

It shall be the duty of the county board of each county to cause to be annually levied and collected taxes authorized by law for county purposes. The levy shall be subject to the limit established by section 77-3442.

Source:Laws 1879, § 25, p. 361; Laws 1887, c. 27, § 1, p. 352; Laws 1909, c. 30, § 1, p. 210; R.S.1913, § 954; Laws 1915, c. 18, § 1, p. 75; Laws 1919, c. 66, § 1, p. 174; Laws 1919, c. 67, § 1, p. 178; Laws 1921, c. 144, § 1, p. 614; C.S.1922, § 854; C.S.1929, § 26-108; Laws 1935, c. 107, § 7, p. 345; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 8, p. 147; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-108; R.S.1943, § 23-119; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 93;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 36.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-120. Provide buildings; tax; levy authorized.

(1) The county board shall acquire, purchase, construct, renovate, remodel, furnish, equip, add to, improve, or provide a suitable courthouse, jail, and other county buildings and a site or sites therefor and for such purposes borrow money and issue the bonds of the county to pay for the same. Agreements entered into under section 25-412.03 shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section. The board shall keep such buildings in repair and provide suitable rooms and offices for the accommodation of the several courts of record, Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court or any judge thereof, Commissioner of Labor for the conduct and operation of the state free employment service, county board, county clerk, county treasurer, county sheriff, clerk of the district court, county surveyor, county agricultural agent, and county attorney if the county attorney holds his or her office at the county seat and shall provide suitable furniture and equipment therefor. All such courts which desire such accommodation shall be suitably housed in the courthouse.

(2) No levy exceeding (a) two million dollars in counties having in excess of two hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, (b) one million dollars in counties having in excess of one hundred thousand inhabitants and not in excess of two hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, (c) three hundred thousand dollars in counties having in excess of thirty thousand inhabitants and not in excess of one hundred thousand inhabitants, or (d) one hundred fifty thousand dollars in all other counties shall be made within a one-year period for any of the purposes specified in subsection (1) of this section without first submitting the proposition to a vote of the people of the county at a general election or a special election ordered by the board for that purpose and obtaining the approval of a majority of the legal voters thereon.

(3)(a) The county board of any county in this state may, when requested so to do by petition signed by at least a majority of the legal voters in the county based on the average vote of the two preceding general elections, make an annual levy of not to exceed seventeen and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in the county for any of the purposes specified in subsection (1) of this section.

(b) If a county on the day it first initiates a project for any of the purposes specified in subsection (1) of this section had no bonded indebtedness payable from its general fund levy, the county board may make an annual levy of not to exceed five and two-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property of the county for a project or projects for any of the purposes specified in subsection (1) of this section without the filing of a petition described in subdivision (3)(a) of this section. The county board shall designate the particular project for which such levy shall be expended, the period of years, which shall not exceed twenty, for which the tax will be levied for such project, and the number of cents of the levy for each year thereof. The county board may designate more than one project and levy a tax pursuant to this section for each such project, concurrently or consecutively, as the case may be, if the aggregate levy in each year and the duration of each levy will not exceed the limitations specified in this subsection. Each levy for a project which is authorized by this subdivision may be imposed for such duration specified by the county board notwithstanding the contemporaneous existence or subsequent imposition of any other levy or levies for another project or projects imposed pursuant to this subdivision and notwithstanding the subsequent issuance by the county of bonded indebtedness payable from its general fund levy.

Source:Laws 1879, § 25, p. 361; Laws 1887, c. 27, § 1, p. 352; Laws 1889, c. 10, § 1, p. 83; Laws 1909, c. 20, § 1, p. 210; R.S.1913, § 954; Laws 1915, c. 18, § 1, p. 75; Laws 1919, c. 66, § 1, p. 175; Laws 1919, c. 67, § 1, p. 178; Laws 1921, c. 144, § 1, p. 615; C.S.1922, § 854; C.S.1929, § 26-108; Laws 1935, c. 107, § 7, p. 345; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 8, p. 148; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-108; R.S.1943, § 23-120; Laws 1951, c. 46, § 1, p. 162; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 38, p. 952; Laws 1967, c. 119, § 1, p. 380; Laws 1969, c. 147, § 1, p. 704; Laws 1971, LB 999, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 97, § 5;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 94;    Laws 1984, LB 683, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 811, § 9;    Laws 1988, LB 853, § 1;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 94;    Laws 1995, LB 286, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 37;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 4;    Laws 2009, LB294, § 1.    


Annotations

23-121. Office supplies; safes; duty to provide.

The county board shall provide and keep in repair, when the finances of the county will permit, suitable fireproof safes for the county clerk and county treasurer. It shall provide suitable books and stationery for the use of the county board, county clerk, county treasurer, county judge, sheriff, clerk of the district court, county school administrator, county surveyor, and county attorney.

Source:Laws 1879, § 25, p. 361; Laws 1887, c. 27, § 1, p. 353; Laws 1909, c. 30, § 1, p. 211; R.S.1913, § 954; Laws 1915, c. 18, § 1, p. 76; Laws 1919, c. 66, § 1, p. 176; Laws 1919, c. 67, § 1, p. 179; Laws 1921, c. 144, § 1, p. 616; C.S.1922, § 854; C.S.1929, § 26-108; Laws 1935, c. 107, § 7, p. 346; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 8, p. 149; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-108; R.S.1943, § 23-121; Laws 1999, LB 272, § 5.    


Annotations

23-122. Counties having less than 150,000 inhabitants; proceedings; claims; employee job titles and salaries; publication; rate.

The county board of all counties having a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants shall cause to be published, within ten working days after the close of each annual, regular, or special meeting of the board, a brief statement of the proceedings thereof which shall also include the amount of each claim allowed, the purpose of the claim, and the name of the claimant, except that the aggregate amount of all payroll claims may be included as one item, in one newspaper of general circulation published in the county and also its proceedings upon the equalization of the assessment roll. Between July 15 and August 15 of each year, the employee job titles and the current annual, monthly, or hourly salaries corresponding to such job titles shall be published. Each job title published shall be descriptive and indicate the duties and functions of the position. No publication in a newspaper shall be required unless the same can be done at an expense not exceeding three-fourths of the legal rate for advertising notices.

Source:Laws 1879, § 25, p. 361; Laws 1887, c. 27, § 1, p. 353; Laws 1909, c. 30, § 1, p. 211; R.S.1913, § 954; Laws 1915, c. 18, § 1, p. 76; Laws 1919, c. 66, § 1, p. 176; Laws 1919, c. 67, § 1, p. 179; Laws 1921, c. 144, § 1, p. 616; C.S.1922, § 854; C.S.1929, § 26-108; Laws 1935, c. 107, § 7, p. 347; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 8, p. 149; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-108; R.S.1943, § 23-122; Laws 1947, c. 63, § 1, p. 209; Laws 1953, c. 49, § 1, p. 176; Laws 1959, c. 81, § 1, p. 371; Laws 1974, LB 377, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 547, § 1;    Laws 1990, LB 852, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 299, § 16.    


Cross References

23-123. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 80, § 116.

23-124. Bridges or buildings; damages; actions to recover.

In all cases where any bridge or any public building, the property of any county within this state, shall be injured or destroyed by any person or persons, either negligently, carelessly or willfully and maliciously, it shall be the duty of the county board, for and in the name of the county, to sue for and recover such damages as shall have occurred by reason thereof, and the money so recovered shall be paid into the treasury of the county, and by the treasurer be credited to the fund out of which such bridge or building was constructed or repaired. The county board shall also examine and approve and perform all duties required to be performed with respect to annual inventory statements prepared by other county officers and filed with the board, with respect to county personal property as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Source:Laws 1879, § 25, p. 363; Laws 1887, c. 27, § 1, p. 354; Laws 1909, c. 30, § 1, p. 212; R.S.1913, § 954; Laws 1915, c. 18, § 1, p. 77; Laws 1919, c. 66, § 1, p. 177; Laws 1919, c. 67, § 1, p. 180; Laws 1921, c. 144, § 1, p. 617; C.S.1922, § 854; C.S.1929, § 26-108; Laws 1935, c. 107, § 7, p. 347; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 8, p. 150; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-108; R.S.1943, § 23-124.


23-125. Additional tax; when authorized; limitation.

Whenever the county board deems it necessary to assess taxes the aggregate of which exceeds the rate of fifty cents on every one hundred dollars of the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county, the county board may, by an order entered of record, set forth substantially the amount of such excess required and the purpose for which the same will be required, and if for the payment of interest, principal, or both upon bonds, such order shall in a general way designate the bonds and specify the number of years such excess must be levied and provide for the submission of the question of assessing the additional rate required to a vote of the people of the county at the next election for county officers after the adoption of the resolution or at a special election ordered by the county board for that purpose. If the proposition for such additional tax is carried, the same shall be paid in money and in no other manner. The additional tax shall not have a duration greater than five years, except that such five-year limitation shall not apply to any additional tax approved by the voters of the county for payment of principal and interest on bonded indebtedness. The additional tax is excluded from the limitation in section 77-3442 as provided by section 77-3444.

Source:Laws 1879, § 26, p. 363; Laws 1887, c. 28, § 2, p. 356; R.S.1913, § 955; C.S.1922, § 855; C.S.1929, § 26-109; R.S.1943, § 23-125; Laws 1951, c. 47, § 1, p. 164; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 39, p. 954; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 95;    Laws 1999, LB 141, § 3;    Laws 2005, LB 263, § 1.    


Annotations

23-126. Special tax; submission to voters; notice.

The mode of submitting questions to the people for any purpose authorized by law shall be as follows: The whole question, including the sum desired to be raised, or the amount of tax desired to be levied, or the rate per annum, and the whole regulation, including the time of its taking effect, if it be of a nature to be set forth, and the penalty of its violation, if there be one, is to be published for four weeks in some newspaper published in the county. If there be no such newspaper, the publication is to be made by being posted in at least one of the most public places in each election precinct in the county, and in all cases the notice shall name the time when such question will be voted upon, and the form in which the question shall be taken, and a copy of the question submitted shall be posted at each place of voting during the day of election.

Source:Laws 1879, § 27, p. 363; R.S.1913, § 956; C.S.1922, § 856; C.S.1929, § 26-110; R.S.1943, § 23-126.


Annotations

23-127. Bonds or expenditures; submission to voters; tax proposal mandatory.

When the question submitted involves the borrowing or expenditure of money, or issuance of bonds, the proposition of the question must be accompanied by a provision to levy a tax annually for the payment of interest, if any thereon, and no vote adopting the question proposed shall be valid unless it likewise adopt the amount of tax to be levied to meet the liability incurred.

Source:Laws 1879, § 28, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 957; C.S.1922, § 857; C.S.1929, § 26-111; R.S.1943, § 23-127.


Annotations

23-128. Special tax; submission to voters; election; laws applicable.

At the time specified in such notice a vote of the qualified electors shall be taken in each precinct at the place designated in such notice. The votes shall be received, and returns thereof made, and the same shall be canvassed by the same officers and in the same manner as required at each general election.

Source:Laws 1879, § 29, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 958; C.S.1922, § 858; C.S.1929, § 26-112; R.S.1943, § 23-128.


Cross References

23-129. Special tax; approval by voters; number required; effect.

If it appears that a majority of the total number of votes cast upon the proposition at the election in which the proposition is submitted are in favor of the proposition, except the proposal for bonds as provided in section 23-3501, which require a majority of votes cast upon the proposition at the election at which the proposition is submitted, and it also appears that the requirements of the law have been fully complied with, the same shall be entered at large by the county board upon the book containing the record of its proceedings, and it shall then have power to levy and collect the special tax in the same manner as other county taxes are collected. Propositions thus acted upon cannot be rescinded by the county board.

Source:Laws 1879, § 30, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 959; C.S.1922, § 859; C.S.1929, § 26-113; R.S.1943, § 23-129; Laws 1949, c. 37, § 1, p. 129; Laws 1953, c. 50, § 1, p. 177; Laws 1961, c. 85, § 1, p. 296; Laws 1971, LB 534, § 25;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 38.    


Annotations

23-130. Special tax; fund.

Money raised by the county board pursuant to the provisions of sections 23-119 to 23-129 is specially appropriated and constituted a fund, distinct from all others, in the hands of the county treasurer, until the obligation assumed be discharged.

Source:Laws 1879, § 31, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 960; C.S.1922, § 860; C.S.1929, § 26-114; R.S.1943, § 23-130.


23-131. Warrants; how issued; claims of jurors.

(1) Upon the allowance of any claim or account against the county, the county board shall direct the county clerk to draw a warrant upon the county treasurer in payment thereof. The warrant shall be signed by the chairperson of the county board, except as hereinafter provided, and countersigned by the county clerk. Warrants may also be issued as provided in section 23-1303. All warrants payable to officers or employees of the county and claims or accounts allowed in full shall be delivered by the county clerk upon completion of entries so required in the warrant and distribution records of the officer in charge of such records. If a claim or account is not allowed in full, the warrant shall not be delivered to the party until the time for taking an appeal has expired and, if such appeal be taken, then not until the appeal has been determined.

(2) Jurors in the district courts shall, immediately upon the completion of their services, be entitled to a statement under seal from the clerk of the court wherein their services were rendered, certifying the amount due them for service as jurors in such court. Upon presentation by a juror of the certified statement to the county clerk, the county clerk shall immediately issue a warrant upon the county general fund for the amount due as shown by the certified statement, unless the juror has voluntarily waived such amount due for service as a juror. Before delivery of the warrant, the county clerk shall deduct therefrom the amount of any delinquent personal taxes then due from the juror, except that in a county having a county comptroller, the county board shall direct the comptroller to draw the warrant, and the warrant shall be executed as provided in this section, except that it shall be countersigned and issued by the comptroller. If the county clerk or the county comptroller is unable to issue the warrant to the jurors because of insufficient funds, a record of the date of presentation of the certified statements, together with the names and addresses of the jurors, shall be made by the county clerk or the county comptroller and the amount due thereon shall draw interest until there are sufficient funds upon which to draw and pay the warrants, whereupon each juror shall be immediately notified by registered letter, return receipt requested, that upon presentation of a certified statement for juror's fee, a warrant will be drawn therefor with interest, less whatever delinquent personal taxes are then due from him or her.

Source:Laws 1879, § 33, p. 365; Laws 1907, c. 33, § 1, p. 165; Laws 1911, c. 33, § 1, p. 197; R.S.1913, § 961; C.S.1922, § 861; C.S.1929, § 26-115; Laws 1937, c. 58, § 1, p. 234; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-115; R.S.1943, § 23-131; Laws 1961, c. 86, § 1, p. 297; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 81, p. 325; Laws 1971, LB 135, § 1;    Laws 1973, LB 38, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 889, § 1;    Laws 1999, LB 86, § 10;    Laws 2012, LB865, § 1.    


Annotations

23-132. Warrants; limitations upon issuance; exceptions.

The county board, after the adoption of the annual county budget statement, may issue warrants against the various funds provided for in such budget statement within the limitations prescribed in this section. It shall be unlawful for the county board of any county to issue any warrants on any fund or contract any indebtedness against any fund, prior to the annual levy made by the county board, in excess of fifty percent of the fund provided for in the adopted budget statement for the ensuing year unless there is money in the treasury to the credit of the proper fund for the payment of the same. After the tax levy has been made by the county board, it shall be unlawful for the county board of any county to (1) issue any warrants for any amount exceeding eighty-five percent of the aggregate of the amount provided by the budget as finally determined when the levy is made unless there is money in the treasury to the credit of the proper fund for the payment of the same or (2) issue any certificate of indebtedness in any form in payment of any account or claim, make any contracts for or incur any indebtedness in any form in payment of any account or claim, or make any contracts for or incur any indebtedness against the county in excess of the amount provided for and appropriated to any or all of the several funds by the annual county budget statement for the current year except as provided in section 13-511.

Source:Laws 1879, § 34, p. 365; Laws 1881, c. 43, § 1, p. 223; Laws 1883, c. 25, § 1, p. 186; R.S.1913, § 962; C.S.1922, § 862; C.S.1929, § 26-116; Laws 1939, c. 22, § 1, p. 121; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-116; R.S.1943, § 23-132; Laws 1969, c. 145, § 27, p. 688; Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 14; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 14.    


Annotations

23-133. Warrants; specify fund upon which drawn.

Each warrant issued shall specify the fund upon which it is drawn.

Source:Laws 1879, § 35, p. 365; R.S.1913, § 963; C.S.1922, § 863; C.S.1929, § 26-117; Laws 1939, c. 23, § 1, p. 123; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-117; R.S.1943, § 23-133; Laws 1963, c. 110, § 1, p. 438.


Annotations

23-134. Warrants; issuance in excess of limitations; liability of county board.

Any warrant drawn after eighty-five percent of the amount levied for the year is exhausted, and where there are no funds in the treasury for the payment of the same, shall not be chargeable as against the county, but may be collected by civil action from the county board making the same, or any member thereof.

Source:Laws 1879, § 36, p. 365; Laws 1881, c. 43, § 2, p. 223; R.S.1913, § 964; C.S.1922, § 864; C.S.1929, § 26-118; R.S.1943, § 23-134.


Annotations

23-135. Claims; time of filing; approval of certain purchases; procedure; payment in advance of services; authorized; disallowance of claim; notice; appeal.

(1) All claims against a county shall be filed with the county clerk within ninety days from the time when any materials or labor, which form the basis of the claims, have been furnished or performed, except that (a) the fees of jurors serving in the district courts shall be paid as provided for in section 23-131, (b) payment may be approved as provided in subsection (2) of this section, and (c) payments may be made as provided in subsection (3) of this section. The county board may authorize procedures whereby claims may be filed electronically. The electronic filing shall include the following: Information with respect to the person filing the claim, the basis of the claim, the amount of the claim, the date of the claim, and any other information the county board may require. The county clerk shall keep records of each electronic claim. The records shall be accessible for public viewing in either electronic or printed format.

(2) A county board may by resolution, which resolution constitutes a claim pursuant to subsection (1) of section 23-1303, approve the payment for a particular piece of personal property prior to the receipt of such property by the county. A county board may by resolution approve the payment for a particular piece of real or personal property at the auction at which such property is sold if the resolution states the maximum amount which the county may bid for the particular piece of real or personal property.

(3) The county board may pay in advance of services being rendered if it is pursuant to a contract entered into with the state. Such contract shall meet the requirements of the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

(4) When the claim of any person against the county is disallowed in whole or in part by the county board, such person may appeal from the decision of the board to the district court of such county by causing a written notice to be served on the county clerk within twenty days after making such decision and executing a bond to such county, with sufficient security, to be approved by the county clerk, conditioned for the faithful prosecution of such appeal and the payment of all costs that shall be adjudged against the appellant. Upon the disallowance of any claim, the county clerk shall notify the claimant, his or her agent, or his or her attorney in writing of the fact within five days after such disallowance. Notice mailed within such time shall be deemed sufficient. In a county with a county comptroller, all claims shall be filed with the comptroller and not with the county clerk. The comptroller shall keep records of each electronic claim. The records shall be accessible for public viewing in either electronic or printed format. When an appeal is taken, it shall be the duty of the county clerk to immediately notify the county comptroller of such appeal.

Source:Laws 1879, § 37, p. 366; Laws 1885, c. 37, § 1, p. 211; Laws 1907, c. 33, § 1, p. 165; Laws 1911, c. 33, § 1, p. 198; R.S.1913, § 965; C.S.1922, § 865; C.S.1929, § 26-119; Laws 1935, c. 50, § 1, p. 176; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-119; R.S.1943, § 23-135; Laws 1957, c. 59, § 1, p. 276; Laws 1988, LB 828, § 1;    Laws 1999, LB 86, § 11;    Laws 2003, LB 331, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-135.01. Claims; false statements or representations; penalties.

Whoever files any claim against any county as provided in section 23-135, knowing the claim to contain any false statement or representation as to a material fact, or whoever obtains or receives any money or any warrant for money from any county knowing that the claim therefor was based on a false statement or representation as to a material fact, if the amount claimed or money obtained or received or if the face value of the warrant for money shall be one thousand five hundred dollars or more, shall be guilty of a Class IV felony. If the amount is five hundred dollars or more but less than one thousand five hundred dollars, the person so offending shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor. If the amount is less than five hundred dollars, the person so offending shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 59, § 2, p. 277; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 84;    Laws 2015, LB605, § 5.    


Annotations

23-136. Claims; allowance; appeal by taxpayer; procedure.

Any taxpayer may likewise appeal from the allowance of any claim against the county by serving a like notice within ten days and giving a bond similar to that provided for in section 23-135.

Source:Laws 1879, § 38, p. 366; Laws 1885, c. 37, § 1, p. 212; R.S.1913, § 966; C.S.1922, § 866; C.S.1929, § 26-120; R.S.1943, § 23-136.


Annotations

23-137. Claims; appeal; record; trial; costs.

The clerk of the board, upon such appeal being taken and being paid the proper fees therefor, shall make out a complete transcript of the proceedings of the board relating to the matter of its decision and shall deliver it to the clerk of the district court. The appeal shall be entered, tried, and determined and costs awarded in the manner provided in sections 25-1901 to 25-1937.

Source:Laws 1879, § 39, p. 366; R.S.1913, § 967; C.S.1922, § 867; C.S.1929, § 26-121; R.S.1943, § 23-137; Laws 1991, LB 1, § 2.    


Annotations

23-138. Claims; reconsideration.

The provisions of sections 23-135 to 23-137 shall not be so construed as to prevent the county board from once reconsidering their action on any claim, upon due notice to parties interested.

Source:Laws 1879, § 40, p. 366; R.S.1913, § 968; C.S.1922, § 868; C.S.1929, § 26-122; R.S.1943, § 23-138.


Annotations

23-139. Special tax fund; reversion to general fund.

Whenever a tax is levied for the payment of a specific debt, the amount of such tax collected shall be kept as a separate fund in the county treasury, and expended only in the liquidation of such indebtedness; Provided, any surplus remaining in the treasury after full payment of such indebtedness shall be transferred to the general fund of the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 41, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 969; C.S.1922, § 869; C.S.1929, § 26-123; R.S.1943, § 23-139.


Annotations

23-140. Debts due county; settlement.

All persons chargeable with money belonging to any county shall render their accounts to and settle with the county board at the time required by law, and pay into the county treasury any balance which may be due the county, take duplicate receipts therefor, and deposit one of the same with the clerk of the county within five days thereafter.

Source:Laws 1879, § 43, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 970; C.S.1922, § 870; C.S.1929, § 26-124; R.S.1943, § 23-140.


Annotations

23-141. Debts due county; action to recover.

If any person thus chargeable shall neglect or refuse to render true accounts or settle as aforesaid, the county board shall adjust the accounts of such delinquent, according to the best information they can obtain, and ascertain the balance due the county, and may institute the proper action to recover such balance so found due.

Source:Laws 1879, § 44, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 971; C.S.1922, § 871; C.S.1929, § 26-125; R.S.1943, § 23-141.


Annotations

23-142. Debts due county; failure to pay; penalty; collection.

In such case, the delinquent shall not be entitled to any commission, and shall forfeit and pay to the county a penalty of twenty percent on the amount found due the county. Such penalty shall be added to the amount so found due, and it shall be the duty of the court in which any action is brought to recover the same, to include such penalty in any judgment which may be rendered against the delinquent in such action. Such penalty, when collected, shall be paid into the county treasury for the benefit of the school fund.

Source:Laws 1879, § 45, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 972; C.S.1922, § 872; C.S.1929, § 26-126; R.S.1943, § 23-142.


Annotations

23-143. Claims; delinquent personal taxes; deduction.

The county board of any county, whenever the account or claim of any person, firm or corporation against the county is presented to them for allowance, shall procure from the county treasurer a certificate of the amount of delinquent personal taxes assessed against the person, firm or corporation in whose favor the account or claim is presented, and shall deduct from any amount found due upon such account or claim the amount of such tax, and shall forthwith issue a warrant for the balance remaining, if any.

Source:Laws 1879, § 48, p. 368; R.S.1913, § 973; C.S.1922, § 873; C.S.1929, § 26-127; Laws 1933, c. 126, § 1, p. 501; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-127; R.S.1943, § 23-143.


Annotations

23-144. Claims; delinquent personal taxes; deduction; treasurer's receipt.

For any such delinquent personal taxes so set off and deducted from any such account or claim, the board shall issue an order to the county treasurer directing him to draw from the same fund out of which said account or claim should have been paid the amount of said delinquent taxes so set off or deducted, and apply the same upon said delinquent personal taxes in satisfaction thereof; and the said treasurer shall, upon application, receipt therefor to the person whose taxes are so satisfied.

Source:Laws 1879, § 49, p. 368; R.S.1913, § 974; C.S.1922, § 874; C.S.1929, § 26-128; R.S.1943, § 23-144.


Annotations

23-145. Actions against county; delinquent personal tax; offset.

In any suit against a county, any delinquent personal taxes assessed against the person in whose favor the cause of action accrued, may be set off against any amount claimed in such action.

Source:Laws 1879, § 50, p. 369; R.S.1913, § 975; C.S.1922, § 875; C.S.1929, § 26-129; R.S.1943, § 23-145.


Annotations

23-146. Repealed. Laws 1983, LB 370, § 28.

23-147. Repealed. Laws 1983, LB 370, § 28.

23-148. Commissioners; number; election; when authorized.

The county board of commissioners in all counties having not more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall consist of three persons except as follows:

(1) Pursuant to petitions filed or a vote of the county board under section 23-149, the registered voters in any county containing not more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census may vote at any general election as to whether their county board shall consist of three or five commissioners. Upon the completion of the canvass by the county canvassing board, the proposition shall be decided and, if the number of commissioners is increased from three to five commissioners, vacancies shall be deemed to exist and the procedures set forth in sections 32-567 and 32-574 shall be instituted; and

(2) The registered voters of any county under township organization voting to discontinue township organization may also vote as to the number of county commissioners as provided in sections 23-292 to 23-299.

Source:Laws 1879, § 53, p. 369; Laws 1887, c. 29, § 1, p. 359; Laws 1891, c. 21, § 1, p. 225; Laws 1903, c. 30, § 1, p. 277; R.S.1913, § 978; Laws 1917, c. 16, § 1, p. 77; Laws 1919, c. 69, § 1, p. 182; C.S.1922, § 878; C.S.1929, § 26-132; R.S.1943, § 23-148; Laws 1945, c. 42, § 1, p. 202; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 2, p. 197; Laws 1951, c. 48, § 1, p. 165; Laws 1957, c. 60, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1979, LB 331, § 2;    Laws 1985, LB 53, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 789, § 4; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 534;    Laws 2008, LB269, § 1;    Laws 2015, LB575, § 3;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 3;    Laws 2019, LB411, § 23.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-149. Commissioners; number; petition to change; resolution by county board; election; ballot; form.

(1)(a) In counties not under township organization, a registered voter may file a petition or petitions for the submission of the question regarding the number of commissioners on the county board. The petition or petitions shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to five percent of the voters registered in the county at the preceding statewide general election.

(b) In counties not under township organization, the county board may, by majority vote of all members, adopt a resolution for the submission of the question regarding the number of commissioners on the county board.

(2) When the petition or petitions or the resolution is filed with the election commissioner or county clerk not less than seventy days before the date of any general election, the election commissioner or county clerk shall cause the question to be submitted to the voters of the county at such election and give notice thereof in the general notice of such election. The forms of ballots shall be respectively: For three commissioners and For five commissioners; and the same shall be printed upon the regular ballots cast for officers voted for at such election and shall be counted and canvassed in the same manner.

(3) If a majority of votes cast at the election favor the proposition For five commissioners, thereafter the county shall have five commissioners, and if a majority of the ballots cast at the election favor the proposition For three commissioners, thereafter the county shall have three commissioners.

Source:Laws 1891, c. 21, § 1, p. 226; Laws 1903, c. 30, § 1, p. 277; R.S.1913, § 978; Laws 1917, c. 18, § 1, p. 78; Laws 1919, c. 69, § 1, p. 183; C.S.1922, § 878; C.S.1929, § 26-132; R.S.1943, § 23-149; Laws 1969, c. 259, § 1, p. 958; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 789, § 5; Laws 2008, LB269, § 2;    Laws 2019, LB411, § 24.    


Annotations

23-150. Commissioners; qualifications.

(1) The commissioners shall be registered voters and residents of their respective districts.

(2) Beginning in 1992, any person seeking nomination or election to the county board of commissioners in a county having more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall have resided within the district he or she seeks to represent for at least six months immediately prior to the date on which he or she is required to file as a candidate for such office. No person shall be eligible to be appointed to the county board in such counties unless he or she has resided in the district he or she would represent for at least six months prior to assuming office.

(3) This section shall be complied with within six months after a determination that the population has reached more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census.

Source:Laws 1879, § 53, p. 369; Laws 1887, c. 29, § 1, p. 359; Laws 1891, c. 21, § 1, p. 227; Laws 1903, c. 30, § 1, p. 278; R.S.1913, § 978; Laws 1917, c. 16, § 1, p. 78; Laws 1919, c. 69, § 1, p. 183; C.S.1922, § 878; C.S.1929, § 26-132; R.S.1943, § 23-150; Laws 1991, LB 789, § 6; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 535;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 4.    


23-151. Commissioner system; districts; number; redistricting; duties of county board; commissioners; election.

(1) Each county under commissioner organization having not more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall be divided into (a) three districts numbered respectively, one, two, and three, (b) five districts as provided for in sections 23-148 and 23-149 numbered respectively, one, two, three, four, and five, or (c) seven districts as provided for in sections 23-292 to 23-299 numbered respectively, one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven. Each county having more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall be divided into seven districts numbered respectively, one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven.

(2) Such districts shall consist of two or more voting precincts comprising compact and contiguous territory and embracing a substantially equal division of the population of the county. District boundary lines shall not be subject to alteration more than once every ten years unless the county has a change in population requiring it to be redistricted pursuant to subdivision (3)(a) of this section or unless there is a vote to change from three to five districts as provided for in sections 23-148 and 23-149.

(3)(a) The establishment of district boundary lines pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be completed within one year after a county attains a population of more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census. Beginning in 2001 and every ten years thereafter, the district boundary lines of any county having more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall be redrawn, if necessary to maintain substantially equal district populations, by the date specified in section 32-553.

(b) The establishment of district boundary lines and any alteration thereof under this subsection shall be done by the county board. If the county board fails to do so by the applicable deadline, district boundaries shall be drawn by the election commissioner within six months after the deadline established for the drawing or redrawing of district boundaries by the county board. If the election commissioner fails to meet such deadline, the remedies established in subsection (3) of section 32-555 shall apply.

(4) The district boundary lines shall not be changed at any session of the county board unless all of the commissioners are present at such session.

(5) Commissioners shall be elected as provided in section 32-528. Elections shall be conducted as provided in the Election Act.

Source:Laws 1879, § 54, p. 369; Laws 1887, c. 29, § 2, p. 359; Laws 1891, c. 21, § 1, p. 227; Laws 1903, c. 30, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1913, c. 150, § 1, p. 386; R.S.1913, § 979; Laws 1915, c. 19, § 1, p. 78; Laws 1917, c. 16, § 2, p. 78; Laws 1919, c. 69, § 2, p. 183; C.S.1922, § 879; C.S.1929, § 26-133; Laws 1931, c. 39, § 1, p. 132; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-133; R.S.1943, § 23-151; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 3, p. 198; Laws 1963, c. 111, § 1, p. 439; Laws 1969, c. 148, § 1, p. 706; Laws 1973, LB 552, § 2;    Laws 1978, LB 632, § 3;    Laws 1979, LB 331, § 3;    Laws 1990, LB 81, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 789, § 7; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 536;    Laws 2008, LB268, § 1;    Laws 2008, LB269, § 3;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 5.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-152. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-153. County board; joint sessions; mileage reimbursement.

(1) The county boards of two or more counties may meet and hold joint sessions for the transaction of joint county business, including, but not limited to, consolidation agreements pursuant to sections 22-401 to 22-416 and 22-418.

(2) When traveling to and from any county board meeting, members of the county board may be reimbursed for mileage at the rate provided in section 81-1176.

Source:Laws 1879, § 56, p. 370; R.S.1913, § 981; C.S.1922, § 881; C.S.1929, § 26-135; R.S.1943, § 23-153; Laws 1969, c. 149, § 1, p. 707; Laws 1984, LB 671, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 7;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 28;    Laws 1997, LB 40, § 1;    Laws 1997, LB 269, § 29.    


23-154. County board; special sessions; notice.

The county clerk shall have the power to call special sessions when the interests of the county demand it, upon giving five days' notice of the time and object of calling the commissioners together, by posting up notices in three public places in the county, or by publication in a newspaper published therein.

Source:Laws 1879, § 57, p. 370; R.S.1913, § 982; C.S.1922, § 882; C.S.1929, § 26-136; R.S.1943, § 23-154.


Annotations

23-155. County board; transaction of business; majority required.

When two only of the commissioners of the board shall attend, and shall be divided on any question, the decision thereof shall be deferred until the next meeting of the board, and then the matter shall be decided by a majority of the board.

Source:Laws 1879, § 58, p. 370; R.S.1913, § 983; C.S.1922, § 883; C.S.1929, § 26-137; R.S.1943, § 23-155.


23-156. County board; chairman; term; duties.

The board of county commissioners at its regular meeting in January of each year shall elect a chairman of the board to serve for the ensuing year, and such chairman shall sign all warrants on the treasurer for money to be paid out of the county treasury.

Source:Laws 1879, § 59, p. 371; Laws 1887, c. 29, § 3, p. 360; Laws 1891, c. 21, § 2, p. 228; R.S.1913, § 984; Laws 1921, c. 154, § 1, p. 636; C.S.1922, § 884; C.S.1929, § 26-138; R.S.1943, § 23-156.


Annotations

23-157. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-158. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 287.

23-159. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 339, § 1.

23-160. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 339, § 1.

23-160.01. Authority to borrow money; conditions.

The county board of each county in this state may borrow money in an amount sufficient to pay all valid, legally existing warrants of the county hereafter drawn on any county fund, which is legally entitled to participate in the annual allocation of revenue, but subject to the following limitations and requirements, to wit:

(1) Money shall not be borrowed in excess of the amount required to pay warrants issued and embraced within the limits imposed by law upon the right of a county to draw and issue warrants.

(2) The money so borrowed may not be used for any purpose other than payment of such warrants.

(3) The obligation thus incurred shall be evidenced by a negotiable promissory note or notes issued in the name of the county, signed by the chairman of the board and witnessed by the county clerk.

(4) The note may run for not more than one year, but shall be callable by the county at any time, and may draw interest at a rate to be determined by the county board.

(5) Such note or notes, before being negotiated, shall be presented to the county treasurer of the county and registered by said officer, and shall be payable out of the revenue collected, received and credited to such fund or funds.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 58, § 1, p. 232; R.S.1943, § 23-160.01; Laws 1976, LB 696, § 1.


23-160.02. Authority to use idle funds.

The county board of any county having more than two hundred thousand population may use money available in any fund of the county, if not presently or in the immediate future needed for the use of such fund, with which to take up, as an investment, legal valid warrants drawn upon any other fund of the county in which there may not be money presently available with which to pay such warrant; but such taking up of a warrant shall constitute and be deemed a purchase thereof, as an investment of idle money in the fund for which acquired. Any warrant, so taken by way of investment, shall be registered to the credit of the fund from which the money was taken with which to acquire the warrant and shall not draw interest.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 58, § 2, p. 232; R.S.1943, § 23-160.02.


23-161. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-162. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-163. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-164. Adjacent territory; regulation; hearings; notice by publication; written notice to chairperson of planning commission.

The county board shall provide for the manner in which such regulations and restrictions and the boundaries of such districts shall be determined, established, enforced, and, from time to time, amended, supplemented, or changed. No such regulation, restriction, or boundary shall become effective until after public hearings are held by both the county planning commission and county board in relation thereto, when its parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given by the publication thereof in a legal newspaper of general circulation in such county one time at least ten days prior to such hearing. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall also be given in writing to the chairperson of any municipal, county, or joint planning commission in the State of Nebraska which has jurisdiction over land within three miles of the property affected by such action. In the absence of a planning commission, such notice shall be given to the clerks of units of local government in the State of Nebraska having jurisdiction over land within three miles of the property affected by such action.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 12, p. 511; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-152; R.S.1943, § 23-164; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 25;    Laws 1996, LB 299, § 17.    


Annotations

23-165. Adjacent territory; regulation; amendments; objections; hearings.

Such regulations, restrictions, and boundaries may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, modified, or repealed. In case, however, of a protest against such change, signed by the owners of twenty percent or more either of the area of the lots included in such proposed change, or of those immediately adjacent in the rear thereof extending one hundred feet therefrom, or to those directly opposite thereto extending one hundred feet from the street frontage of such opposite lots, and such change is not in accordance with the comprehensive development plan, such amendments shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of two-thirds majority of the county board. The provisions of section 23-164 relative to public hearings and official notice shall apply equally to all changes or amendments.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 13, p. 511; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-153; R.S.1943, § 23-165; Laws 2005, LB 161, § 11.    


Annotations

23-166. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-167. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-168. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 410, § 34.

23-168.01. Board of adjustment; members; appointment; qualifications; term; vacancy; rules and regulations; records; open to public.

(1) The county board shall appoint a board of adjustment which shall consist of five members, plus one additional member designated as an alternate who shall attend and serve only when one of the regular members is unable to attend for any reason, each to be appointed for a term of three years and be removable for cause by the appointing authority upon written charges and after public hearing. No member of the board of adjustment shall be a member of the county board of commissioners or county board of supervisors. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose term becomes vacant. One member only of the board of adjustment shall be appointed by the county board from the membership of the county planning commission, and the loss of membership on the planning commission by such member shall also result in his immediate loss of membership on the board of adjustment and the appointment of another planning commissioner to the board of adjustment.

(2) The board of adjustment shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of any resolution adopted pursuant to sections 23-114 to 23-114.05, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376. Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such other times as the board may determine. Such chairman, or in his absence the acting chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public. The board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed with the county clerk and shall be a public record.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 8, p. 372; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 26;    Laws 1978, LB 186, § 9.    


Annotations

23-168.02. Board of adjustment; decision; appeal.

(1) An appeal to the board of adjustment may be taken by any person or persons aggrieved, or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the county affected by any decision of an administrative officer or planning commission. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board of adjustment, by filing with the board a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The officer or agency from whom the appeal is taken shall transmit to the board of adjustment all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.

(2) The board of adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, give public notice thereof as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within a reasonable time. Any party may appear at the hearing in person, by agent, or by attorney.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 9, p. 372.


Annotations

23-168.03. Board of adjustment; powers; variance; when permitted; power to reverse or modify action.

(1) The board of adjustment shall, subject to such appropriate conditions and safeguards as may be established by the county board, have only the following powers:

(a) To hear and decide appeals when it is alleged by the appellant that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or refusal made by an administrative official or agency based on or made in the enforcement of any zoning regulation or any regulation relating to the location or soundness of structures. The board of adjustment shall have no authority to hear and decide appeals regarding conditional use permits or special exceptions which may be granted pursuant to section 23-114.01;

(b) To hear and decide, in accordance with the provisions of any regulation, requests for interpretation of any map; and

(c) When by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallowness, or shape of a specific piece of property at the time of the adoption of the zoning regulations, or by reason of exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional situation or condition of such piece of property, the strict application of any enacted regulation under sections 23-114 to 23-114.05, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376 would result in peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties to, or exceptional and undue hardships upon the owner of such property, to authorize, upon an appeal relating to the property, a variance from such strict application so as to relieve such difficulties or hardship, if such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of any zoning regulations, but no such variance shall be authorized unless the board of adjustment finds that: (i) The strict application of the resolution would produce undue hardship; (ii) such hardship is not shared generally by other properties in the same zoning district and the same vicinity; (iii) the authorization of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property and the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance; and (iv) the granting of such variance is based upon reasons of demonstrable and exceptional hardship as distinguished from variations for purposes of convenience, profit or caprice.

(2) No variance shall be authorized unless the board finds that the condition or situation of the property concerned or the intended use of the property is not of so general or recurring a nature as to make reasonably practicable the formulation of a general regulation to be adopted as an amendment to the zoning regulations.

(3) In exercising the powers granted in this section, the board may, in conformity with the provisions of sections 23-114 to 23-114.05, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision, or determination appealed from and may make such order, requirement, decision, or determination as shall be proper, and to that end shall have the power of the officer or agency from whom the appeal is taken. The concurring vote of four members of the board shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision, or determination of any such administrative official, or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass under any such regulation or to effect any variation in such regulation.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 10, p. 373; Laws 1969, c. 114, § 2, p. 527; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 27;    Laws 1978, LB 186, § 10;    Laws 2004, LB 973, § 4.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-168.04. Board of adjustment; decision; appeal; procedure.

Any person or persons, jointly or severally, aggrieved by any decision of the board of adjustment, or any officer, department, board, or bureau of the county, may present to the district court for the county a petition, duly verified, setting forth that such decision is illegal, in whole or in part, and specifying the grounds of the illegality. The petition must be presented to the court within fifteen days after the filing of the decision in the office of the board of adjustment. Upon the filing of such petition a summons shall be issued and be served upon the board of adjustment together with a copy of the petition, and return of service shall be made within four days after the issuance of the summons. Within ten days after the return day of the summons, the county board shall file an answer to the petition which shall admit or deny the substantial averments of the petition and matters in dispute as disclosed by the petition. The answer shall be verified in like manner as required for the petition. At the expiration of the time for filing the answer, the court shall proceed to hear and determine the cause without delay and shall render judgment according to law. If, upon the hearing, it shall appear to the court that testimony is necessary for the proper disposition of the matter, it may take evidence or appoint a referee to take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to the court with his findings of fact and conclusions of law, which shall constitute a part of the proceedings upon which the determination of the court shall be made. The court may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the decision brought up for review. Appeal to the district court shall not stay proceedings upon the decision appealed from, but the court may, on application, on notice to the board and on due cause shown, grant a restraining order. Any appeal from such judgment of the district court shall be prosecuted in accordance with the general laws of the state regulating appeals in actions at law.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 11, p. 374.


Annotations

23-169. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 117, § 19.

23-170. Adjacent territory; regulation; statutes and ordinances; highest standard required by either to govern.

Whenever the regulations made under authority of sections 23-164 to 23-174 require a greater width or size of yard, courts or other open spaces, or require a lower height of building or a less number of stories or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied or impose other higher standards than are required in any other statute or local ordinance or regulation, the provisions of the regulations made under authority of said sections shall govern. Wherever the provisions of any other statute or local ordinance or regulation require a greater width or size of yards, courts, or other open space or require a lower height of building or a less number of stories or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied or impose other higher standards than are required by the regulations made under authority of said sections, the provisions of such statute or local ordinance or regulations shall govern.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 18, p. 514; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-158; R.S.1943, § 23-170.


23-171. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 410, § 34.

23-172. Standard codes; adoption; copy; area where applicable.

(1) The county board may adopt by resolution, which shall have the force and effect of law, the conditions, provisions, limitations, and terms of a building or construction code, a plumbing code, an electrical code, a fire prevention code, or any other code relating to building or relating to the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, placing, or using of any building, structure, automobile trailer, house trailer, or cabin trailer. For this purpose, the county board may adopt any standard code which contains rules or regulations printed as a code in book or pamphlet form by reference to such code or portions thereof without setting forth in the resolution the conditions, provisions, limitations, or terms of such code. When such code or any such standard code or portion thereof is incorporated by reference into such resolution, it shall have the same force and effect as though it had been written in its entirety in such resolution without further or additional publication.

(2) Not less than one copy of such code or such standard code or portion thereof shall be kept for use and examination by the public in the office of the clerk of such county prior to the adoption thereof and as long as such standard code is in effect in such county.

(3) Any building or construction code implemented under this section shall be adopted and enforced as provided in section 71-6406.

(4) If there is no county resolution adopting a plumbing code in effect for such county, the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code designated by the American National Standards Institute as an American National Standard shall apply to all buildings.

(5) Any code adopted and approved by the county board, as provided in this section, or if there is no county resolution adopting a plumbing code in effect for such county, the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code designated by the American National Standards Institute as an American National Standard, and the building permit requirements or occupancy permit requirements imposed by such code or by sections 23-114.04 and 23-114.05, shall apply to all of the county except within the limits of any incorporated city or village and except within an unincorporated area where a city or village has been granted zoning jurisdiction and is exercising such jurisdiction.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as creating an obligation for the county to inspect plumbing work done within its jurisdiction to determine compliance with the plumbing code.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 19, p. 515; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-159; R.S.1943, § 23-172; Laws 1961, c. 87, § 6, p. 302; Laws 1963, c. 57, § 5, p. 241; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 12, p. 375; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 28;    Laws 1993, LB 35, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1304, § 3;    Laws 2012, LB42, § 3;    Laws 2014, LB802, § 2;    Laws 2016, LB704, § 212;    Laws 2021, LB131, § 20.    


23-173. Zoning resolutions; adoption; publication; printing; effect.

The county board may also pass, approve and publish any other resolution governing and controlling zoning after the zoning district is created and established as provided in section 23-114.03, and when such resolutions are passed and approved, they shall be published as provided in section 23-172. If any resolution is published by printing the same in book or pamphlet form, purporting to be published by authority of the county board, the same need not be otherwise published, and such book or pamphlet shall be received as evidence of the passage and legal publication of such resolution, as of the dates mentioned in such book or pamphlet, in all courts without further proof.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 19, p. 515; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-159; R.S.1943, § 23-173; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 13, p. 376; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 29.    


23-173.01. Nonconforming use; termination; restoration.

The use of a building, structure, or land, existing and lawful at the time of the enactment of a zoning regulation, or at the time of an amendment of a regulation, may, except as provided in this section, be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions of such regulation or amendment, and such use may be extended throughout the same building if no structural alteration of such building is proposed or made for the purpose of such extension. If such nonconforming use is in fact discontinued for a period of twelve months, such right to the nonconforming use shall be forfeited and any future use of the building and premises shall conform to the regulation. The county board may provide in any zoning regulation for the restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of nonconforming uses upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the zoning resolution. The county board may, in any zoning regulation, provide for the termination of nonconforming uses, either by specifying the period or periods in which nonconforming uses shall be required to cease, or by providing a formula whereby the compulsory termination of a nonconforming use may be so fixed as to allow for the recovery or amortization of the investment in the nonconformance, except that in the case of a legally erected outdoor advertising sign, device, or display, no amortization schedule shall be used.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 117, § 14, p. 376; Laws 1981, LB 241, § 4.    


23-174. Violations; penalty.

If any person shall violate any of the provisions of sections 23-164 to 23-174 for which penalty is not elsewhere provided therein, or if any person shall violate any of the provisions of any resolution adopted under the power and authority granted to county boards under section 23-174.01, 23-174.02, 23-174.03, or 23-174.10 or under sections 23-114, 23-172, and 23-173, such person shall be punished upon conviction in the same manner as for violation of section 23-114.05 in accordance with the penalties prescribed therein.

Source:Laws 1941, c. 131, § 19, p. 516; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-159; R.S.1943, § 23-174; Laws 1961, c. 87, § 7, p. 303; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 15, p. 377; Laws 1969, c. 151, § 1, p. 710.


23-174.01. County zoning; cities of the primary class; grant of authority.

Every county in which is located a city of the primary class shall have power within the county, except within the area over which zoning jurisdiction has been granted to any city or village and over which such city or village is exercising such jurisdiction, to regulate and restrict (1) the location, height, bulk, and size of buildings and other structures, (2) the percentage of a lot that may be occupied, (3) the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, (4) the density of population, and (5) the locations and uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, business, residences and other purposes. Such county shall have power within the county, except within the area over which zoning jurisdiction has been granted to any city or village and over which such city or village is exercising such jurisdiction, to divide the county zoned into districts of such number, shape, and area as may be best suited to carry out the purposes of this section, and to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, or use of buildings, structures, or land within the total area zoned or within districts. All such regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings throughout each district, but regulations applicable to one district may differ from those applicable to other districts. Such zoning regulations shall be designed to secure safety from fire, flood, and other dangers and to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and shall be made with consideration having been given to the character of the various parts of the area zoned and their peculiar suitability for particular uses and types of development and with a view to conserving property values and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the area zoned in accordance with a comprehensive plan. The provisions of section 23-114 which relate to manufactured homes shall apply to such zoning regulations. Such zoning regulations may include reasonable provisions regarding nonconforming uses and their gradual elimination.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 1, p. 299; Laws 1978, LB 186, § 11;    Laws 1994, LB 511, § 5.    


23-174.02. Zoning resolution; regulations.

The zoning resolution shall be adopted and amended, and regulations made and promulgated not inconsistent therewith, in the manner provided in sections 23-114, 23-114.03, 23-164, and 23-165.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 2, p. 300; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 16, p. 377.


23-174.03. County zoning; cities of the primary class; subdivision and platting into lots and streets; approval requirements; filing of plat; effect.

(1) No owner of any real estate located in a county in which is located a city of the primary class, except within the area over which subdivision jurisdiction has been granted to any city or village, and such city or village is exercising such jurisdiction, shall be permitted to subdivide, plat, or lay out such real estate in building lots and streets, or other portions of the same intended to be dedicated for public use or for the use of the purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto, without first having obtained the approval thereof by the county board of such county. In lieu of approval by the county board, the county board may designate specific types of plats which may be approved by the county planning commission or the planning director. No plat or subdivision of such real estate shall be recorded in the office of the register of deeds or have any force or effect unless the same is approved by the county board, the county planning commission, or the planning director of such county. Such a county shall have authority within the area described in this subsection (a) to regulate the subdivision of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or building development, except that the county shall have no power to regulate subdivision in those instances where the smallest parcel created is more than ten acres in area, (b) to prescribe standards for laying out subdivisions in harmony with the comprehensive plan, (c) to require the installation of improvements by the owner or by the creation of public improvement districts, or by requiring a good and sufficient bond guaranteeing installation of such improvements, and (d) to require the dedication of land for public purposes.

(2) For purposes of this section, subdivision means the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots, sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of ownership or building development, except that the division of land shall not be considered to be subdivision when the smallest parcel created is more than ten acres in area.

(3) Subdivision plats shall be approved by the county planning commission on recommendation by the planning director and county engineer and may be submitted to the county board for its consideration and action. The county board may withhold approval of a plat until the county engineer has certified that the improvements required by the regulations have been satisfactorily installed or until a sufficient bond guaranteeing installation of the improvements has been posted with the county or until public improvement districts are created. The county board may provide procedures in land subdivision regulation for appeal by any person aggrieved by any action of the county planning commission or planning director.

(4) Any plat shall, after being filed with the register of deeds, be equivalent to a deed in fee simple absolute to the county, from the owner, of such portion of the land as is therein set apart for public use.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 8, p. 303; Laws 1978, LB 186, § 12;    Laws 1980, LB 61, § 3; Laws 2005, LB 9, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB525, § 2.    


23-174.04. County zoning; cities of the primary class; planning department; planning director.

In every county in which is located a city of the primary class, there shall be created a planning department, which shall consist of a county planning commission, a planning director, and such subordinate employees as are required to administer the planning program set forth in sections 23-174.01 to 23-174.09. The planning director shall serve as the secretary of the county planning commission and as the administrative head of the planning department.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 9, p. 304.


23-174.05. County; comprehensive plan; requirements; contents.

The general plan for the improvement and development of the county outside of the jurisdiction of any city or village shall be known as the comprehensive plan. This plan for governmental policies and action shall include the pattern and intensity of land use, the provision of public facilities including transportation and other governmental services, the effective development and utilization of human and natural resources, the identification and evaluation of area needs including housing, employment, education, and health and the formulation of programs to meet such needs, surveys of structures and sites determined to be of historic, cultural, archaeological, or architectural significance or value, long-range physical and fiscal plans for governmental policies and action, and coordination of all related plans and activities of the state and local governments and agencies concerned. The comprehensive plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive and explanatory materials, shall show the recommendations concerning the physical development pattern of such area, taking into account the availability of and need for conserving land and other irreplaceable natural resources, the preservation of sites of historic, cultural, archaeological, and architectural significance or value, the projected changes in size, movement, and composition of population, the necessity for expanding housing and employment opportunities, and the need for methods of achieving modernization, simplification, and improvements in governmental structures, systems, and procedures related to growth objectives. The comprehensive plan shall, among other things, show:

(1) The general location, character, and extent of existing and proposed streets and highways and railroad, air, and other transportation routes and terminals;

(2) Existing and proposed public ways, parks, grounds, and open spaces;

(3) The general location, character, and extent of schools, school grounds, and other educational facilities and properties;

(4) The general location and extent of existing and proposed public utility installations;

(5) The general location and extent of community development and housing activities; and

(6) The general location of existing and proposed public buildings, structures, and facilities.

The comprehensive plan of the county shall include a land-use plan showing the proposed general distribution and general location of business and industry, residential areas, utilities, and recreational, educational, and other categories of public and private land uses. The land-use plan shall also show the recommended standards of population density based upon population estimates and providing for activities for which space should be supplied within the area covered by the plan. The comprehensive plan shall include and show proposals for acquisition, extension, widening, narrowing, removal, vacation, abandonment, sale, and other actions affecting public improvements.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 10, p. 304; Laws 1975, LB 111, § 3.    


23-174.06. Planning director; prepare comprehensive plan; review by county planning commission; county board; adopt or modify plan.

The planning director shall be responsible for preparing a comprehensive plan of the county and amendments and extensions thereto, and for submitting such plans and modifications to the county planning commission for its consideration and action. The commission shall review such plans and modifications, and those which the county board may suggest, and, after holding at least one public hearing on each proposed action, shall provide its recommendations to the county board of commissioners within a reasonable period of time. The county board of commissioners shall review the recommendations of the planning commission and, after at least one public hearing on each proposed action, shall adopt or reject such plans in whole or in part and with or without modifications.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 11, p. 305; Laws 1975, LB 111, § 4.    


23-174.07. Change to comprehensive plan; prior consideration by planning department; report.

No resolution which deals with the acquisition, extension, widening, narrowing, removal, vacation, abandonment, sale or other change relating to any public way, transportation, route, ground, open space, building, or structure, or other public improvement of a character included in the comprehensive plan, the subject matter of which has not been reported on by the planning department under the provisions of section 23-174.06, shall be adopted by the county board until such resolution shall first have been referred to the planning department and that department has reported regarding conformity of the proposed action with the comprehensive plan. The department's report shall specify the character and degree of conformity or nonconformity of each proposed action to the comprehensive plan, and a report in writing thereon shall be rendered to the county board within thirty days after the date of receipt of the referral unless a longer period is granted by the county board. If the department fails to render any such report within the allotted time, the approval of the department may be presumed by the county board.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 12, p. 305.


23-174.08. Zoning resolution; public hearing; notice; approval.

The planning director shall be responsible for the preparation of the zoning resolution and for submitting it to the county planning commission for its consideration and action. The commission shall review the proposed zoning resolution and, after holding at least one public hearing on each proposed action, shall approve or reject it in whole or in part and with or without modifications. When approved by the commission, the proposed resolution shall be submitted to the county board for its consideration, and the zoning resolution shall become effective when adopted by the county board. The county board of such county may amend, supplement, or otherwise modify the zoning resolution. Any such proposed amendment, supplement, or modification shall first be submitted to the planning commission for its recommendations and report. The planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing with relation thereto, before submitting its recommendations and report. After the recommendations and report of the planning commission have been filed, the county board shall, before enacting any proposed amendment, supplement, or modification, hold a public hearing in relation thereto. Notice of the time and place of hearings above referred to shall be given by publication thereof in a paper of general circulation in the county at least one time at least five days before the date of hearing. Notice with reference to proposed amendments, supplements, or modifications of the zoning resolution shall also be posted in a conspicuous place on or near the property upon which the action is pending. Such notice shall be easily visible from the street or highway, and shall be posted at least five days before the hearing.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 13, p. 306.


23-174.09. Board of zoning appeals; powers; duties.

There may be created a board of zoning appeals comprised of five members appointed by the county board, which board shall have power to hear and decide appeals from any decision or order of the building inspector or other officers charged with the enforcement of the zoning resolution in those cases where it is alleged that such decision or order is in error. The board shall also have power to decide upon petitions for variances and, subject to such standards and procedures as the county board may provide in the zoning resolution, to vary the strict application of the height, area, parking, or density requirements to the extent necessary to permit the owner a reasonable use of his land in those specific instances where there are peculiar, exceptional, and unusual circumstances in connection with a specific parcel of land, which circumstances are not generally found within the locality or neighborhood concerned. The board may also have such related duties as the county board may assign. The county board may provide for appeals from a decision of the board.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 87, § 14, p. 307.


Cross References

23-174.10. Public health, safety, and welfare regulations; county board may adopt.

In any county which has adopted county zoning regulations, the county board, by resolution, may make regulations as may be necessary or expedient to promote the public health, safety, and welfare, including regulations to prevent the introduction or spread of contagious, infectious, or malignant diseases; to provide rules for the prevention, abatement, and removal of nuisances, including the pollution of air and water; and make and prescribe regulations for the construction, location, and keeping in order of all slaughterhouses, stockyards, warehouses, sheds, stables, barns, commercial feedlots, dairies, junk and salvage yards, or other places where offensive matter is kept, or is likely to accumulate. Such regulations shall be not inconsistent with the general laws of the state and shall apply to all of the county except within the limits of any incorporated city or village, and except within the unincorporated area where a city or village has been granted zoning jurisdiction and is exercising such jurisdiction.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 105, § 1, p. 430; Laws 1969, c. 151, § 2, p. 710; Laws 1978, LB 807, § 1.    


23-175. County board; county vehicles; liability insurance procurement; effect; applicability.

When a county board employs a person and places in his or her charge and under his or her supervision trucks, automobiles, snowplows, road graders, or other vehicles and authorizes such employee to use them upon a public road, the county board shall purchase liability insurance to protect any such employee against loss occasioned by any acts of negligence resulting from the use of such vehicles or equipment. The insurance shall be purchased by public bidding at least once every three years in a limit of not less than one hundred thousand dollars to cover the bodily injury or injuries of one person and, subject to the limitation to one person, one million dollars to cover bodily injury or injuries to more than one person in the same accident and one hundred thousand dollars to cover property damage. The insurance policy may, in the discretion of the county board, contain a deductible provision for up to one thousand dollars of any claim in which event the county shall be considered a self-insurer for that amount. The insurance and bidding requirements of this section shall not apply to a county which is a member of a risk management pool formed pursuant to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Act. Any judgment against any employee shall not be collectible in whole or in part from any member of the county board.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 61, § 1, p. 279; Laws 1969, c. 138, § 24, p. 636; Laws 1993, LB 66, § 1;    Laws 1998, LB 376, § 1.    


Cross References

23-175.01. Transferred to section 13-401.

23-176. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-177. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-178. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-179. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-180. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-181. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-182. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-183. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-184. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-185. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 548, § 15.

23-186. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 801, § 102.

23-187. Subjects regulated; power to enforce.

(1) In addition to the powers granted by section 23-104, a county may, in the manner specified by sections 23-187 to 23-193, regulate the following subjects by ordinance:

(a) Parking of motor vehicles on public roads, highways, and rights-of-way as it pertains to snow removal for and access by emergency vehicles to areas within the county;

(b) Motor vehicles as defined in section 60-339 that are abandoned on public or private property;

(c) Low-speed vehicles as described and operated pursuant to section 60-6,380;

(d) Golf car vehicles as described and operated pursuant to section 60-6,381;

(e) Graffiti on public or private property;

(f) False alarms from electronic security systems that result in requests for emergency response from law enforcement or other emergency responders;

(g) Violation of the public peace and good order of the county by disorderly conduct, lewd or lascivious behavior, or public nudity;

(h) Peddlers, hawkers, or solicitors operating for commercial purposes. If a county adopts an ordinance under this subdivision, the ordinance shall provide for registration of any such peddler, hawker, or solicitor without any fee and allow the operation or conduct of any registered peddler, hawker, or solicitor in all areas of the county where the county has jurisdiction and where a city or village has not otherwise regulated such operation or conduct; and

(i) Operation of vehicles on any highway or restrictions on the weight of vehicles pursuant to section 60-681.

(2) For the enforcement of any ordinance authorized by this section, a county may impose fines, forfeitures, or penalties and provide for the recovery, collection, and enforcement of such fines, forfeitures, or penalties. A county may also authorize such other measures for the enforcement of ordinances as may be necessary and proper. A fine enacted pursuant to this section shall not exceed five hundred dollars for each offense.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB289, § 2;    Laws 2012, LB1155, § 1;    Laws 2015, LB577, § 1;    Laws 2016, LB977, § 4.    


23-188. County board; notice; contents; public hearing.

A county board shall provide notice of the time when any county ordinance is set for consideration before the board. Such notice shall appear at least once a week for two weeks in a newspaper published or of general circulation in the county. The notice shall contain the entire wording of the ordinance and the time and place of the public hearing. The last publication of the notice shall be not less than five days nor more than two weeks prior to the time set for the public hearing on the adoption of the ordinance. A county board shall not take final action on the proposed ordinance until after at least one public hearing has been held thereon by the county board at which public comment regarding the proposed ordinance was permitted.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 2.    


23-189. Proof of ordinance; proof of adoption and publication.

A county ordinance may be proved by the certificate of the county clerk under the seal of the county. The adoption and publication of the ordinance shall be sufficiently proved by a certificate under the seal of the county, from the county clerk, showing (1) that such ordinance was adopted and (2) when and in what paper the ordinance was published or when, by whom, and where the ordinance was posted.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 3.    


23-190. County ordinance; reading by title; suspension of requirement; adoption; vote required; revision or amendment.

(1) A county ordinance shall be read by title on three different days unless three-fourths of the county board members, following the public hearing on the ordinance, vote to suspend this requirement. If such requirement is suspended, the ordinance shall be read by title or number and then moved for final adoption. Three-fourths of the county board members may require a reading of any such ordinance in full before adoption under either procedure set out in this section. The votes of each member shall be called aloud and recorded. To adopt any ordinance, the concurrence of a majority of the whole number of the members of the county board shall be required.

(2) A county ordinance shall contain no subject which is not clearly expressed in the title, and no ordinance or section thereof shall be revised or amended unless the new ordinance contains the entire ordinance or section as revised or amended and the ordinance or section that is amended is repealed.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 4.    


23-191. Style of ordinance; publication.

The style of county ordinances shall be: "Be it ordained by the county board of the county of ...........," and all county ordinances shall, within fifteen days after they are adopted, be published in some newspaper published or of general circulation within the county.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 5.    


23-192. Ordinance; territorial application; copy provided to clerk of city and village within county; effective date; change of jurisdiction; effect.

(1) No ordinance adopted pursuant to sections 23-187 to 23-193 shall be effective within the corporate boundaries of any incorporated city or village located in whole or in part within the county. No ordinance adopted pursuant to sections 23-187 to 23-193 shall be effective within the area outside of the corporate boundaries of any city or village in which such city or village has been granted and is exercising powers by ordinance on a similar subject matter. Every county ordinance adopted pursuant to sections 23-187 to 23-193 shall include one section defining the area of the county within which the county ordinance is effective. The ordinance shall be amended to reflect any changes in the area of the county's jurisdiction resulting from (a) annexation by a city or village, (b) action by a city or village to adopt an ordinance regarding similar subject matter to that of the county ordinance if the city or village ordinance is to be effective in areas beyond its corporate boundary, or (c) any changes in the area of jurisdiction of the city or village regarding such city or village ordinance.

(2) Before a county adopts an ordinance under sections 23-187 to 23-193, the county clerk shall provide a copy of the text of the ordinance to the clerk of each city and village within the county no later than seven days after the first reading of the ordinance or the public hearing on the ordinance, whichever occurs first. Within seven days after receiving a copy of the ordinance, the city or village shall respond to the county and provide a copy of any ordinance specifying where the city or village is enforcing an ordinance on similar subject matter outside its corporate boundaries. Any ordinance adopted by the county shall not be effective in the area in which the city or village is exercising jurisdiction. Prior to the adoption of the county ordinance, the section of the ordinance that defines the area of county jurisdiction shall be amended to show the removal of the area of the jurisdiction of such city or village as indicated in the city or village ordinance provided to the county from the description of the area within which the county ordinance will be effective. An ordinance adopted under sections 23-187 to 23-193 shall not be effective until fifteen days after its adoption.

(3) Any city or village located in whole or in part within a county that has adopted an ordinance pursuant to sections 23-187 to 23-193 which (a) annexes any territory, (b) adopts an ordinance on similar subject matter to that of the county ordinance and extends the jurisdiction of the city or village under such ordinance to areas beyond its corporate boundaries, or (c) changes the area beyond the corporate boundaries of the city or village within which the city or village exercises jurisdiction by ordinance on similar subject matter to that of the county ordinance shall provide to the county clerk a copy of the ordinance establishing and delineating its jurisdiction or any change to that jurisdiction within seven days after the adoption of the relevant city or village ordinance. Upon the effective date of the city or village ordinance, the county ordinance shall cease to be effective within the area in which the city or village has assumed jurisdiction. The county board shall promptly amend its ordinance to reflect the change in the area within which the county ordinance is effective.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 6.    


23-193. County attorney; powers; filing of ordinances.

A county attorney may sign and prosecute a complaint in the county court for a violation of an ordinance of the county in which he or she serves as county attorney. No county may prosecute a complaint for a violation of an ordinance unless such county has on file with the court a current copy of the ordinances of such county. Subject to guidelines provided by the State Court Administrator, the court shall prescribe the form in which such ordinances shall be filed.

Source:Laws 2009, LB532, § 7.    


23-201. Township organization; adoption.

At any general election that may be held in the several counties of the state, the qualified voters in any county may vote for or against township organization in such county.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 1, p. 131; R.S.1913, § 987; C.S.1922, § 887; C.S.1929, § 26-201; R.S.1943, § 23-201.


Annotations

23-202. Township organization; petition; filing; election.

(1) In counties not under township organization, a registered voter may file a petition or petitions for the submission of the question of township organization. The petition or petitions shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to five percent of the voters registered in the county at the preceding statewide general election.

(2) The petition or petitions shall be filed in the office of the election commissioner or county clerk by September 1 of the year of the general election at which the petitioners wish to have the question submitted for a vote. If such petition or petitions are filed in conformance with this subsection, the question shall be submitted to the registered voters at the next general election held after the filing of the petition or petitions. The questions on the ballot shall be respectively: For changing to township organization with a seven-member county board of supervisors; or Against changing to township organization.

(3) Elections shall be conducted as provided in the Election Act.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 2, p. 131; R.S.1913, § 988; C.S.1922, § 888; C.S.1929, § 26-202; R.S.1943, § 23-202; Laws 2008, LB269, § 4;    Laws 2009, LB434, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB411, § 25.    


Cross References

23-203. When effective.

If it shall appear by the returns of said election that a majority of the legal voters of such county voting upon the proposition are for township organization, then the office of county commissioner and the board of county commissioners shall cease to exist on and after the meeting of the supervisors of the county as hereinafter provided, and the county so voting for the adoption of township organization shall thereafter be governed by and subject to the provisions of sections 23-201 to 23-299.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 3, p. 131; R.S.1913, § 989; C.S.1922, § 889; Laws 1927, c. 53, § 1, p. 208; C.S.1929, § 26-203; R.S.1943, § 23-203; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 1, p. 210.


23-204. Supervisor districts; formation; election of supervisors.

On the second Tuesday after the election under section 23-201 adopting township organization in any county, the county attorney, county clerk, and county treasurer of the county shall meet at the county seat of such county and shall, within three days from and after the first day of meeting, divide such county into seven districts to be known as supervisor districts. Such districts shall be divided as nearly as possible with regular boundary lines and in regular and compact form and shapes, and each of such districts shall as nearly as possible have the same number of inhabitants as any other district. No voting precinct shall be divided by any such district, except that in counties having cities of more than one thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census and when such cities have more inhabitants than the average outlying district, the county board shall add enough contiguous territory to such city so that the inhabitants in such city and contiguous territory equal the inhabitants of two of the other districts. The county attorney, county clerk, and county treasurer shall then divide the tract thus segregated into two supervisor districts with population as nearly equal as possible, and when so divided, each of the districts shall elect one supervisor who shall reside in such supervisor district and be nominated and elected by the registered voters residing in that district. If any such city has more than the requisite inhabitants for two supervisor districts, then sufficient outlying territory may be added to such city to make three supervisor districts. The supervisor in each supervisor district in such city shall reside in such supervisor district and be nominated and elected by the registered voters residing in that supervisor district. The remainder of the county outside of such city districts shall be divided so as to create a total of seven supervisor districts, except that if any county under township organization has gone to an at-large basis for election of supervisors under section 32-554, the board of supervisors of such county may stay on the at-large voting basis.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 4, p. 131; Laws 1911, c. 36, § 1, p. 203; R.S.1913, § 990; Laws 1917, c. 17, § 1, p. 81; C.S.1922, § 890; C.S.1929, § 26-204; R.S.1943, § 23-204; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 2, p. 210; Laws 1973, LB 552, § 3;    Laws 1979, LB 331, § 4;    Laws 1991, LB 789, § 8; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 537;    Laws 2017, LB113, § 34.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-205. Supervisor districts; how numbered.

When the county has been divided as provided in section 23-204, the county attorney, county clerk and county treasurer shall at once proceed to number such districts from one to seven and in case of a city district as contemplated in said section, it shall give such city district two numbers, one odd and one even.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 5, p. 132; R.S.1913, § 991; C.S.1922, § 891; C.S.1929, § 26-205; R.S.1943, § 23-205; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 3, p. 211; Laws 1979, LB 331, § 5.    


23-206. Supervisor districts; cities and villages.

In the event any city having one thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census shall have enough inhabitants to form one supervisor district, then such city shall constitute one district, or in case the number of inhabitants is fewer than the number in the other districts, then so much contiguous territory shall be added to such city to give it sufficient inhabitants for one supervisor district. Villages may be enumerated with general districts, counting all the inhabitants therein as being within the districts wherein such town or village is situated. No village, or any part thereof, shall be included in or made a part of any supervisor district containing a city having one thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census, or containing any part of such city.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 6, p. 133; R.S.1913, § 992; Laws 1917, c. 17, § 2, p. 82; C.S.1922, § 892; C.S.1929, § 26-206; R.S.1943, § 23-206; Laws 2019, LB67, § 5.    


23-207. Supervisors; first board; how constituted.

The county attorney, county clerk, and county treasurer shall forthwith appoint seven supervisors, who shall duly qualify and file their oath of office and bond with the county judge within ten days after such appointment.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 7, p. 133; R.S.1913, § 993; C.S.1922, § 893; C.S.1929, § 26-207; R.S.1943, § 23-207; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 4, p. 211; Laws 1979, LB 331, § 6.    


Annotations

23-208. First board of supervisors; organization.

The newly appointed supervisors shall, after their bonds are duly approved, meet the first Tuesday in December following the election adopting township organization. They shall at once organize by electing one of the seven supervisors as chairman, who shall appoint all the necessary committees. From and after such meeting and organization the powers of the county commissioners shall cease and the board so organized shall have all the powers, and perform all and singular the duties performed by county boards as contemplated by law.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 8, p. 133; R.S.1913, § 994; C.S.1922, § 894; C.S.1929, § 26-208; R.S.1943, § 23-208; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 5, p. 211.


Annotations

23-209. Board of supervisors; division of county.

When the board of supervisors shall have been organized as stated in section 23-208, they shall at once divide the county into townships. The board of supervisors shall divide the county into townships of sufficient population and territory to provide a workable township organization.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 9, p. 134; R.S.1913, § 995; C.S.1922, § 895; C.S.1929, § 26-209; R.S.1943, § 23-209; Laws 1969, c. 152, § 1, p. 718.


Annotations

23-210. Township; creation from city of second class; petition.

Wherever a city of the second class in a county under township organization forms a part of one or more townships in any county, the county board of said county is empowered to create a new township out of said city, whenever requested so to do by a petition or petitions signed by sixty percent of the electors of said city, and also by sixty percent of the electors of the outlying part of the township or townships, of which said city forms a part; Provided, however, that before final action is taken in such matter by said board, two weeks' notice of the filing of such petition, or petitions, and of the time when and place where a hearing thereon will be had, shall be given by publication in some newspaper published in said city, if any such there be.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 179, § 1, p. 363; C.S.1922, § 896; C.S.1929, § 26-210; R.S.1943, § 23-210.


23-211. Township; creation from city of second class; boundaries; alteration.

If any change is made in the corporate boundaries of any city of the second class, after same has been formed into a separate township, the county board of the county in which said city is situated shall have the power to make corresponding changes in the township boundaries of the said city township without either a petition for or notice of such proposed changes.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 179, § 2, p. 363; C.S.1922, § 897; C.S.1929, § 26-211; R.S.1943, § 23-211.


23-212. Township; change of name.

The board shall also at the meeting mentioned in sections 23-208 and 23-209 designate the name of each town, and may change the name of any town at any other meeting of such board upon a petition of a majority of the voters of such town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 10, p. 134; R.S.1913, § 996; C.S.1922, § 898; C.S.1929, § 26-212; R.S.1943, § 23-212; Laws 1961, c. 88, § 1, p. 308.


23-213. Township; names; recording.

The county clerk shall record in a book kept for that purpose the names and boundaries of each town as designated by the county board, and shall forthwith forward an abstract thereof to the Auditor of Public Accounts of this state, who shall make a record of the same.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 11, p. 134; R.S.1913, § 997; C.S.1922, § 899; C.S.1929, § 26-213; R.S.1943, § 23-213.


Annotations

23-214. Chairman of township board; appointment; qualifications.

The county board shall also, at the meeting at which it shall fix and name the several townships, appoint for each township some suitable person, who is an elector within the township, as chairman of the township board. The person so appointed shall, on or before the first Tuesday in January next ensuing, take the oath of office and file a bond as provided by law. Such bond shall be approved by the board as provided by law. In case such person shall neglect or refuse to qualify, the county board shall at its regular January meeting appoint another who shall qualify as above stated. The person so appointed shall hold said office until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified as provided by law.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 12, p. 135; R.S.1913, § 998; C.S.1922, § 900; C.S.1929, § 26-214; R.S.1943, § 23-214; Laws 1957, c. 62, § 1, p. 281; Laws 1969, c. 153, § 1, p. 719; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 2.    


23-215. Town clerk and treasurer; qualifications; bond.

The county board shall on or before the third Tuesday in December following the adoption of township organization, appoint for each township one town clerk and one treasurer who are qualified electors residing in the township. Such persons so appointed shall on or before the first Tuesday in January next ensuing take the oath of office and give bond as provided by law. The county board shall approve such bonds at its January meeting or shall meet and approve all bonds given to fill vacancies provided for in this section and section 23-214 before the first day of April next ensuing. In the event the persons appointed shall fail or refuse to qualify by the time named above, the county board shall name some other person or persons possessing the qualifications mentioned in this section. The persons so appointed shall qualify and hold their offices for the term.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 13, p. 135; R.S.1913, § 999; C.S.1922, § 901; C.S.1929, § 26-215; R.S.1943, § 23-215; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 3.    


Annotations

23-216. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-217. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-218. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-219. Town; corporate name.

The corporate name of each town shall be the town of (name of town), and all acts done by the town and all actions by or against the town shall be in its corporate name.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 17, p. 136; R.S.1913, § 1003; C.S.1922, § 905; C.S.1929, § 26-219; R.S.1943, § 23-219.


Annotations

23-220. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-221. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-222. Township officers; when elected; qualifications.

The officers of the township board shall be elected pursuant to the Election Act at the next general election held in November following appointment and shall have the qualifications required by sections 23-214 and 23-215.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 20, p. 137; R.S.1913, § 1006; C.S.1922, § 908; C.S.1929, § 26-222; R.S.1943, § 23-222; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 538;    Laws 1997, LB 764, § 6;    Laws 2003, LB 461, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-222.01. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-223. Towns; corporate powers.

Every town shall have corporate capacity to exercise the powers granted thereto, or necessarily implied, and no others. It shall have the power (1) to sue and be sued; (2) to acquire, by purchase, gift, or devise, and to hold property, both real and personal, for the use of its inhabitants, and to sell and convey the same; and (3) to make all such contracts as may be necessary in the exercise of the powers of the town. In exercising the powers of the township, it may enter into compacts with another township or townships to purchase and jointly own road equipment.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 21, p. 137; R.S.1913, § 1007; C.S.1922, § 909; C.S.1929, § 26-223; R.S.1943, § 23-223; Laws 1955, c. 66, § 1, p. 217.


Annotations

23-224. Annual town meeting; powers of electors present.

The electors present at the annual town meeting shall have power:

(1) To make all orders for sale, conveyance, regulation, or use of the corporate property of the town that may be deemed to be conducive to the interests of the inhabitants;

(2) To take all necessary measures and give directions for the exercise of their corporate powers;

(3) To provide for the institution, defense, or disposition of suits at law or in equity in which the town is interested;

(4) To take such action as shall induce the planting and cultivation of trees along the highways in such towns and to protect and preserve trees standing along or on highways;

(5) To construct and keep in repair public wells and to regulate the use thereof;

(6) To prevent the exposure or deposit of offensive or injurious substances within the limits of the town;

(7) To make such bylaws, rules, and regulations as may be deemed necessary to carry into effect the powers herein granted and to impose such fines and penalties, not exceeding twenty dollars for one offense, as shall be deemed proper, except when a fine or penalty is already allowed by law, which fine or penalty shall be imposed by the county court;

(8) To direct the raising of money by taxation, subject to approval by the county board, (a) for constructing and repairing roads and bridges within the town to the extent allowed by law; (b) for the prosecution or defense of suits by or against the town or in which it is interested; (c) for any other purpose required by law; (d) for the purpose of building or repairing bridges over streams dividing the town from any other town; (e) for the compensation of town officers at the rate allowed by law and, when no rate is fixed for such amount, as the electors may direct; and (f) for the care and maintenance of abandoned or neglected cemeteries within the town, except that the town board shall not expend more than one hundred dollars in any one year for such purposes. When any county discontinues township organization, the county shall care for and maintain such abandoned or neglected cemeteries;

(9) To guard against the destruction of property in the town by prairie fire;

(10) To restrain, regulate, or prohibit the running at large of cattle, horses, mules, asses, swine, sheep, and goats and determine when such animals may go at large, if at all. All votes thereon shall be by ballot;

(11) To authorize the distraining, impounding, and sale of cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, and swine for penalties incurred and costs of proceedings. The owner of such animals shall have the right to redeem the same from the purchaser thereof at any time within one month from the day of sale by paying the amount of the purchaser's bid, with reasonable costs for their keeping and interest at the rate of seven percent per annum;

(12) To purchase, hold, plat, improve, and maintain grounds for cemetery purposes; to sell and convey lots in such cemeteries for the burial of the dead and to contract with the purchaser to perpetually care for and keep in order the lots so sold; and to elect trustees who shall have power to manage such cemetery under such bylaws as the electors of the township at the annual town meeting shall from time to time adopt. When any county discontinues township organization, the county shall care for and maintain such abandoned or neglected cemeteries; and

(13) To hold an election or town meeting to exceed the levy limits established by section 77-3443.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 22, p. 137; Laws 1903, c. 36, § 1, p. 285; R.S.1913, § 1008; Laws 1919, c. 60, § 1, p. 166; C.S.1922, § 910; Laws 1927, c. 58, § 1, p. 218; C.S.1929, § 26-224; R.S.1943, § 23-224; Laws 1967, c. 120, § 1, p. 382; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 111;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 39.    


Annotations

23-225. Town; failure to organize; officers; how appointed.

In case any town in any county wherein township organization may be adopted, shall refuse or neglect to organize and elect town officers at the time fixed by law, it shall be the duty of the county board, upon the affidavit of any freeholder resident of said town, filed in the office of the county clerk, setting forth the facts, to proceed at any regular or special meeting of the board and appoint necessary town officers for such town, and the persons so appointed shall hold their respective offices until others are chosen or appointed in their places, and shall have the same power and be subject to the same duties and penalties as if they had been duly chosen by the electors of the town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 23, p. 139; R.S.1913, § 1009; C.S.1922, § 911; C.S.1929, § 26-225; R.S.1943, § 23-225.


23-226. Town officers; failure to qualify; effect.

Whenever it shall be made to appear to the county board that the town officers appointed by them or by any preceding board, as provided in section 23-225, have failed to qualify as required by law, so that such town cannot become organized, the board may annex such town to any adjoining town, and the same town so annexed shall thereafter form and constitute a part of such adjoining town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 24, p. 139; R.S.1913, § 1010; C.S.1922, § 912; C.S.1929, § 26-226; R.S.1943, § 23-226.


23-227. Annual town meetings; notice; publication.

The citizens of the several towns of this state, qualified by the Constitution of Nebraska to vote at general elections, shall assemble and hold annual town meetings at their respective towns at the time of the budget hearing as provided by the Nebraska Budget Act. Notice of the time and the place of holding such meeting, after the first meeting, shall be given by the town clerk by publishing the notice in a newspaper in or of general circulation in the town at least ten days prior to the meeting.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 25, p. 139; Laws 1909, c. 37, § 1, p. 222; R.S.1913, § 1011; C.S.1922, § 913; Laws 1923, c. 139, § 1, p. 341; Laws 1927, c. 54, § 1, p. 209; C.S.1929, § 26-227; R.S.1943, § 23-227; Laws 1963, c. 112, § 1, p. 441; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 4;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 15; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 15.    


Cross References

23-228. Annual town meeting; additional powers of electors.

The electors of each town shall have power at their annual town meetings to elect such town officers as may be required to be chosen to direct the institution and defense of suits at law or equity in which such town may be a party in interest; to direct such sum to be raised in such town for the support and maintenance of roads and bridges, or for any other purpose provided by law as they deem necessary; to take measures and give directions for the exercise of their corporate powers; to impose penalties upon persons offending against any such regulations; and to make rules, regulations, and bylaws necessary to carry into effect the powers herein granted.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 26, p. 140; R.S.1913, § 1012; C.S.1922, § 914; C.S.1929, § 26-228; R.S.1943, § 23-228.


Annotations

23-229. Town bylaws and regulations; publication.

It shall be the duty of the town clerk to cause all bylaws, rules, and regulations of the town, within twenty days after their adoption, to be published by posting in three public places in the town or by one insertion in any newspaper published in the county; but all such bylaws, rules, and regulations shall take effect and be in force from the date of their adoption, unless otherwise directed by the electors of the town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 27, p. 140; R.S.1913, § 1013; C.S.1922, § 915; C.S.1929, § 26-229; R.S.1943, § 23-229.


23-230. Special town meetings; how called; notice; place; quorum.

A town meeting shall be held when the town treasurer, town clerk, and the chairman of the board or any two of them together with at least twelve freeholders of the town, shall in writing file in the office of the town clerk a statement that a special meeting is necessary in the best interests of the town setting forth the object of the meeting. The town clerk or, in his absence, the town treasurer shall post notices in five of the most public places of the town giving at least ten days' notice of such special meeting. It shall set forth the objects of the meeting as contained in the statement filed as aforesaid. The place of holding special town meetings shall be at the place where the last annual town meeting was held, but in case such place may be found inconvenient, the meeting may adjourn to the nearest convenient place; Provided, not less than one-third of the electors of a town shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any special town meeting.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 28, p. 140; R.S.1913, § 1014; C.S.1922, § 916; C.S.1929, § 26-230; R.S.1943, § 23-230; Laws 1957, c. 62, § 2, p. 281; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 112.    


23-231. Special town meeting; powers of electors enumerated.

The electors at special town meetings, when properly convened, shall have full power to fill any vacancies in any of the town offices when the same shall not already have been filled by appointment; to provide for raising money for repairing highways or buildings, or repairing bridges in case of emergency, and to direct the repairing or building thereof; to act upon any subject within the power of the electors at any annual town meeting which was postponed at the preceding annual town meeting for want of time, to be considered at a future special town meeting; but special town meetings shall have no power to act upon any subject not embraced in the statement of the notice calling the same.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 29, p. 141; R.S.1913, § 1015; C.S.1922, § 917; C.S.1929, § 26-231; R.S.1943, § 23-231.


23-232. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-233. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-234. Town meeting; minutes; duty of town clerk; duty of town treasurer.

The town clerk elected or appointed shall be the clerk of the town meeting, and shall keep faithfully minutes of its proceedings, in which he shall enter at length every order or direction, and all rules and regulations made by such meeting. If the town clerk is absent from the town meeting, the town treasurer shall perform the duties of the town clerk. The person keeping the minutes shall sign the same.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 32, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 1018; C.S.1922, § 920; C.S.1929, § 26-234; R.S.1943, § 23-234; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 5.    


23-235. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-236. Town meeting; questions; vote required.

All questions upon motions made at town meetings shall be determined by a majority of the electors voting, and the presiding officer shall ascertain and declare the result of the votes upon each question.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 34, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 1020; C.S.1922, § 922; C.S.1929, § 26-236; R.S.1943, § 23-236.


23-237. Town meeting; manner of voting.

When the result of any vote shall, upon such declaration, be questioned by one or more of the electors present, the presiding officer shall make the vote certain by causing the voters to rise and be counted, or by dividing off.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 35, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 1021; C.S.1922, § 923; C.S.1929, § 26-237; R.S.1943, § 23-237; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 6.    


23-238. Town meeting; qualifications of electors.

No person shall be a voter at any town meeting unless he shall be a registered voter, and a resident of the town wherein he shall offer to vote.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 36, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 1022; C.S.1922, § 924; C.S.1929, § 26-238; R.S.1943, § 23-238; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 7.    


23-239. Town meeting; voters; challenges; laws applicable.

If any person offering to vote at any election, or upon any question arising at such town meeting, shall be challenged as an unqualified voter, the presiding officer shall proceed thereupon in like manner as the judges of general elections are required to do, adapting the oath to the circumstances of the town meeting, and the laws in force in regard to false swearing and illegal voting at general elections shall apply to false swearing and illegal voting at town meetings.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 37, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 1023; C.S.1922, § 925; C.S.1929, § 26-239; R.S.1943, § 23-239.


Cross References

23-240. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-241. Town meeting; minutes; filing.

The minutes of the proceedings of every town meeting shall be filed in the office of the town clerk within ten days after such town meeting.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 39, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 1025; C.S.1922, § 927; C.S.1929, § 26-241; R.S.1943, § 23-241; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 8.    


23-242. Town officers; oath; certificate; filing.

Every person elected or appointed to the office of town clerk, town treasurer, or town chairman, before he enters upon the duties of his office, and within ten days after he shall be notified of his election or appointment, shall take and subscribe before some authorized person an oath or affirmation to faithfully and impartially perform the duties of his office, as prescribed by law, and shall cause a certificate of the same to be filed in the office of the town clerk.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 40, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 1026; C.S.1922, § 928; C.S.1929, § 26-242; R.S.1943, § 23-242; Laws 1957, c. 62, § 3, p. 281; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 9.    


Annotations

23-243. Town officers; oath; failure to take; effect.

If any person chosen or appointed to any town office shall neglect to take or subscribe such oath, and cause a certificate thereof to be filed as above required, such neglect shall be deemed to be a refusal to serve.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 41, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 1027; C.S.1922, § 929; C.S.1929, § 26-243; R.S.1943, § 23-243.


Annotations

23-244. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-245. Town officer; retirement; records; transfer.

It shall be the duty of every person retiring from a town office to deliver to his successor in office all the records, books, papers, money, and property belonging to such office held by him.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 43, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 1029; C.S.1922, § 931; C.S.1929, § 26-245; R.S.1943, § 23-245.


Annotations

23-246. Town treasurer; bond; amount; forfeiture; right of action.

The town treasurer of each town shall give bond to the town in the sum of two thousand dollars, or double the amount of money that may come into his hands, to be fixed by the town board. Whenever it shall be ascertained that such bond has been forfeited, suit in the name of such town on said bond may be brought by any resident freeholder of such town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 44, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 1030; C.S.1922, § 932; C.S.1929, § 26-246; R.S.1943, § 23-246.


23-246.01. Town treasurer; funds; depository.

All township funds withdrawn from the county treasury, or collected directly by township officers, shall be deposited within ten days in depositories approved for the deposit of county funds of such county in an account in the name of the township.

Source:Laws 1951, c. 49, § 1, p. 166.


23-247. Town clerk; duties; penalties, recovery of.

The town clerk shall prosecute in the name of his town, or otherwise as may be necessary, for all penalties given by law to such town or for its use, and for which no other officer is specially directed to prosecute; and he shall receive all accounts which may be presented to him against the town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 45, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 1031; C.S.1922, § 933; C.S.1929, § 26-247; R.S.1943, § 23-247.


23-248. Poor relief; duty of county board.

In all counties the care of the poor shall be under the charge of the county board as provided by law.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 46, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 1032; Laws 1915, c. 20, § 1, p. 80; C.S.1922, § 934; C.S.1929, § 26-248; R.S.1943, § 23-248.


Annotations

23-249. Town clerk; duties and powers; records; papers; oaths.

The town clerk of each town in this state shall have the custody of all records, books and papers of the town, and shall file all certificates of oaths and other papers required by law to be filed in his office. He shall have power to administer the oath of office to all town officers and it is hereby made the duty of the town clerk to administer all oaths which may be required in the transaction of any township business in the town where he may be clerk; Provided, nothing herein shall be so construed as to deprive any other person qualified by law from administering said oaths.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 47, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 1033; C.S.1922, § 935; C.S.1929, § 26-249; R.S.1943, § 23-249.


Annotations

23-250. Town clerk; budget; prepare.

The town clerk in counties under township organization shall proceed to prepare the township budget as prescribed in the Nebraska Budget Act.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 54, § 1, p. 160; R.S.1913, § 1034; C.S.1922, § 936; C.S.1929, § 26-250; R.S.1943, § 23-250; Laws 1951, c. 49, § 2, p. 166; Laws 1953, c. 52, § 1, p. 180; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 10;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 16; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 16;    Laws 2002, LB 568, § 8.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-250.01. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 86, § 17.

23-251. Town clerk; duties; proceedings to raise money; certificate to county clerk.

The town clerk shall, within ten days after any township meeting at which any action was had for raising money, deliver to the county clerk a certified copy or copies of all entries of votes for the raising of such money, and it shall be the duty of the county clerk to lay all such matters before the county board at their next meeting.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 49, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 1035; C.S.1922, § 937; C.S.1929, § 26-251; R.S.1943, § 23-251.


Annotations

23-252. Town board; accounts and claims; audit; annual statement.

In each town, the clerk, the treasurer, and the chairperson of the board shall examine the accounts of the overseers of highways for money received and disbursed by them and shall require all officers to account to such board for any and all such money received and disbursed by such officers in their official capacity. Such board shall examine and audit all charges and claims against the town and the compensation of all town officers. In case of the absence of any of such officers or their failure to attend any meeting of the board, the two attending may appoint any qualified elector to act with them in the place of the absentee, and the appointee shall act, only for such meeting, in the place of such absentee as a member of such board. Each township shall make an annual budget statement as set out in the Nebraska Budget Act. At its expense, the county board may require an audit of the accounts of any township within the county, whenever in its judgment such audit is necessary. The county board may contract with the Auditor of Public Accounts or select a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant or firm of such accountants to conduct the audit. The original copy of the audit shall be filed in the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 51, p. 145; Laws 1913, c. 54, § 2, p. 161; R.S.1913, § 1036; C.S.1922, § 938; C.S.1929, § 26-252; R.S.1943, § 23-252; Laws 1951, c. 49, § 4, p. 167; Laws 1969, c. 153, § 3, p. 720; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 11;    Laws 1985, Second Spec. Sess., LB 29, § 1;    Laws 1987, LB 183, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-253. Accounts; audit; meetings; notice.

The board shall meet at the town clerk's office or other convenient place for the purpose of examining and auditing the town accounts in each fiscal year at such times as the interest of the town may require. Notices of such meetings shall be published once at least ten days before such meeting in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 52, p. 145; Laws 1913, c. 257, § 1, p. 791; R.S.1913, § 1037; C.S.1922, § 939; Laws 1923, c. 139, § 3, p. 342; C.S.1929, § 26-253; R.S.1943, § 23-253; Laws 1965, c. 97, § 2, p. 416; Laws 1965, c. 98, § 1, p. 417; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 12.    


23-254. Accounts; filing; production at town meeting.

The accounts so audited, and those rejected, if any, shall be delivered with the certificates of the auditors, or a majority of them, to the town clerk, to be by him kept on file for the inspection of all persons. They shall also be produced by the town clerk at the next annual town meeting, and shall be there publicly read by him.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 53, p. 145; R.S.1913, § 1038; C.S.1922, § 940; C.S.1929, § 26-254; R.S.1943, § 23-254.


23-255. Town funds; disbursement; orders; warrants; limitations; registration of warrants.

The town clerk shall draw and sign all orders upon the town treasurer for all money to be disbursed by the township, and all warrants upon the county treasurer for money raised for town purposes, or apportioned to the town by the county or state, and present the same to the chairman of the board, to be countersigned by him, and no warrant shall be paid until so countersigned. No warrant shall be countersigned by the chairman of the board until the amount for which the warrant is drawn is written upon its face. The clerk and chairman of the board shall keep a record in separate books furnished by the county, of the amount, date, purpose for which drawn, and name of person to whom issued, of each warrant signed or countersigned by them. All claims and charges against the town, duly audited and allowed by the town board, shall be paid by order so drawn. No order shall be drawn on the town treasurer in excess of seventy-five percent of the amount of taxes levied for the current year on the property of said town, subject to be expended by said town, unless the money is in the treasury of said town to pay the order so drawn on presentation. When any order drawn as aforesaid is presented to the town treasurer for payment, and is not paid for want of funds, the town treasurer shall endorse on said order presented and not paid for want of funds, and shall note in a book of registration, to be kept for that purpose, the fact of the presentation and nonpayment of said order; and said order shall draw interest at six percent per annum from the date of presentation until there are sufficient funds in the hands of said treasurer to pay the same, after paying all orders drawn against such tax levy presented prior thereto, and said orders shall be paid in the order of their presentation and registration. The money received by the town treasurer as the tax levied in any year shall be applied first in payment of the orders drawn against said levy; and such levy shall be deemed specifically appropriated, so far as the same may be lawfully expended by said town, to the payment of orders drawn against said levy.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 54, p. 146; Laws 1913, c. 54, § 2, p. 161; R.S.1913, § 1039; C.S.1922, § 941; C.S.1929, § 26-255; R.S.1943, § 23-255; Laws 1969, c. 153, § 4, p. 721.


23-256. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-257. Claims; certified statement; delivered to town clerk.

The board shall make a certificate to be signed by a majority of its members specifying the value of the claim and to whom the amount is allowed, and shall cause such certificate to be delivered to the town clerk of said town, to be by him kept on file for the inspection of all persons.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 56, p. 147; R.S.1913, § 1041; C.S.1922, § 943; C.S.1929, § 26-257; R.S.1943, § 23-257; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 13.    


23-258. Town funds; general expenditures authorized.

The following shall be deemed town charges: The compensation of town officers for services rendered their respective towns, contingent expenses necessarily incurred for the use and benefit of the town, the money authorized by the vote of the town meeting for any town purposes, and every sum directed by law to be raised for town purposes.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 57, p. 147; R.S.1913, § 1042; C.S.1922, § 944; C.S.1929, § 26-258; R.S.1943, § 23-258.


Annotations

23-259. Tax; amount authorized; when paid.

The money necessary to defray the town charges of each town shall be levied on the taxable property in such town in the manner prescribed by the Nebraska Budget Act. The rate of taxes for town purposes shall not exceed twenty-eight cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of the taxable property in such township for all purposes subject to approval of the county board. The proceeds of such tax shall be paid by the county treasurer to the town treasurer on or before the fifteenth day of each month or more frequently as provided in section 77-1759.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 58, p. 147; Laws 1905, c. 53, § 1, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 1043; C.S.1922, § 945; Laws 1927, c. 170, § 1, p. 504; C.S.1929, § 26-259; R.S.1943, § 23-259; Laws 1947, c. 65, § 1, p. 214; Laws 1953, c. 52, § 3, p. 181; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 40, p. 954; Laws 1957, c. 63, § 1, p. 282; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 14;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 95;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 17; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 17;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 40;    Laws 2021, LB41, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-260. Town board; compensation of officers; fixed by town board.

The members of the town board shall be entitled to a per diem as fixed by the town board at its annual meeting.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, §§ 59, 60, p. 148; Laws 1913, c. 54, § 2, p. 162; R.S.1913, § 1044; C.S.1922, § 946; C.S.1929, § 26-260; R.S.1943, § 23-260; Laws 1953, c. 52, § 4, p. 181; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 15.    


23-260.01. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 266, § 1.

23-261. Town officers; official oaths; no fees for administering.

No town officer shall be entitled to any fee or compensation from any individual elected or chosen to a town office for administering to him the oath of office.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 61, p. 148; R.S.1913, § 1045; C.S.1922, § 947; C.S.1929, § 26-261; R.S.1943, § 23-261; Laws 1969, c. 153, § 5, p. 722.


23-262. Towns; actions by or against; how brought.

When any controversy or cause of action shall exist between any towns of this state, or between any town and individual or corporation, proceedings may be had or suits brought, either at law or in equity, for the purpose of trying and finally settling such controversies. In all such suits and proceedings the town shall sue and be sued by its corporate name, except when town officers shall be authorized by law to sue in their names of office for the benefit of the town.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 62, p. 148; R.S.1913, § 1046; C.S.1922, § 948; C.S.1929, § 26-262; R.S.1943, § 23-262.


Annotations

23-263. Towns; actions against; service of process; defense.

In all legal proceedings against the town by name, the first process and all other writs or proceedings required to be served shall be served in the manner provided for service of a summons in a civil action, and whenever any suit or proceedings shall be commenced against the town, it shall be the duty of the town clerk to attend to the defense thereof, and lay before the electors of the town, at the first town meeting, a full statement of such suit or proceedings for their consideration and direction.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 63, p. 149; R.S.1913, § 1047; C.S.1922, § 949; C.S.1929, § 26-263; R.S.1943, § 23-263; Laws 1983, LB 447, § 12.    


Cross References

23-264. Towns; judgments against; payment.

All judgments recovered against a town or against town officers, in actions prosecuted by or against them in their names of office, shall not be collected by execution, but shall be a town charge and when levied and collected shall be paid to the person or persons to whom the same shall have been adjudged.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 64, p. 149; R.S.1913, § 1048; C.S.1922, § 950; C.S.1929, § 26-264; R.S.1943, § 23-264.


23-265. County supervisors; meetings; supervision of expenditures; road money, how expended.

The county board shall meet at such times and in such manner as provided by law. Each supervisor shall have special charge of the expenditure of money appropriated out of the county treasury by the board for roads, bridges, and culverts within his district, except in city districts when the board shall direct as to which one of the supervisors shall supervise the expenditure of the money appropriated as aforesaid. Said money so appropriated shall not include any money paid as automobile or motor vehicle registration or license fees and shall not be distributed by said board to the individual members thereof to be by them personally paid out upon their own private account nor in any manner whatever; but shall remain in the county treasury until a claim or claims for labor performed shall be properly verified, approved by said supervisor, filed with the county clerk, allowed by the county board, and a warrant drawn therefor.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 65, p. 149; R.S.1913, § 1049; C.S.1922, § 951; Laws 1923, c. 44, § 1, p. 159; C.S.1929, § 26-265; R.S.1943, § 23-265; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 1, p. 442.


Annotations

23-266. Towns; meetings; provisions inapplicable to cities.

None of the provisions of sections 23-201 to 23-299, with respect to the meetings of electors of their respective towns and their powers, shall apply to towns whose limits are coextensive with cities of the primary, first and second class, but such cities, and the inhabitants thereof, shall continue to be governed by the laws specially applicable thereto, except that the inhabitants thereof shall have such power as is conferred by law or election in the choosing of supervisors, assessors, judges and clerks of election, and other county officers.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 66, p. 150; R.S.1913, § 1050; C.S.1922, § 952; C.S.1929, § 26-266; R.S.1943, § 23-266.


23-267. Supervisor districts; population as basis for division; how calculated.

For the purpose of ascertaining the number of inhabitants in the several districts provided by section 23-204, the supervisors or commissioners, as the case may be, shall ascertain the whole number of votes cast at the last preceding general election held within the county, and shall multiply the number of votes so cast by five. This result shall be taken as the whole number of inhabitants of the county or any part thereof as the case may be, and the supervisor districts shall be divided upon the foregoing basis and in accordance with the results thus obtained.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 71, p. 153; R.S.1913, § 1051; C.S.1922, § 953; C.S.1929, § 26-267; R.S.1943, § 23-267.


Annotations

23-268. County supervisors; election; ballots; residency.

County supervisors shall be elected as provided in section 32-529. Elections shall be conducted as provided in the Election Act. In city districts, the ballots shall state which one of the supervisors is elected for the odd-numbered district and which one for the even-numbered district.

A supervisor elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the district when he or she files for election as a supervisor from a given district, but a supervisor shall reside in the district in which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 69, p. 152; R.S.1913, § 1052; C.S.1922, § 954; C.S.1929, § 26-268; R.S.1943, § 23-268; Laws 1947, c. 64, § 7, p. 212; Laws 1986, LB 812, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 539.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-269. County supervisor districts; boundaries; change.

The supervisor districts may be changed after each state and federal census if it appears from an examination that the population has become unequal among the several districts. In the event of any change or amendment of sections 23-201 to 23-299 which may necessitate a change in the boundaries of such supervisor districts or any one of them, the county board shall make such change in boundary at its next regular meeting after such change or amendment takes effect. Those counties under township organization may change their procedures for electing members to their governing board from district to at large or from at large to district following the provisions of section 32-554.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 72, p. 153; R.S.1913, § 1053; Laws 1917, c. 17, § 3, p. 82; C.S.1922, § 955; C.S.1929, § 26-269; R.S.1943, § 23-269; Laws 1973, LB 552, § 4;    Laws 1991, LB 789, § 9; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 540.    


Annotations

23-270. County board; duties; how determined.

In the absence of any special provision governing the board of supervisors, such board shall be governed by and perform all the duties and have all the powers applicable to county boards as provided by the general laws of this state.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 73, p. 153; R.S.1913, § 1054; C.S.1922, § 956; C.S.1929, § 26-270; R.S.1943, § 23-270.


Annotations

23-271. Township organization; adoption; pending business; disposition.

Any incompleted matter or business pending before any board of county commissioners of any county, upon the adoption of township organization by such county, shall be completed and disposed of by the new board the same as if commenced before it.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 28, § 74, p. 153; R.S.1913, § 1055; C.S.1922, § 957; C.S.1929, § 26-271; R.S.1943, § 23-271.


23-272. County supervisors; meetings.

The regular meetings of the county board shall be held in January.

Source:Laws 1879, § 64, p. 372; Laws 1889, c. 6, § 1, p. 76; R.S.1913, § 1064; C.S.1922, § 966; C.S.1929, § 26-280; R.S.1943, § 23-272; Laws 1997, LB 40, § 2;    Laws 2004, LB 323, § 1.    


Annotations

23-273. County supervisors; special meetings; notice.

Special meetings of the county board shall be held only when requested by at least one-third of the members of the board, which request shall be in writing, addressed to the clerk of the board, and specifying the time and object of such meeting. Upon receipt of such request, the clerk shall immediately notify in writing each member of the board of the time and object of such meeting, and shall cause notice of such meeting to be published in some newspaper of the county, if any shall be published therein; Provided, no business shall be transacted at any special meeting except such as is specified in the call.

Source:Laws 1879, § 63, p. 371; R.S.1913, § 1065; C.S.1922, § 967; C.S.1929, § 26-281; R.S.1943, § 23-273.


23-274. County supervisors; chairman; duties.

The board at its regular meeting of each year shall organize by choosing one of its number as chairman, who shall preside at all meetings of the board during the year; and in case of his absence at any meeting, the members present shall choose one of their number as temporary chairman.

Source:Laws 1879, § 65, p. 372; R.S.1913, § 1066; C.S.1922, § 968; C.S.1929, § 26-282; R.S.1943, § 23-274.


23-275. County supervisors; certificates of election; where filed.

The supervisors shall severally lay before the board, at the first regular meeting after election, their certificates of election, which shall be examined by the board, and if found regular, shall be filed in the office of the county clerk.

Source:Laws 1879, § 66, p. 372; R.S.1913, § 1067; C.S.1922, § 969; C.S.1929, § 26-283; R.S.1943, § 23-275.


Annotations

23-276. County supervisors; additional powers.

In addition to the powers hereinbefore conferred upon all county boards, the board of supervisors shall have power (1) to change the boundaries of towns and to create new towns whenever the board determines that the existing towns are not workable towns and (2) to divide the county into convenient voting precincts and, as occasion may require, erect new ones, subdivide precincts already established, and alter voting precinct lines. When a voting precinct has less than seventy-five registered electors, the board of supervisors shall annex such voting precinct to another voting precinct except when the county is divided into more than two legislative districts. Any precinct having two hundred or more square miles and having more than twenty-five electors shall be excluded from being annexed to another voting precinct.

Source:Laws 1879, § 67, p. 372; R.S.1913, § 1068; C.S.1922, § 970; C.S.1929, § 26-284; R.S.1943, § 23-276; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 41, p. 955; Laws 1969, c. 150, § 2, p. 709; Laws 1969, c. 152, § 2, p. 718; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 96;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 96;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 41.    


Annotations

23-277. County supervisors; quorum.

A majority of all the supervisors elected in any county shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all questions which shall arise at meetings shall be determined by the votes of a majority of the supervisors present, except in cases otherwise provided for.

Source:Laws 1879, § 68, p. 373; R.S.1913, § 1069; C.S.1922, § 971; C.S.1929, § 26-285; R.S.1943, § 23-277; Laws 2014, LB937, § 1.    


Annotations

23-278. Repealed. Laws 1997, LB 269, § 80.

23-279. County supervisors; oaths; chairman may administer.

The chairman of the board of supervisors shall have power to administer an oath to any person concerning any matter submitted to the board, or connected with their powers and duties.

Source:Laws 1879, § 70, p. 373; R.S.1913, § 1071; C.S.1922, § 973; C.S.1929, § 26-287; R.S.1943, § 23-279.


23-280. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 75, § 20.

23-281. Town; change of name; procedure.

Whenever the county board shall create a new town or change the name of an existing town, the proceedings in giving a name to such new town or changing the name of an existing town, shall be as follows: The proposed name to be given to such new town, or existing town, shall be filed in the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts, there to be retained for at least one year; and the auditor, at any time after the filing of such proposed name, shall, upon application of the board, grant his certificate stating that such proposed name, from information appearing in his office, has not been adopted by any city, town, village or municipal corporation in this state. This certificate must be obtained by the board before any action whatever shall be taken by the board toward making such change of name; and all proceedings instituted in any court or other place, under a name changed, without complying with the provisions of this section, shall be held to be void and of no effect. If such name has been adopted elsewhere in this state, the Auditor of Public Accounts shall so notify the board, whereupon another name shall be filed in his office, which shall there remain in a like manner as hereinbefore provided, and the certificate shall be issued by the auditor immediately after such filing, stating that such name has not been elsewhere adopted; whereupon the board may proceed to make such change of name, and not before. All proceedings pending, and all rights and privileges acquired in the name of such town, by such town, or by any person residing therein, shall be secured to such town or person, and such proceedings continued to final consummation in such name, the same as though the same had not been changed.

Source:Laws 1879, § 72, p. 373; R.S.1913, § 1073; C.S.1922, § 975; C.S.1929, § 26-289; R.S.1943, § 23-281.


23-282. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-283. Repealed. Laws 2008, LB 269, § 14.

23-284. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-285. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-286. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-287. Repealed. Laws 2008, LB 269, § 14.

23-288. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-289. Repealed. Laws 1975, LB 453, § 61.

23-290. Repealed. Laws 2008, LB 269, § 14.

23-291. Repealed. Laws 2008, LB 269, § 14.

23-292. Township organization; how discontinued.

Any county which has township organization shall discontinue the same whenever the majority of the registered voters of the county voting on the question of such discontinuance so decide in the manner provided in sections 23-293 to 23-295.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 1, p. 235; R.S.1913, § 1056; C.S.1922, § 958; C.S.1929, § 26-272; R.S.1943, § 23-292; Laws 2008, LB269, § 5.    


23-293. Township organization; discontinuance; procedure.

(1) In counties under township organization, a registered voter may file a petition or petitions for submission of the question of the discontinuance of township organization to the registered voters of the county. The petition or petitions shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to five percent of the voters registered in the county at the preceding statewide general election. The petition or petitions shall be filed in the office of the election commissioner or county clerk by September 1 of the year of the general election at which the petitioners wish to have the question submitted for a vote. If such petition or petitions are filed in conformance with this subsection, the question shall be submitted to the registered voters at the next general election held after the filing of the petition or petitions.

(2) In counties under township organization, the county board may, by a resolution supported by a majority of the county board, submit the question of discontinuance of township organization to the registered voters of the county. If such resolution is filed in the office of the election commissioner or county clerk by September 1 of the year of the general election at which the board wishes to have the question submitted for a vote, the question shall be submitted to the registered voters at the next general election held after the filing of the resolution.

(3) A petition or county board resolution for discontinuance of township organization shall specify whether the county board of commissioners to be formed pursuant to section 23-151 will have five or seven members and that reorganization as a county board of commissioners will be effective at the expiration of the supervisors' terms of office in January of the third calendar year following the election to discontinue township organization.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 2, p. 236; Laws 1895, c. 29, § 1, p. 154; R.S.1913, § 1057; C.S.1922, § 959; C.S.1929, § 26-273; R.S.1943, § 23-293; Laws 1973, LB 75, § 18;    Laws 1985, LB 422, § 1;    Laws 2008, LB269, § 6;    Laws 2019, LB411, § 26.    


23-294. Township organization; discontinuance; election; ballot; form.

(1) If the petition or county board resolution to discontinue township organization specifies a five-member county board of commissioners pursuant to section 23-293, the questions on the ballot shall be respectively: For discontinuance of township organization and creation of a five-member county board of commissioners; or Against changing to a commissioner form of county government.

(2) If the petition or county board resolution to discontinue township organization specifies a seven-member county board of commissioners pursuant to section 23-293, the questions on the ballot shall be respectively: For discontinuance of township organization and creation of a seven-member county board of commissioners; or Against changing to a commissioner form of county government.

(3) Elections shall be conducted regarding discontinuance of township organization as provided in the Election Act.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 3, p. 236; R.S.1913, § 1058; C.S.1922, § 960; C.S.1929, § 26-274; R.S.1943, § 23-294; Laws 2008, LB269, § 7;    Laws 2009, LB434, § 2.    


Cross References

23-295. Township organization; discontinuance; when effective.

If a majority of the votes cast on the question are for the discontinuance of township organization, then such organization shall cease to exist effective at the expiration of the supervisors' terms of office in January of the third calendar year following such election.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 4, p. 236; R.S.1913, § 1059; C.S.1922, § 961; C.S.1929, § 26-275; R.S.1943, § 23-295; Laws 2008, LB269, § 8;    Laws 2009, LB434, § 3.    


23-296. Township organization; cessation; establishment of commissioner system.

When township organization ceases in any county as provided by sections 23-292 to 23-295, a commissioner system shall be established. The county board of commissioners shall have five or seven members as specified in the petition or county board resolution pursuant to section 23-293.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 5, p. 236; R.S.1913, § 1060; C.S.1922, § 962; C.S.1929, § 26-276; R.S.1943, § 23-296; Laws 1945, c. 42, § 2, p. 203; Laws 2008, LB269, § 9.    


23-297. Commissioner system creation; districts; elected members; how treated.

(1) If the voters vote for creation of a seven-member county board of commissioners, the commissioner districts shall be the same districts as the former supervisor districts unless changed at a later date as provided by section 23-149 and the supervisors whose terms have not expired on the effective date of the reorganization prescribed in section 23-293 shall continue in office as commissioners for the remainder of their unexpired terms.

(2)(a) If the voters vote for creation of a five-member county board of commissioners, the county clerk, county treasurer, and county attorney shall meet on the first Saturday after the first Tuesday of January following such election and redistrict the county into five commissioner districts with substantially equal population. Such redistricting shall be completed within thirty days after such initial meeting and shall specify where necessary the newly established districts which the members will serve for the balance of the unexpired terms as designated in subdivision (b) of this subsection. The newly established districts will not be effective until the effective date of the reorganization prescribed in section 23-293 except for purposes of being nominated and elected for office from such districts.

(b)(i) If three members of the county board of supervisors were elected for four-year terms at the election to create a five-member county board of commissioners, each such supervisor shall serve two of such years as a supervisor and two of such years as a commissioner representing the newly established districts as designated under subdivision (a) of this subsection and two commissioners shall be elected for four-year terms from the newly established districts at the next general election.

(ii) If four members of the county board of supervisors were elected for four-year terms at the election to create a five-member county board of commissioners, the three of such supervisors receiving the most votes at such election shall serve two of such years as a supervisor and two of such years as a commissioner representing the newly established districts as designated under subdivision (a) of this subsection, the fourth of such supervisors shall serve a term of two years as a supervisor, and two commissioners shall be elected for four-year terms from the newly established districts at the next general election.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 6, p. 237; R.S.1913, § 1061; C.S.1922, § 963; C.S.1929, § 26-277; R.S.1943, § 23-297; Laws 1945, c. 42, § 3, p. 203; Laws 1979, LB 331, § 7;    Laws 2008, LB269, § 10.    


Annotations

23-298. Township organization; cessation; commissioners; succeed supervisors.

The board of county commissioners, as herein provided, shall be the legal successor of the board of supervisors in said county. Such board shall thereafter be governed by the laws that shall govern counties not under township organization, and in the same manner that said county would have been governed had not such organization been adopted.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 7, p. 237; R.S.1913, § 1062; C.S.1922, § 964; C.S.1929, § 26-278; R.S.1943, § 23-298; Laws 1945, c. 42, § 4, p. 204.


23-299. Township organization; cessation; town records; indebtedness and unexpended balances; how discharged; township library; disposition.

(1) If township organization is discontinued in any county, the town clerk in each town in such county, as soon as the county board is qualified pursuant to section 23-297, shall deposit with the county clerk of the county all town records, papers, and documents pertaining to the affairs of such town and certify to the county clerk the amount of indebtedness of such town outstanding at the time of such discontinuance. The county board shall have full and complete power to settle all the unfinished business of the town as fully as might have been done by the town itself and to dispose of any and all property belonging to such town, the proceeds of which, after paying all indebtedness, shall be disposed of by the county board for the benefit of the taxable inhabitants thereof by such board crediting all unexpended balances of the town to the district road fund and in no other manner. The county board, at such time as provided by law, shall levy a tax upon the taxable property of such town to pay any unliquidated indebtedness it may have outstanding.

(2) If township organization is discontinued in any county with a township library, the county board shall hold a public hearing to determine if the township library shall (a) be disposed of, (b) merge with a city, village, or county library, or (c) continue operation. Such public hearing shall occur within one year after voters have approved the discontinuance of township organization. Notice of such hearing shall be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. At the same time notice is first published, the county board shall provide notice of such hearing to the Nebraska Library Commission and the regional library system for the region in which the township library is located. No later than sixty days following such hearing, the county board shall adopt a resolution stating the disposition of the library and the effective date of such disposition prior to the discontinuance of township operation.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 43, § 8, p. 237; R.S.1913, § 1063; C.S.1922, § 965; C.S.1929, § 26-279; R.S.1943, § 23-299; Laws 1945, c. 42, § 5, p. 204; Laws 2008, LB269, § 11;    Laws 2022, LB75, § 1.    


23-2,100. Termination of township board; public hearing; notice; resolution; termination date; conduct of business; disposal of property; discontinuance of township organization of county.

(1) If a township board has become inactive, the county board of supervisors shall hold a public hearing on the issue of termination of the township board. Notice of the hearing shall be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. For purposes of this section, a township board has become inactive when two or more board positions are vacant and the county board has been unable to fill such positions in accordance with sections 32-567 and 32-574 for six or more months.

(2) If no appointment to the township board has been made within thirty days after the public hearing because no resident of the township has provided written notice to the county board that he or she will serve on the township board, the county board may adopt a resolution to terminate the township board. The resolution shall state the effective date of the termination.

(3) Between the date of the public hearing and the date of termination of the township board, the business of the township shall be handled according to this subsection. No tax distributions shall be made to the township. Such funds shall be held by the county board in a separate township fund and disbursed only to pay outstanding obligations of the township board. All claims against the township board shall be filed with the county clerk and heard by the county board. Upon allowance of a claim, the county board shall direct the county clerk to draw a warrant upon the township fund. The warrant shall be signed by the chairperson of the county board and countersigned by the county clerk.

(4) Upon termination of a township board, the county board shall settle all unfinished business of the township board and shall dispose of all property under ownership of the township. Any proceeds of such sale shall first be disbursed to pay any outstanding obligations of the township, and remaining funds shall be credited to the road fund of the county board. Any remaining township board members serving as of the date of termination shall deposit with the county clerk all township records, papers, and documents pertaining to the affairs of the township and shall certify to the county clerk the amount of outstanding indebtedness in existence on the date of termination. The county board shall levy a tax upon the taxable property located within the boundaries of the township to pay for construction and maintenance of township roads within the township and any outstanding indebtedness not paid for under this subsection. The county board shall have continuing authority to construct and maintain township roads within the township and to perform the functions provided in section 23-224 until such time as the township board is reconstituted by general election that results in the filling of all vacancies on the township board.

(5) If more than fifty percent of the township boards in a county have been terminated, the county board shall file with the election commissioner or county clerk a resolution supporting the discontinuance of the township organization of the county pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23-293.

Source:Laws 2010, LB768, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB936, § 1;    Laws 2015, LB65, § 1;    Laws 2015, LB575, § 4.    


23-301. County resurvey; petition; contents; election.

Upon petition filed with the county clerk of any county, signed by twenty percent of the qualified voters of said county as shown by the last preceding election and praying the county board to submit the proposition of ordering a resurvey, in whole or in part, of said county for the purpose of reestablishing the original corners of the United States survey, it shall be the duty of the county board to submit to the voters of the county at the next general election, or a special election, the question whether such resurvey shall be ordered; Provided, upon a like petition signed by twenty percent of the voters of any township or townships in said county, according to the government survey thereof, praying for the submission of a like proposition to the voters of said township or townships, it shall be the duty of the county board in like manner to submit the question at the next general election, or a special election, whether a resurvey shall be ordered in said township or townships. In every case the petition shall set forth in brief form the extent of the resurvey desired and whether it shall be of the township and county lines, or of the county, township and sectional lines, and an estimate as near as may be by the county surveyor of the probable expense of said resurvey. This statement and estimate shall be placed upon the official ballot with the following words thereafter: For resurvey proposition, and Against resurvey proposition.

Source:Laws 1909, c. 36, § 1, p. 219; Laws 1913, c. 153, § 1, p. 392; R.S.1913, § 1108; C.S.1922, § 1042; C.S.1929, § 26-736; R.S.1943, § 23-301.


23-302. County resurvey; election; canvass of votes.

The vote on the proposition shall be canvassed in the same manner as the vote on county officers. If a majority of the votes upon said proposition shall be in favor of the same, the county board shall within thirty days notify the Board of Educational Lands and Funds who shall require such resurvey to be made under its instructions by such competent deputy state surveyor as it shall appoint, assisted by the county surveyor of the county wherein the work is to be done, and according to the laws governing surveys by the State Surveyor and deputy state surveyors. Such surveys shall be made in accordance with the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, governing the restoration of lost and obliterated corners and the specifications and instructions of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. The field notes and plats of said resurvey shall be made in the manner and form prescribed by the Bureau of Land Management for the return of field notes and maps of United States surveys, and shall be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county where the work is done and duplicate copies filed in the office of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds at Lincoln, Nebraska, before being paid for; Provided, when any integral part of said resurvey is completed upon filing proof of its completion together with plats and field notes for the same approved as provided by law, the county board may allow payment for the part so completed.

Source:Laws 1909, c. 36, § 2, p. 220; R.S.1913, § 1109; Laws 1921, c. 84, § 1, p. 301; C.S.1922, § 1043; C.S.1929, § 26-737; R.S.1943, § 23-302; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 1.    


23-303. County resurvey; cost; tax; bonds; submission to voters.

In case the question of said resurvey has been submitted to the voters of the entire county, the cost of said resurvey may be paid out of the county general fund in case there is money there available for that purpose. If not, the cost may be provided for by an issue of bonds or special tax levy, in which case the proposition for bonds or special tax levy shall be submitted to the voters as a part of the resurvey proposition; Provided, when a proposition for resurvey has already been submitted to the voters of a county, and a majority have voted in favor of such proposition, it shall be legal for the county board to proceed to make contract for such resurvey in accordance with the provisions of sections 23-301 to 23-303 providing for such contract; provided further, in case the question has been submitted to the voters of any one or more governmental townships of any county under the provisions of section 23-301, and a majority have voted in favor of such proposition, the cost of said resurvey may be paid out of the general fund and said fund may be reimbursed the amount of such expenditure by the assessment of a special tax by the county board of such county equally apportioning the cost of such resurvey upon the area of all real estate in such governmental township or townships according to the acreage in each tract as shown by the original United States survey thereof, and including in addition thereto any accreted lands to such original United States survey as may be shown by the resurvey herein provided.

Source:Laws 1909, c. 36, § 3, p. 221; Laws 1913, c. 153, § 1, p. 392; R.S.1913, § 1110; C.S.1922, § 1044; C.S.1929, § 26-738; R.S.1943, § 23-303.


23-304. Irregular tracts of land; survey.

It shall be the duty of the county board of each organized county in the State of Nebraska to cause to be surveyed, by a competent surveyor, all irregular subdivided tracts or lots of land, other than regular government subdivisions, and cause the same to be platted on a scale of not less than ten inches to the mile; Provided, however, where any county has in its possession the correct field notes of any such tract or lot of land, a new survey shall not be necessary, but such tracts may be mapped from such field notes.

Source:Laws 1879, § 142, p. 390; R.S.1913, § 1084; C.S.1922, § 1009; C.S.1929, § 26-701; R.S.1943, § 23-304.


Annotations

23-305. Irregular tracts of land; survey; maps.

The board shall cause duplicate maps to be made, on which said tracts or lots of land shall be accurately described by lines and numbered from one up to the highest number of such tracts in each section, which numbers together with the number of the section, town and range, shall be distinctly marked. One of said maps shall be conspicuously hung in the office of the county clerk and the other in the office of the county treasurer.

Source:Laws 1879, § 143, p. 390; R.S.1913, § 1085; C.S.1922, § 1010; C.S.1929, § 26-702; R.S.1943, § 23-305.


23-306. Irregular tracts of land; survey; field notes; record.

The board shall also cause to be entered in duplicate, in suitable books to be provided for that purpose, the field notes of all such tracts of land within their respective counties, wherein shall be described each tract according to survey, and each tract shall be therein numbered to correspond with its number on the maps. One of such books of field notes shall be filed in the office of the county clerk, and the other in the office of the county treasurer.

Source:Laws 1879, § 144, p. 390; R.S.1913, § 1086; C.S.1922, § 1011; C.S.1929, § 26-703; R.S.1943, § 23-306.


23-307. Irregular tracts of land; legal description.

When the maps and books of field notes shall be filed as hereinbefore provided, the description of any tract or lot of land described in said maps, by number, section, town and range, shall be a sufficient and legal description thereof for revenue and all other purposes.

Source:Laws 1879, § 145, p. 391; R.S.1913, § 1087; C.S.1922, § 1012; C.S.1929, § 26-704; R.S.1943, § 23-307.


Annotations

23-308. Watercourses; diversion of channel; dams and dikes; when authorized.

Whenever any portion of a county exceeding three hundred and twenty acres in amount is put in peril of destruction by reason of the probable diversion of the channel of any river or watercourse, and whenever a petition stating such fact, signed by twenty freeholders in the precinct, is filed with the county board of such county, it shall be the duty of the county board to view said premises within the succeeding thirty days, and if upon actual view it shall appear that a portion of the county exceeding three hundred and twenty acres is in actual peril of destruction, it may cause to be built any dam, embankment or dike, or aid to such an extent as it may deem proper in the building of any dam, embankment or dike that it may deem necessary for the protection of said land. The amount expended toward such improvements shall be paid out of the general fund of the county.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 38, § 1, p. 213; R.S.1913, § 1103; C.S.1922, § 1025; C.S.1929, § 26-719; R.S.1943, § 23-308.


Cross References

Annotations

23-309. Levees; dikes; construction; when authorized.

The supervisors or board of county commissioners of any county in this state shall have the power, as hereinafter provided, to construct, establish or cause to be constructed and established any levee, dike, bank protection or current control in any river or stream wholly within or bordering on the respective counties, and to provide for the maintenance of the same, whenever such project shall be conducive to the public health, convenience, welfare or safety, which purpose shall or may include the protection of lands or property from overflow, wash or bank erosion.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 1, p. 893; C.S.1922, § 1026; C.S.1929, § 26-720; R.S.1943, § 23-309.


23-310. Levees; dikes; petition of landowners; contents; filing.

Such board of supervisors or county commissioners shall act only upon a written petition signed by the owners of the majority of the land likely to be affected by the proposed levee, dike, bank protection or current control. The petition shall set forth the necessity for the levee, dike, bank protection or current control, a description of its proposed location, and a general statement of the territory likely to be benefited or affected thereby. The petition shall be accompanied by a bond with sufficient surety or sureties to be approved by the county clerk of said county, conditioned to pay all expenses incurred in case the board does not grant the petition. Such petition may be presented at any regular or special meeting of the board and if sufficient in form the board shall order the same to be filed with the county clerk of said county.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 2, p. 893; C.S.1922, § 1027; C.S.1929, § 26-721; R.S.1943, § 23-310.


23-311. Levees; dikes; site; surveys and reports; duty of engineer.

It shall be the duty of such board to act promptly upon all such petitions. Upon the filing of the petition with the county clerk, as provided in section 23-310, the county clerk shall transmit a copy thereof to a competent engineer to be selected by the board, who, together with the board of county commissioners or supervisors, shall, as soon as practicable, inspect the proposed locations. If in the opinion of such board and the engineer such levee, dike, bank protection or current control is necessary or advisable, the board shall cause a survey of the proposed project to be made by such engineer, as herein provided. Such survey shall be primarily for the purpose of aiding the board in determining the necessity or advisability of constructing such project, but shall be a complete survey such as will be required for assessment of its costs. Such survey may extend to other lands than those affected by the proposed project for the purpose of determining the best practical method of protecting an area greater than the originally proposed territory. For the purpose of inspection or surveys the county commissioners, board of supervisors, surveyors, engineers, or their employees may enter upon any lands within the proposed territory, or upon any lands which in their judgment are likely to be affected by the proposed project. The surveyor or engineer shall file his report with the county clerk as soon as possible after being so instructed by the board to make such survey. The report shall include an estimated cost of the work together with a preliminary apportionment of individual assessments.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 3, p. 894; C.S.1922, § 1028; C.S.1929, § 26-722; R.S.1943, § 23-311.


23-312. Levees; dikes; report of engineer; filing; notice of hearing.

As soon as the report of the engineer is filed with the county clerk, it shall be the duty of the county clerk to give notice of the filing thereof by publication for three consecutive weeks in some weekly newspaper published in the county where the improvement is to be made, and state therein the proposed location where the improvement is to be made and the time set for the hearing thereon, of which all persons interested shall take notice. The date for said hearing shall not be more than six weeks from the date of the first publication.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 4, p. 895; C.S.1922, § 1029; C.S.1929, § 26-723; R.S.1943, § 23-312.


23-313. Levees; dikes; petition; remonstrance; hearing; powers of board.

On or before the day fixed for the hearing of such report the owners of any land affected by the work proposed may remonstrate against said petition and report, which remonstrance shall be verified by affidavit. If more than one party remonstrates, the same shall be consolidated and tried together, and the report of the engineer shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. The supervisors or board of commissioners shall try the issue thus formed, and if they find for the remonstrance, the petition and report shall be dismissed at the cost of the petitioners, or shall be so amended as to comply with the findings of the board, which amended petition and report shall stand as final; Provided, that if donations shall be made or secured to the satisfaction of the supervisors or board, sufficient with the assessment to exceed the expenses of the work and damages allowed, if any, the petition and report shall not be dismissed, and such donations are hereby authorized to be made. The board shall have power to permit amendments to be made to the petition or report, and to continue the hearing from time to time, so as to subserve the ends of justice.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 5, p. 895; C.S.1922, § 1030; C.S.1929, § 26-724; R.S.1943, § 23-313.


23-314. Levees; dikes; plan for protection; approval by Director-State Engineer.

If at the time fixed for the hearing of the report, the supervisors or board of commissioners shall find that notice has been given, as required by section 23-312, and further find that the proposed work is of public utility, convenience, welfare or safety, and that the benefits assessed exceed the expenses and damages whatsoever they may be, they shall order that the improvement be made and shall specify therein the nature and extent of the improvement. The report of the engineer as finally adopted by the board shall be designated as the plan for protection and shall be submitted to the Director-State Engineer for his information and approval; Provided, that notice of the hour and day of such submission shall be once published in the newspaper selected by the board for other publication notices, at least five days prior thereto. This plan as approved by the Director-State Engineer shall stand as final.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 6, p. 895; C.S.1922, § 1031; C.S.1929, § 26-725; R.S.1943, § 23-314.


23-315. Levees; dikes; bids; contracts; conditions.

(1) If after the hearing the supervisors or board of county commissioners decide to proceed with the improvement, they shall let the contract for the construction of the work as a whole or in parcels as they may deem best. They shall give notice of the time and place the contract or contracts will be let by publishing for three successive weeks in one or more weekly newspapers published in the county, which notice shall state the specifications, nature, and extent of the improvement, the time within which the work is to be completed, and the allotment or allotments to be let. Sealed proposals shall be received and the work let to the lowest and best responsible bidder. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a bond, in form prepared by the supervisors or board of county commissioners, conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract and executed by the bidder and surety or sureties to the county and to all parties interested in the amount of the bid, shall accompany such bid.

(2) If a contract, the provisions of which are limited to the purchase of supplies or materials, is entered into pursuant to this section and if the amount of the contract is fifty thousand dollars or less, an irrevocable letter of credit, a certified check upon a solvent bank, or a performance bond in a guaranty company qualified to do business in Nebraska, as prescribed by and in an amount determined by the county board of supervisors or commissioners, conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract and executed by the bidder to the county and to all parties interested in the amount of the bid, shall accompany the bid.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 7, p. 896; C.S.1922, § 1032; C.S.1929, § 26-726; R.S.1943, § 23-315; Laws 1987, LB 211, § 1.    


23-316. Levees; dikes; construction; special assessments.

As soon as the contract or contracts are let for the construction of the work as provided in section 23-315, the supervisors or board of county commissioners shall levy a special assessment on all the lands specially benefited in accordance with the benefits received as confirmed and adjudged in a sum as may be necessary to pay for the work and all costs and expenses accrued or to accrue, not exceeding the whole benefit upon any one tract.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 8, p. 896; C.S.1922, § 1033; C.S.1929, § 26-727; R.S.1943, § 23-316; Laws 2015, LB361, § 47.    


23-317. Levees; dikes; special assessments; entry on tax list; lien.

The board of supervisors or county commissioners shall cause the special assessment made upon the lands benefited as provided in section 23-316 to be entered upon the tax lists of the county as provided in cases of special assessments, which assessment shall constitute a lien on the real estate respectively assessed and shall be collected as other special assessments are collected. One-tenth of each assessment shall be collected each year for a period of ten years with interest at the rate of seven percent per annum on deferred payments, unless paid in full as herein provided.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 9, p. 896; C.S.1922, § 1034; C.S.1929, § 26-728; R.S.1943, § 23-317; Laws 2015, LB361, § 48.    


23-318. Levees; dikes; assessments; notice.

Within ten days after such work has been completed and approved by the board, the board shall cause a notice to all persons whose lands are benefited by such improvement to be published for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper published and of general circulation in such county or, if no legal newspaper is published in the county, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county. Such notice shall fix the time, not more than sixty days from the date of the completion and approval of the work, within which owners of real estate benefited may pay the entire amount assessed against the respective parcels of land benefited and shall state that unless the amount is paid within such time, bonds will be issued for the payment of the special benefits assessed as hereinafter provided.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 10, p. 897; C.S.1922, § 1035; C.S.1929, § 26-729; R.S.1943, § 23-318; Laws 1986, LB 960, § 19.    


23-319. Levees; dikes; bonds; when authorized; term; sinking fund.

After sixty days from the completion and approval of the work it shall be the duty of the county board to issue the bonds of the county in the amount of the assessment remaining unpaid at said time, payable in not to exceed ten equal annual installments with interest on deferred payment at seven percent per annum, and said special assessment and taxes shall constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds and interest.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 11, p. 897; C.S.1922, § 1036; C.S.1929, § 26-730; R.S.1943, § 23-319; Laws 1947, c. 15, § 14, p. 91.


23-320. Levees; dikes; assessments; appeal to district court; procedure.

Any person who appeared and filed a remonstrance as to the benefits received by him or her through such improvement or as to the amount of his or her assessment before the supervisors or board of commissioners at the hearing as provided in section 23-313 shall be allowed an appeal to the district court of the county by the same procedure as is provided in section 31-412. On such appeal the only questions that shall be tried shall be the questions raised before the board by the remonstrance. On such trial the report of the engineer shall be admissible in evidence and nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing or permitting the stoppage, prevention, or delay of the proposed work. If more than one party appeals, the appeals shall be consolidated and tried together and the rights of each appellant separately determined. If the court finds for any appellant upon his or her remonstrance, it shall amend the report and the schedule of the assessment in accordance with its finding. The amended report and schedule shall be filed with the county clerk and a copy forwarded to the Director-State Engineer. If on appeal the court finds against the remonstrants, it shall dismiss the appeal at the cost of appellant.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 269, § 12, p. 897; C.S.1922, § 1037; C.S.1929, § 26-731; R.S.1943, § 23-320; Laws 1989, LB 26, § 1.    


23-320.01. Flood control; powers of county board; contracts with federal government; appropriation of funds.

In any county of the State of Nebraska in which the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army, the Bureau of Reclamation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other department or agency of the federal government shall be authorized by Congress to construct works for flood control, watershed protection and flood prevention, irrigation, soil and water conservation, drainage, or similar projects, or in cooperation with the programs of natural resources districts, irrigation districts, reclamation districts, or similar agencies, the county board thereof shall, if in its opinion the construction is necessary for the public welfare, have the power to: (1) Enter into an undertaking, in the name of the county, to hold the United States of America free from any damage to persons or property resulting during the construction or after the completion thereof, (2) contract with the federal government, in the name of the county, that when the work is completed the county will maintain, keep in repair, and operate such flood control works or other similar projects, (3) furnish all necessary lands, rights-of-way, and easements, as provided in section 23-320.02, (4) appropriate such funds as may be necessary to fully develop, plan, and carry out a coordinated program of flood control or soil and water resource development for such county, and (5) appropriate such funds as may be necessary to pay the construction costs and expenses in excess of funds to be provided by the federal government.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 1, p. 241; Laws 1955, c. 67, § 1, p. 218; Laws 1961, c. 89, § 1, p. 310; Laws 1969, c. 154, § 1, p. 722; Laws 1999, LB 403, § 6.    


23-320.02. Flood control; acquisition of lands, rights-of-way, and easements; procedure.

In any county, such as described in section 23-320.01, where it is necessary as a condition to the construction of any flood control works or other similar projects as provided in sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.07, that the county furnish the necessary lands, rights-of-way, or easements therefor, the county board is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire such lands, rights-of-way, or easements as may be necessary, and the board is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire the same by purchase or by gift or by the exercise of the right of eminent domain whether the property be within the limits of such county or outside its boundaries. The procedure to condemn property shall be exercised in the manner set forth in sections 76-704 to 76-724.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 2, p. 242; Laws 1951, c. 101, § 68, p. 478; Laws 1961, c. 89, § 2, p. 311; Laws 1969, c. 155, § 1, p. 726; Laws 1981, LB 326, § 13.


Annotations

23-320.03. Flood control; bonds; amount; term; levy of tax.

Whenever in such county it is necessary to pay any construction costs and expenses in excess of the amounts paid by the federal government or to acquire any lands, rights-of-way, or easements under sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.06, the cost thereof and expenses connected therewith shall be defrayed by the issuance of general obligation bonds of the county, to be issued by the county board of such county without the necessity of an election, either in one issue or in separate issues from time to time as may be necessary and as determined by the county board of the county. The proceeds of the bonds shall be used for such purposes and no other except as otherwise provided in such sections. The aggregate of any such bonds so issued shall not be in excess of two-tenths of one percent of the taxable valuation of the county. All bonds issued under such sections shall mature in annual installments over a period of not more than twenty-five years, and it shall be the duty of the county board of such county to make an annual levy on all the taxable property in such county for the retirement of the principal and interest thereof as the same become due. The bonds provided for in such sections shall not be subject to nor included in any restrictions or limitations upon the amount of bonded indebtedness of the county contained in any other law affecting the county.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 3, p. 242; Laws 1965, c. 99, § 1, p. 418; Laws 1969, c. 154, § 2, p. 723; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 97;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 97.    


23-320.04. Flood control; liability on indemnity agreements; how paid; insurance.

Any loss, damage or expense for which the county or the county board may be liable by reason of having entered into an indemnity agreement or undertaking to protect and defend the federal government against loss or damage resulting from or growing out of such flood control works or other similar projects, may be paid for by said county from any funds on hand received from the sale of the bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.07; Provided, that said county board may for the purpose of saving and protecting the county from any such loss, damage or expense, apply for and purchase from any insurance or indemnity company authorized to transact business in this state, an insurance or indemnity policy or policies of insurance, and pay the cost of obtaining the same from any funds received from the sale of bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.07.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 4, p. 243; Laws 1961, c. 89, § 3, p. 311.


23-320.05. Flood control; maintenance and operation; coordinated program; tax levy; special fund; establish; use.

For the purpose of maintaining and operating such flood control works or other similar projects as provided in sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.07 when the works or projects have been completed and turned over to the county and also for the purpose of developing and carrying out a coordinated soil and water resource program and program of flood control for the county, the county board of such county shall be empowered to make an annual tax levy of not to exceed one and seven-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county. Pending approval of an authorized flood control plan, the county involved may establish a special flood and erosion control reserve fund. Such fund may be used for obtaining land, easements, and rights-of-way and relocating utilities in connection with water and erosion improvements that have authorization and construction approval. To aid in the growth of such fund, it may be invested in short-term securities authorized by section 77-2315. Money remaining in the fund at the completion of construction or the discontinuance of an authorized project may revert to the general fund. It shall be the duty of the county board and the county engineer to keep all such flood control works or other similar projects in serviceable condition and to make such repairs as may, from time to time, be necessary.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 5, p. 243; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 42, p. 955; Laws 1955, c. 67, § 2, p. 219; Laws 1961, c. 89, § 4, p. 312; Laws 1965, c. 100, § 1, p. 420; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 98;    Laws 1989, LB 5, § 1;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 98;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 42.    


23-320.06. Flood control; agreements with other governmental agencies; construction, maintenance, repair, and operation; coordinated program; employment of nonprofit corporation.

For the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions of sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.06, the county board is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with (1) the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, (2) any city, (3) any drainage district, (4) any other county, (5) any natural resources district, (6) any irrigation district, (7) any reclamation district, (8) any body politic, (9) any person, (10) any firm, or (11) any individual, whenever it shall be necessary as a condition to the construction of flood control works or other similar projects hereunder, and for the maintenance, repair, or operation thereof. To aid and assist in carrying out a coordinated soil and water resource program or program of flood control for any county, the county board may also employ the services of any nonprofit corporation or organization that has as one of its principal objectives or purposes the promotion and development of soil and water resource projects and flood control and to receive gifts and contributions from public and private sources to be expended in providing funds for construction costs and expenses in excess of funds to be provided by the federal government and the tax levy.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 6, p. 244; Laws 1955, c. 67, § 3, p. 219; Laws 1961, c. 89, § 5, p. 312; Laws 1969, c. 154, § 3, p. 724; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 99.    


23-320.07. Flood control; cities; powers; eminent domain; bonds; tax levy; funds, how used.

Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, all of the rights, powers, authority, and jurisdiction conferred on counties and county boards by sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.06 are hereby also conferred upon and vested in any city of the first or second class or village located in any county such as described in section 23-320.01 and the governing body thereof. The governing body of any such city or village, in the name of the city or village, shall have the power to enter into undertakings and contracts and make agreements in like manner and for like purposes as provided in sections 23-320.01 to 23-320.06 for county boards. Such governing body may provide funds for construction costs and expenses in excess of amounts contributed by the federal government, may acquire lands, rights-of-way, and easements either within or without the limits of the city or village in like manner and for like purposes as provided in section 23-320.02 for county boards, and without further authorization may issue general obligation bonds of the city or village to pay the costs thereof and expenses connected therewith in the manner now provided by law, but the aggregate of any such bonds so issued shall not be in excess of one and eight-tenths percent of the taxable value of the taxable property of the city or village. Such bonds shall not be subject to nor included in any restrictions or limitations upon the amount of bonded indebtedness of the city or village contained in any other law. Funds received from the sale of bonds by any such city or village may be used to pay any loss, damage, or expense for which the city or village or the governing body thereof may be liable in like manner as counties are authorized to pay such loss, damage, or expense under section 23-320.04. For the purposes of maintaining and operating flood control works constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers or other agencies of the United States Government, when the flood control works have been completed and turned over to the city or village, the governing body of such city or village shall be empowered to make an annual tax levy of not to exceed five and two-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of the taxable property within such city or village. It shall be the duty of the governing body of the city or village to keep all such flood control works in serviceable condition and to make such repairs as may from time to time be necessary.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 77, § 7, p. 244; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 43, p. 956; Laws 1963, c. 108, § 1, p. 435; Laws 1965, c. 99, § 2, p. 421; Laws 1969, c. 154, § 4, p. 724; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 100;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 18; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 18;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 43.    


Annotations

23-320.08. Flood control; cooperation with federal government; additional powers; agreements authorized.

In any county or counties of the State of Nebraska in which the United States, or any of its departments or agencies shall be authorized by Congress to construct works for flood control, watershed protection and flood prevention and drainage programs of the State of Nebraska or any of its agencies or in cooperation with the program of natural resources districts or similar public districts the county or counties, if in its or their opinion the construction is necessary for the public welfare, may: (1) Enter into an undertaking, in the name of the county, to hold the United States of America free from any damage to persons or property resulting during the construction or after the completion thereof; (2) contract with the federal government, in the name of the county, that when such work is completed the county will maintain, keep in repair, and operate such works of improvement; (3) furnish all necessary lands, rights-of-way, and easements as provided in section 23-320.10; (4) enter into agreements with other county governments on provisions for cooperative programs of resource development; (5) establish watershed boundary lines for taxation purposes so that property within the perimeter of the defined drainage-way will be assessed for the financing of the program for improvement; and (6) appropriate such funds as may be needed to carry out and finance the program as outlined in sections 23-320.08 to 23-320.12.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 106, § 1, p. 431; Laws 1977, LB 510, § 5.    


23-320.09. Repealed. Laws 1977, LB 510, § 10.

23-320.10. Flood control; construction of works; acquisition of rights-of-way and easements; eminent domain; procedure.

In any county or counties described in section 23-320.08, where it is necessary as a condition to the construction of any flood control works or other similar works of improvement as provided in sections 23-320.08 to 23-320.12, that the county furnish the necessary lands, rights-of-way, or easements therefor, the county board may acquire such lands, rights-of-way, or easements as may be necessary, and the board may acquire the same by purchase or by gift or by the exercise of the right of eminent domain. The procedure to condemn property shall be exercised in the manner set forth in sections 76-704 to 76-724.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 106, § 3, p. 433.


23-320.11. Flood control; acquisition and operation of flood control works; tax levy authorized; repairs.

For the purpose of obtaining lands, easements, and rights-of-way and maintaining and operating such flood control works or other similar projects as provided in sections 23-320.08 to 23-320.12 when the same have been completed and turned over to the county and also for the purpose of developing and carrying out a coordinated soil and water resource program and program of flood control for the county, the county board of such county shall be empowered to make an annual tax levy of not to exceed one and seven-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in a designated watershed area. It shall be the duty of the county board and the county engineer to keep all such flood control works or other similar projects in serviceable condition and to make such repairs as may, from time to time, be necessary.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 106, § 4, p. 433; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 101;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 99;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 44.    


23-320.12. Flood control; execution of program; parties to agreement; employment of services of nonprofit corporation.

For the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions of sections 23-320.08 to 23-320.12, the county board may enter into agreements with (1) the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, (2) any city, (3) any drainage district, (4) any other county, (5) any natural resources district, (6) any irrigation district, (7) any reclamation district, (8) any body politic, (9) any person, or (10) any firm, whenever it shall be necessary as a condition to the construction of flood control works or other similar projects under the provisions of sections 23-320.08 to 23-320.12, and for the maintenance, repair, or operation thereof. To aid and assist in carrying out a coordinated soil and water resource program or program of flood control for any county, the county board may also employ the services of any nonprofit corporation or organization that has as one of its principal objectives or purposes the promotion and development of soil and water resource projects and flood control.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 106, § 5, p. 433.


23-320.13. Flood control; cities of the first class; project outside city limits; powers; authority.

All rights, powers, authority, and jurisdiction conferred on cities of the first class by sections 23-320.07 to 23-320.12, may be exercised by such city, in the absence of federal participation or sponsorship, whenever any project of flood control outside the limits of such city directly affects the welfare of such city and involves a cost of not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 93, § 1, p. 401.


23-321. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-322. Transferred to section 23-346.01.

23-323. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-324. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-324.01. Transferred to section 23-3105.

23-324.02. Transferred to section 23-3106.

23-324.03. Transferred to section 23-3104.

23-324.04. Transferred to section 23-3107.

23-324.05. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 393, § 18.

23-324.06. Transferred to section 23-3112.

23-324.07. Transferred to section 23-3113.

23-324.08. Transferred to section 23-3114.

23-325. Real estate; appropriation; power of county board; procedure.

The county board shall have power to acquire, take, hold, appropriate, and condemn such real estate as may be necessary for convenience from time to time for the public use of the county; Provided, no appropriation of private property for the use of the county as aforesaid shall be made until full and just compensation therefor shall have been first made to the owner thereof. The procedure to condemn property shall be exercised in the manner set forth in sections 76-704 to 76-724.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 56, § 1, p. 211; C.S.1929, § 26-709; R.S.1943, § 23-325; Laws 1951, c. 101, § 69, p. 478.


Annotations

23-326. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-327. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-328. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-329. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-330. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 68, § 1.

23-331. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-332. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 101, § 127.

23-333. County surplus funds; how transferred; exceptions.

The county board of the several counties of the state may appropriate to the county general fund any county sinking fund in the county treasury not levied for the payment of any bonded indebtedness; also any county money from whatever source, excepting the money levied for school purposes, that remain on hand in the county treasury and are no longer required for the purposes for which same were levied; Provided, the county commissioners of the several counties of the state, not under township organization, may appropriate any unexpended balance remaining in the county treasury to the credit of any such precinct (such balance having accrued by reason of taxes collected from a precinct levy for the payment of bonds, after such bonds are paid), to the school districts within such precinct, apportioning such unexpended balance to the several school districts in the said precinct according to the property valuation of the several school districts, as found by the assessor for the year next preceding such appropriation. Where such unexpended balance accrued by reason of taxes collected from a precinct levy for the payment of bridge or irrigation bonds, the county boards of the several counties of the state, not under township organization, may appropriate such unexpended balance remaining in the county treasury to the credit of the road fund of the commissioner district of which such precinct forms a part, to be expended for the improvement of roads, within the limits of such original precinct wherein such taxes were collected.

Source:Laws 1877, § 1, p. 214; Laws 1903, c. 34, § 1, p. 283; Laws 1913, c. 30, § 1, p. 106; R.S.1913, § 1097; C.S.1922, § 1022; C.S.1929, § 26-716; R.S.1943, § 23-333.


Annotations

23-334. Repealed. Laws 1949, c. 36, § 1.

23-335. Repealed. Laws 1988, LB 893, § 18.

23-336. County contracts; when invalid.

All contracts, either express or implied, entered into with any county board, for or on behalf of any county, and all orders given by any such board or any of the members thereof, for any article, service, public improvement, material or labor in contravention of any statutory limitation, or when there are or were no funds legally available therefor, or in the absence of a statute expressly authorizing such contract to be entered into, or such order to be given, are hereby declared unlawful and shall be wholly void as an obligation against any such county.

Source:Laws 1905, c. 55, § 1, p. 301; R.S.1913, § 1104; C.S.1922, § 1038; C.S.1929, § 26-732; R.S.1943, § 23-336.


Annotations

23-337. Illegal contracts; liability of county officers.

Any public official or officials who shall audit, allow or pay out, or cause to be paid out, any funds of any county for any article, public improvement, material, service or labor, contrary to the provisions of section 23-336, shall be liable for the full amount so expended, and the same may be recovered from any such official or the surety upon his official bond by any such county, or any taxpayer thereof.

Source:Laws 1905, c. 55, § 2, p. 301; R.S.1913, § 1105; C.S.1922, § 1039; C.S.1929, § 26-733; R.S.1943, § 23-337.


Annotations

23-338. Illegal contracts; county exempt from liability.

No judgment shall hereafter be rendered by any court against any such county in any action brought to recover for any article, public improvement, material, service or labor contracted for or ordered in contravention of any statutory limitation, or when there are or were no funds legally available at the time, with which to pay for the same, or in the absence of a statute expressly authorizing such contract; Provided, that this section and sections 23-336 and 23-337 may not prevent the repairing of any bridge damaged by sudden casualty, when the county board shall first declare that an emergency exists, and give notice of its intention to repair such damage by at least one publication in some newspaper of general circulation in the county.

Source:Laws 1905, c. 55, § 3, p. 302; R.S.1913, § 1106; C.S.1922, § 1040; C.S.1929, § 26-734; R.S.1943, § 23-338.


Annotations

23-339. Street improvement; county aid; when authorized.

The county board of any county in which any city or cities are located having at least twenty-five thousand inhabitants but fewer than one hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent revised certified count by the United States Bureau of the Census is hereby authorized and empowered, whenever the road fund or funds of such county will warrant it, to aid in the grading, paving, or otherwise improving of any street, avenue, or boulevard leading into such city and within the corporate limits thereof, by providing for the payment of not exceeding one-half of the cost of such grading, and not exceeding the cost of the paving of intersections. It shall also be authorized and empowered to grade, pave, or otherwise improve any street, avenue, boulevard, or road, or any portion thereof leading into or adjacent to any such city outside, or partly inside and partly outside the corporate limits thereof, including any portion thereof leading into or across any village or town, and for such improvements outside of the corporate limits of any such city as herein authorized and directed.

Source:Laws 1911, c. 25, § 1, p. 171; R.S.1913, § 1111; C.S.1922, § 1045; C.S.1929, § 26-739; R.S.1943, § 23-339; Laws 2019, LB67, § 6.    


23-340. Streets outside corporate limits; improvement; notice to landowners; county aid.

Whenever the board shall contemplate the making of such improvements outside the corporate limits of any such city, it shall notify the county surveyor, whose duty it shall be to make an examination of the proposed improvement and report an estimate of the cost thereof to the board. If upon the consideration of such report, the county board determines to make the improvement, it shall cause personal notice to be served on the owners of property abutting on said road outside the corporate limits of such city of its intention to make such improvements, and if the owner is a nonresident, then by personal service upon the agent of such nonresident, if he has one residing in the county, and in case he has no such agent, by publishing such notice in a newspaper published in and of general circulation in such county. Upon the proof of service or publication of said notice, and after giving such owner an opportunity to be heard, the board shall decide upon the material to be used in such improvement and enter an order upon its records for the construction thereof; Provided, however, whenever the street, avenue, boulevard or road upon which improvements are contemplated, lies adjacent to and outside, or partly inside and partly outside, the corporate limits of any such city, the examination of the proposed improvement, report and estimate of the cost thereof, shall be made jointly by the county surveyor and the city engineer of such city, and after the county board shall determine to make such improvement and decide upon the material to be used therein, nothing further shall be done toward the completion of such improvement until such city by and through its proper officers shall agree in writing, a copy of which shall be filed with the board, to construct the one-half of said improvement lying next to or within the corporate limits of the city and pay the cost of said one-half. After such agreement shall have been filed with the county board, the board shall proceed to construct the other one-half of such improvement in the manner provided herein. The county shall pay two-thirds of the cost of the other one-half of such improvement, and the other one-third shall be paid by special assessment of all the real estate abutting on or adjacent to said one-half as provided in section 23-341; and provided further, wherever any such city shall have improved any portion, equal to one-half or more, of any such street, avenue, boulevard or road lying adjacent to and wholly outside, or partly outside and partly inside the corporate limits of any such city, and either paid or provided for the payment of the cost of the same, the county board may proceed to improve in like manner the remaining portion of said street, avenue, boulevard or road, and of the cost thereof the county shall pay two-thirds and the other one-third shall be paid by special assessment of all the real estate abutting on or adjacent to said portion as provided for in section 23-341.

Source:Laws 1911, c. 25, § 2, p. 172; R.S.1913, § 1112; C.S.1922, § 1046; C.S.1929, § 26-740; R.S.1943, § 23-340.


23-341. Streets outside corporate limits; improvement; cost; payment; assessments; determination; how levied.

Two-thirds of the cost of any such improvement authorized by sections 23-339 and 23-340 outside the corporate limits of such city and not adjacent thereto, as mentioned in section 23-339, shall be paid by said county board out of the road funds of the county, and one-third by special assessment of all real estate abutting on or adjacent to such improvement to a depth not exceeding five hundred feet on each side thereof, in proportion to the special benefits to such real estate by reason of such improvements. The benefits to such real estate shall be determined by the board, after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, of notice to the owners of said real estate at least ten days prior to such determination. Such assessment may be made according to the foot frontage of real estate along the line of such improvement or according to such other rule or method as the board may adopt for the distribution and equalization of said one-third of the cost. The amount so assessed shall be placed upon the tax list for the ensuing year and collected in the same manner at the same time as the taxes of other property, and, when collected, shall be held in a special fund and used only in the payment of the cost of that particular improvement, as specified herein.

Source:Laws 1911, c. 25, § 3, p. 173; R.S.1913, § 1113; C.S.1922, § 1047; C.S.1929, § 26-741; R.S.1943, § 23-341; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 2, p. 442.


23-342. Streets outside corporate limits; improvement; contracts; conditions.

(1) All contracts for the construction of such improvements outside the corporate limits of any such city shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder who, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, shall enter into a good and sufficient bond for the faithful performance of such contract in such amount and with such sureties as the county board may determine. All payments of such contracts shall be made by warrants drawn on the road fund of the county.

(2) If a contract, the provisions of which are limited to the purchase of supplies or materials, is entered into pursuant to this section and if the amount of the contract is fifty thousand dollars or less, an irrevocable letter of credit, a certified check upon a solvent bank, or a performance bond in a guaranty company qualified to do business in Nebraska, as prescribed by and in an amount determined by the county board of supervisors or commissioners, conditioned for the faithful performance of the contract and executed by the bidder to the county and to all parties interested in the amount of the bid, shall accompany the bid.

Source:Laws 1911, c. 25, § 4, p. 174; R.S.1913, § 1114; C.S.1922, § 1048; C.S.1929, § 26-742; R.S.1943, § 23-342; Laws 1987, LB 211, § 2.    


23-343. Transferred to section 23-3501.

23-343.01. Transferred to section 23-3502.

23-343.02. Transferred to section 23-3503.

23-343.03. Transferred to section 23-3504.

23-343.04. Transferred to section 23-3505.

23-343.05. Transferred to section 23-3506.

23-343.06. Transferred to section 23-3507.

23-343.07. Transferred to section 23-3508.

23-343.08. Transferred to section 23-3509.

23-343.09. Repealed. Laws 1987, LB 134, § 9.

23-343.10. Transferred to section 23-3510.

23-343.11. Transferred to section 23-3511.

23-343.12. Transferred to section 23-3512.

23-343.13. Transferred to section 23-3513.

23-343.14. Transferred to section 23-3514.

23-343.15. Transferred to section 23-3515.

23-343.16. Transferred to section 23-3516.

23-343.17. Transferred to section 23-3517.

23-343.18. Transferred to section 23-3518.

23-343.19. Transferred to section 23-3519.

23-343.20. Transferred to section 23-3529.

23-343.21. Transferred to section 23-3530.

23-343.22. Transferred to section 23-3531.

23-343.23. Transferred to section 23-3532.

23-343.24. Transferred to section 23-3533.

23-343.25. Transferred to section 23-3534.

23-343.26. Transferred to section 23-3535.

23-343.27. Transferred to section 23-3536.

23-343.28. Transferred to section 23-3537.

23-343.29. Transferred to section 23-3538.

23-343.30. Transferred to section 23-3539.

23-343.31. Transferred to section 23-3540.

23-343.32. Transferred to section 23-3541.

23-343.33. Transferred to section 23-3542.

23-343.34. Transferred to section 23-3543.

23-343.35. Transferred to section 23-3544.

23-343.36. Transferred to section 23-3545.

23-343.37. Transferred to section 23-3546.

23-343.38. Transferred to section 23-3547.

23-343.39. Transferred to section 23-3548.

23-343.40. Transferred to section 23-3549.

23-343.41. Repealed. Laws 1987, LB 134, § 9.

23-343.42. Transferred to section 23-3550.

23-343.43. Transferred to section 23-3551.

23-343.44. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 145, § 52.

23-343.45. Repealed. Laws 1987, LB 134, § 9.

23-343.46. Transferred to section 23-3552.

23-343.47. Transferred to section 23-3528.

23-343.48. Transferred to section 23-3553.

23-343.49. Transferred to section 23-3554.

23-343.50. Transferred to section 23-3555.

23-343.51. Transferred to section 23-3556.

23-343.52. Transferred to section 23-3557.

23-343.53. Transferred to section 23-3558.

23-343.54. Transferred to section 23-3559.

23-343.55. Transferred to section 23-3560.

23-343.56. Transferred to section 23-3561.

23-343.57. Transferred to section 23-3562.

23-343.58. Transferred to section 23-3563.

23-343.59. Transferred to section 23-3564.

23-343.60. Transferred to section 23-3565.

23-343.61. Transferred to section 23-3566.

23-343.62. Transferred to section 23-3567.

23-343.63. Transferred to section 23-3568.

23-343.64. Transferred to section 23-3569.

23-343.65. Transferred to section 23-3570.

23-343.66. Transferred to section 23-3571.

23-343.67. Transferred to section 23-3572.

23-343.68. Transferred to section 23-3520.

23-343.69. Transferred to section 23-3521.

23-343.70. Transferred to section 23-3522.

23-343.71. Transferred to section 23-3523.

23-343.72. Transferred to section 23-3524.

23-343.73. Transferred to section 23-3525.

23-343.74. Transferred to section 23-3579.

23-343.75. Transferred to section 23-3580.

23-343.76. Transferred to section 23-3581.

23-343.77. Transferred to section 23-3582.

23-343.78. Transferred to section 23-3583.

23-343.79. Transferred to section 23-3584.

23-343.80. Transferred to section 23-3585.

23-343.81. Repealed. Laws 1985, LB 421, § 6.

23-343.82. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 412, § 32.

23-343.83. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 733, § 5.

23-343.84. Transferred to section 23-3586.

23-343.85. Transferred to section 23-3587.

23-343.86. Transferred to section 23-3588.

23-343.87. Transferred to section 23-3589.

23-343.88. Transferred to section 23-3590.

23-343.89. Transferred to section 23-3591.

23-343.90. Transferred to section 23-3592.

23-343.91. Transferred to section 23-3593.

23-343.92. Transferred to section 23-3594.

23-343.93. Transferred to section 23-3595.

23-343.94. Transferred to section 23-3596.

23-343.95. Transferred to section 23-3597.

23-343.96. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 412, § 32.

23-343.97. Transferred to section 23-3598.

23-343.98. Repealed. Laws 1986, LB 733, § 5.

23-343.99. Transferred to section 23-3599.

23-343.100. Transferred to section 23-35,100.

23-343.101. Transferred to section 23-35,101.

23-343.102. Transferred to section 23-35,102.

23-343.103. Transferred to section 23-35,103.

23-343.104. Transferred to section 23-35,104.

23-343.105. Transferred to section 23-35,105.

23-343.106. Transferred to section 23-35,106.

23-343.107. Transferred to section 23-35,107.

23-343.108. Transferred to section 23-35,108.

23-343.109. Transferred to section 23-35,109.

23-343.110. Transferred to section 23-35,110.

23-343.111. Transferred to section 23-35,111.

23-343.112. Transferred to section 23-35,112.

23-343.113. Transferred to section 23-35,113.

23-343.114. Transferred to section 23-35,114.

23-343.115. Transferred to section 23-35,115.

23-343.116. Transferred to section 23-35,116.

23-343.117. Transferred to section 23-35,117.

23-343.118. Transferred to section 23-35,118.

23-343.119. Transferred to section 23-35,119.

23-343.120. Transferred to section 23-35,120.

23-343.121. Transferred to section 23-3526.

23-343.122. Transferred to section 23-3527.

23-343.123. Transferred to section 23-3573.

23-343.124. Transferred to section 23-3574.

23-343.125. Transferred to section 23-3575.

23-343.126. Transferred to section 23-3576.

23-343.127. Transferred to section 23-3577.

23-343.128. Transferred to section 23-3578.

23-344. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-345. County machinery; rental to farmers; conditions.

The board of county commissioners or the board of county supervisors of the counties of the State of Nebraska is hereby authorized and empowered to permit farmers and landowners in their respective counties to use county machinery and equipment in constructing and maintaining terraces and ditches in said respective counties; Provided, that said farmers or landowners shall first enter into a written agreement with said county commissioners or county supervisors whereby said farmers or landowners agree to pay a reasonable sum of money as rental for said equipment and machinery, which sum shall be fixed by the county commissioners or county supervisors, and to comply with any and all of the conditions and requirements in regard to said rental as made by said county commissioners or county supervisors; Provided, one of the conditions and requirements in regard to said rental shall always be that the county shall furnish an operator for said equipment and machinery, who shall operate the same, and the compensation of said operator shall be considered in determining the amount of rental in each case.

Source:Laws 1935, c. 54, § 1, p. 184; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-757; R.S.1943, § 23-345.


23-346. Uniform inventory statements required.

The Auditor of Public Accounts shall establish a uniform system of inventory statements for all county officers and such system, when established, shall be installed and used by all county officers.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 28, § 1, p. 139; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-758; R.S.1943, § 23-346.


23-346.01. County supplies in certain counties; annual estimate; perpetual inventory.

It shall be the duty of the county clerk, in all counties having a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more inhabitants, on or before December 1, annually, to prepare separate estimates of the supplies, materials, equipment and machinery required for the use of the county officers during the coming year, which by law are not required to be furnished by the state, and, in order to properly estimate the amounts of supplies, materials, equipment and machinery to be needed by the county government, the county clerk shall keep a perpetual inventory of all personal property of the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 150, p. 392; R.S.1913, § 1089; C.S.1922, § 1014; C.S.1929, § 26-706; Laws 1943, c. 57, § 2, p. 227; R.S.1943, § 23-322; Laws 1974, LB 1007, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-322.


Annotations

23-347. Inventory statement; duty of county officers to make; filing.

Within two calendar months after the close of each fiscal year, each county officer shall make, acknowledge under oath, and file with the county board of his or her county an inventory statement of all county personal property in the custody and possession of said county officer. The county board in each county shall examine into each inventory statement so filed, and, if said statement is correct and proper in every particular, the county board shall deliver each of said inventory statements to the clerk of the county for filing as a public record in said county clerk's office in a manner convenient for reference.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 28, § 2, p. 140; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-759; R.S.1943, § 23-347; Laws 1981, LB 41, § 1.    


23-348. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 9.

23-348.01. Inventory of real property; filing; contents.

Within two calendar months after the close of each fiscal year, each county board shall make, or cause to be made, acknowledged under oath, and filed with the county clerk of such county, an inventory statement of all real estate and real property in which such county has any interest of any kind. Such inventory shall include all real estate owned by the county or in which the county has an interest or lien of any kind including liens acquired by operation of law for any purpose except real estate tax liens which have not been established by judicial decree and except those parcels of land owned by the county for road rights-of-way and other utility rights-of-way. Such inventory shall set forth a description of such properties with sufficient details that the property may be identified in the records of the register of deeds, and shall set forth, if within an area in which the property abuts upon a street, the street and street number of such property and shall set forth the use being made of such property. The county clerk shall retain such inventory for filing as a public record in his or her office in a manner convenient for reference.

Source:Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 8;    Laws 1981, LB 41, § 2.    


23-349. Inventory statements; public record.

All inventory statements required in sections 23-346 and 23-347 shall be filed with the county clerk as a public record, and shall be open to the inspection of the public.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 28, § 2, p. 141; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-759; R.S.1943, § 23-349.


23-350. Inventory statements; failure to file; false statements; penalty.

Any county officer, including any member of any county board, who shall fail to file such inventory statements or who shall willfully make any false or incorrect statement therein, or who shall aid, abet, or connive in the making of any false or incorrect statement therein shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor. As part of the judgment of conviction, the court may decree such officer guilty of malfeasance in office for a palpable omission of duty and subject to removal under section 28-924.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 28, § 3, p. 141; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-760; R.S.1943, § 23-350; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 89;    Laws 2001, LB 8, § 1.    


Cross References

23-351. Historic sites; monuments and markers; erection; expenditures authorized.

The county commissioners or county supervisors of any county in this state shall have authority to expend from the general fund of the county during any one year the proceeds of a tax of three-tenths of one cent on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all taxable property in the county for the purchase and erection of suitable monuments or markers and the purchase of historic sites on which the monuments or markers are located within the county. In any county having a nonprofit historical association or society organized under the corporation laws of this state, the county commissioners or supervisors may grant to such association or society the amount authorized for expenditure by this section upon application by the association or society. Such funds may then be expended, at the direction of the board of directors of such association or society, for the following purposes: (1) Establishment, construction, and reconstruction of historical buildings; (2) purchase of exhibits, equipment, and real and personal property of historical significance and the maintenance thereof; and (3) lease, rental, purchase or construction, and maintenance of buildings other than those of historical nature for the display and storage of exhibits.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 52, § 1, p. 207; C.S.1929, § 26-801; R.S.1943, § 23-351; Laws 1969, c. 159, § 1, p. 732; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 115;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 101.    


Cross References

23-352. Monuments; markers; inscription.

Said monuments or markers shall have thereon a suitable inscription indicating the purpose for which the monument or marker is erected.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 52, § 2, p. 207; C.S.1929, § 26-802; R.S.1943, § 23-352.


23-353. Monuments; markers; record of location.

The county board in each county where money is expended under sections 23-351 to 23-355 shall cause to be kept by the county clerk a record of each monument or marker erected, together with a full account of the location or event which said monument or marker shall commemorate, and a duplicate of said record signed by the members of the county board and attested by the signature and seal of the county clerk shall be sent to the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 52, § 3, p. 207; C.S.1929, § 26-803; R.S.1943, § 23-353.


23-354. Monuments; markers; eminent domain.

The county board shall have the right of eminent domain for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of sections 23-351 to 23-355.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 52, § 4, p. 207; C.S.1929, § 26-804; R.S.1943, § 23-354.


23-355. Monuments; markers; plans; contracts; advisory committee; duties.

All work done under the provisions of sections 23-351 to 23-355 shall be done according to plans and specifications provided by the county board, and said board shall have authority to employ such persons as it deems necessary to prepare said plans and specifications. All work done under the provisions of said sections shall be by contract and said work shall be let to the lowest and best bidder after notice shall have been duly published for three successive weeks in a legal newspaper having general circulation in the county; Provided, where the estimate for labor and material is less than fifty dollars the county board may expend same without advertising. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of said sections the county board may designate a committee of three residents of the county who shall serve without pay to assist in the location of said monuments or markers, the selection of sites, and the preparation of the record pertaining thereto. Said committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the county board.

Source:Laws 1927, c. 52, § 5, p. 207; C.S.1929, § 26-805; R.S.1943, § 23-355.


23-355.01. Nonprofit county historical association or society; tax levy; requirements; funding request; accounting.

(1) Whenever there is organized within any county in this state a nonprofit county historical association or society organized under the corporation laws of this state, a tax of not more than three-tenths of one cent on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county may be levied for the purpose of establishing a fund to be used for the establishment, management, and purchase of exhibits, equipment, and other personal property and real property and maintenance of such nonprofit county historical association or society, including the construction and improvement of necessary buildings therefor. The levy shall be allocated to the nonprofit county historical association or society by the county, subject to section 77-3443. Such fund shall be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of such nonprofit county historical association or society and shall be disbursed under the direction and supervision of the board of directors and officers of such nonprofit county historical association or society. No initial levy shall be made for such purpose unless the proposition to make such levy is first submitted to a vote of the people of the county at a general election and the same is ordered by a majority of the legal voters voting thereon. The proposition to make such levy shall be placed on the ballot by the county board of such county at the next general election following the receipt of a request from the board of directors of such nonprofit county historical association or society to submit such proposition to the voters of the county. After the proposition has been sanctioned by a vote of the people, such levy shall be made to carry out the purposes for which the fund was established. A nonprofit county historical association or society for which a tax is levied under this subsection is subject to the Nebraska Budget Act and the audit requirement of subdivision (4) of section 84-304. The electors of the county may discontinue such levy by a vote of the people in the same manner that the initial levy was authorized. The proposition to discontinue such levy shall be placed on the ballot by the county board of such county at a general election only when requested so to do by a petition signed by at least twenty percent of the legal voters of such county based on the total vote cast for Governor at the last general election in the county.

(2)(a) A nonprofit county historical association or society that is not receiving funds from a levy under subsection (1) of this section may request funding from the county. Approval of part or the entire funding request by the county board shall result in inclusion of the funding request in the county budget and an obligation to provide the funding set out in the county budget. The failure by the county to provide the funding for an approved request may be enforced by making a claim against the county. The funding shall be paid to the treasurer of the nonprofit county historical association or society.

(b) Not later than one calendar year after receiving funding pursuant to this subsection, the nonprofit county historical association or society shall provide the county board with a detailed written accounting of how the funds have been used. Such accounting shall be presented during an open meeting of the county board. The nonprofit county historical association or society shall be ineligible to receive further county funding until after such accounting and presentation is made. A nonprofit county historical association or society that receives county funds pursuant to this subsection is subject to the audit requirement of subdivision (4) of section 84-304.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 67, § 1, p. 291; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 116;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 102;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 45;    Laws 2000, LB 968, § 13;    Laws 2022, LB807, § 1.    


Cross References

23-356. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 105, § 11.

23-357. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 105, § 11.

23-358. Control program; county board; powers; requirements.

For the purpose of carrying on an organized animal damage control program within their respective counties, the county boards may cooperate with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, state agencies, private associations, and individuals in the control of coyotes, bobcats, foxes, badgers, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and other predatory animals in this state that are injurious to livestock, poultry, and game animals and the public health. The county boards may also undertake the control of commensal and field rodents, nuisance birds, and other nuisance wildlife if such rodents, birds, or wildlife are causing or are about to cause property damage or represent a human health threat. All control efforts shall be in accordance with the organized and systematic plans of the United States Department of Agriculture and state agencies covering the management and control of animals, birds, and wildlife.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 53, § 1, p. 237; Laws 1959, c. 148, § 1, p. 563; Laws 1987, LB 102, § 1.    


23-358.01. Control service; availability; payment.

It is the intent of sections 23-358 to 23-361 and 81-2,236 that animal damage control service shall be available to every individual citizen or group of citizens of the state and that employment of such service shall be initiated by the individual or individuals desiring the control of the animals, birds, or wildlife listed in section 23-358 which are causing a problem for such individual or individuals.

In order to support the cost of managing and controlling the animals, birds, or wildlife listed in section 23-358, each county shall match funds supplied by any resident individual or group of individuals either living within the county or owning property therein, up to a maximum of one thousand dollars annually for any specific animal damage control program, and may furnish such additional money as the county board shall deem necessary for the funding of such programs. The county board of each county is authorized to make necessary expenditures from the general fund of the county, except that the portion supplied by each county shall not exceed fifty percent of the total animal damage control program cost, unless such county elects to bear the entire program cost under sections 23-358 to 23-361. The total animal damage control program portion paid by the individual user or users may include, but shall not be limited to, any funds levied under section 23-361 by each county board, but nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt any user from a general levy made by the county board under section 23-360.

A county desiring to cooperate with another county or counties for the establishment of animal damage control services as are set forth in sections 23-358 to 23-361 may enter into agreements and match funds for the establishment of an area program with the state or federal government pursuant to the terms and limitations set forth in section 81-2,236.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 124, § 1, p. 398; Laws 1969, c. 160, § 1, p. 733; Laws 1987, LB 102, § 2.    


23-359. County board; expenditures authorized.

In order to perform animal damage control, the county board of each county may make necessary expenditures from any funds of the county as are available for such purpose.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 53, § 2, p. 238; Laws 1987, LB 102, § 3.    


23-360. Program; tax levy; use.

The county board of each county in this state may levy upon every dollar of the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county, for the use of the county board in carrying out the animal damage control program, such amount as may be determined to be necessary therefor. The entire fund derived from such levy shall be set apart in a separate fund and expended only for animal damage control as defined by sections 23-358 to 23-360.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 53, § 3, p. 238; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 46, p. 958; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 117;    Laws 1987, LB 102, § 4;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 103;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 46.    


23-361. Additional tax on sheep and cattle; conditions.

In order to provide additional means for carrying on an animal damage control program for the management and control of coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and other predatory animals destructive of sheep and cattle, county boards may levy in any year a tax of not to exceed twenty cents per head on sheep and cattle on the following conditions:

(1) That a petition to the county board requesting such levy, signed by sixty-seven percent of the owners of the sheep, the cattle, or the sheep and cattle in the county as of January 1 of each year, be filed with the board on or before July 1; and

(2) That a planned program for the management and control of such predatory animals be approved by the county board each year in which such levy is to be made. Such planned program may include entry in the animal damage control program authorized by section 23-358 or any other program approved by the board and designed to manage and control such predatory animals. The proceeds of such levy shall be placed in a separate fund and shall be applied exclusively to carrying out the program adopted. For each year in which such a levy is deemed necessary, a petition shall be presented to the county board for approval as provided in this section.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 68, § 1, p. 292; Laws 1972, LB 1048, § 2;    Laws 1987, LB 102, § 5.    


23-362. Indians; support; state aid to counties; purpose; conditions; audit; certificate of county assessor; alcohol-related programs; participation by county board.

In order to equitably distribute the added burden of law enforcement imposed upon certain counties of this state by reason of the passage of Public Law 280 of the Eighty-third Congress dealing with state jurisdiction and the resulting withdrawal of federal law enforcement in such counties, there shall each fiscal year be paid out of the state treasury, on the warrant of the Director of Administrative Services as directed by the chairperson of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, not to exceed one hundred one thousand dollars for the benefit of Indians in any county which has land held in trust by the United States Government for the benefit of Indians to be used for purposes of law enforcement and jail operations. Such funds shall be divided as equally as possible between the areas of law enforcement and jail operations. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his or her designee shall conduct, at such time as he or she determines necessary, an audit of the funds distributed pursuant to this section. A detailed report shall be submitted on December 31 of each year, including discussion of the operation and expenditures of the office of the county sheriff and, when completed, a copy of the audit, to the Executive Board of the Legislative Council and the Governor. The report submitted to the executive board shall be submitted electronically. Such payment shall be made to any county of this state meeting the following conditions:

(1) Such county shall have on file in the office of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice a certificate of the county assessor that there are within such county over twenty-five hundred acres of land held in trust by the United States or subject to restriction against alienation imposed by the United States; and

(2) The county board of each such county may participate in alcohol-related programs with nonprofit corporations.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 69, § 1, p. 293; Laws 1961, c. 91, § 1, p. 315; Laws 1967, c. 123, § 1, p. 397; Laws 1969, c. 161, § 1, p. 735; Laws 1974, LB 131, § 1;    Laws 1976, LB 871, § 1; Laws 1979, LB 584, § 1;    Laws 1983, LB 607, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 263, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 1001, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB337, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB782, § 22.    


23-362.01. Indian reservation; county share of funds.

Each qualifying county in which an Indian reservation is located shall receive an equal share of the funds paid out in accordance with section 23-362 for each reservation within the county.

Source:Laws 1976, LB 871, § 3; Laws 1989, LB 5, § 3.    


23-362.02. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 584, § 4.

23-362.03. Repealed. Laws 1983, LB 607, § 8.

23-362.04. Transferred to section 81-1217.01.

23-363. Repealed. Laws 1971, LB 92, § 1.

23-364. Repealed. Laws 1974, LB 131, § 2.

23-365. Sidewalks; outside corporate limits of city or village; construct or repair; tax; levy; notice; construction by owner, when; appropriation.

A county having a population of more than thirty thousand inhabitants which has adopted county zoning regulations as provided in sections 23-161 to 23-174.09 may construct or repair sidewalks on any street of a plot of ground outside the corporate limits of a city or village which has been platted into lots and streets, and levy a special tax on lots or parcels of land within the platted area fronting on such sidewalk to pay the expense of such improvements, to be assessed as a special assessment after having given notice of its intention to do so (1) by publication in one issue of a legal newspaper having a general circulation in such county, and (2) by causing a written notice to be served upon the owner of such property involved and allowing the owner six months within which to complete such construction or repair. The estimated cost of any such construction or repair to be undertaken by the county shall annually be included in an appropriation.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 92, § 1, p. 318; Laws 1963, c. 117, § 1, p. 462.


23-366. Bids; special assessments; notice; levy.

The county board of such county may receive bids for constructing or repairing any or all such walks and may let contracts to the lowest responsible bidder for constructing or repairing the same.

The contractor or contractors shall be paid therefor from special assessments against the abutting property. The cost of constructing such sidewalks shall be assessed at a regular meeting of such county board by resolution, fixing the cost along abutting property as a special assessment against such property and the amount charged for the cost thereof with the vote by yeas and nays shall be spread upon the minutes. Notice of the time of such meeting of the county board and its purpose shall be published once in a newspaper published and of general circulation in such county at least five days before the meeting of the county board is to be held, or in place thereof, personal notice may be given such abutting property owners. Such special assessment shall be known as special sidewalk assessment and together with the cost of notice and necessary engineering services, shall be levied and collected as special taxes and shall draw interest at nine percent per annum from the date of levy thereof until satisfied.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 92, § 2, p. 318.


23-367. Special assessments; collection.

Special sidewalk assessments may be collected in the manner usual for the collection or foreclosure of county or state taxes against real estate.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 92, § 3, p. 319.


23-368. Street improvements; limitation.

When the real property is located outside the corporate limits of a city or village the county is authorized to pave, repave, surface, resurface, and relay paving; to widen, to improve the horizontal and vertical alignment, to insert traffic medians, channels, overpasses, and underpasses; to apply temporary surfacing; and to curb; but the county may not be required to make any such street improvement if for good reason it deems the same should not be made; Provided, that none of the powers herein granted shall be exercised within the boundaries of any existing sanitary and improvement district, or road improvement district; and provided further, that the powers delegated in this section shall never be exercised in the area within three miles of the corporate limits of a metropolitan city in such county or a primary city; within one mile of the corporate limits of a city of the first class; or within one-half mile of the corporate limits of a city of the second class or village.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 93, § 1, p. 319.


23-369. Street improvement districts; delineate; purpose.

To accomplish any of the purposes stated in section 23-368, the county is authorized in all such proceedings to delineate proposed street improvement districts which shall embrace therein the street or streets or part or parts thereof to be improved as well as the abutting, adjacent, and benefited property proposed to be assessed to cover in whole or in part the cost, including land acquisition expenses if any, of the proposed improvement outside of the corporate limits of any city or village.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 93, § 2, p. 320.


23-370. Resolution of county board; notice; objections; effect.

The county may set up an improvement district as provided in section 23-369 by resolution of the county board and after the passage, approval, and publication of such resolution shall publish notice of the creation of such street improvement district or districts for two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper published in and of general circulation in such county or, if none is published in the county, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in such county. If a majority of the owners of record title of the property directly abutting on the street or streets improved shall file with the county clerk within twenty days after the first publication of such notice written objections to the creation of such district or districts, the improvements shall not be made, as provided in such resolution, but such resolution shall be repealed.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 93, § 3, p. 320; Laws 1986, LB 960, § 20.    


23-371. Board of trustees; appointment; procedure.

If said objections are not filed against the district in the time and manner provided in section 23-370, the county board shall forthwith appoint a temporary board of three trustees and all further proceedings shall be in conformity with the provisions of Chapter 39, article 16.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 93, § 4, p. 321.


23-372. Subdivision of land, defined.

For purposes of sections 23-372 to 23-377, subdivision shall mean the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of ownership or building development, except that the division of land shall not be considered to be subdivision when the smallest parcel of land created is more than ten acres in area.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 1, p. 321; Laws 1975, LB 410, § 30.    


23-373. Subdivisions; platting; approval of county board; exceptions.

Before an owner of real property located in an unincorporated area may subdivide, plat, or lay out the real property in building lots, streets, or other portions or for the use of the purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto, the approval of the county board is required, except that:

(1) If the property is within the Niobrara scenic river corridor as defined in section 72-2006, the approval of the Niobrara Council is required; and

(2) If the property is located in an area where a municipality exercises zoning control and does not require approval of the Niobrara Council, the approval of the municipality is required.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 2, p. 321; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 17, p. 377; Laws 2000, LB 1234, § 11.    


23-374. Subdivisions; platting; requirements.

No plat of real property, described in section 23-373, shall be recorded or have any force and effect unless the same be approved by the county board of such county. The county board of such county shall have power, by resolution, to provide the manner, plan, or method by which real property in any such area may be subdivided, platted, or laid out, including a plan or system for the avenues, streets, or alleys to be laid out within or across the same including the hard surfacing thereof.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 3, p. 322.


23-375. Subdivisions; dedication of avenues, streets, alleys; hard surfacing.

The county board shall have power to compel the owner of any real property in such area in subdividing, platting, or laying out the same to conform to the requirements of the resolution and to lay out and dedicate the avenues, streets, and alleys and hard surfacing thereof in accordance therewith.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 4, p. 322.


23-376. Applicability of sections.

The provisions of sections 23-373 to 23-377 shall not apply in any county unless the county board of such county shall have first adopted a comprehensive development plan as defined in section 23-114.02, nor until the county board of such county has duly adopted comprehensive and uniform platting and subdivision regulations governing the alignment of streets, maximum grade of streets and minimum area of lots.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 5, p. 322; Laws 1967, c. 117, § 18, p. 378.


Annotations

23-377. Subdivisions; comprehensive plan; standards; county board prescribe.

The county board shall also have authority to provide for a comprehensive plan for the area within the zoning and subdivision jurisdiction of the county, to be the general plan for the improvement and development of such area, and to prescribe standards for laying out subdivisions in harmony with such comprehensive plan.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 94, § 6, p. 322.


23-378. Transferred to section 13-303.

23-379. Garbage disposal plants; systems or solid waste disposal areas; purchase, construct, maintain.

Each county may purchase, construct, maintain, and improve garbage disposal plants, systems or solid waste disposal areas, and purchase equipment for the operation thereof, for the use of its inhabitants and incorporated municipalities located in such county, and may lease or take land in fee by donation, gift, devise, purchase or appropriation for rights-of-way, for the construction and operation of such a disposal plant, system or solid waste disposal areas. Each county may also make and enter into a contract or contracts with any person, firm, or corporation for the construction, maintenance, or operation of a garbage disposal plant, system or solid waste disposal area.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 112, § 1, p. 360; Laws 1969, c. 163, § 1, p. 737; Laws 1979, LB 22, § 1.    


Cross References

23-380. Garbage disposal plant; system or solid waste disposal areas; cities and villages; agreement.

Any governing body of any incorporated city or village situated within the county may enter into agreement with the county as provided by the provisions of Chapter 13, article 8, to operate and maintain any garbage disposal plant, system or solid waste disposal areas located outside the corporate limits of the city or village. The garbage disposal plant, system or solid waste disposal areas shall be open to the public. The county board and the governing body of the city or village shall agree upon the operation and the appropriation of funds to such cooperative undertaking.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 112, § 2, p. 360; Laws 1969, c. 163, § 2, p. 738.


23-381. Garbage disposal; levy; tax.

The county board may levy a tax sufficient to cover the contributions required to be made. The levy shall be included in determining the maximum levy that a county is authorized to impose.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 112, § 3, p. 360; Laws 1999, LB 141, § 4.    


23-382. Public gatherings; protest; enjoin; grounds.

Whenever fifty or more residents of a county file a written protest with the county board of such county in which they contend that a proposed public exhibition, public entertainment, or public gathering will adversely affect the public health or welfare, or may adversely affect the health and welfare of those in attendance at such public exhibition, public entertainment, or public gathering the county board may set such protest for hearing, and if the board thereafter determines that such exhibition, entertainment, or gathering will apparently have an adverse effect on the public health and welfare or the health and welfare of those in attendance, it shall forthwith cause an action to be brought in the appropriate court to restrain and enjoin such public exhibition, entertainment, or gathering. The court may restrain and permanently enjoin, where the facts indicate the necessity for such action on the basis of the public health and welfare, or, in the alternative, may impose such conditions on the holding of such exhibition, entertainment, or gathering, including the giving of a bond, as will adequately protect the public health and welfare or the health and welfare of those in attendance. The county board shall give such advance notice of the protest and of its hearing thereon as may be reasonable under the circumstances of the particular case, and the notice shall be given by the posting thereof at or immediately adjacent to the premises where such exhibition, entertainment, or gathering is to be held, and it may give such additional notice by publication, or by personal service or service by registered or certified mail on the owner, lessee, or occupant of the premises, or the promoter of such gathering or his agent, as the county board in its judgment may deem feasible.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 63, § 1.    


23-383. Regulation by county; authorized.

All counties in Nebraska are hereby authorized and empowered by resolution to regulate the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance within their county limits and outside the limits of any incorporated city or village of all persons or entities furnishing community antenna television service. All counties, acting through their county boards, shall have power to require every individual or entity offering such service, subject to reasonable rules and regulations, to furnish any person applying therefor along the lines of its wires, cables or other conduits, with community antenna television service. The county board shall have power to prescribe reasonable quality standards for such service and to regulate and fix reasonable and compensatory rents or rates for such service including installation charges.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 1.    


23-384. Construction, installation, operation, maintenance; permit required.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to construct, install, operate, or maintain in or along the streets, alleys and public ways, or elsewhere within the limits of any county, and outside of the limits of any incorporated city or village a community antenna television service without first obtaining, from such county, a permit which permit shall authorize the grantee to provide community antenna television service on a nonexclusive basis within the limits of the county.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 2.    


23-385. Underground cables and equipment; map; filing.

Counties may require the filing with the county clerk by the person, firm, or corporation constructing, installing, operating, or maintaining such community antenna television service of a proper map showing the exact location of all underground cables and equipment, together with a statement showing the exact nature of the same.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 3.    


23-386. Occupation tax; levy; due date.

Counties may levy an annual occupation tax against any person, firm, or corporation now maintaining and operating any community antenna television service within its boundaries; and may levy an annual occupation tax against any persons, firms, or corporations hereafter constructing, installing, operating, or maintaining such community antenna television service. Any such occupation tax so levied shall be due and payable on May 1 of each year to the treasurer of such county.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 4.    


23-387. Violations; penalty.

In the event of violation of any provision of sections 23-383 to 23-388 by any person or entity furnishing community antenna television service, the county having granted such permit shall immediately serve notice of such violation upon the permitholder with directions to correct such violation within ninety days or show cause why such violation should not be corrected at a public hearing held in conjunction with the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board. Continued violation of sections 23-383 to 23-388 may be enjoined by the district court. Any person who willfully violates any provision of sections 23-383 to 23-388 shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor for each offense.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 5;    Laws 1977, LB 40, § 90.    


23-388. Franchise granted by municipality; exempt from sections.

No community television franchise heretofore or hereafter granted by any municipality under the provisions of Chapter 18, article 22, shall be affected by the provisions of sections 23-383 to 23-388.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 257, § 6.    


23-389. County; provide for horseracing facilities; paid for by revenue bonds; bond anticipation notes; procedure.

Any county of the State of Nebraska may acquire a site or sites and construct, purchase, or otherwise acquire, remodel, repair, furnish, and equip grandstands, pavilions, exhibition halls, barns, racetracks, and other horseracing facilities by issuing revenue bonds payable solely from the revenue therefrom. The bonds shall not constitute a debt of the county or the State of Nebraska but shall be payable solely out of the revenue. Such bonds shall mature in not to exceed thirty years and bear interest at such rates and have such other terms and conditions as the county board shall determine. A county undertaking construction and acquisition of such facilities shall have the power from time to time to issue bond anticipation notes to mature not less than thirty months from the date thereof in an amount not exceeding the aggregate at any time outstanding of the amount of bonds then or theretofore authorized. Payment of such notes shall be made from any money or revenue which the county may have available for such purposes or from the proceeds of the sale of the revenue bonds authorized in this section. The county may pledge any revenue derived from the operation, management, or sale of the property constructed or acquired with the proceeds of the bonds for the payment of such notes and revenue bonds. Such bonds shall be registered with the county clerk.

Source:Laws 1976, LB 519, § 1; Laws 2001, LB 420, § 20.    


23-390. Horseracing facilities; operation and maintenance; nonprofit corporation; use of revenue.

Any county constructing or acquiring any of the facilities authorized in section 23-389 that include racetrack and horseracing facilities shall be authorized to lease to or enter into an agreement for operation and maintenance of such facilities by a Nebraska nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for civic purposes or which conducts a livestock exposition for the promotion of the livestock or horse-breeding industry of the state and which does not permit its members to derive personal profit from its activities by way of dividends or otherwise. Any such lease or operating agreement shall provide that all revenue derived therefrom shall be used for expenses of operation and maintenance of the facilities, improvements, or additions to such facilities and public works projects within the county.

Source:Laws 1976, LB 519, § 2.


23-391. Horseracing facilities; taxes or assessments; exemption; exceptions.

Counties acquiring and owning any facilities described in section 23-389 shall not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon any such facilities or upon any charges, fees, revenue, or other income received from such facilities except motor vehicle fuel taxes and the tax and fees imposed by section 2-1208.

Source:Laws 1976, LB 519, § 3.


23-392. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-389 to 23-392 shall be known and may be cited as the County Horseracing Facility Bond Act.

Source:Laws 1976, LB 519, § 4.


23-393. Repealed. Laws 1989, LB 284, § 12.

23-394. Repealed. Laws 1989, LB 284, § 12.

23-395. Repealed. Laws 1989, LB 284, § 12.

23-396. Repealed. Laws 1989, LB 284, § 12.

23-397. Bridge construction and repair; bonds; issuance; election; procedure.

The county board of any county may issue and sell the general obligation bonds of such county in such amount as the county board may deem advisable for paying the costs of constructing, improving, reconstructing, and repairing bridges and bridge related roadway improvements upon public roads within or adjacent to such county. Such bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates set by the county board and shall mature at such time or times as shall be set by the county board. No such bonds shall be issued until a proposition for their issuance shall have been submitted to the voters of such county at a general or special election called for such purpose and approved by a majority of the voters voting at such election. Such election may be called either by resolution of the county board or upon a petition submitted to the county board calling for an election. Such petition shall be signed by the legal voters of the county equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast in the county for the office of Governor at the most recent election at which the Governor was elected. Notice of any such election shall be given in the manner required for county election notices in section 23-126.

Source:Laws 1982, LB 492, § 1.    


23-398. Bonds; levy of tax.

In any county which has issued bonds pursuant to section 23-397, the county board shall levy annually upon all the taxable property in such county a tax sufficient to pay the interest and principal of such bonds as the same fall due.

Source:Laws 1982, LB 492, § 2.    


23-401. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-401 to 23-418 shall be known and may be cited as the County Civil Service Commission Act.

Source:Laws 2019, LB411, § 1.    


23-402. Purpose of act.

The purpose of the County Civil Service Commission Act is to guarantee to all citizens a fair and equal opportunity for employment in the county offices governed by the act and to establish conditions of employment and to promote economy and efficiency in such offices. In addition, the purpose of the act is to establish a system of personnel administration that meets the social, economic, and program needs of county offices. Such system shall provide the means to recruit, select, develop, and maintain an effective and responsive workforce and shall include policies and procedures for employee hiring and advancement, training and career development, position classification, salary administration, benefits, discipline, discharge, and other related matters. All appointments and promotions under the act shall be made based on merit and fitness.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 1;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2501; Laws 2019, LB411, § 2.    


23-403. Terms, defined.

As used in the County Civil Service Commission Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Employees means all county employees of the county. Employees does not include part-time employees, employees subject to the state personnel service, court-appointed employees, employees of the county attorney's office, employees of the public defender's office, dentists, physicians, practicing attorneys, deputy sheriffs, officers appointed by the Governor, or elected officers or the chief deputy of each office or the deputy of each office if there is not more than one deputy in the office;

(2) Part-time employee means any person whose position is seasonal or temporary as defined by the commission;

(3) Department head means an officer holding an elected office, an officer holding office by appointment of the Governor, the chief deputy of any office or the deputy if there is not more than one deputy, and such other persons holding positions as are declared to be department heads by the county board; and

(4) Commission means the civil service commission formed pursuant to section 23-404.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 2;    Laws 1977, LB 136, § 1;    Laws 1989, LB 5, § 5;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2502; Laws 2019, LB411, § 3.    


23-404. Civil service commission; formation.

In any county having a population of four hundred thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, there shall be a civil service commission which shall be formed as provided in the County Civil Service Commission Act. A county shall comply with this section within six months after a determination that the population has reached four hundred thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 3;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 9;    Laws 2017, LB508, § 1;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2503; Laws 2019, LB411, § 4.    


23-405. Commission; members; qualifications; number; election; vacancy; how filled.

(1) The commission shall consist of five members who shall be in sympathy with the application of merit principles to public employment. No member of the commission shall be a member of any local, state, or national committee of a political party or an officer or member of a committee in any partisan political club or organization.

(2) The members of the commission shall be as follows: (a) Two elected officers selected from the offices of and elected by the county commissioners, clerk, assessor, treasurer, public defender, register of deeds, clerk of the district court, engineer, and sheriff, being of opposite political parties if possible, and each party shall separately select its own member, (b) two full-time permanent county employees, and (c) one public member holding no public or political office. The initial two such employees shall be selected by the two elected officers referred to in subdivision (a) of this subdivision as follows: Any such employee who is at least twenty-one years of age may submit his or her name as a candidate to the elected officer of the political party with which the employee is registered who shall then select one commission member from such list of names. The four members of the commission shall then select the public member. The commission shall establish employee election procedures which shall provide that all county employees subject to the County Civil Service Commission Act may vote and, if not less than twenty-one years of age, be candidates for a member of the commission. One employee member of the commission shall be a Democrat elected by the Democrat-registered employees subject to the County Civil Service Commission Act and one employee member of the commission shall be a Republican elected by the Republican-registered employees subject to the County Civil Service Commission Act. An employee otherwise eligible to vote and be a candidate for the office of employee member of the commission, but who is not registered as either a Democrat or a Republican, may become eligible to vote, and become a candidate for the office of employee member of the commission by making a declaration that he or she desires to vote for such a member of the commission, or be a candidate for such office, and, in the same declaration, designating the party, Democrat or Republican, with which he or she desires to be affiliated for this purpose. After making such declaration, that employee shall have the same right to vote for a candidate, and be a candidate for the office of employee member of the commission as if the employee were a registered member of the party so designated in the declaration. The manner, form, and contents of such declaration shall be initially established by the two elected officials referred to in subdivision (2)(a) of this section, subject to modification by the commission after it has been fully formed.

(3) The initial term of office of (a) the two elected officers shall be three years from May 21, 1971; (b) the initial term of office of the county employees shall be two years from May 21, 1971; and (c) the initial term of the public member shall be three years from May 21, 1971.

(4) At the expiration of the initial term of office, a successor member shall be elected or appointed as provided in the County Civil Service Commission Act for a term of three years. Membership on the commission of any member shall terminate upon the resignation of any member or at such time as the member no longer complies with the qualifications for election or appointment to the commission. If a member's term terminates prior to the expiration of the term for which the member was elected or appointed, the commission shall appoint a successor complying with the same qualifications for the unexpired term.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 4;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 9;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2504; Laws 2019, LB411, § 5.    


23-406. Commission; members; compensation; expenses.

The members of the commission shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for such necessary expenses and mileage as may be incurred in the performance of their duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176. The county board shall provide sufficient funds in order that such commission may function as set forth in the County Civil Service Commission Act.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 5;    Laws 1981, LB 204, § 31;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 14;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2505; Laws 2019, LB411, § 6.    


23-407. Commission; meetings; notice; rules of procedure, adopt; chairperson.

The commission shall hold regular meetings at least once every three months and shall designate the time and place thereof by notice posted in the courthouse at least seven days prior to the meeting. The commission shall adopt rules of procedure and shall keep a record of its proceedings. The commission shall also make provision for special meetings, and all meetings and records of the commission shall be open to the public except as otherwise provided in the County Civil Service Commission Act. The commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson for a period of one year or until a successor has been duly elected and qualified.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 6;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 10;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2506; Laws 2019, LB411, § 7.    


23-408. Commission; powers; duties.

(1) The commission may prescribe the following: (a) General employment policies and procedures; (b) regulations for recruiting, examination, and certification of qualified applicants for employment and the maintenance of registers of qualified candidates for employment for all employees governed by the County Civil Service Commission Act; (c) a system of personnel records containing general data on all employees and standards for the development and maintenance of personnel records to be maintained within the offices governed by the act; (d) regulations governing such matters as hours of work, promotions, transfers, demotions, probation, terminations, and reductions in force; (e) regulations for use by all offices governed by the act relating to such matters as employee benefits, vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

(2) The commission shall require department heads to provide sufficient criteria to enable the commission to properly conduct employment examinations.

(3) The commission shall require department heads to supply to the commission position classification plans, job descriptions, and job specifications.

(4) Individual personnel records shall be available for inspection only by the employee involved, the employee's department head, and such other persons as the commission shall authorize.

(5) The commission shall have such other powers as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the act.

(6) All acts of the commission pursuant to the authority conferred in this section shall be binding on all county department heads governed by the County Civil Service Commission Act.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 7;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 11;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2507; Laws 2019, LB411, § 8.    


Annotations

23-409. Commission; salary and pay plans for employees; recommend.

The commission may recommend to the county board salary and pay plans for the employees.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 8;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2508; Laws 2019, LB411, § 9.    


23-410. Employees; status.

All employees governed by the County Civil Service Commission Act on September 1, 2019, shall retain their employment without the necessity of taking any qualifying examination.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 9;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2509; Laws 2019, LB411, § 10.    


23-411. Employee; discharged, suspended, demoted; order filed with commission; copy to employee; appeal.

Any employee may be discharged, suspended, or demoted in rank or compensation by his or her department head by a written order which shall specifically state the reasons therefor. Such order shall be filed with the commission, and a copy of such order shall be served upon the employee personally or by leaving it at his or her usual place of residence. Any employee so affected may, within ten days after service of the order, appeal such order to the commission. Notice of such appeal shall be in writing, signed by the employee appealing, and delivered to any member of the commission. The delivery of the notice of appeal shall be sufficient to perfect an appeal, and no other act shall be deemed necessary to confer jurisdiction of the commission over the appeal. In the event any employee is discharged, suspended, or demoted prior to the formation of the commission, such employee may appeal the order to the commission within ten days after the formation of the commission in the manner provided in this section.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 10;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 12;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2510; Laws 2019, LB411, § 11.    


Annotations

23-412. Employee; discharged, suspended, demoted; appeal; hearing; order; effect.

The commission shall, within two weeks after receipt of the notice of appeal, hold a public hearing thereon at which the employee shall be entitled to appear personally, be represented by counsel, cross-examine witnesses, and produce evidence. The commission shall have the authority to affirm, modify, or revoke the order appealed from, and the finding and the decision of the commission shall be certified to the department head who issued the order, and the finding and decision of the commission shall be binding on all parties concerned. In the event of an appeal to the commission, no order affecting an employee shall become permanent until the finding and decision of the commission shall be certified as provided in this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of the County Civil Service Commission Act, an employee affected by an order may request transfer to another department governed by the County Civil Service Commission Act with the consent of the commission and the department head of such other department.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 11;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2511; Laws 2019, LB411, § 12.    


Annotations

23-413. Commission; subpoena, oaths, production of records; powers.

To effectively carry out the duties imposed on the commission by the County Civil Service Commission Act, the commission shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the production of books and papers.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 12;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2512; Laws 2019, LB411, § 13.    


23-414. Employee; no discrimination against because of political, racial, or religious opinions or affiliations; exceptions.

No employee or person desiring to be an employee in an office governed by the County Civil Service Commission Act shall be appointed, demoted, discharged, or in any way favored or discriminated against, because of political, racial, or religious opinions or affiliations, but advocating or being a member of a political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence shall be sufficient reason to discharge an employee.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 13;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2513; Laws 2019, LB411, § 14.    


23-415. Chief deputy or deputy; removal; effect on salary.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the County Civil Service Commission Act, any person who holds the position of chief deputy, or deputy if there is not more than one deputy in the office, may be removed by the elected officer from the position of chief deputy or deputy without cause, but such person shall, if he or she has been an employee of the county for more than two years prior to the appointment as chief deputy or deputy, have the right, unless discharged or demoted as provided in sections 23-411 and 43-412, to remain as a county employee at a salary not less than eighty percent of his or her average salary during the three preceding years.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 14;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 13;    R.S.Supp.,2018, § 23-2514; Laws 2019, LB411, § 15.    


23-416. Human resources director; qualifications; duties; personnel records.

(1) The county board shall appoint a human resources director to help carry out the County Civil Service Commission Act. Such human resources director shall be a person experienced in the field of personnel administration and in known sympathy with the application of merit principles in public employment. The human resources director shall report to the county board. In addition to other duties imposed upon him or her by the county board, the human resources director shall:

(a) Apply and carry out the act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

(b) Attend meetings of the commission and act as its secretary and keep minutes of its proceedings;

(c) Establish and maintain a roster of all employees in the classified service which shall set forth the class title, pay, status, and other pertinent data for each employee;

(d) Appoint such employees and experts and special assistants as may be necessary;

(e) Foster and develop, in cooperation with appointing authorities and others, programs for the improvement of employee effectiveness, including, but not limited to, training, safety, health, counseling, and welfare;

(f) Encourage and exercise leadership in the development of effective personnel administration with the several county agencies, departments, and institutions; and

(g) Perform such other duties as he or she may consider necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the County Civil Service Commission Act.

(2) The human resources director shall require department heads to provide sufficient criteria to enable the commission to properly conduct employment examinations and shall require department heads to supply to the commission position classification plans, job descriptions, and job specifications.

(3) Individual personnel records shall be available for inspection only by the employee involved, the employee's department head, and such other persons as the commission shall authorize.

Source:Laws 2019, LB411, § 16.    


23-417. Commission; appeals; district court; procedure.

An appeal from a final order of the commission shall be in the manner provided in sections 25-1901 to 25-1908.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 15;    Laws 1986, LB 595, § 1;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2515; Laws 2019, LB411, § 17.    


Annotations

23-418. Act, how construed.

If any provision of the County Civil Service Commission Act or of any rule, regulation, or order thereunder or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, the remainder of the County Civil Service Commission Act and the application of such provision of the County Civil Service Commission Act or of such rule, regulation, or order to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 921, § 16;    R.S.1943, (2012), § 23-2516; Laws 2019, LB411, § 18.    


23-501. County buildings; erection; petition.

Whenever it is deemed necessary to erect a courthouse, jail, or other public county buildings in any county in this state, the county board may and, upon petition of not less than one-fourth of the registered voters of the county as shown by the list of registered voters of the last previous general election, shall submit to the people of the county to be voted upon at a general election or at a special election called by the county board for that purpose a proposition to vote a special annual tax for that purpose of not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county for a term of not to exceed five years. The special annual tax is excluded from the limitation in section 77-3442 as provided by section 77-3444.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 1, p. 129; Laws 1897, c. 22, § 1, p. 187; Laws 1909, c. 31, § 1, p. 213; R.S.1913, § 436; C.S.1922, § 353; C.S.1929, § 11-701; R.S.1943, § 23-501; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 47, p. 958; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 120;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 104;    Laws 1997, LB 764, § 7;    Laws 1999, LB 141, § 5.    


Annotations

23-502. Election; proposition; submission.

The manner of submitting such proposition shall be governed by section 23-126.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 2, p. 129; R.S.1913, § 437; C.S.1922, § 354; C.S.1929, § 11-702; R.S.1943, § 23-502.


23-503. Election; tax; how collected; resubmission of proposal.

The county board, upon being satisfied that all the foregoing requirements have been substantially complied with, and that sixty percent of all the votes cast at said election are in favor of such tax, shall cause such proposition and all the proceedings had thereon to be entered upon the records of said county board, and shall make an order that said levy be carried on the tax lists in a column for that purpose, and collected as other taxes; Provided, that the question of levying such taxes, when defeated, shall not be resubmitted in substance for a period of one year from and after the date of said election.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 3, p. 129; R.S.1913, § 438; C.S.1922, § 355; Laws 1923, c. 186, § 1, p. 429; C.S.1929, § 11-703; R.S.1943, § 23-503.


Annotations

23-504. Tax; when levied.

If the time such election is held and such tax voted is before the tax lists for that year have been delivered to the county treasurer, then such levy shall be entered upon such tax lists for that year; but if such election is not held until after the tax lists for that year have been delivered to the county treasurer, then such tax shall not be levied or carried on such tax lists until the next annual levy of taxes, when the same shall be levied and collected annually for the time voted at such election.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 4, p. 130; R.S.1913, § 439; C.S.1922, § 356; C.S.1929, § 11-704; R.S.1943, § 23-504.


23-505. Sinking fund.

Such sum so levied and collected shall constitute a special fund for the purposes for which the same was voted and shall not be used for any other purpose, and shall be kept by the county treasurer separate and apart from the other county funds.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 5, p. 130; R.S.1913, § 440; C.S.1922, § 357; C.S.1929, § 11-705; R.S.1943, § 23-505.


23-506. Public buildings; contracts; warrants; when authorized.

No contract shall be entered into by the county board for the erection of buildings to be paid for out of such fund until at least seventy percent of such levy has been collected and paid into the county treasury. After the completion of said building, if sufficient funds are not in the county treasury to finish paying for same, warrants may be issued to an amount not exceeding eighty-five percent of the levy yet uncollected.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 6, p. 130; R.S.1913, § 441; C.S.1922, § 358; Laws 1923, c. 38, § 1, p. 152; C.S.1929, § 11-706; R.S.1943, § 23-506.


23-507. Surplus building fund; disposition.

In case the amount so produced by the rate of tax so proposed and levied shall exceed the amount expended for the specific object for which the same was voted, it shall not therefor be held invalid, but such excess, after said buildings and furnishings are paid for, shall go into the county general fund.

Source:Laws 1895, c. 27, § 7, p. 130; R.S.1913, § 442; C.S.1922, § 359; C.S.1929, § 11-707; R.S.1943, § 23-507.


23-601. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-602. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-603. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-604. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-605. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-606. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-607. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-608. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 96, § 5.

23-609. Transferred to section 81-2,236.

23-610. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 124, § 3.

23-611. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 124, § 3.

23-612. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 124, § 3.

23-701. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-702. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-703. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-704. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-705. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-706. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-707. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-708. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-709. Repealed. Laws 1955, c. 71, § 1.

23-801. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-802. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-803. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-804. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-805. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-806. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-807. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 75.

23-808. Pool hall; bowling alley; operation without license; penalty.

No person hereafter shall conduct or operate any pool or billiard hall or bowling alley outside the limits of any incorporated city or village without having first obtained a license from the county board of the county in which the same is to be operated. Any person, corporation or association violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. Every day in which the pool or billiard hall or bowling alley shall be operated without said license shall constitute a new offense.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 55, § 1, p. 163; R.S.1913, § 1115; Laws 1917, c. 21, § 1, p. 86; C.S.1922, § 1049; C.S.1929, § 26-743; R.S.1943, § 23-808; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 91.    


23-809. Pool hall; bowling alley; petition for license.

Before any such license shall be originally granted by the county board, the applicant therefor shall file a petition in the office of the county clerk of said county praying that said license be granted. The petition must be signed by at least thirty of the resident freeholders of the precinct in which said pool or billiard hall or bowling alley is located and operated.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 55, § 2, p. 163; R.S.1913, § 1116; C.S.1922, § 1050; C.S.1929, § 26-744; R.S.1943, § 23-809; Laws 1965, c. 105, § 1, p. 429.


23-810. Pool hall; bowling alley; license; hearing; renewal.

Notice of the application for original license shall be published at the expense of the applicant for two consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in such county and precinct giving the time and place at which the application will be considered by the county board. If the applicant is an individual, the application shall include the applicant's social security number. After full consideration, and the hearing of remonstrants, if there be any, the county board may, in its discretion, grant or withhold such license. Any such license may be renewed from year to year upon application and payment of the fee provided in section 23-811, without petition or publication of notice.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 55, § 3, p. 163; R.S.1913, § 1117; C.S.1922, § 1051; C.S.1929, § 26-745; R.S.1943, § 23-810; Laws 1965, c. 105, § 2, p. 429; Laws 1997, LB 752, § 79.    


23-811. Pool hall; bowling alley; license fee; closing hour; determination by county board.

Before the issuance of such license by the county board, the applicant therefor shall pay into the county treasury the sum of ten dollars per table for the first three tables and five dollars for each additional table and ten dollars per alley for the first three alleys and five dollars for each additional alley as license fee for the period of one year from the date of issuance of said license. Said pool or billiard hall or bowling alley shall be required to close as determined by resolution of the county board.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 55, § 4, p. 164; R.S.1913, § 1118; C.S.1922, § 1052; C.S.1929, § 26-746; R.S.1943, § 23-811; Laws 1961, c. 95, § 1, p. 323; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 5, p. 445.


23-812. Pool hall; bowling alley; licensee; violations; forfeiture of license.

Any licensee under sections 23-808 to 23-812 who shall be convicted of violation of any law regulating such places of amusement during the life of his license shall forfeit said license upon order of the county board. Such order shall be entered by the county board upon hearing and proof which shall include the filing of a transcript from any court showing such conviction.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 55, § 5, p. 164; R.S.1913, § 1119; C.S.1922, § 1053; C.S.1929, § 26-747; R.S.1943, § 23-812.


23-813. Roadhouses; dance halls; carnivals; shows; amusement parks; license required.

No person, association, firm, or corporation shall conduct or operate any roadhouse, dance hall, carnival, show, amusement park, or other place of public amusement, outside the limits of any incorporated city or village in the State of Nebraska, without first having obtained a license from the county board of the county in which the same is to be operated. If the applicant is an individual, the application shall include the applicant's social security number. Any person, corporation, or association violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. No license shall be required for a dance in an inhabited private home to which no admission or other fee is charged.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 38, § 1, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-751; R.S.1943, § 23-813; Laws 1947, c. 68, § 1, p. 219; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 92;    Laws 1997, LB 752, § 80.    


23-814. Roadhouses; dance halls; carnivals; shows; amusement parks; petition for license.

Before any such license shall be granted by the county board, the applicant therefor shall file a petition in the office of the county clerk of said county praying that said license be granted.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 38, § 2, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-752; R.S.1943, § 23-814.


23-815. Roadhouses; dance halls; carnivals; shows; amusement parks; petition for license; notice; hearing.

Notice of said application shall be published at the expense of the applicant for two consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper of general circulation in said county and precinct, giving the time and place at which said application will be considered by the county board. After full consideration, and the hearing of remonstrants, if there be any, the county board may, in its discretion, grant or withhold said license. A renewal of such license may be granted upon application and without complying with the provisions of this section.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 38, § 3, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-753; R.S.1943, § 23-815.


23-816. Roadhouses; dance halls; carnivals; shows; amusement parks; license fee.

Before any such license shall be issued by any county board, the applicant therefor shall pay into the county treasury an annual license fee of ten dollars.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 38, § 4, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-754; R.S.1943, § 23-816; Laws 1953, c. 54, § 1, p. 187.


23-817. Roadhouses; dance halls; carnivals; shows; amusement parks; license; revocation; violations by licensee; penalty.

Any person, association, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of sections 23-813 to 23-816, who shall be convicted of the violation of any law regulating such places of amusement shall have his license revoked upon order of the county board after notice of such proposed action has been given by said board and the licensee has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to appear and show cause why such action should not be had. Any person, association, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of said sections shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor, and every day upon which this violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 38, § 5, p. 132; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-755; R.S.1943, § 23-817; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 93.    


23-818. Roadhouse, defined.

For the purpose of sections 23-813 to 23-817, a roadhouse shall mean an inn or any other place where the public is invited to eat, drink, dance, or participate in any combination of any two or more of these activities.

Source:Laws 1949, c. 34, § 1, p. 127.


23-819. Public grounds and parks; improvement; statues, memorials, and works of art; erection and construction; gifts and bequests.

Any county shall have power to purchase, hold, and improve public grounds and parks within the limits of the county, to provide for the protection and preservation of the same, to provide for the planting and protection of shade or ornamental trees, to erect and construct or aid in the erection and construction of statues, memorials, and works of art upon any public grounds, and to receive donations and bequests of money or property for the above purposes in trust or otherwise.

Source:Laws 1963, c. 107, § 1, p. 434.


Annotations

23-820. Transferred to section 13-304.

23-821. Transferred to section 13-305.

23-822. Transferred to section 13-306.

23-823. Transferred to section 13-307.

23-901. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-901 to 23-920 shall be known and may be cited as the County Budget Act of 1937.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 1, p. 224; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2101; R.S.1943, § 23-901; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 1, p. 212.


Annotations

23-902. Sections; applicability; fiscal year.

Sections 23-901 to 23-919 shall apply to all the counties of this state, except counties having a population of two hundred thousand or more inhabitants, and shall apply to counties of the latter class to the extent and under the conditions presented in section 23-920. The fiscal year of all counties, except as is provided for in section 23-920, shall begin July 1 and end June 30, and shall be the budget year.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 2, p. 224; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2102; R.S.1943, § 23-902; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 2, p. 212.


23-903. County budget; scope and contents.

The budget of the county shall present a complete financial plan for the period for which said budget is drawn, as hereinafter provided. It shall set forth (1) all proposed expenditures for the administration, operation and maintenance of all offices, departments, activities, funds and institutions of the county, (2) the actual or estimated operating deficits from prior years, (3) all interest and debt redemption charges during the period covered by said budget, (4) all expenditures for capital projects to be undertaken or executed during the period covered by said budget, including expenditures for local improvements which may be paid for in whole or in part by special assessments and operating reserves, and (5) the anticipated income, including all fees, license taxes, taxes to be levied and all other means of financing the proposed expenditures for the period covered by said budget; Provided, however, in counties having a population of two hundred thousand or more inhabitants, sections 23-901 to 23-919 shall not apply to any matters connected with the foreclosure of taxes and the county board can at any time appropriate, from the unexpended balances out of the general fund, the sums of money necessary to carry through such a tax foreclosure action or actions.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 3, p. 225; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 1, p. 124; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-903; Laws 1945, c. 46, § 1, p. 220; Laws 1947, c. 69, § 1, p. 220.


Annotations

23-904. County budget document; three parts.

The budget document, setting forth the financial plan of the county for the period covered by said budget, shall embrace three parts, the nature and contents of which shall be as hereinafter set out.

Part I shall consist of a budget message prepared by the budget-making authority, as provided for hereinafter, which shall outline the fiscal policy of the county for the period covered by said budget, describing in connection therewith the important features of the budget plan. It shall also embrace a general budget summary, setting forth the aggregate figures of the budget in such a manner as to show the balanced relations between the total proposed expenditures and operating reserves and the total anticipated income, including all fees, license taxes, taxes to be levied, and all other sources of revenue, contrasted with the corresponding figures for the last two completed fiscal years. The general budget summary shall be supported by explanatory schedules or statements classifying the expenditures contained therein by offices, departments, activities and funds and the income by offices, departments, activities and funds.

Part II shall embrace the detailed budget estimates, both of expenditures and revenue, as provided for in section 13-504. It shall also include statements of the bonded indebtedness of the county, if any, showing the debt redemption requirements, the debt authorized and unissued, the condition of the sinking funds, the borrowing capacity, and a summary, to be furnished by the county treasurer to the budget-making authority, of the uncollected taxes arising from the last three annual levies. In addition thereto it shall contain any statements relative to the financial plan which the budget-making authority may deem advisable or which may be required by the county boards.

Part III shall embrace complete drafts of the resolutions or motions required to give legal sanction to the financial plan when adopted by the county board. These resolutions or motions shall include an appropriation resolution or motion authorizing, by spending agencies and by funds, all expenditures of the local government for the period covered by said budget and such other resolutions or motions as may be required to provide the income necessary to finance the budget.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 4, p. 225; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 2, p. 125; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2104; R.S.1943, § 23-904; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 4, p. 213; Laws 1969, c. 145, § 30, p. 690.


23-905. County budget; budget document; forms; preparation; Auditor of Public Accounts; duties; expenses.

The form of the county budget and the form of the budget document, as required by the County Budget Act of 1937, shall be formulated by the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Attorney General. The Auditor of Public Accounts shall draft the forms and act in an advisory capacity in the preparation of the budget and may authorize the use of computer equipment and processing in the preparation of the budget. He or she shall transmit copies of the forms to the county clerk of each county in the state on or before July 15 of each year. Any hospital established pursuant to section 23-3501 may file its budget on an accrual basis. The budget document form shall include such estimate blanks for the various offices and departments of the county and such other additional forms as the Auditor of Public Accounts or the Attorney General deems necessary in the computation and preparation of the county budget. The expense of printing and transmitting the required copies to the counties by the Auditor of Public Accounts shall be borne by the state and included in the proper appropriation.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 24, § 2, p. 126; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2104; R.S.1943, § 23-905; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 5, p. 214; Laws 1987, LB 183, § 2;    Laws 1995, LB 366, § 1;    Laws 2000, LB 692, § 5.    


23-906. Budget-making authority, how constituted; budget, when prepared; contents; notice of hearing.

In each county the finance committee of the county board shall constitute the budget-making authority unless the board, in its discretion, designates or appoints one of its own members or the county comptroller, the county manager, or other qualified person as the budget-making authority. If he or she will accept the appointment, another county official may be appointed as the budget-making authority. For the performance of this additional responsibility, the county official accepting the appointment may receive such additional salary as fixed by the county board.

On or before August 1, the budget-making authority shall prepare a county budget document, in the form required by sections 23-904 and 23-905, for the fiscal year and transmit the document to the county board.

A summary of the budget, in the form required by section 23-905, showing for each fund (1) the requirements, (2) the outstanding warrants, (3) the operating reserve to be maintained, (4) the cash on hand at the close of the preceding fiscal year, (5) the revenue from sources other than taxation, (6) the amount to be raised by taxation, and (7) the amount raised by taxation in the preceding fiscal year, together with a notice of a public hearing to be had with respect to the budget before the county board, shall be published once at least four calendar days prior to the date of hearing in some legal newspaper published and of general circulation in the county or, if no such legal newspaper is published, in some legal newspaper of general circulation in the county. For purposes of such notice, the four calendar days shall include the day of publication but not the day of hearing.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 5, p. 226; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 3, p. 126; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2105; R.S.1943, § 23-906; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 6, p. 215; Laws 1990, LB 874, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 178, § 1;    Laws 2002, LB 1018, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB212, § 3.    


23-907. Hearing; duty of county board.

Final action shall not be taken on the proposed budget by the county board until after at least one public hearing has been held thereon by the board, as provided in sections 23-904 to 23-906. It shall be the duty of the county board to arrange for and hold such hearing. A copy of said budget document shall be available at the office of the clerk for public inspection from and after its transmission to the county board by the budget-making authority as provided in section 23-906.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 6, p. 226; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 4, p. 127; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2106; R.S.1943, § 23-907.


23-908. Budget revision; power of county board; hearing.

The county board shall consider the budget document, as submitted to it by the budget-making authority, of the county, and may, in its discretion, revise, alter, increase or decrease the items contained in the budget, but not without first having a hearing with the office or department affected; Provided, however, that when it shall increase the total proposed expenditures of the budget it shall also increase the total anticipated income so that the total means of financing the budget shall at least equal in amount the aggregate proposed expenditures, including the operating reserve.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 227; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 128; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-908; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 7, p. 216.


Annotations

23-909. Budget; when adopted; duty of county board.

On or before September 30 of each year, the county board shall adopt the budget and appropriate the several amounts specified in the budget for the several departments, offices, activities, and funds of the county for the period to which the budget applies as provided hereinbefore.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 227; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 128; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-909; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 8, p. 216; Laws 1993, LB 734, § 30;    Laws 1995, LB 452, § 6;    Laws 2021, LB644, § 11.    


23-910. Budget; income from taxation; how determined; estimated revenue; deduction.

The total amount provided in the budget to be raised by taxation shall in no instance exceed the amount of taxes authorized by law to be levied during that year, including the amounts necessary to meet outstanding indebtedness, as evidenced by bonds, coupons, or warrants regularly issued. No changes shall be made in the budget after its adoption, except as provided by sections 13-511 and 23-918. In arriving at the amounts required to be raised by taxation for each fund, the total requirements, the outstanding warrants, and the operating reserve shall be added and from such total shall be deducted the revenue from sources other than taxation and the cash on hand on June 30. The operating reserve in no event shall be more than fifty percent of the total expenditures for the fund during the last completed fiscal year. The income of the county, as estimated in the budget, shall be and become applicable in the amounts and according to the funds specified in the budget for the purpose of meeting the expenditures as contemplated and set forth in the budget.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 227; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 128; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-910; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 9, p. 216; Laws 1999, LB 86, § 12.    


23-911. Budget; income from taxation; limitation.

The amounts required to be raised by taxation for the various offices, departments, activities, and funds of the county, as provided in said budget as adopted, shall not exceed the existing statutory or constitutional limitations relating thereto, and shall be the amount levied by the county board for the purposes designated in said budget.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 227; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 130; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-911.


23-912. Budget; income from taxation; deemed appropriated.

The funds to be raised by taxation or otherwise, as provided and allowed in said budget, for the various offices, departments, activities, and funds of the county shall, upon the adoption of the budget, be deemed to be and be appropriated to the various offices, departments, activities, and funds as provided in said budget, and shall be used for no other purpose.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 228; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 130; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-912.


23-913. Budget summary; contents; filing.

The county board shall file with the county clerk the complete budget document, which shall be in the form provided for in sections 23-904 and 23-905. A copy thereof shall also be filed with the Auditor of Public Accounts within thirty days after its adoption. The budget document shall show, in addition to the figures set forth in the general budget summary, the changes made by the county board in the course of its review, revision, and adoption of the budget. It shall also show the tax rate necessary to finance the budget as adopted.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 7, p. 228; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 130; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-913; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 10, p. 217; Laws 1993, LB 734, § 31.    


23-914. Unexpended balances; expenditure; limitation; county board powers.

(1) On and after July 1, and until the adoption of the budget by the county board in September, the county board may expend any balance of cash on hand in any fund for the current expenses of the county payable from such fund. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, such expenditures shall not exceed an amount equivalent to the total amount expended under the last budget for such fund in the equivalent period of the prior budget year. Such expenditures shall be charged against the appropriation for such fund as provided in the budget when adopted.

(2) The restriction on expenditures in subsection (1) of this section may be exceeded upon the express finding of the county board that expenditures beyond the amount authorized are necessary to enable the county to meet its statutory duties and responsibilities. The finding and approval of the expenditures in excess of the statutory authorization shall be adopted by the county board in open public session of the county board. Expenditures authorized by this subsection shall be charged against appropriations for each individual fund as provided in the budget when adopted, and nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize expenditures by the county in excess of that authorized by any other statutory provision.

Source:Laws 1939, c. 24, § 5, p. 130; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2107; R.S.1943, § 23-914; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 11, p. 217; Laws 1993, LB 734, § 32;    Laws 2016, LB784, § 1.    


23-915. Budget; failure of county board to adopt; effect.

If for any reason the county board fails or neglects in any year to make the appropriation for the support, operation and maintenance of the county government for the fiscal year, then ninety percent of the several amounts appropriated in the last budget for the objects and purposes therein specified, insofar as the same shall relate to the support, operation and maintenance of the county government and the administration thereof, shall be deemed to be appropriated for the fiscal year for the several objects and purposes as specified in the said last budget.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 8, p. 228; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 6, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2108; R.S.1943, § 23-915; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 12, p. 218.


23-916. Contracts or liabilities in excess of budget prohibited.

After the adoption of the county budget, no officer, department or other expending agency shall expend or contract to be expended any money, or incur any liability, or enter into any contract which, by its terms, involves the expenditure of money not provided for in the budget, or which involves the expenditure of any money for any of the purposes for which provision is made in the budget in excess of the amounts provided in said budget for such office, department or other expending agency, or purpose, for such fiscal year. Any contract, verbal or written, made in violation of this section shall be null and void as to the county, and no money belonging thereto shall be paid thereon.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 9, p. 228; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2109; R.S.1943, § 23-916.


Annotations

23-917. Contracts or liabilities in excess of budget; county not liable.

After the adoption of the county budget, no county shall be liable, either on any contract, implied contract or on any obligation arising by operation of law, for any merchandise, machinery, materials, supplies or other property delivered to or for any services rendered such county in pursuance of any contract entered into by or on behalf of such county in violation of the provisions of section 23-916.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 10, p. 229; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2110; R.S.1943, § 23-917.


Annotations

23-918. Emergencies; additional appropriations; loans; tax authorized.

The county board may, during the fiscal year, make additional appropriations or increase existing appropriations to meet emergencies in case of such unanticipated requirements as are essential to the preservation and maintenance within the county of the administration of justice, the public safety, the public welfare, and the public health, the funds therefor to be provided from temporary loans. A resolution, setting forth the nature of such emergency, the amount of the additional or increased appropriations required, and the source of obtaining the funds to provide for such appropriations, shall be entered on the proceedings of the county board. Temporary loans, when made, shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of the county board. Such temporary loans shall be repaid from such sources as may be available or, if no other sources are available, by an annual levy of not to exceed seven cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property of such county. Such tax levy, together with the annual levy for any succeeding year, shall not exceed the existing statutory or constitutional limitation applicable to levies for county purposes.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 11, p. 229; Laws 1939, c. 24, § 7, p. 131; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2111; R.S.1943, § 23-918; Laws 1945, c. 45, § 13, p. 218; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 50, p. 959; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 124;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 108.    


23-919. Violations; penalty; liability to county.

Any official, employee or member of the county board violating the provisions of sections 23-901 to 23-918, shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor. As part of the judgment of conviction, the court shall forfeit the term and tenure of the office or the employment of the person so convicted and shall order his removal from his said office or employment. Any vacancy arising by reason of said forfeiture and removal shall be filled as provided by law in the case of a vacancy in said office for any other cause. Any member of the county board or any other official whose duty it is to allow claims and issue warrants therefor, or to make purchases, incur indebtedness, enter into contracts for or on behalf of the county, who issues warrants or evidences of indebtedness, or makes any purchase, incurs any indebtedness or enters into any contract for or on behalf of the county contrary to the provisions of said sections, shall be liable to the county for such violations in the full amount of such expenditures, and for the full amount which the county may be required to pay by reason of any purchase made, indebtedness incurred or contract made contrary to the provisions of said sections, whether the liability of the county to pay for such supplies, materials, merchandise, equipment or services is based upon said contract or upon quasi-contract, or upon an obligation arising by operation of law, and recovery may be had against the bondsman of such official for said amounts. Any county treasurer or other official whose duty it is to pay warrants and evidences of indebtedness, who shall pay such warrants and evidences of indebtedness contrary to the provisions of said sections, shall likewise be liable to the county for such violations in the full amount of such expenditures, and recovery may be had against his bondsman for said amount. Suit may be brought either by the county or by any taxpayer thereof for the benefit of the county for any amount for which any official, employee or member of the county board may be liable, as provided in this section.

Source:Laws 1937, c. 56, § 12, p. 229; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-2112; R.S.1943, § 23-919; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 94.    


Annotations

23-920. Counties having 200,000 population or more; county hospitals; fiscal year; change of fiscal year.

In counties having two hundred thousand or more inhabitants, the fiscal year shall begin January 1 and end December 31. Any such county may by an affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the county board elect to change its fiscal year from a period of twelve months commencing January 1 to a period commencing July 1, and to become subject to all the terms of sections 23-901 to 23-919. Any county hospital operating under sections 23-3501 to 23-3527 may, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of trustees of such facility, elect to change its fiscal year to any period of twelve months for determining and carrying on its financial affairs.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 45, § 14, p. 219; Laws 1969, c. 145, § 31, p. 691; Laws 1993, LB 734, § 33.    


23-921. Transferred to section 13-502.

23-922. Transferred to section 13-503.

23-923. Transferred to section 13-504.

23-924. Transferred to section 13-505.

23-925. Transferred to section 13-506.

23-926. Transferred to section 13-507.

23-927. Transferred to section 13-508.

23-927.01. Transferred to section 13-509.

23-928. Transferred to section 13-510.

23-929. Transferred to section 13-511.

23-930. Transferred to section 13-512.

23-931. Transferred to section 13-513.

23-932. Transferred to section 13-514.

23-933. Transferred to section 13-501.

23-934. Transferred to section 13-606.

23-1001. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1002. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1003. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1004. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1005. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1006. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1007. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1008. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1009. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 138, § 28.

23-1101. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1102. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1103. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1104. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1105. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1106. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1107. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1108. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1108.01. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1108.02. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1108.03. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1109. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1110. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1110.01. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1110.02. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1111. County officers; clerks and assistants; county board; budgetary approval.

(1) The county officers in all counties shall have the necessary clerks and assistants for such periods and at such salaries as the county officers may determine, subject to budgetary approval by the county board.

(2) In carrying out its budget-making duties, a county board shall not eliminate an office or unduly hinder a county officer in the conduct of his or her statutory duties. If a county officer challenges the county board's decision in court, the county officer shall have the burden to prove such elimination or hindrance by clear and convincing evidence.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 90, § 11, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1111; Laws 2011, LB62, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1112. County officers; mileage; rate; county board; powers.

When it is necessary for any county officer or his or her deputy or assistants, except any county sheriff or his or her deputy, to travel on business of the county, he or she shall be allowed mileage at the rate per mile allowed by section 81-1176 for travel by personal automobile upon the presentation of his or her bill for the same accompanied by a proper voucher to the county board of his or her county in like manner as is provided for all other claims against the county, but if travel by rental vehicle or commercial or charter means is economical and practical, then he or she shall be allowed only the actual cost of the rental vehicle or commercial or charter means. The county board may establish different mileage rates based on whether the personal automobile usage is at the convenience of the county or at the convenience of the county officer or his or her deputy or assistant.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 90, § 12, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1112; Laws 1947, c. 71, § 1, p. 228; Laws 1953, c. 58, § 1, p. 196; Laws 1957, c. 70, § 1, p. 294; Laws 1959, c. 84, § 1, p. 384; Laws 1967, c. 125, § 1, p. 400; Laws 1973, LB 338, § 1;    Laws 1974, LB 625, § 1;    Laws 1978, LB 691, § 1;    Laws 1980, LB 615, § 1; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 25;    Laws 1985, LB 393, § 16;    Laws 1990, LB 893, § 1;    Laws 1993, LB 697, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 8;    Laws 2019, LB609, § 2.    


23-1112.01. County officers; employees; use of automobile; allowance.

If a trip or trips included in an expense claim filed by any county officer or employee for mileage are made by personal automobile or otherwise, only one claim shall be allowed pursuant to section 23-1112, regardless of the fact that one or more persons are transported in the motor vehicle. No charge for mileage shall be allowed when such mileage accrues while using any motor vehicle owned by the State of Nebraska or by a county.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 70, § 12, p. 304; Laws 1961, c. 88, § 4, p. 309; Laws 1967, c. 125, § 2, p. 401; Laws 1973, LB 338, § 2;    Laws 1974, LB 615, § 2; Laws 1978, LB 691, § 2;    Laws 1980, LB 615, § 2; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 26;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 9;    Laws 2019, LB609, § 3.    


23-1113. Repealed. Laws 1949, c. 40, § 9.

23-1113.01. Repealed. Laws 1949, c. 40, § 9.

23-1113.02. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1113.03. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1113.04. Repealed. Laws 1953, c. 63, § 6.

23-1114. County officers and deputies; salaries; fixed by county board; when; method of payment.

(1) The salaries of all elected officers of the county shall be fixed by the county board prior to January 15 of the year in which a general election will be held for the respective offices.

(2) The salaries of all deputies in the offices of the elected officers and appointive veterans service officers of the county shall be fixed by the county board at such times as necessity may require.

(3) The county board may make payments that include, but are not limited to, salaries described in this section or reimbursable expenses by electronic funds transfer or a similar means of direct deposit.

Source:Laws 1953, c. 63, § 1, p. 204; Laws 1955, c. 72, § 1, p. 224; Laws 1959, c. 85, § 2, p. 391; Laws 1963, c. 118, § 1, p. 463; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 1;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 90, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 1056, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 29;    Laws 2011, LB278, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1114.01. County officers; salaries; classification of counties.

For the purpose of fixing the salaries of certain officers and their deputies, counties shall be classified as follows: Counties having a population of less than three thousand inhabitants, Class 1; three thousand and less than nine thousand inhabitants, Class 2; nine thousand and less than fourteen thousand inhabitants, Class 3; fourteen thousand and less than twenty thousand inhabitants, Class 4; twenty thousand and less than sixty thousand inhabitants, Class 5; sixty thousand and less than two hundred thousand inhabitants, Class 6; and counties of two hundred thousand inhabitants or more, Class 7.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 1, p. 324; Laws 1971, LB 856, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1114.02. County officers; salaries; Class 1 counties.

In counties of Class 1, the county clerk, treasurer, sheriff, attorney, and appointive full-time veterans service officer shall each receive a minimum annual salary of five thousand five hundred dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 2, p. 324; Laws 1967, c. 128, § 2, p. 410; Laws 1967, c. 126, § 1, p. 404; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 1, p. 406; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 1, p. 739; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 2;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 1;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 2;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 6.    


23-1114.03. County officers; salaries; Class 2 counties.

In counties of Class 2, the county clerk, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, attorney, and appointive full-time veterans service officer shall each receive a minimum annual salary of six thousand dollars, and in counties entitled by law to have a clerk of the district court, the clerk of the district court shall receive a minimum annual salary of fifty-four hundred dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 3, p. 325; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 6, p. 445; Laws 1967, c. 128, § 3, p. 410; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 2, p. 407; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 2, p. 739; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 3;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 2;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 3;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 7.    


23-1114.04. County officers; salaries; Class 3 counties.

In counties of Class 3, the county clerk, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, attorney, appointive full-time veterans service officer, and the clerk of the district court shall each receive a minimum annual salary of six thousand five hundred dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 4, p. 325; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 7, p. 445; Laws 1967, c. 128, § 4, p. 410; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 3, p. 407; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 3, p. 739; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 4;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 3;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 4;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 8.    


23-1114.05. County officers; salaries; Class 4 counties.

In counties of Class 4, the county clerk, register of deeds, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, attorney, appointive full-time veterans service officer, and the clerk of the district court shall each receive a minimum annual salary of seventy-five hundred dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 5, p. 325; Laws 1967, c. 128, § 5, p. 411; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 4, p. 408; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 4, p. 740; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 5;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 4;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 5;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 9.    


23-1114.06. County officers; salaries; Class 5 counties.

In counties of Class 5, the county clerk, register of deeds, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, attorney, appointive full-time veterans service officer, and the clerk of the district court shall each receive a minimum annual salary of eight thousand dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 6, p. 325; Laws 1967, c. 128, § 6, p. 411; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 5, p. 408; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 5, p. 740; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 6;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 5;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 6;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 10.    


23-1114.07. County officers; salaries; Class 6 or 7 counties.

Members of the county board shall set their own annual salary to be paid out of the general fund. Salaries of other officers, including appointive full-time veterans service officers, in counties of Class 6 or 7 shall be established by the county board, except that the county assessor in counties of Class 7 shall receive a minimum annual salary of twenty thousand dollars, to be paid periodically as other county employees out of the general fund.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 7, p. 325; Laws 1965, c. 106, § 1, p. 430; Laws 1967, c. 127, § 6, p. 408; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 6, p. 740; Laws 1971, LB 574, § 7;    Laws 1972, LB 1157, § 6;    Laws 1973, LB 220, § 7;    Laws 2012, LB772, § 1.    


23-1114.08. County officers; minimum salaries; person occupying more than one office.

When the same person occupies more than one office in the same county, he shall receive only one minimum annual salary.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 8, p. 326.


23-1114.09. Deputies; one full-time; minimum salary.

The salary of one full-time deputy of the various county offices shall not be less than sixty-five percent of the county officer's salary. No full-time deputy shall, except for vacation and sick leave periods established by the county board, be entitled to such salary during any period of time that such deputy is not actually engaged in the performance of the official duties of a deputy.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 96, § 9, p. 326; Laws 1963, c. 119, § 1, p. 465; Laws 1969, c. 164, § 7, p. 740.


Annotations

23-1114.10. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 341, § 1.

23-1114.11. Repealed. Laws 1971, LB 33, § 1.

23-1114.12. Repealed. Laws 1971, LB 33, § 1.

23-1114.13. Repealed. Laws 1971, LB 33, § 1.

23-1114.14. Interpretation of sections.

Sections 23-1114.02 to 23-1114.07 and 23-1114.09 shall be so interpreted as to effectuate their general purpose, to provide, in the public interest, adequate compensation as therein provided for the county officers affected thereby and to give effect to such salaries as soon as same may become operative under the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 164, § 8, p. 741.


23-1114.15. Interpretation of sections.

Sections 23-1114 and 23-1114.02 to 23-1114.07 shall be interpreted so as to effectuate their general purpose, to provide, in the public interest, adequate compensation as therein provided for the members of the county board, and to give effect to such salaries as soon as the same may become operative under the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 574, § 8.    


23-1114.16. Repealed. Laws 1988, LB 806, § 1.

23-1115. County officers; deputies; compensation.

When a county officer is compelled by the pressure of the business of the office to employ a deputy, the county commissioners may make a reasonable allowance to such a deputy.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 15, § 6, p. 128; R.S.1913, § 5742; C.S.1922, § 5071; C.S.1929, § 84-808; R.S.1943, (1987), § 84-808; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 2.    


23-1115.01. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 266, § 1.

23-1115.02. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 266, § 1.

23-1115.03. Repealed. Laws 1961, c. 286, § 1.

23-1115.04. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 126, § 6.

23-1115.05. Repealed. Laws 1971, LB 33, § 1.

23-1116. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 339, § 1.

23-1117. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 266, § 1.

23-1118. Employees of certain counties or municipal counties; retirement benefits; establish; approval of voters; contribution rates; funds; investment; employees, defined; reports.

(1)(a) Unless the county has adopted a retirement system pursuant to section 23-2329, the county board of any county having a population of one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants or more, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, may, in its discretion and with the approval of the voters, provide retirement benefits for present and future employees of the county. The cost of such retirement benefits shall be funded in accordance with sound actuarial principles with the necessary cost being treated in the county budget in the same way as any other operating expense.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this subsection, each employee shall be required to contribute, or have contributed on his or her behalf, an amount at least equal to the county's contribution to the cost of any such retirement program as to service performed after the adoption of such retirement program, but the cost of any benefits based on prior service shall be borne solely by the county.

(c) In a county or municipal county having a population of two hundred fifty thousand or more inhabitants but not more than five hundred thousand inhabitants, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, the county or municipal county shall establish the employee and employer contribution rates to the retirement program for each year after July 15, 1992. The county or municipal county shall contribute one hundred fifty percent of each employee's mandatory contribution, and for an employee hired on or after July 1, 2012, the county or municipal county shall contribute at least one hundred percent of each such employee's mandatory contribution, except that an employee receiving a one hundred fifty percent employer contribution under this subdivision may irrevocably elect to switch to a one hundred percent contribution for all future contributions. The combined contributions of the county or municipal county and its employees to the cost of any such retirement program shall not exceed sixteen percent of the employees' salaries.

(2) Before the county board or council provides retirement benefits for the employees of the county or municipal county, such question shall be submitted at a regular general or primary election held within the county or municipal county, and in which election all persons eligible to vote for the officials of the county or municipal county shall be entitled to vote on such question, which shall be submitted in the following language: Shall the county board or council provide retirement benefits for present and future employees of the county or municipal county? If a majority of the votes cast upon such question are in favor of such question, then the county board or council shall be empowered to provide retirement benefits for present and future employees as provided in this section. If such retirement benefits for present and future county and municipal county employees are approved by the voters and authorized by the county board or council, then the funds of such retirement system, in excess of the amount required for current operations as determined by the county board or council, may be invested and reinvested in the class of securities and investments described in section 30-3209.

(3) As used in this section, employees shall mean all persons or officers devoting more than twenty hours per week to employment by the county or municipal county, all elected officers of the county or municipal county, and such other persons or officers as are classified from time to time as permanent employees by the county board or council.

(4) The county or municipal county may pick up the member contributions required by this section for all compensation paid on or after January 1, 1985, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in determining federal tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code, except that the county or municipal county shall continue to withhold federal income taxes based upon these contributions until the Internal Revenue Service or the federal courts rule that, pursuant to section 414(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, these contributions shall not be included as gross income of the member until such time as they are distributed or made available. The county or municipal county shall pay these member contributions from the same source of funds which is used in paying earnings to the member. The county or municipal county shall pick up these contributions by a salary deduction either through a reduction in the cash salary of the member or a combination of a reduction in salary and offset against a future salary increase. Member contributions picked up shall be treated in the same manner and to the same extent as member contributions made prior to the date picked up.

(5) Beginning December 31, 1998, through December 31, 2017:

(a) The chairperson of the county board or council with a retirement plan established pursuant to this section and section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code shall file with the Public Employees Retirement Board a report on such plan and shall submit copies of such report to the Auditor of Public Accounts. The Auditor of Public Accounts may prepare a review of such report pursuant to section 84-304.02 but is not required to do so. The report shall be in a form prescribed by the Public Employees Retirement Board and shall contain the following information for each such retirement plan:

(i) The number of persons participating in the retirement plan;

(ii) The contribution rates of participants in the plan;

(iii) Plan assets and liabilities;

(iv) The names and positions of persons administering the plan;

(v) The names and positions of persons investing plan assets;

(vi) The form and nature of investments;

(vii) For each defined contribution plan, a full description of investment policies and options available to plan participants; and

(viii) For each defined benefit plan, the levels of benefits of participants in the plan, the number of members who are eligible for a benefit, and the total present value of such members' benefits, as well as the funding sources which will pay for such benefits.

If a plan contains no current active participants, the chairperson may file in place of such report a statement with the Public Employees Retirement Board indicating the number of retirees still drawing benefits, and the sources and amount of funding for such benefits; and

(b) If such retirement plan is a defined benefit plan which was open to new members on January 1, 2004, in addition to the reports required by section 13-2402, the county board of a county or council of the municipal county with a retirement plan established pursuant to this section shall cause to be prepared an annual report and the chairperson shall file the same with the Public Employees Retirement Board and the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee of the Legislature and submit to the Auditor of Public Accounts a copy of such report. The Auditor of Public Accounts may prepare a review of such report pursuant to section 84-304.02 but is not required to do so. If the county board or council does not submit a copy of the report to the Auditor of Public Accounts within six months after the end of the plan year, the Auditor of Public Accounts may audit, or cause to be audited, the county or municipal county. All costs of the audit shall be paid by the county or municipal county. The report shall consist of a full actuarial analysis of each such retirement plan established pursuant to this section. The analysis shall be prepared by an independent private organization or public entity employing actuaries who are members in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries, and which organization or entity has demonstrated expertise to perform this type of analysis and is unrelated to any organization offering investment advice or which provides investment management services to the retirement plan. The report to the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee shall be submitted electronically.

Source:Laws 1961, c. 97, § 1, p. 327; Laws 1967, c. 257, § 3, p. 680; Laws 1967, c. 129, § 1, p. 412; Laws 1984, LB 216, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 353, § 2;    Laws 1992, LB 672, § 30;    Laws 1995, LB 369, § 1;    Laws 1995, LB 574, § 30;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 22;    Laws 1999, LB 795, § 10;    Laws 2001, LB 142, § 31;    Laws 2011, LB474, § 10;    Laws 2012, LB867, § 1;    Laws 2014, LB759, § 15;    Laws 2015, LB41, § 1;    Laws 2015, LB126, § 1;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 10.    


23-1201. County attorney; duties; services performed at request of Attorney General; additional compensation; reports.

(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of section 84-205 or if a person is participating in a pretrial diversion program established pursuant to sections 29-3601 to 29-3604 or a juvenile pretrial diversion program established pursuant to sections 43-260.02 to 43-260.07, it shall be the duty of the county attorney, when in possession of sufficient evidence to warrant the belief that a person is guilty and can be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, to prepare, sign, verify, and file the proper complaint against such person and to appear in the several courts of the county and prosecute the appropriate criminal proceeding on behalf of the state and county. Prior to reaching a plea agreement with defense counsel, the county attorney shall consult with or make a good faith effort to consult with the victim regarding the content of and reasons for such plea agreement. The county attorney shall record such consultation or effort in his or her office file.

(2) It shall be the duty of the county attorney to prosecute or defend, on behalf of the state and county, all suits, applications, or motions, civil or criminal, arising under the laws of the state in which the state or the county is a party or interested. The county attorney may be directed by the Attorney General to represent the state in any action or matter in which the state is interested or a party. When such services require the performance of duties which are in addition to the ordinary duties of the county attorney, he or she shall receive such fee for his or her services, in addition to the salary as county attorney, as (a) the court shall order in any action involving court appearance or (b) the Attorney General shall authorize in other matters, with the amount of such additional fee to be paid by the state. It shall also be the duty of the county attorney to appear and prosecute or defend on behalf of the state and county all such suits, applications, or motions which may have been transferred by change of venue from his or her county to any other county in the state. Any counsel who may have been assisting the county attorney in any such suits, applications, or motions in his or her county may be allowed to assist in any other county to which such cause has been removed. The county attorney shall file the annual inventory statement with the county board of county personal property in his or her possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350. It shall be the further duty of the county attorney of each county, within three days from the calling to his or her attention of any violation of the requirements of the law concerning annual inventory statements from county officers, to institute proceedings against such offending officer and in addition thereto to prosecute the appropriate action to remove such county officer from office. When it is the county attorney who is charged with failure to comply with this section, the Attorney General may bring the action. It shall be the duty of the county attorney to make a report on the tenth day of each quarter to the county board which shall show final disposition of all criminal cases the previous quarter, criminal cases pending on the last day of the previous quarter, and criminal cases appealed during the past quarter. The county board may waive the duty to make such report.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 2, p. 216; Laws 1899, c. 6, § 1, p. 56; Laws 1905, c. 7, § 1, p. 59; Laws 1911, c. 6, § 1, p. 73; R.S.1913, § 5596; C.S.1922, § 4913; C.S.1929, § 26-901; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 6, p. 146; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-901; R.S.1943, § 23-1201; Laws 1957, c. 71, § 1, p. 305; Laws 1959, c. 87, § 1, p. 396; Laws 1959, c. 82, § 2, p. 373; Laws 1961, c. 98, § 1, p. 328; Laws 1979, LB 573, § 1;    Laws 1983, LB 78, § 2;    Laws 1990, LB 87, § 1;    Laws 1997, LB 758, § 1;    Laws 2003, LB 43, § 7;    Laws 2016, LB807, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1201.01. County attorney; residency; appointment of nonresident attorney, when; contract.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a qualified person need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as county attorney, but if elected as county attorney, such person shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office, except that a county attorney serving in a county which does not have a city of the metropolitan, primary, or first class may reside in an adjoining Nebraska county.

(2) If there is no county attorney elected pursuant to section 32-522 or if a vacancy occurs for any other reason, the county board of such county may appoint a qualified attorney from any Nebraska county to the office of county attorney. In making such appointment, the county board shall negotiate a contract with the attorney, such contract to specify the terms and conditions of the appointment, including the compensation of the attorney, which compensation shall not be subject to sections 23-1114.02 to 23-1114.06.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 60, § 1, p. 234; R.S.1943, § 23-1201.01; Laws 1971, LB 109, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 812, § 2;    Laws 1993, LB 468, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 541;    Laws 1995, LB 669, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 30;    Laws 2003, LB 84, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1201.02. County attorney; qualifications; exception.

(1) No person shall seek nomination or appointment for the office of county attorney in counties of Class 4, 5, 6, or 7, nor serve in that capacity, unless he or she has been admitted to the practice of law in this state for at least two years next preceding the date such person would take office and has practiced law actively in this state during such two-year period, except that if no person who meets the requirements of this subsection has filed for or sought such office by the filing deadline for nomination or by the deadline for applications for appointment, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any person seeking such office.

(2) No person shall seek nomination or appointment for the office of county attorney, nor serve in that capacity, unless he or she has been admitted to the practice of law in this state.

(3) The classification of counties in section 23-1114.01 applies for purposes of this section.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 142, § 1, p. 664; Laws 1993, LB 468, § 2;    Laws 2009, LB55, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1202. County attorney; actions before magistrate; duties.

Each county attorney shall appear on behalf of the state before any magistrate, and prosecute all complaints made in behalf of the state of which any magistrate shall have jurisdiction, and he shall appear before any magistrate and conduct any criminal examination which may be had before such magistrate, and shall also prosecute all civil suits before such magistrate in which the state or county is a party or interested.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 3, p. 216; R.S.1913, § 5597; C.S.1922, § 4914; C.S.1929, § 26-902; R.S.1943, § 23-1202.


Annotations

23-1203. Opinions; civil cases; additional counsel; compensation.

The county attorney shall without fee or reward give opinions and advice to the board of county commissioners and other civil officers of their respective counties, when requested so to do by such board or officers, upon all matters in which the state or county is interested, or relating to the duty of the board or officers in which the state or county may have an interest; Provided, in all counties of this state the county board may employ such additional counsel in civil matters as it may deem necessary. Such attorney or attorneys shall counsel the board or county officers on such civil matters as the board may lay before him or them, and shall prosecute or defend, on behalf of the county or any of its officers, such civil actions or proceedings as the interests of the county may in their judgment require, and shall receive such reasonable compensation in each case as the board and such counsel may agree upon.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 4, p. 217; Laws 1895, c. 7, § 1, p. 73; R.S.1913, § 5598; C.S.1922, § 4915; C.S.1929, § 26-903; R.S.1943, § 23-1203; Laws 1959, c. 88, § 1, p. 397.


Annotations

23-1204. Deputies; appointment and compensation.

The county attorney may, with the approval and consent of the county board, appoint one or more deputies, who shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the county board, to assist him in the discharge of his duties.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 6, p. 217; Laws 1893, c. 2, § 1, p. 64; Laws 1901, c. 8, § 1, p. 57; R.S.1913, § 5599; Laws 1917, c. 108, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1919, c. 62, § 1, p. 169; Laws 1921, c. 232, § 1, p. 830; C.S.1922, § 4916; Laws 1923, c. 41, § 1, p. 156; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 2, p. 326; C.S.1929, § 26-904; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 14, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1204; Laws 1947, c. 73, § 2, p. 233; Laws 1947, c. 72, § 2, p. 230; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 5, p. 200; Laws 1949, c. 42, § 1(1), p. 144; Laws 1961, c. 99, § 1, p. 330.


Cross References

Annotations

23-1204.01. Deputies; special; when; compensation.

The county attorney of any county may, under the direction of the district court, procure such assistance in any investigation or appearance or the trial of any person charged with a crime which is a felony, as he may deem necessary for the trial thereof, and such assistant or assistants shall be allowed such compensation for said services as the court shall determine, to be paid by order of the county treasurer, upon presenting to said board the certificate of the district judge before whom said cause was tried certifying to services rendered by such assistant or assistants and the amount of compensation.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 6, p. 217; Laws 1893, c. 2, § 1, p. 64; Laws 1901, c. 8, § 1, p. 57; R.S.1913, § 5599; Laws 1917, c. 108, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1919, c. 62, § 1, p. 169; Laws 1921, c. 232, § 1, p. 830; C.S.1922, § 4916; Laws 1923, c. 41, § 1, p. 156; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 2, p. 326; C.S.1929, § 26-904; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 14, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1204; Laws 1947, c. 73, § 2, p. 233; Laws 1947, c. 72, § 2, p. 230; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 5, p. 200; Laws 1949, c. 42, § 1(2), p. 144; Laws 1969, c. 165, § 1, p. 741.


Annotations

23-1204.02. Repealed. Laws 1961, c. 99, § 2.

23-1204.03. Deputies; counties having a population of more than 30,000 and not more than 200,000 inhabitants; additional deputy; salary.

In counties having a population of more than thirty thousand inhabitants and not more than two hundred thousand inhabitants, there is hereby created the office of deputy county attorneys, and the county attorney of such county may at his discretion appoint additional deputy county attorneys for such county upon receiving the approval thereof by the county board. The salary of the additional deputy county attorneys, referred to in this section, shall be fixed by the county board.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 2, § 1, p. 64; Laws 1901, c. 8, § 1, p. 57; R.S.1913, § 5599; Laws 1917, c. 108, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1919, c. 62, § 1, p. 169; Laws 1921, c. 232, § 1, p. 830; C.S.1922, § 4916; Laws 1923, c. 41, § 1, p. 156; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 2, p. 326; C.S.1929, § 26-904; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 14, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1204; Laws 1947, c. 73, § 2, p. 233; Laws 1947, c. 72, § 2, p. 230; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 5, p. 200; Laws 1949, c. 42, § 1(4), p. 144; Laws 1953, c. 56, § 2, p. 194.


23-1204.04. Deputies; bond.

The deputy county attorney in all counties, except as otherwise provided in section 23-1204.05, shall file a bond in the same manner and for the same amount required of the county attorney and be removable at the pleasure of the county attorney.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 2, § 1, p. 64; Laws 1901, c. 8, § 1, p. 57; R.S.1913, § 5599; Laws 1917, c. 108, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1919, c. 62, § 1, p. 169; Laws 1921, c. 232, § 1, p. 830; C.S.1922, § 4916; Laws 1923, c. 41, § 1, p. 156; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 2, p. 326; C.S.1929, § 26-904; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 14, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1204; Laws 1947, c. 73, § 2, p. 233; Laws 1947, c. 72, § 2, p. 230; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 5, p. 200; Laws 1949, c. 42, § 1(5), p. 144.


Annotations

23-1204.05. Deputies; counties having a population of more than 200,000 inhabitants.

In counties whose population is more than two hundred thousand inhabitants, the county attorney may appoint a chief deputy county attorney and one or more deputy county attorneys. Before entering upon the duties of their offices, each of said deputies shall be required to give a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of such office in an amount to be fixed and approved by the judges of the district court.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 2, § 1, p. 64; Laws 1901, c. 8, § 1, p. 57; R.S.1913, § 5599; Laws 1917, c. 108, § 1, p. 278; Laws 1919, c. 62, § 1, p. 169; Laws 1921, c. 232, § 1, p. 830; C.S.1922, § 4916; Laws 1923, c. 41, § 1, p. 156; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 2, p. 326; C.S.1929, § 26-904; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 14, p. 302; R.S.1943, § 23-1204; Laws 1947, c. 73, § 2, p. 233; Laws 1947, c. 72, § 2, p. 230; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 5, p. 200; Laws 1949, c. 42, § 1(6), p. 144; Laws 1953, c. 59, § 1, p. 197; Laws 1967, c. 130, § 1, p. 414.


Annotations

23-1204.06. Deputies; grant program for termination of parental rights actions.

A grant program is established to reimburse counties for the personal service costs of deputy county attorneys associated with termination of parental rights actions resulting from Laws 1998, LB 1041. Counties in which a city of the metropolitan class or a city of the primary class is located are eligible for grants under this program. The Department of Health and Human Services shall administer the program. Counties receiving grants shall submit quarterly expenditure reports to the department.

Source:Laws 1998, LB 1041, § 47;    Laws 2007, LB296, § 24.    


23-1205. Acting county attorney; appointment; when authorized; compensation.

Due to the absence, sickness, disability, or conflict of interest of the county attorney and his or her deputies, or upon request of the county attorney for good cause, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any district court, separate juvenile court, or county court before which the cause may be heard may appoint an attorney to act as county attorney in any investigation, appearance, or trial by an order entered upon the minutes of the court. Such attorney shall be allowed compensation for such services as the court determines, to be paid by order of the county treasurer upon presenting to the county board the certificate of the judge before whom the cause was tried certifying to services rendered by such attorney and the amount of compensation.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 7, p. 218; R.S.1913, § 5600; C.S.1922, § 4917; C.S.1929, § 26-905; R.S.1943, § 23-1205; Laws 1969, c. 165, § 2, p. 742; Laws 2007, LB214, § 1;    Laws 2009, LB35, § 3.    


Annotations

23-1206. Fees; prohibited; civil cases; when disqualified.

No prosecuting attorney shall receive any fee or reward from or on behalf of any prosecutor or other individual for services in any prosecution or business which it shall be his official duty to attend; nor shall he act or be concerned, as an attorney or counsel for either party, other than for the state or county, in any civil action depending upon the same state of facts upon which any criminal prosecution, commenced or prosecuted, shall depend, or depending upon the same state of facts, investigated by him, while acting as county coroner.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 8, p. 218; R.S.1913, § 5601; C.S.1922, § 4918; C.S.1929, § 26-906; Laws 1943, c. 56, § 1, p. 223; R.S.1943, § 23-1206.


Annotations

23-1206.01. County attorney, deputies, and employees; employment restrictions; salary.

(1)(a) In counties having a population of two hundred thousand inhabitants or more, the county attorney and all deputy county attorneys shall devote their full time to the legal work of such county and shall not engage in the private practice of law directly or indirectly, nor shall any county attorney, deputy county attorney, or employee of the county attorney of any such county directly or indirectly refer any legal matter or civil or criminal litigation to any lawyer or either directly or indirectly recommend or suggest to any person the employment of any particular lawyer or lawyers to counsel in, conduct, defend, or prosecute any action, case, claim, demand, or legal proceeding, whether in litigation or otherwise. In counties having a population of two hundred thousand inhabitants or more, the county attorney may appoint deputy county attorneys to serve without pay and when so appointed shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.

(b) In counties with sixty thousand or more but less than one hundred thousand inhabitants, the county attorney shall receive a salary of not less than twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars per annum.

(c) In counties with one hundred thousand or more but less than two hundred thousand inhabitants, the county attorney shall receive a salary of not less than thirty-two thousand five hundred dollars per annum. The county attorneys of such counties shall not engage in private practice. The deputy county attorneys in such counties may engage in private practice.

(2) In any county not specifically provided for under subsection (1) of this section, the county board may adopt a resolution not less than sixty days prior to the deadline for filing for the office of county attorney providing that the county attorney shall devote his or her full time to the legal work of the county and shall not engage in the private practice of law directly or indirectly and shall not directly or indirectly refer any legal matter or civil or criminal litigation to any lawyer nor directly or indirectly recommend or suggest to any person the employment of any particular lawyer or lawyers to counsel in, conduct, defend, or prosecute any action, case, claim, demand, or legal proceeding, whether in litigation or otherwise. The full-time county attorney shall receive an annual salary, to be set by the county board, to be paid periodically out of the general fund the same as the salaries of other employees, except that in a county having a population of twenty thousand inhabitants or more or when two or more contiguous counties jointly employ one county attorney and have a combined population of twenty thousand inhabitants or more, the county attorney for the county or counties shall receive an annual salary of not less than twenty thousand dollars.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 72, § 1, p. 307; Laws 1959, c. 89, § 1, p. 398; Laws 1974, LB 774, § 1;    Laws 1981, LB 21, § 1;    Laws 1995, LB 285, § 1.    


23-1206.02. County attorney, deputies, and employees; counties having a population of more than 200,000 inhabitants; private practice; illegal reference; malfeasance; penalty.

Any county attorney, deputy county attorney, or any employee of the county attorney in any county having a population of more than two hundred thousand inhabitants violating the provisions of section 23-1206.01 shall be guilty of malfeasance in office and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned in the county jail not more than six months, or both such a fine and imprisonment, and in addition shall vacate his office.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 72, § 2, p. 307.


23-1207. Money or property received; county attorney; duties.

(1) It shall be the duty of the county attorney, whenever he or she shall receive any money or other property in his or her official capacity, to give to the person paying or depositing such money or other property duplicate receipts, one of which shall be filed by such person with the county clerk.

(2) Whenever any such money is received by the county attorney, he or she shall carefully manage it and may, when the money cannot immediately be paid out to its rightful owner, deposit the money in interest-bearing accounts in insured banking or savings institutions. Any interest accrued from such deposit shall be paid over to the county treasurer to be credited to the county general fund, except that when the funds so deposited belonged to a deceased person whose personal representative has not yet been appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the interest accruing on such money shall be paid to the estate of such person after the appointment of a personal representative and upon order of the court.

(3) Any property other than money which is received by the county attorney shall be held by him or her in safekeeping until claimed by the rightful owner or, if there is a dispute as to the ownership of such property, until ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to give possession of the property to some person.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 9, p. 219; R.S.1913, § 5602; C.S.1922, § 4919; C.S.1929, § 26-907; R.S.1943, § 23-1207; Laws 1979, LB 179, § 1.    


23-1208. Grand jury and court sittings; attendance and duties.

Whenever the county attorney is required by the grand jury of any court sitting in his county, it shall be his duty to attend for the purpose of examining witnesses in their presence, or of giving them advice in any legal matter, and to issue subpoenas and other writs of process; to bring in witnesses and to draw up bills of indictment; but he shall not be present with the grand jury when an indictment is being considered and found by said grand jury.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 10, p. 219; R.S.1913, § 5603; C.S.1922, § 4920; C.S.1929, § 26-908; R.S.1943, § 23-1208.


23-1209. Detectives; employment; when authorized; compensation.

In counties having a population exceeding sixty thousand inhabitants, and not more than two hundred thousand inhabitants, there may be spent under the direction and control of the county attorney of said county a sum of money not exceeding five hundred dollars in any one year, to be paid out of the general fund of the county, for the employment of a detective or detectives, the same to be appointed by the county attorney at such rates of compensation per day as may be fixed by said officer, and said appointment may be revoked by him at any time. In counties having a population exceeding two hundred thousand inhabitants, there may be spent under the direction and control of the county attorney of said county a sum of money not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars in any one year, to be paid out of the general fund of the county, for the employment of a detective or detectives, the same to be appointed by the county attorney at such rates of compensation per day as may be fixed by said officer, and said appointment may be revoked by him at any time.

Source:Laws 1909, c. 8, § 1, p. 64; R.S.1913, § 5604; Laws 1919, c. 64, § 1, p. 172; C.S.1922, § 4921; C.S.1929, § 26-909; R.S.1943, § 23-1209; Laws 1969, c. 146, § 2, p. 703.


23-1210. Coroner; duties; county attorney shall perform; expenses; delegation of duties.

(1) The county attorney shall perform all of the duties enjoined by law upon the county coroner and the county attorney shall be the ex officio county coroner. The county attorney shall receive no additional fees for the performance of duties prescribed by statutes for county coroner but shall be reimbursed for all actual necessary expenses incurred by him or her in the performance of such duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176.

(2) The county attorney may delegate to the county sheriff, deputy county sheriff, or any other peace officer that part of the coroner's duties as now prescribed by statute which relates to viewing dead bodies and serving papers, except that in cases when there may be occasion to serve papers upon the sheriff, the county attorney may delegate such duty to the county clerk.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 224, § 1, p. 493; C.S.1922, § 4922; C.S.1929, § 26-910; Laws 1933, c. 96, § 3, p. 384; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-910; R.S.1943, § 23-1210; Laws 1957, c. 70, § 2, p. 295; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 27;    Laws 1987, LB 313, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 10.    


Annotations

23-1211. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 411, § 1.

23-1212. Terms, defined.

For purposes of sections 23-1212 to 23-1222, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) County attorney shall mean the county attorney of a county in this state whether such position is elective or appointive and regardless of whether such position is full time or part time;

(2) Deputy county attorney shall mean an attorney employed by a county in this state for the purpose of assisting the county attorney in carrying out his or her responsibilities regardless of whether such position is full time or part time;

(3) Council shall mean the Nebraska County Attorney Standards Advisory Council;

(4) Attorney General shall mean the Nebraska Attorney General;

(5) Commission shall mean the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice; and

(6) Continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, shall mean that type of legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, which has application to and seeks to maintain and improve the skills of the county attorney and deputy county attorney in carrying out the responsibilities of his or her office or position.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 1; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 1;    Laws 2009, LB671, § 1.    


23-1213. Nebraska County Attorney Standards Advisory Council; created; members; qualifications; appointment; terms; vacancy.

(1)(a) There is hereby created the Nebraska County Attorney Standards Advisory Council which, except as provided in subdivision (b) of this subsection, shall consist of seven members, four of whom shall be either a county attorney or deputy county attorney, one member being a professor of law or professor of forensic science, and two members being county commissioners or supervisors. The members of such council shall be appointed by the Governor. Of the county attorneys or deputy county attorneys appointed to such council, one shall be from Douglas County, one shall be from Lancaster County, and the remaining two shall be appointed from the remainder of the state. Members of the council shall serve a term of four years, except that of the members first appointed one member shall serve a term of one year, two members shall serve a term of two years, two members shall serve a term of three years, and two members shall each serve a term of four years.

(b) On and after August 30, 2009, the council shall consist of eleven members with the addition of the following four new members: (i) Two members who shall be either county attorneys or deputy county attorneys from counties other than Douglas County or Lancaster County; (ii) one member who is a county sheriff or a chief of police; and (iii) one member who is a certified forensic pathologist. The new members shall serve terms of four years, except that of the new members first appointed two members shall serve terms of two years and two members shall serve terms of three years.

(2) A member may be reappointed at the expiration of his or her term. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The council shall select one of its members as chairperson. The Governor shall make the appointments under this section within ninety days of July 19, 1980.

(3) Members of the council shall have such membership terminated if they cease to hold the office of county attorney, deputy county attorney, county commissioner or supervisor, or county sheriff or chief of police. A member of the council may be removed from the council for good cause upon written notice and upon an opportunity to be heard before the Governor. After the hearing, the Governor shall file in the office of the Secretary of State a complete statement of the charges and the findings and disposition together with a complete record of the proceedings.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 2; Laws 2009, LB671, § 2.    


23-1213.01. Guidelines to promote uniform and quality death investigations for county coroners; contents.

The council shall, with respect to ensuring quality and uniform death investigation processes throughout the state, develop guidelines to promote uniform and quality death investigations for county coroners. Such guidelines may include guidance to the county coroner in:

(1) Determining the need for autopsies involving:

(a) Deaths of individuals nineteen years of age or older;

(b) Deaths of individuals under nineteen years of age;

(c) Sudden, unexplained infant deaths;

(d) Deaths while in custody;

(e) Deaths caused by motor vehicle collisions;

(f) Deaths by burning; and

(g) Suspicious deaths;

(2) The utilization of investigative tools and equipment;

(3) Entering the death scene;

(4) Documenting and evaluating the death scene;

(5) Documenting and evaluating the body;

(6) Establishing and recording decedent profile information; and

(7) Completing the death scene investigation.

Persons investigating infant deaths and young child deaths may also refer to the recommendations adopted by the Attorney General with respect to such investigations.

Source:Laws 2009, LB671, § 3.    


23-1213.02. Network of regional officials for death investigation support services.

The council shall also:

(1) Help establish a voluntary network of regional officials including, but not limited to, law enforcement, county coroners, and medical personnel to provide death investigation support services for any location in Nebraska;

(2) Help determine the membership of such networks; and

(3) Develop, design, and provide standardized forms in both hard copy and electronic copy for use in death investigations.

Source:Laws 2009, LB671, § 4.    


23-1213.03. Coroner or deputy coroner; training; continuing education.

Every person who is elected or appointed as a coroner or deputy coroner in or for the State of Nebraska shall satisfactorily complete initial death investigation training within one year after the date of election or appointment and thereafter annually complete continuing education as determined by the council.

Source:Laws 2009, LB671, § 5.    


23-1214. Council; membership; holding other office or position; effect.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, membership on the council shall not disqualify any member from holding his or her office or position or cause the forfeiture thereof.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 3.


23-1215. Council; members; expenses.

Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but they shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incident to such service on the council as provided in sections 81-1174 to 81-1177.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 4; Laws 2020, LB381, § 17.    


23-1216. Council; continuing legal education; duties.

The council shall be responsible for establishing the annual number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children. The council shall periodically review the required number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children. The council shall develop educational criteria, formats, and program objectives to be used in the delivery of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, for county attorneys and deputy county attorneys, except that the annual number of hours spent in continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, shall not exceed thirty-six contact hours.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 5; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 2.    


23-1217. County attorney; deputy county attorney; continuing legal education required; failure to complete; effect.

Every county attorney and deputy county attorney in this state shall annually undertake and complete the required hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, as prescribed by the council under section 23-1216. Failure on the part of any county attorney or deputy county attorney to complete the required number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, may subject such county attorney or deputy county attorney to removal from office under section 23-1220.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 6; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 3.    


23-1218. Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice; continuing legal education; duties; enumerated.

The Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, after consultation with the council, shall:

(1) Establish curricula for the implementation of a mandatory continuing legal education program, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, for county attorneys and deputy county attorneys;

(2) Administer all programs of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, for county attorneys and deputy county attorneys required under sections 23-1212 to 23-1222;

(3) Evaluate the effectiveness of programs of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, required under sections 23-1212 to 23-1222;

(4) Certify the number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, completed by a county attorney and deputy county attorney as required under sections 23-1212 to 23-1222 and maintain all records relating thereto;

(5) Report to the Attorney General the names of all county attorneys and deputy county attorneys who have failed to complete the number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, as required under section 23-1217;

(6) Establish tuition and fees for all programs of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, as required under sections 23-1212 to 23-1222;

(7) Adopt and promulgate necessary rules and regulations for the effective delivery of all programs of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, for county attorneys and deputy county attorneys as required under sections 23-1212 to 23-1222;

(8) Do all things necessary to carry out the purpose of training county attorneys and deputy county attorneys as required by sections 23-1212 to 23-1222; and

(9) Receive and distribute appropriated funds to the Nebraska County Attorneys Association to develop, administer, and conduct continuing legal education seminars, prepare and publish trial manuals and other publications, and take any other measure that will enhance the investigation and prosecution of crime in this state.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 7; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 4;    Laws 2009, LB671, § 6.    


23-1219. County attorney; deputy county attorney; failure to fulfill continuing legal education requirements; commission; investigate; duties.

When it comes to the attention of the commission that a county attorney or deputy county attorney has not fulfilled the required number of hours of annual mandatory continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, required by section 23-1217, it shall investigate such failure to comply in order to determine whether or not such failure was willful or negligent. If the commission determines that the failure to comply was willful or negligent, it shall refer the matter to the Attorney General for action under section 23-1220. If the commission determines that the failure to comply was not willful or negligent, it shall permit the county attorney or deputy county attorney to make up all outstanding hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children. In doing so, the commission shall establish a deadline by which such hours must be undertaken and completed. In making up any outstanding hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children under this section, such hours shall be in addition to those hours which are annually required under section 23-1217.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 8; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 5.    


23-1220. County attorney; deputy county attorney; failure to complete continuing legal education; Attorney General; commence civil action.

Upon being advised by the commission of a failure on the part of a county attorney or deputy county attorney to complete the number of hours of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, required by section 23-1217, the Attorney General shall commence a civil action in the district court of the county in which the county attorney holds office, or in the case of a deputy county attorney in the district court of the county in which he or she is employed, seeking his or her removal from office or employment. Such action shall be brought in the name of the county. Such action shall be tried in the same manner as other civil actions under Chapter 25, except that such action shall be tried exclusively to the court without a jury.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 9; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 6.    


23-1221. County attorney; deputy county attorney; removal from office; vacancy; how filled.

If a county attorney is removed from office as a result of the action authorized under section 23-1220, such office shall be declared vacant and the county board shall fill the vacancy by appointment with a qualified candidate. If a deputy county attorney is removed from office as a result of the action authorized under section 23-1220, the vacancy may be filled pursuant to section 23-1204.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 10.


23-1222. Continuing education; tuition, fees, expenses; how paid.

Tuition, fees, and other expenses incurred by a county attorney or deputy county attorney in fulfilling the requirements of section 23-1217 shall be paid by the county. Tuition, fees, and other expenses incurred by all other persons who may attend such programs of continuing legal education, including instruction providing a working knowledge of electronic speed measurement principles and instruction on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children, shall be the responsibility of the person attending.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 790, § 11; Laws 1990, LB 1246, § 7.    


23-1223. Traveling expenses; mileage.

(1) In all cases when the county attorney has engaged in the courts of another county in any suit, application, or motion, either civil or criminal, in which the state or county is a party interested, which has been transferred by change of venue from his or her county to another county, he or she shall be allowed his or her reasonable and necessary traveling and hotel expenses while so engaged, in addition to his or her regular salary.

(2) The expenses referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be paid to him or her upon the presentation of a bill for the same, accompanied by proper vouchers, to the county board of his or her county, in like manner as provided in all other cases of claims against the county. In computing reasonable and necessary traveling expenses, the county attorney shall be allowed mileage at the rate allowed by section 81-1176, but if travel by rail or bus is economical and practical and if mileage expense may be reduced thereby, he or she shall be allowed only the actual cost of rail or bus transportation.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 40, § 5, p. 217; Laws 1899, c. 6, § 2, p. 57; Laws 1903, c. 7, § 2, p. 58; Laws 1909, c. 7, § 1, p. 63; Laws 1911, c. 7, § 1, p. 74; Laws 1913, c. 255, § 1, p. 788; R.S.1913, § 2432; Laws 1919, c. 65, § 1, p. 173; C.S.1922, § 2372; Laws 1927, c. 116, § 1, p. 325; C.S.1929, § 33-111; Laws 1933, c. 96, § 6, p. 385; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 33-111; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 18, p. 305; R.S.1943, § 33-108; Laws 1957, c. 70, § 3, p. 295; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 49;    R.S.1943, (1988), § 33-108; Laws 1989, LB 4, § 5;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 11.    


Annotations

23-1301. County clerk; office; duties; residency.

The county clerk shall keep his or her office at the county seat; shall attend the sessions of the county board; shall keep the seal, records, and papers of the board; and shall sign the record of the proceedings of the board and attest the same with the county seal. After the period of time specified by the State Records Administrator pursuant to the Records Management Act, the county clerk may transfer such record of the proceedings of the board to the State Archives of the Nebraska State Historical Society for permanent preservation.

A county clerk elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as county clerk, but a county clerk shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1879, § 73, p. 374; R.S.1913, § 5605; C.S.1922, § 4924; C.S.1929, § 26-1001; R.S.1943, § 23-1301; Laws 1973, LB 224, § 5;    Laws 1986, LB 812, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 31.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1301.01. County clerk; deputy; appointment; oath; duties.

The county clerk may appoint a deputy for whose acts he or she will be responsible. The clerk may not appoint the county treasurer, sheriff, register of deeds, or surveyor as deputy.

The appointment shall be in writing and revocable in writing by the clerk. Both the appointment and revocation shall be filed and kept in the office of the clerk.

The deputy shall take the same oath as the clerk which shall be endorsed upon and filed with the certificate of appointment. The clerk may require a bond of the deputy.

In the absence or disability of the clerk, the deputy shall perform the duties of the clerk pertaining to the office, but when the clerk is required to act in conjunction with or in place of another officer, the deputy cannot act in the clerk's place.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 821, § 3.    


23-1302. County clerk; duties.

It shall be the general duty of the county clerk:

(1) To record in a book provided for that purpose all proceedings of the board. If the county clerk or his or her deputy is unable to be present for any proceeding of the board, the county clerk may appoint a designee to record such proceedings;

(2) To make regular entries of its resolutions and decisions in all questions concerning the raising of money;

(3) To countersign all warrants issued by the board and signed by its chairperson;

(4) To preserve and file all accounts acted upon by the board, with its action thereon, and perform such special duties as are required by law. Such special duties do not include budget-making duties performed under section 23-906. In a county having a county comptroller, all accounts acted upon by the board shall remain on file in the office of such comptroller; and the county clerk shall certify to the county treasurer as of June 30 and December 31 of each year the total amount of unpaid claims of the county; and

(5) To prepare and file with the county board the annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody and possession, and to perform the duties enjoined upon him or her by sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Source:Laws 1879, § 74, p. 374; Laws 1907, c. 33, § 1, p. 166; R.S.1913, § 5606; C.S.1922, § 4925; C.S.1929, § 26-1002; Laws 1935, c. 53, § 1, p. 183; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 7, p. 147; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1002; R.S.1943, § 23-1302; Laws 2002, LB 1018, § 2;    Laws 2005, LB 762, § 1;    Laws 2021, LB105, § 1.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1303. Warrants; funds transfer systems; procedure.

(1) The county clerk shall not issue any county warrants except upon claims approved by the county board. Every warrant issued shall be numbered consecutively as allowed from July 1 to June 30, corresponding with the fiscal year of the county. The county clerk shall maintain records including the date, amount, and number of each warrant, the name of the person to whom a warrant is issued, and the date a warrant is returned as canceled. The records shall be made accessible to the public for viewing, in either an electronic or printed format.

(2)(a) The county clerk shall develop and implement a system of warrant preparation and issuance by electronic or mechanical means which is compatible with the funds transfer system established by the county treasurer pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.

(b) Warrant includes an order issued by the chairperson of the county board and countersigned by the county clerk directing that the county treasurer make payment in a specified amount to a specified payee by the use of a dual signature negotiable instrument as provided for in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, an electronic funds transfer system, a telephonic funds transfer system, funds transfers as provided in article 4A, Uniform Commercial Code, a mechanical funds transfer system, or any other funds transfer system established by the county treasurer.

(3) The chairperson of the county board shall sign each warrant or shall cause each warrant to be signed in his or her behalf either personally, by delegation of authority, or by facsimile or electronic signature. The signature of the chairperson of the county board shall signify that the payment intended by a warrant bearing such signature is proper under the appropriate laws of the state and resolutions of the county.

(4) The county clerk shall countersign all warrants issued by the chairperson of the county board either personally, by delegation of authority, or by facsimile or electronic signature.

(5) The county treasurer shall, if requested by the county clerk or the county board, establish procedures and processes for facsimile or electronic signature of warrants.

(6) The county treasurer may establish and operate an electronic funds transfer system, a telephonic funds transfer system, funds transfers as provided for in article 4A, Uniform Commercial Code, a mechanical funds transfer system, or any other funds transfer system for the payment of funds from and the deposit of receipts into the county treasury. Such system as established by the county treasurer shall employ internal control safeguards and after meeting such safeguards shall be deemed to satisfy any signature requirements. The use of an electronic funds transfer system, a telephonic funds transfer system, funds transfers as provided for in article 4A, Uniform Commercial Code, a mechanical funds transfer system, or any other funds transfer system established by the county treasurer shall not create any rights that would not have been created had an order, drawn by the chairperson of the county board upon the county treasurer directing the latter to pay a specified amount to a specified payee by the use of a dual signature negotiable instrument as provided for in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, been used as the payment medium.

Source:Laws 1879, § 75, p. 374; R.S.1913, § 5607; C.S.1922, § 4926; C.S.1929, § 26-1003; R.S.1943, § 23-1303; Laws 1947, c. 74, § 1, p. 235; Laws 1999, LB 86, § 13.    


Annotations

23-1304. Official bonds; record; duty to keep.

The county clerk shall keep a book in which shall be entered in alphabetical order, by name of the principal, a minute of all official bonds filed in the county clerk's office, giving the name of the office, amount and date of bond, names of sureties, and date of filing, with proper reference to the book and page where the same is recorded.

Source:Laws 1879, § 76, p. 375; R.S.1913, § 5608; C.S.1922, § 4927; C.S.1929, § 26-1004; R.S.1943, § 23-1304; Laws 2018, LB786, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1305. Road record; duty to keep.

It shall be the duty of the county clerk to record in a proper book, to be called the Road Record, a record of the proceedings in regard to laying out and establishing, changing or discontinuing roads in the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 77, p. 375; R.S.1913, § 5609; C.S.1922, § 4928; C.S.1929, § 26-1005; R.S.1943, § 23-1305.


23-1306. County officers; signatures and seals; duty to report to Secretary of State.

It shall be the duty of the county clerk to report to the Secretary of State, on or before the first day of February of each year, the names of all the county officers with their official signatures and seals of their respective offices. When any change is made in the incumbent of any county office, the change shall be forthwith reported by the county clerk to the Secretary of State, who shall preserve and record such lists with changes subsequently made therein.

Source:Laws 1879, § 90, p. 379; R.S.1913, § 5610; C.S.1922, § 4929; C.S.1929, § 26-1006; R.S.1943, § 23-1306; Laws 1955, c. 76, § 1, p. 230.


23-1307. County clerks; election commissioners; deputies; oaths; acknowledgments.

All county clerks and election commissioners and their deputies shall have authority to administer oaths and affirmations in all cases where oaths and affirmations are required and to take acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, and all other instruments in writing, attesting to such with the county seal.

Source:Laws 1883, c. 19, § 1, p. 181; R.S.1913, § 5611; C.S.1922, § 4930; C.S.1929, § 26-1007; R.S.1943, § 23-1307; Laws 2012, LB398, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1308. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 339, § 1.

23-1309. Veterans discharge record; duty to keep; information; confidential.

It shall be the duty of the county clerk in each county to keep in a separate book or books, entitled Discharge Record, a copy of all discharges or records of separation from active duty from the armed forces of the United States. Information contained in the Discharge Record shall be confidential and made available only to the veteran, county veterans service officer, or post service officer of a recognized veterans organization.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 123, § 1, p. 533; C.S.1922, § 4935; C.S.1929, § 26-1012; R.S.1943, § 23-1309; Laws 1945, c. 50, § 1, p. 234; Laws 1953, c. 60, § 1, p. 198; Laws 1969, c. 166, § 1, p. 742; Laws 2005, LB 54, § 4.    


23-1310. Veterans discharge or record of separation; registration upon application.

Any person residing in Nebraska or who entered the service from Nebraska and who served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States may apply for registration of his or her discharge or record of separation in the office of the county clerk where such person resides. No fee shall be charged for recording such discharge or record of separation.

Source:Laws 1921, c. 123, § 2, p. 533; C.S.1922, § 4936; C.S.1929, § 26-1013; R.S.1943, § 23-1310; Laws 1953, c. 60, § 2, p. 199; Laws 2005, LB 54, § 5.    


23-1311. Instruments; signatures; illegible; refusal to file.

The name or names of each signer of an instrument presented for filing or recording in the office of the county clerk or register of deeds, including the name of any notary or official taking the acknowledgment, shall be typewritten or legibly printed beneath such signature. The county clerk or register of deeds may refuse to accept and file any instrument failing to meet the requirements of this section, except that if the county clerk or register of deeds determines that all signatures on the instrument are legible, the county clerk or register of deeds shall not refuse to file the instrument.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 90, § 1, p. 400; Laws 2018, LB786, § 2.    


23-1312. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-1313. Name of farm, ranch, or home; registration.

The owner of any farm, ranch, or home may, upon the payment of one dollar to the county clerk of the county in which such farm, ranch, or home is located, have the name of the farm, ranch, or home duly recorded in a register to be kept by the county clerk for that purpose and may receive a certificate, under the seal of such office, setting forth the name of the farm, ranch, or home, its description by the United States survey, and the name of the owner. When any name of a farm, ranch, or home has been so recorded, such name shall not be recorded as the name of any other farm, ranch, or home in the same county unless plain designating words are prefixed, affixed, or both prefixed and affixed to the name. Upon the recording of a certified transfer of a name by the owner of the farm, ranch, or home, the certified transfer shall be made an additional part of the records so kept.

Source:Laws 1911, c. 84, § 1, p. 338; R.S.1913, § 3093; C.S.1922, § 2833; C.S.1929, § 40-118; R.S.1943, § 40-118; R.S.1943, (1988), § 40-118; Laws 1989, LB 12, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1996), § 61-105.


23-1401. County comptroller; qualifications; duties.

In any county in which a city of the metropolitan class is located, there is hereby created the office of county comptroller for such county, and the county clerk of such county shall be the ex officio county comptroller for the county. The county comptroller shall act as the general accountant and fiscal agent of the county and shall exercise a general supervision over all officers of the county charged in any manner with the receipt, collection, or disbursement of the county revenue. The county comptroller shall be a competent bookkeeper and accountant, and it shall be his or her duty to keep a complete set of books in which, among other things, the amount of the appropriation that has been made on the fund that has been expended on account of such appropriation fund shall be stated. It shall be the duty of the county comptroller to audit all claims filed against the county and prepare a report thereon to the county board of such county. The county comptroller shall also keep accurate and separate accounts between the county and officers of the county, and between the county and all contractors or other persons doing work or furnishing material for the county. The county comptroller shall also examine and check the reports of all officers of the county. The county comptroller shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody or possession, as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 181, § 1, p. 369; C.S.1922, § 4937; C.S.1929, § 26-1101; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 12, p. 152; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1101; R.S.1943, § 23-1401; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 7, p. 201; Laws 1991, LB 798, § 6; Laws 2010, LB475, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1402. Treasurer's account; how kept.

The county comptroller shall keep a distinct account with the county treasurer for each several term for which the county treasurer may be elected, in a book to be provided for that purpose, commencing from the day on which the county treasurer became qualified, and continuing until the same or other person is qualified as county treasurer. In this account, the county comptroller shall charge the county treasurer with the amount of taxes levied and assessed in each year, as the same appears on each tax list, delivered to the county comptroller while in office; with the amount of money and with the amount of state, county, and general fund warrants, road orders, or other evidences of indebtedness, which the county treasurer may have been authorized to receive from the predecessors in the office; with the amount of any additional assessments made after the delivery of any tax list, with the amount of any additional penalty added to the taxes, after the same became delinquent according to law; with the amount due the county for advertising lands for sale for delinquent taxes; with the amount received from the sale of any property, belonging to the county; with the amount received as fines and forfeitures; with the amount received from dram shop, tavern, grocery, and other licenses; and with the amount of money received from any other source authorized by law. Upon presentation of proper vouchers, the county comptroller shall credit the county treasurer with the amount of all county tax which has been paid over to the proper authority and receipted for; with the amount of county warrants received by the county treasurer, and returned to the county board and canceled; with the amount of delinquent taxes and any additional penalty due thereon; with the amount due on lands and lots for advertising the same for sale; with the amount of double and erroneous assessments of property; with the amount of percentage fees allowed by law to the county treasurer for collecting taxes; with the amount of money and the amount of warrants or orders or other evidences of indebtedness which the county treasurer is allowed by law to receive for taxes, which the county treasurer pays over to the successor in the office; and with the amount of taxes uncollected on the tax lists delivered over to the successor in the office.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 181, § 2, p. 369; C.S.1922, § 4938; C.S.1929, § 26-1102; R.S.1943, § 23-1402; Laws 2018, LB786, § 3.    


23-1403. Record of claims; assistants; appointment; absence or disability; power of deputy.

The county comptroller shall perform such other duties as may be required by law. The county comptroller shall keep a record of all claims filed against the county, and the claims themselves the county comptroller shall keep on file in the office. The county comptroller is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint the necessary help to be paid by the county, but for whose acts and doings the county comptroller shall be responsible. During the absence of or disability to act as the county comptroller, the deputy is hereby authorized to do and perform any and all acts that might by the county comptroller be done and performed if present.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 181, § 3, p. 370; C.S.1922, § 4939; C.S.1929, § 26-1103; R.S.1943, § 23-1403; Laws 2018, LB786, § 4.    


23-1404. Powers; limitation.

All duties given and delegated to the county comptroller, which are performed or exercised by other county officials of such county, are hereby expressly taken from such county officials and made the special duty and obligation of the county comptroller; Provided, that no duty required to be performed or power exercised shall be taken from any county official which shall be necessary for the proper performance of any duty required by law of such official which is not hereby made the special duty of the county comptroller.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 181, § 4, p. 370; C.S.1922, § 4940; C.S.1929, § 26-1104; R.S.1943, § 23-1404.


23-1405. Salary; determination.

In counties having a county comptroller, as provided for in section 23-1401, such comptroller may receive a salary as determined by the county board.

Source:Laws 1917, c. 167, § 1, p. 376; C.S.1922, § 4941; C.S.1929, § 26-1105; R.S.1943, § 23-1405; Laws 1991, LB 798, § 7; Laws 1995, LB 729, § 1.    


23-1406. Repealed. Laws 1951, c. 52, § 1.

23-1407. County comptroller; office; equipment.

In all counties having a county comptroller, the county board shall provide suitable office room, fireproof vaults of sufficient capacity, necessary books, blanks, stationery, clerks, and office furniture for the use of said county comptroller.

Source:Laws 1907, c. 38, § 1, p. 174; R.S.1913, § 1107; C.S.1922, § 1041; C.S.1929, § 26-735; R.S.1943, § 23-1407.


23-1501. Register of deeds; office, equipment, and supplies; residency.

In each county that has a register of deeds, the county board shall provide suitable office room, fireproof vaults of sufficient capacity, and necessary books, blanks, stationery, and office furniture for the use of the register of deeds.

A register of deeds elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as register of deeds, but a register of deeds shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1887, c. 30, § 2, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 5616; C.S.1922, § 4943; C.S.1929, § 26-1201; R.S.1943, § 23-1501; Laws 1986, LB 812, § 4;    Laws 1989, LB 24, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 32.    


23-1501.01. Register of deeds; deputy; appointment; oath; duties.

When authorized by the county board, the register of deeds may appoint one or more deputies for whose acts he or she will be responsible. The register of deeds may not appoint the county treasurer, sheriff, clerk, or surveyor as deputy.

The appointment shall be in writing and revocable in writing by the register of deeds. Both the appointment and revocation shall be filed and kept in the office of the county clerk.

The deputy shall take the same oath as the register of deeds which shall be endorsed upon and filed with the certificate of appointment. The register of deeds may require a bond of the deputy.

In the absence or disability of the register of deeds, the deputy shall perform the duties of the register of deeds pertaining to the office, but when the register of deeds is required to act in conjunction with or in place of another officer, the deputy cannot act in the place of the register of deeds.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 821, § 5.    


23-1502. County clerk ex officio register of deeds, when.

Unless a register of deeds is elected pursuant to section 32-518, the county clerk shall perform all the duties imposed by law upon the register of deeds and shall be ex officio register of deeds.

Source:Laws 1887, c. 30, § 3, p. 364; R.S.1913, § 5617; C.S.1922, § 4944; C.S.1929, § 26-1202; R.S.1943, § 23-1502; Laws 1989, LB 24, § 2;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 542.    


23-1503 Image
23-1503. Record of instruments; form.

The register of deeds shall keep a book or computerized system, as provided by section 23-1517.02, in which every instrument filed for record in his or her office shall be entered at the time of filing the same. Such books or computerized systems shall show the final disposition of such instrument and, if in book form, be as nearly as practicable in the following form:

Where Recorded Date of Delivery The
Grantor Character Book Page Month Day Year Party
Grantee of To
Instrument Whom
Delivered

Source:Laws 1887, c. 30, § 4, p. 365; R.S.1913, § 5618; C.S.1922, § 4945; C.S.1929, § 26-1203; R.S.1943, § 23-1503; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 3.    


23-1503.01. Instrument submitted for recording; requirements.

(1) Any instrument submitted for recording in the office of the register of deeds shall contain a blank space at the top of the first page which is at least three inches by eight and one-half inches in size for recording information required by section 23-1510 by the register of deeds. If this space or the information required by such section is not provided, the register of deeds may add a page or use the back side of an existing page and charge for the page a fee established by section 33-109 for the recording of an instrument. No attachment or affirmation shall be used in any way to cover any information or printed material on the instrument.

(2) Printed forms primarily intended to be used for recordation purposes shall have a one-inch margin on the two vertical sides and a one-inch margin on the bottom of the page. Nonessential information such as page numbers or customer notations may be placed within the side and bottom margins.

(3) All instruments submitted for recording shall measure at least eight and one-half inches by eleven inches and not larger than eight and one-half inches by fourteen inches. The instrument shall be printed, typewritten, or computer-generated in black ink on a white background if submitted electronically or on white paper of not less than twenty-pound weight without watermarks or other visible inclusions. The instrument shall be sufficiently legible to allow for a readable copy to be reproduced using the method of reproduction used by the register of deeds. A font size of at least eight points shall be presumed to be sufficiently legible. Each signature on an instrument shall be in black or dark blue ink and of sufficient color and clarity to ensure that the signature is readable when the instrument is reproduced. The signature may be a digital signature or an electronic signature. The name of each party to the instrument shall be typed, printed, or stamped beneath the original signature. An embossed or inked stamp shall not cover or otherwise materially interfere with any part of the instrument.

(4) This section does not apply to:

(a) Instruments signed before August 27, 2011;

(b) Instruments executed outside of the United States;

(c) Certified copies of instruments issued by governmental agencies, including vital records;

(d) Instruments signed by an original party who is incapacitated or deceased at the time the instruments are presented for recording;

(e) Instruments formatted to meet court requirements;

(f) Federal and state tax liens;

(g) Forms prescribed by the Uniform Commercial Code; and

(h) Plats, surveys, or drawings related to plats or surveys.

(5) The changes made to this section by Laws 2011, LB254, do not affect the duty of a register of deeds to file an instrument presented for recordation as set forth in sections 23-1506 and 76-237.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 1153, § 52;    Laws 1995, LB 288, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB254, § 1;    Laws 2017, LB535, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB186, § 19.    


23-1504. Seal; when required; certified copies.

The register of deeds shall have and keep an official seal, which may be either an engraved or ink stamp seal, and which shall have included thereon the name of the county, register of deeds, and the word Nebraska, and he shall attach an impression or representation of said seal to every certificate made by him except such as are required to be endorsed upon instruments filed in his office for record. Copies of any record in his office, certified under his hand and said official seal, shall be receivable in evidence in all respects in the same manner as the original records.

Source:Laws 1887, c. 30, § 31, p. 377; R.S.1913, § 5619; C.S.1922, § 4946; C.S.1929, § 26-1204; R.S.1943, § 23-1504; Laws 1971, LB 653, § 3.    


23-1505. Acknowledgments; oaths; power to administer.

The register of deeds shall have power to take acknowledgments and administer oaths and to certify the same under his or her hand and official seal.

Source:Laws 1887, c. 30, § 32, p. 377; R.S.1913, § 5620; C.S.1922, § 4947; C.S.1929, § 26-1205; R.S.1943, § 23-1505; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 4.    


Annotations

23-1506. Documents; deeds and conveyances; recording; errors; inventory statement; duty to file; exceptions.

The register of deeds shall have the custody of and safely keep and preserve all books, records, maps, and papers kept or deposited in his or her office. He or she shall also record or cause to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, instruments, and writings presented to him or her for recording and left with him or her for that purpose. Plats and subdivisions are not authorized to be recorded if such plat or subdivision has not been approved by the city council, the village board of trustees, the agent of a city of the first or second class or of a village designated pursuant to section 19-916, or the governing body of the county, whichever is appropriate. When such deeds, mortgages, instruments, and writings are so recorded, it shall be the duty of the register of deeds to proofread or cause to be proofread such records. If an error should occur in recording any of the writings mentioned in this section thereby necessitating the rerecording of same, the expense thus incurred shall be paid out of the general fund of the county in the same way as any other claim, and the amount so paid shall be collected from the official responsible for the error or from his or her official bond. The register of deeds shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody or possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 3, p. 221; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 5, p. 365; Laws 1893, c. 14, § 1, p. 147; R.S.1913, § 5621; C.S.1922, § 4948; C.S.1929, § 26-1206; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 13, p. 153; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1206; R.S.1943, § 23-1506; Laws 1973, LB 241, § 1;    Laws 1982, LB 418, § 1; Laws 1983, LB 71, § 13;    Laws 1984, LB 679, § 4.    


23-1507. Violations; penalty.

Any register of deeds who shall neglect to perform any of the duties described in section 23-1506 shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 14, § 2, p. 147; R.S.1913, § 5622; C.S.1922, § 4949; C.S.1929, § 26-1207; R.S.1943, § 23-1507; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 96.    


23-1508 Image
23-1508. Grantor and grantee index.

The register of deeds shall keep a grantor and a grantee index of deeds in his or her office. If such index is in book form, the pages shall be divided into eight columns as follows:

GRANTOR INDEX GRANTEE INDEX
Grantors Grantees
Grantees Grantors
Date of Filing Date of Filing
Date of Instrument Date of Instrument
Character of Instrument Character of Instrument
Book Book
Page Page
Description of Tract Description of Tract

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 4, p. 221; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 6, p. 365; R.S.1913, § 5623; C.S.1922, § 4950; C.S.1929, § 26-1208; R.S.1943, § 23-1508; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 5.    


Annotations

23-1509. Grantor and grantee index; entries; form.

The entries in such index shall be double, the one showing the names of the respective grantors arranged in alphabetical order, and the other those of the grantees in like order. When there are two or more grantors having different surnames there must be as many distinct entries among the grantors as there are names, being alphabetically arranged in regard to each of such names. The same rule shall be followed in case of several grantees.

Source:Laws 1879, § 80, p. 376; R.S.1913, § 5624; C.S.1922, § 4951; C.S.1929, § 26-1209; R.S.1943, § 23-1509.


Annotations

23-1510. Instruments; endorsement, recording, and indexing; required information.

(1) The register of deeds shall endorse upon every instrument properly filed in his or her office for recording the minute, hour, day, month, and year when it was so filed and shall forthwith enter the same in the proper indices provided for in sections 23-1508 to 23-1517.02.

(2) Every instrument presented for recording shall have, on the first page below the three-inch margin prescribed in section 23-1503.01, the following information:

(a) A return address; and

(b) The title of the instrument.

(3) After the instrument has been recorded, the book and page or computer system reference where it may be found shall be endorsed thereon.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 5, p. 222; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 7, p. 366; R.S.1913, § 5625; C.S.1922, § 4952; C.S.1929, § 26-1210; R.S.1943, § 23-1510; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 6;    Laws 2011, LB254, § 3.    


Annotations

23-1511. Deed record; mortgage record; duty to keep.

In counties where the book form of recording instruments is used, different sets of books shall be provided for the recording of deeds and mortgages. In one of the sets all conveyances absolute in their terms and not intended as mortgages or as securities in the nature of mortgages shall be recorded, and in the other set such mortgages and securities shall be recorded.

Source:Laws 1879, § 81, p. 376; R.S.1913, § 5626; C.S.1922, § 4953; C.S.1929, § 26-1211; R.S.1943, § 23-1511; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 7.    


Annotations

23-1512. Construction Lien Record.

In counties where the book form of recording instruments is used, the register of deeds shall also keep a separate book to be called the Construction Lien Record in which all instruments provided by law for securing construction liens shall be recorded.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 6, p. 222; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 8, p. 366; R.S.1913, § 5627; C.S.1922, § 4954; C.S.1929, § 26-1212; R.S.1943, § 23-1512; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 8.    


23-1513 Image
23-1513. Numerical index.

The register of deeds shall keep a numerical index. If the book form of recording is used, such index shall be as nearly as practicable in the following form:

Numerical Index
Section Township

N.E. 1/4 N.W. 1/4
Grantee
Grantor
Kind of Instrument

County, Nebraska
Range

S.W. 1/4 S.E. 1/4
Acres
Book
Page
Remarks

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 7, p. 222; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 9, p. 366; R.S.1913, § 5628; C.S.1922, § 4955; C.S.1929, § 26-1213; R.S.1943, § 23-1513; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 9.    


Annotations

23-1514. Numerical index; entries.

It shall be the duty of the register of deeds on receiving any conveyance or instrument affecting realty, including construction liens, to cause such conveyance or instrument to be entered upon the numerical index immediately after filing if such conveyance or instrument contains or has an exhibit attached containing the full legal description of the realty affected. Instruments purporting to release, assign, or amend a conveyance or instrument previously recorded shall contain the book and page number or microfilm or computer reference of the previously recorded instrument and a full legal description of the realty affected.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 8, p. 223; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 10, p. 367; R.S.1913, p. 5629; C.S.1922, § 4956; C.S.1929, § 26-1214; R.S.1943, § 23-1514; Laws 1990, LB 1153, § 53.    


Annotations

23-1515. Numerical index; instrument; certificate of entry.

After such instrument has been so indexed the register of deeds shall endorse on said instrument a certificate showing that the same has been indexed as herein required, and shall thereafter record said instrument as provided by law.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 9, p. 223; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 11, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 5630; C.S.1922, § 4957; C.S.1929, § 26-1215; R.S.1943, § 23-1515.


Annotations

23-1516. Miscellaneous Record.

The register of deeds, if using the book form of recording, shall keep a separate book to be called the Miscellaneous Record in which all instruments and writings not entitled to be recorded in any of the books herein provided for shall be recorded.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 10, p. 224; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 12, p. 367; R.S.1913, § 5631; C.S.1922, § 4958; C.S.1929, § 26-1216; R.S.1943, § 23-1516; Laws 1984, LB 679, § 10.    


23-1517. Records; other indices.

The register of deeds shall keep indices showing all mortgages, including documents provided for in subdivision (a)(1) of section 9-501, Uniform Commercial Code, and discharges thereof left for record, and entitled to be recorded, in the same form as is required for deeds. He or she shall also keep a separate index to the volumes of construction lien records and to the volumes of miscellaneous records.

Source:Laws 1885, c. 41, § 11, p. 224; Laws 1887, c. 30, § 13, p. 368; R.S.1913, § 5632; C.S.1922, § 4959; C.S.1929, § 26-1217; R.S.1943, § 23-1517; Laws 1969, c. 167, § 1, p. 743; Laws 1999, LB 550, § 1.    


23-1517.01. Records; microfilm; requirements.

The recording of all instruments by the roll form of microfilm may be substituted for the method of recording instruments in books, and the filing of all documents by the roll form of microfilm may be substituted for the method of filing original documents. If this method of recording instruments on microfilm or filing documents on microfilm is used, the original instruments so recorded and the original documents so filed need not be retained after the microfilm has been verified for accuracy and quality, and a security copy on silver negative microfilm in roll form must be maintained and filed off premises under safe conditions to insure the protection of the records and shall meet the microfilm standards as prescribed by the State Records Administrator as provided in sections 84-1201 to 84-1220. The fee books shall provide the proper index information as to the microfilm roll and numerical sequence of all such recorded instruments and of all such filed documents. The internal reference copies or work copies of the instruments recorded on microfilm and of documents filed on microfilm may be in any photographic form to provide the necessary information as may be determined by the official in charge.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 167, § 2, p. 743; Laws 1973, LB 224, § 7.    


23-1517.02. Records; computerized system of indexing; authorized.

(1) The register of deeds may use a computerized system of indexing for deeds and conveyances, mortgages, the Construction Lien Record index, the Miscellaneous Record index, the federal lien index, the fee book, and all other supplemental indices that may be contained in such office and may combine such indices into one Land Record index. If a computerized system of indexing is used, the register of deeds may maintain a printout of all records stored in the computer system and shall have a security backup system for data and other programs in an electronic medium which shall be stored in a secure location. If maintained, the printout shall consist of a record of fees, a numerical tract index, and an alphabetical general index.

(2) In counties which do not use the computerized system provided in subsection (1) of this section, the register of deeds shall use the separate book or microfilm form of recording instruments as required prior to July 10, 1984.

Source:Laws 1984, LB 679, § 1;    Laws 1988, LB 933, § 1;    Laws 1998, LB 33, § 1.    


23-1518. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 107, § 1.

23-1519. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 107, § 1.

23-1520. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 107, § 1.

23-1521. Repealed. Laws 1965, c. 107, § 1.

23-1522. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 433, § 10.

23-1523. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 433, § 10.

23-1524. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 433, § 10.

23-1525. Repealed. Laws 1969, c. 433, § 10.

23-1526. Repealed. Laws 1989, LB 5, § 7.

23-1527. Bankruptcy proceedings; recording; fee.

A certified copy of a petition, with schedules omitted, commencing a proceeding under the laws of the United States relating to bankruptcy or a certified copy of the decree of adjudication or a certified copy of an order approving the bond of the trustee appointed in such proceedings shall be filed, indexed, and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which is located real property in which the bankrupt has an interest in the same manner as federal liens are filed, indexed, and recorded pursuant to the Uniform Federal Lien Registration Act. The filing fee for such recording shall be the same as the fee for filing and recording as set forth in section 9-525, Uniform Commercial Code. The register of deeds shall file the notices in a file kept for such purpose and designated Notice of Bankruptcy Proceedings, except that in offices filing by the roll form of microfilm pursuant to section 23-1517.01, the original notices need not be retained.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 450, § 1, p. 1422; Laws 1969, c. 433, § 8, p. 1459; Laws 1973, LB 224, § 8;    Laws 1988, LB 933, § 2;    Laws 1999, LB 550, § 2.    


Cross References

23-1528. Printed form; noncompliance; effect.

Any printed form accepted for recordation that does not comply with sections 23-1503 to 23-1527 shall not affect the validity of or the notice otherwise given by the recording.

Source:Laws 2011, LB254, § 2.    


23-1601. County treasurer; general duties; continuing education; requirements.

(1) It is the duty of the county treasurer to receive all money belonging to the county, from whatsoever source derived and by any method of payment provided by section 77-1702, and all other money which is by law directed to be paid to him or her. All money received by the county treasurer for the use of the county shall be paid out by him or her only on warrants issued by the county board according to law, except when special provision for payment of county money is otherwise made by law.

(2) The county treasurer shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody or possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

(3) The county treasurer, at the direction of the city or village, shall invest the bond fund money collected for each city or village located within each county. The bond fund money shall be invested by the county treasurer and any investment income shall accrue to the bond fund. The county treasurer shall notify the city or village when the bonds have been retired.

(4)(a) On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the county treasurer (i) shall pay to each city, village, school district, educational service unit, county agricultural society, rural or suburban fire protection district, and township located within the county the amount of all funds collected or received for the city, village, school district, educational service unit, county agricultural society, rural or suburban fire protection district, and township the previous calendar month, including bond fund money when requested by any city of the first class under section 16-731, and (ii) on forms provided by the Auditor of Public Accounts, shall include with the payment a statement indicating the source of all such funds received or collected and an accounting of any expense incurred in the collection of ad valorem taxes, except that the Auditor of Public Accounts shall, upon request of a county, approve the use and reproduction of a county's general ledger or other existing forms if such ledger or other forms clearly indicate the sources of all funds received or collected and an accounting of any expenses incurred in the collection of ad valorem taxes.

(b) If all such funds received or collected are less than twenty-five dollars, the county treasurer may hold such funds until such time as they are equal to or exceed twenty-five dollars. In no case shall such funds be held by the county treasurer longer than six months.

(c) If a school district treasurer has not filed an official bond pursuant to section 11-107 or evidence of equivalent insurance coverage, the county treasurer may hold funds collected or received for the school district until such time as the bond or evidence of equivalent insurance coverage has been filed.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section, the county treasurer of any county in which a city of the metropolitan class or a Class V school district is located shall pay to the city of the metropolitan class and to the Class V school district on a weekly basis the amount of all current year funds as they become available for the city or the school district.

(6) The county treasurer shall annually complete continuing education through a program approved by the Auditor of Public Accounts, and proof of completion of such program shall be submitted to the Auditor of Public Accounts.

Source:Laws 1879, § 91, p. 379; R.S.1913, § 5637; C.S.1922, § 4964; C.S.1929, § 26-1301; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 14, p. 153; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1301; R.S.1943, § 23-1601; Laws 1978, LB 847, § 1;    Laws 1983, LB 391, § 1;    Laws 1995, LB 122, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 604, § 2;    Laws 1997, LB 70, § 1;    Laws 1997, LB 85, § 1;    Laws 1999, LB 287, § 1;    Laws 2007, LB334, § 3;    Laws 2012, LB823, § 2;    Laws 2020, LB781, § 6;    Laws 2021, LB41, § 2.    


Annotations

23-1601.01. Residency requirement.

A county treasurer elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as county treasurer, but a county treasurer shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 812, § 5;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 33.    


23-1601.02. County treasurer; deputy; appointment; oath; duties.

The county treasurer may appoint a deputy for whose acts he or she will be responsible. The treasurer may not appoint the county clerk, sheriff, register of deeds, or surveyor as deputy.

The appointment shall be in writing and revocable in writing by the treasurer. Both the appointment and revocation shall be filed and kept in the office of the county clerk.

The deputy shall take the same oath as the treasurer which shall be endorsed upon and filed with the certificate of appointment. The treasurer may require a bond of the deputy.

In the absence or disability of the treasurer, the deputy shall perform the duties of the treasurer pertaining to the office, but when the treasurer is required to act in conjunction with or in place of another officer, the deputy cannot act in the treasurer's place.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 821, § 6.    


23-1602. Warrants; nonpayment for want of funds; endorsement; interest.

All warrants issued by the county board shall, upon being presented for payment, if there are not sufficient funds in the treasury to pay the same, be endorsed by the county treasurer not paid for want of funds, and the county treasurer shall also endorse thereon the date of such presentation and sign his or her name thereto. Warrants so endorsed shall draw interest from the date of such endorsement, at the rate to be fixed by the county board at the time of issuance and inserted in the warrant. No account or claim whatsoever against a county, which has been allowed by the county board, shall draw interest until a warrant has been drawn in payment thereof and endorsed as provided in this section.

Source:Laws 1879, § 92, p. 379; R.S.1913, § 5638; C.S.1922, § 4965; C.S.1929, § 26-1302; R.S.1943, § 23-1602; Laws 1947, c. 171, § 1, p. 518; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 87, p. 329; Laws 2018, LB786, § 5.    


Annotations

23-1603. Violations; penalty.

If any county treasurer neglects or refuses to render any account or settlement required by law, fails or neglects to account for any balance due the state, county, township, school district, or any other municipal subdivision, or is guilty of any other misconduct in office, the county board may forthwith remove the county treasurer from office, and appoint some suitable person to perform the duties of the county treasurer until a successor is elected or appointed and qualified.

Source:Laws 1879, § 94, p. 380; R.S.1913, § 5640; C.S.1922, § 4967; C.S.1929, § 26-1304; R.S.1943, § 23-1603; Laws 2018, LB786, § 6.    


Annotations

23-1604. Repealed. Laws 1978, LB 650, § 40.

23-1605. Semiannual statement; publication.

(1)(a) During the months of January and July of each year, the county treasurer shall cause a tabulated statement of the affairs of the county treasurer's office to be published in a legal newspaper published in the county. In counties having more than two hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, the statement shall be published in a daily legal newspaper published in the county.

(b) If no legal newspaper is published in the county, the statement shall be published in a legal newspaper of general circulation within the county.

(c) The county shall pay the newspaper reasonable compensation for the publication of such statement.

(d) The statement shall show the receipts and disbursements of the county treasurer's office for the last preceding six months ending June 30 and December 31, including (i) the amount of money received and for what fund category, (ii) the amount of disbursements and from what fund category, (iii) the ending fund balance in each fund category, (iv) the amount of outstanding warrants or orders registered and unpaid, (v) the total balance, and (vi) the total amount of unpaid claims of the county as of June 30 and December 31 of each year, as certified to the county treasurer by the county clerk.

(2) The county treasurer may also publish the statement on a website maintained by the county.

(3) If a newspaper cannot publish the statement in a timely manner, publication on a county's website shall be considered compliance with subsection (1) of this section.

Source:Laws 1883, c. 21, § 1, p. 182; Laws 1901, c. 23, § 1, p. 329; R.S.1913, § 5642; C.S.1922, § 4969; C.S.1929, § 26-1306; R.S.1943, § 23-1605; Laws 1967, c. 131, § 1, p. 415; Laws 1974, LB 937, § 1;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 7;    Laws 2020, LB781, § 7.    


23-1606. Repealed. Laws 2020, LB781, § 12.

23-1607. Repealed. Laws 2020, LB781, § 12.

23-1608. County officers; audit required; cost; audit report; irregularities; how treated.

(1) Each county board shall cause an examination and a complete and comprehensive annual audit to be made of the books, accounts, records, and affairs of all county officers in the county. The audits shall be conducted annually, except that the Auditor of Public Accounts may determine an audit of less frequency to be appropriate but not less than once in any three-year period. Each county board may contract with the Auditor of Public Accounts or select a licensed public accountant or certified public accountant or firm of such accountants to conduct the examination and audit and shall be responsible for the cost of the audit pursuant to the contract. An original copy of the audit report shall be filed in the office of the county clerk and in the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts within twelve months after the end of each fiscal year.

(2) The county board shall cause to be published in the same manner as the proceedings of the county board a brief statement disclosing the conclusion of the examination and audit and that such audit report is on file with the county clerk.

(3) At the same time a copy of the audit report is filed in the office of the county clerk, the auditor conducting the examination shall send written notice to the county board and the county attorney of the county concerned, the Auditor of Public Accounts, and the Attorney General of any irregularity or violation of any law disclosed by the audit report. It shall be the duty of the county attorney, within thirty days of the receipt of such notice, to institute appropriate proceedings against the offending officer or officers.

(4) If the county attorney fails to comply with the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to institute such proceedings against the offending officer or officers and he or she shall also institute proceedings for the removal of the county attorney from office. When notice is received of any irregularity or violation of any law in the office of the county attorney, it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to institute appropriate proceedings against the county attorney within thirty days after the giving of such notice if the county attorney has failed to institute such proceedings.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 15, § 1, p. 148; R.S.1913, § 5645; Laws 1919, c. 73, § 1, p. 190; Laws 1919, c. 76, § 1, p. 196; C.S.1922, § 4972; C.S.1929, § 26-1309; Laws 1937, c. 57, § 1, p. 231; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1309; R.S.1943, § 23-1608; Laws 1945, c. 52, § 1, p. 236; Laws 1974, LB 280, § 1;    Laws 1985, Second Spec. Sess., LB 29, § 2;    Laws 1987, LB 183, § 4;    Laws 2000, LB 692, § 6.    


Annotations

23-1609. Audit; requirements.

Such examination and audit shall be conducted in conformity with generally accepted auditing standards applied on a consistent basis and shall develop the county's financial condition, the condition of each county fund, and the disposition of all money collected or received. Such examination and audit shall be a full and complete audit of the cash receipts and disbursements and shall reflect in supplementary schedules the state of each county fund from which the respective claims are payable.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 15, § 2, p. 148; R.S.1913, § 5646; C.S.1922, § 4973; C.S.1929, § 26-1310; Laws 1937, c. 57, § 2, p. 232; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1310; R.S.1943, § 23-1609; Laws 1979, LB 414, § 2;    Laws 2000, LB 692, § 7.    


23-1610. Repealed. Laws 2000, LB 692, § 13.

23-1611. County officers; uniform system of accounting; duty of Auditor of Public Accounts; individual ledger sheets; approval.

The Auditor of Public Accounts shall establish a uniform system of accounting for all county officers. The system, when established, shall be installed and used by all county officers, except that any county with a population of one hundred thousand or more inhabitants may use an accounting system that utilizes generally accepted accounting principles. With the prior approval of the Tax Commissioner, the county board of any county may direct that for all purposes of assessment of property, and for the levy and collection of all taxes and special assessments, there shall be used only individual ledger sheets or other tax records suitable for use in connection with electronic data processing equipment or other mechanical office equipment, to be used in accordance with procedures to be approved by the Tax Commissioner. To the extent practicable, the accounting system established for county officers shall be the same system established for state agencies.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 15, § 4, p. 149; R.S.1913, § 5648; Laws 1919, c. 73, § 3, p. 191; Laws 1919, c. 76, § 3, p. 197; C.S.1922, § 4975; C.S.1929, § 26-1312; Laws 1937, c. 57, § 4, p. 233; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1312; R.S.1943, § 23-1611; Laws 1967, c. 132, § 1, p. 415; Laws 1969, c. 168, § 1, p. 744; Laws 1995, LB 154, § 1; Laws 1995, LB 490, § 24;    Laws 2007, LB334, § 4.    


Annotations

23-1612. County offices; audit; refusal to exhibit records; penalty.

Every county officer, and the deputy and assistants of every county officer shall, on demand, exhibit to any examiner all books, papers, records, and accounts pertaining to the office and shall truthfully answer all questions asked by such examiner touching the affairs of the office. Any person who fails or refuses to comply with this section shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor.

Source:Laws 1893, c. 15, § 5, p. 149; R.S.1913, § 5649; Laws 1919, c. 73, § 4, p. 191; Laws 1919, c. 76, § 4, p. 197; C.S.1922, § 4976; C.S.1929, § 26-1313; R.S.1943, § 23-1612; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 97;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 8.    


23-1613. Repealed. Laws 2000, LB 692, § 13.

23-1613.01. Repealed. Laws 1959, c. 266, § 1.

23-1614. Repealed. Laws 2000, LB 692, § 13.

23-1615. Repealed. Laws 1967, c. 36, § 10.

23-1616. Cashier's bonds; amount.

In all counties in the State of Nebraska having a population of two hundred thousand or more, where clerks are employed as cashiers and as such handle public funds, said clerks shall give bond in like manner as provided for county treasurers and deputy county treasurers in said counties. The bonds shall be in such sum as the county boards of said counties may determine, and the premium of the bonds shall be paid for as is now provided for said county treasurers and deputy county treasurers.

Source:Laws 1931, c. 37, § 1, p. 130; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1317; R.S.1943, § 23-1616.


Annotations

23-1701. Sheriff; general duties; residency.

It is the duty of the sheriff to serve or otherwise execute, according to law, and return writs or other legal process issued by lawful authority and directed or committed to the sheriff and to perform such other duties as may be required by law. The county sheriff shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody or possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

A sheriff elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as sheriff, but a sheriff shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1879, § 116, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5653; C.S.1922, § 4980; C.S.1929, § 26-1401; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 15, p. 154; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1401; R.S.1943, § 23-1701; Laws 1986, LB 812, § 6;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 34.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1701.01. Candidate for sheriff; requirements; sheriff; attend Sheriff's Certification Course; exception; continuing education; violation; penalty.

(1) Any candidate for the office of sheriff who does not have a law enforcement officer certificate or diploma issued by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice shall submit with the candidate filing form required by section 32-607 a standardized letter issued by the director of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center certifying that the candidate has:

(a) Within one calendar year prior to the deadline for filing the candidate filing form, passed a background investigation performed by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center based on a check of his or her criminal history record information maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation through the Nebraska State Patrol. The candidate who has not passed a background investigation shall apply for the background investigation at least thirty days prior to the filing deadline for the candidate filing form; and

(b) Received a minimum combined score on the reading comprehension and English language portions of an adult basic education examination designated by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center.

(2) Each sheriff shall attend the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and receive a certificate attesting to satisfactory completion of the Sheriff's Certification Course within eight months after taking office unless such sheriff has already been awarded a certificate by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice attesting to satisfactory completion of such course or unless such sheriff can demonstrate to the Nebraska Police Standards Advisory Council that his or her previous training and education is such that he or she will professionally discharge the duties of the office. Any sheriff in office prior to July 19, 1980, shall not be required to obtain a certificate attesting to satisfactory completion of the Sheriff's Certification Course but shall otherwise be subject to this section.

(3) Each sheriff shall attend continuing education as provided in section 81-1414.07 each year following the first year of such sheriff's term of office.

(4) Unless a sheriff is able to show good cause for not complying with subsection (2) or (3) of this section or obtains a waiver of the training requirements from the council, any sheriff who violates subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall be punished by a fine equal to such sheriff's monthly salary. Each month in which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense.

Source:Laws 1980, LB 628, § 1; Laws 1994, LB 971, § 2;    Laws 2004, LB 75, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB817, § 1;    Laws 2020, LB924, § 2;    Laws 2021, LB51, § 1.    


23-1701.02. Arrests; keeping the peace; duties.

It shall be the duty of every sheriff to apprehend, on view or warrant, and bring to the court all felons and disturbers and violators of the criminal laws of this state, to suppress all riots, affrays, and unlawful assemblies which may come to his or her knowledge, and generally to keep the peace in his or her proper city.

Source:Laws 1929, c. 82, art. XV, § 176, p. 324; C.S.1929, § 22-1506; R.S.1943, (1979), § 26-1,177; R.S.1943, (1985), § 24-5,100; Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 13.    


23-1701.03. Sheriff; general powers and duties.

The sheriff shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed upon him or her by other statutes and by the common law.

Source:R.S.1867, Code § 892, p. 548; R.S.1913, § 8566; C.S.1922, § 9517; C.S.1929, § 20-2218; R.S.1943, (1989), § 25-2217; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 13.    


23-1701.04. Process; duty of sheriff to execute.

It shall be the duty of the sheriffs of the several counties to execute or serve all writs and process issued by any county court and to them directed and to return the same. For any neglect or refusal so to do, they may be proceeded against in the county court in the same manner as for neglect or refusal to execute or serve process issued out of the district court.

Source:G.S.1873, c. 14, § 24, p. 268; R.S.1913, § 1227; C.S.1922, § 1150; C.S.1929, § 27-519; R.S.1943, § 24-520; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 34;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 24-534; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 10.    


23-1701.05. Writs and orders; endorsement.

The sheriff shall endorse upon every summons, order of arrest, order for the delivery of property, order of attachment, or injunction the day and the hour it was received by him or her.

Source:R.S.1867, Code § 890, p. 548; R.S.1913, § 8564; C.S.1922, § 9515; C.S.1929, § 20-2216; R.S.1943, (1989), § 25-2215; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 11.    


Cross References

23-1701.06. Failure or neglect to execute process; amercement; civil liability.

The sheriff shall execute every summons, order, or other process and return the same as required by law. If the sheriff fails to do so, unless he or she makes it appear to the satisfaction of the court that he or she was prevented by inevitable accident from so doing, he or she shall be amerced by the court in a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars and shall be liable to the action of any person aggrieved by such failure.

Source:R.S.1867, Code § 891, p. 548; R.S.1913, § 8565; C.S.1922, § 9516; C.S.1929, § 20-2217; R.S.1943, (1989), § 25-2216; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 12.    


Annotations

23-1702. Violations; penalty.

The disobedience by the sheriff of the command of any such process is a contempt of the court from which it was issued, and may be punished by the same accordingly, and he is further liable to the action of any person injured thereby.

Source:Laws 1879, § 117, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5654; C.S.1922, § 4981; C.S.1929, § 26-1402; R.S.1943, § 23-1702.


Annotations

23-1703. Jailer; duty of sheriff; certain counties.

Except in counties where a county board of corrections exists and has assumed responsibility over the jail pursuant to sections 23-2801 to 23-2806, the sheriff shall have charge and custody of the jail, and the prisoners of the same, and is required to receive those lawfully committed and to keep them himself or herself, or by his or her deputy jailer, until discharged by law.

Source:Laws 1879, § 118, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5655; C.S.1922, § 4982; C.S.1929, § 26-1403; R.S.1943, § 23-1703; Laws 1979, LB 396, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1704. Assistants; power to summon.

The sheriff and his deputies are conservators of the peace, and to keep the same, to prevent crime, to arrest any person liable thereto, or to execute process of law, they may call any person to their aid; and, when necessary, the sheriff may summon the power of the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 119, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5656; C.S.1922, § 4983; C.S.1929, § 26-1404; R.S.1943, § 23-1704.


Annotations

23-1704.01. Sheriff; deputies; appointment; oath; duties.

The sheriff may appoint such number of deputies as he or she sees fit for whose acts he or she will be responsible. The sheriff may not appoint the county treasurer, clerk, register of deeds, or surveyor as deputy.

The appointment shall be in writing and revocable in writing by the sheriff. Both the appointment and revocation shall be filed and kept in the office of the county clerk.

The deputy shall take the same oath as the sheriff which shall be endorsed upon and filed with the certificate of appointment. The sheriff may require a bond of the deputy.

In the absence or disability of the sheriff, the deputy shall perform the duties of the sheriff pertaining to the office, but when the sheriff is required to act in conjunction with or in place of another officer, the deputy cannot act in the sheriff's place. No deputy shall act as constable while deputy sheriff.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 15, § 4, p. 127; R.S.1913, § 5738; C.S.1922, § 5067; Laws 1923, c. 43, § 1, p. 158; C.S.1929, § 84-804; R.S.1943, (1981), § 84-804; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 7.    


Annotations

23-1704.02. Sheriff; appoint employee.

Except when otherwise provided specifically by law for substitute service by a deputy, a sheriff may appoint an employee of his or her department to serve any summons or writ, by endorsement thereon substantially as follows: "I hereby appoint ........ to serve the within writ;" which shall be dated and signed by the sheriff.

Source:Laws 1879, § 125, p. 386; R.S.1913, § 5739; C.S.1922, § 5068; C.S.1929, § 84-805; R.S.1943, (1981), § 84-805; Laws 1987, LB 223, § 2.    


Annotations

23-1704.03. Sheriff; employee; false return of writ; penalty.

The employee referred to in section 23-1704.02 shall make return of the time and manner of serving such writ under his or her oath. For making a false return he or she shall be guilty of perjury and shall be punished accordingly.

Source:Laws 1879, § 126, p. 386; R.S.1913, § 5740; C.S.1922, § 5069; C.S.1929, § 84-806; R.S.1943, (1981), § 84-806; Laws 1987, LB 223, § 3.    


23-1704.04. Sheriff; deputies; compensation.

The county board shall furnish the sheriff with such deputies as it shall deem necessary and fix the compensation of such deputies who shall be paid by warrant drawn on the general fund.

Source:Laws 1907, c. 54, § 2, p. 228; Laws 1911, c. 50, § 1, p. 233; R.S.1913, § 2443; Laws 1917, c. 44, § 1, p. 124; Laws 1919, c. 81, § 1, p. 203; Laws 1921, c. 114, § 1, p. 396; C.S.1922, § 2383; Laws 1923, c. 83, § 1, p. 224; Laws 1927, c. 121, § 1, p. 334; C.S.1929, § 32-122; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 20, p. 306; R.S.1943, (1988), § 33-118; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 8.    


Annotations

23-1705. Court attendance; when required.

The sheriff shall attend upon the district court at its session in his or her county, shall be allowed the assistance of two deputies and of such further number as the court may direct, and shall attend the sessions of the county court when required by the judge.

Source:Laws 1879, § 120, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5657; C.S.1922, § 4984; C.S.1929, § 26-1405; R.S.1943, § 23-1705; Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 6.    


23-1706. Court; appearance as counsel prohibited.

No sheriff or his deputy or constable shall appear in any court as attorney or counselor for any party, nor make any writing or process to commence or to be in any manner used in the same, and such writing or process made by any of them shall be rejected.

Source:Laws 1879, § 121, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5658; C.S.1922, § 4985; C.S.1929, § 26-1406; R.S.1943, § 23-1706.


Cross References

23-1707. Sheriff's sales; purchases prohibited.

No sheriff or his deputy or constable shall become the purchaser, either directly or indirectly, of any property by him exposed to sale under any process of law or equity; and every such purchase is absolutely void.

Source:Laws 1879, § 122, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5659; C.S.1922, § 4986; C.S.1929, § 26-1407; R.S.1943, § 23-1707.


23-1708. Vacancy; legal process; deputy; duty.

In case of a vacancy occurring in the office of sheriff from any cause the deputy or deputies shall be under obligation to execute legal process until the vacancy is filled.

Source:Laws 1879, § 123, p. 385; R.S.1913, § 5660; C.S.1922, § 4987; C.S.1929, § 26-1408; R.S.1943, § 23-1708; Laws 1990, LB 872, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1709. Term of office; expiration; transfers to successor.

When a sheriff goes out of office he or she shall deliver to his or her successor all books and papers pertaining to the office, all property attached or levied upon, and all prisoners in jail and shall take a receipt specifying the same. The receipt shall be sufficient indemnity to the person taking it.

Source:Laws 1879, § 124, p. 386; R.S.1913, § 5661; C.S.1922, § 4988; C.S.1929, § 26-1409; R.S.1943, § 23-1709; Laws 1990, LB 872, § 2.    


23-1710. Crimes; prevention; arrest; powers and duties.

It shall be the duty of the sheriff by himself or deputy to preserve the peace in his county, to ferret out crime, to apprehend and arrest all criminals, and insofar as it is within his power, to secure evidence of all crimes committed in his county, and present the same to the county attorney and the grand jury; to file informations against all persons who he knows, or has reason to believe, have violated the laws of the state, and to perform all other duties pertaining to the office of sheriff.

Source:Laws 1917, c. 231, § 1, p. 567; C.S.1922, § 4989; C.S.1929, § 26-1410; R.S.1943, § 23-1710.


Annotations

23-1711. Special investigations; when authorized; report; expenses.

The sheriff shall, whenever directed so to do in writing by the county attorney, make special investigation of any alleged infraction of the law within his county, and report with reference thereto within a reasonable time to such county attorney. When such investigation is made the sheriff shall file with the county clerk a detailed, sworn statement of his expenses, accompanied by the written order of the county attorney, and the board shall audit and allow only so much thereof as it shall find reasonable and necessary.

Source:Laws 1917, c. 231, § 2, p. 567; C.S.1922, § 4990; C.S.1929, § 26-1411; R.S.1943, § 23-1711.


23-1712. Repealed. Laws 1991, LB 153, § 1.

23-1713. Sheriff; party to judicial proceedings; duties; county clerk shall perform.

Every county clerk shall serve and execute process of every kind, and perform all other duties of the sheriff, when the sheriff shall be a party to the case, or whenever affidavits shall be made and filed as provided in section 23-1714; and in all such cases he shall exercise the same powers and proceed in the same manner as prescribed for the sheriff in the performance of similar duties.

Source:Laws 1881, c. 42, § 1, p. 222; R.S.1913, § 5683; Laws 1915, c. 101, § 1, p. 244; C.S.1922, § 5013; C.S.1929, § 26-1522; R.S.1943, § 23-1713.


Annotations

23-1714. Sheriff; disqualification; duties; county clerk shall perform.

Whenever any party, his agent or attorney shall make and file with the clerk of the proper court an affidavit stating that he believes the sheriff of such county will not, by reason of partiality, prejudice, consanguinity or interest, faithfully perform his duties in any suit commenced, or about to be commenced, in said court, the clerk shall direct the original or other process in such suit to the county clerk who shall execute the same in like manner as the sheriff might or ought to have done, and if like objections shall be made to the county clerk by either party, the court shall appoint some suitable person to whom such objection does not apply.

Source:Laws 1881, c. 42, § 2, p. 222; R.S.1913, § 5684; Laws 1915, c. 101, § 1, p. 244; C.S.1922, § 5014; C.S.1929, § 26-1523; R.S.1943, § 23-1714.


Annotations

23-1715. Sheriff; specialized equipment; damages to privately owned motor vehicle, reimbursement.

The county board shall purchase a base radio station and shortwave radio equipment for installation on a motor vehicle owned by the sheriff. The county board may purchase shortwave radio equipment for installation on motor vehicles owned by the sheriff's deputies and also may purchase specialized equipment such as, but not limited to, flashing lights or spotlights for installation on motor vehicles owned by the sheriff or his or her deputies whenever such equipment is necessary for law enforcement work. Any equipment so purchased and installed shall remain the property of the county and shall be removed and returned to the county upon termination of the term of office of such sheriff or deputy. The county board may also reimburse any such sheriff or deputy for any damage to any such privately owned motor vehicle peculiarly incident to and actually arising out of the use of such motor vehicle for law enforcement work, such as, but not limited to, bullet holes, blood stains, or damage to the interior caused by unruly prisoners, but not including collision or upset. Reimbursement for such damage shall be paid as other claims against the county.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 84, § 7, p. 390; Laws 1969, c. 169, § 1, p. 745; Laws 1975, LB 427, § 1;    Laws 2000, LB 893, § 1.    


23-1716. Repealed. Laws 1972, LB 1278, § 3.

23-1717. Sheriff; deputy; uniform; badge, display; exceptions.

County sheriffs and their deputies, when on duty, shall be dressed in a distinctive uniform, as described in section 23-1719, and display a badge of office as described in section 23-1719; Provided, the wearing of such uniform and badge shall be discretionary at the option of the sheriff when he or she or his or her deputies are engaged in special investigations or mental patient assignments; and provided further, that special deputies appointed by the sheriff shall be excluded from the requirements of this section.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 113, § 1, p. 361; Laws 1981, LB 186, § 1.    


23-1718. Sheriff; deputy; uniform; allowance in counties of less than 200,000 population.

County sheriffs and their deputies in counties of less than two hundred thousand population shall each receive an allowance for uniform expense of not less than ten dollars per month, to be paid by the county which such officers serve.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 113, § 2, p. 361.


23-1719. Sheriff; deputy; uniform; specifications.

(1) The uniform required by section 23-1717 shall be readily distinguishable from the uniform of other law enforcement agencies in the State of Nebraska and shall consist of:

(a) Brown felt hat, center crease in sheriff or western style;

(b) Brown straw hat, center crease in sheriff or western style;

(c) Chocolate brown color shirt with either long or short sleeves depending on season;

(d) Pink tan color trousers in appropriate seasonal weights;

(e) Pink tan color skirts in appropriate seasonal weights;

(f) Pink tan color necktie;

(g) Shoes or boots in the same color as the leather worn;

(h) Chocolate brown color service jacket, zipper front with badge holder;

(i) Hip-length year-round outer jacket, dark brown in color;

(j) Badge bearing state or state seal, rank, and county:

(i) Gold in color for sheriff and deputies of the rank of sergeant or above;

(ii) Silver in color for deputies under the rank of sergeant; and

(iii) Consisting of seven-point star;

(k) Collar ornaments:

(i) Gold for sheriff and deputies of the rank of sergeant or above; and

(ii) Silver for deputies under the rank of sergeant;

(l) Shoulder emblem to be worn on upper sleeve and include sheriff's department and county name - design optional;

(m) Leather to be either brown or black at the individual department's choice; and

(n) Brown winter cap with flap.

(2) Uniforms shall be purchased directly from the supplier or suppliers with whom the Department of Administrative Services has contracted.

(3) A committee from the Nebraska Sheriffs' and Peace Officers' Association shall assist the Department of Administrative Services in developing specifications and selecting material for the uniforms.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 113, § 3, p. 361; Laws 1981, LB 186, § 2.    


23-1720. Sheriff; deputies; indemnification; legal counsel.

Any sheriff, deputy state sheriff, deputy sheriff, or special deputy sheriff required to be bonded under section 11-119 or 23-1704.01 shall be indemnified by the county employing such sheriff, deputy state sheriff, deputy sheriff, or special deputy sheriff should such person become liable to any surety on a bond written under either such section. Any sheriff, deputy state sheriff, deputy sheriff, or special deputy sheriff may, with the approval of the county board, retain his or her own legal counsel to represent him or her in such proceedings at county expense.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 143, § 1, p. 664; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 9.    


23-1721. Sections; purposes.

The purposes of sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 are to guarantee to all citizens a fair and equal opportunity for public service in the office of the county sheriff in counties having a population of twenty-five thousand inhabitants or more, to establish and review conditions of service which will attract officers and employees of character and capacity, and to increase the efficiency of the county sheriff's office by the establishment of a merit system.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 1, p. 642; Laws 1972, LB 1093, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 315, § 1;    Laws 1977, LB 122, § 1;    Laws 1982, LB 782, § 1; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 1.    


Annotations

23-1722. Sheriff's office merit commission; created; county having 25,000 inhabitants or more.

In any county having a population of twenty-five thousand inhabitants or more, there shall be a sheriff's office merit commission.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 2, p. 642; Laws 1972, LB 1093, § 2;    Laws 1975, LB 315, § 2;    Laws 1977, LB 122, § 2;    Laws 1982, LB 782, § 2.


23-1723. Sheriff's office merit commission; county having 400,000 or more population; members; number; appointment; term; vacancy.

The sheriff's office merit commission in counties having a population of four hundred thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census shall consist of five members. One member shall be a duly elected county official, appointed by the county board. One member shall be a deputy sheriff, elected by the deputy sheriffs. Three members shall be selected by the presiding judge of the judicial district encompassing such county and shall be public representatives who are residents of the county. The terms of office of members initially appointed or elected shall expire on January 1 of the first, second, and third years following their appointment or election, as designated by the county board. As the terms of initial members expire, their successors shall be appointed or elected for three-year terms in the same manner as the initial members. The additional public representative provided for in this section shall serve until January 1, 1984, and thereafter his or her successors shall be appointed or elected for three-year terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment or election in the same manner as appointment or election of initial members. The commission shall have the power to declare vacant the position of any member who no longer meets the qualifications for election or appointment set out in this section.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 3, p. 643; Laws 1972, LB 1093, § 3;    Laws 1974, LB 782, § 6;    Laws 1977, LB 304, § 1;    Laws 1983, LB 81, § 1;    Laws 2003, LB 222, § 2;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 6.    


23-1723.01. Sheriff's office merit commission; county having 25,000 to 400,000 population; members; number; appointment; term; vacancy.

(1) In counties having a population of not less than twenty-five thousand inhabitants and less than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, the sheriff's office merit commission shall consist of three members, except that the membership of the commission may be increased to five members by unanimous vote of the three-member commission.

(2) If the commission consists of three members, one member shall be a duly elected county official, appointed by the county board, one member shall be a deputy sheriff, elected by the deputy sheriffs, and one member shall be selected by the presiding judge of the judicial district encompassing such county and shall be a public representative who is a resident of the county and neither an official nor employee of the county. If the commission consists of five members, one member shall be a duly elected county official, appointed by the board of county commissioners, two members shall be deputy sheriffs, elected by the deputy sheriffs, and two members shall be selected by the presiding judge of the judicial district encompassing such county and shall be public representatives who are residents of the county and neither officials nor employees of the county.

(3) The terms of office of members initially appointed or elected after March 20, 1982, shall expire on January 1 of the years 1983, 1984, and 1985, as designated by the county board. Thereafter, the terms of the members of the commission shall be three years, except that in a county with a five-member commission, (a) the initial term of the additional deputy sheriff member shall be staggered so that his or her term shall coincide with the term of such county's deputy sheriff elected before August 31, 2003, and (b) the initial term of the additional public representative member shall be staggered so that his or her term shall coincide with the term of such county's public representative member appointed before August 31, 2003. As the terms of initial members expire, their successors shall be appointed or elected in the same manner as the initial members. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment or election in the same manner as appointment or election of initial members. The commission shall have the power to declare vacant the position of any member who no longer meets the qualifications for election or appointment set out in this section.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 304, § 2;    Laws 1982, LB 782, § 3; Laws 2003, LB 40, § 1;    Laws 2003, LB 222, § 3;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 7.    


23-1724. Sheriff's office merit commission; members; salary; expenses.

The members of the commission shall not receive a salary for their services but shall be reimbursed for such necessary expenses and mileage as may be incurred in the actual performance of their duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 4, p. 643; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 29;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 12.    


23-1725. Commission; meetings; public; rules of procedure; adopt.

The sheriff's office merit commission shall hold meetings regularly, at least once every three months, and shall designate the time and place thereof. It shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall keep a record of its proceedings. All meetings and records of the commission shall be public except as otherwise provided in sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 5, p. 643; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 4.    


23-1726. Classified service, defined.

For purposes of sections 23-1721 to 23-1736, classified service includes all deputy sheriffs including the jailer and matrons but does not include the civilian employees of the office. The deputy sheriff designated by the sheriff as chief deputy is specifically excluded from sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 6, p. 643; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 5.    


23-1727. Commission; powers; duties.

The powers and duties of the sheriff's office merit commission shall be as follows:

(1) To adopt rules not inconsistent with sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 for the examination and selection of persons to fill the offices and positions in the classified service which are required to be filled by appointment and for the selection of such persons to be employed in the classified service of the office of the sheriff;

(2) To supervise the administration of the merit system rules, hold examinations from time to time after giving notice thereof, prepare and keep an eligibility list of persons passing such examinations, and certify the names of persons thereon to the sheriff;

(3) To investigate, by itself or otherwise, the enforcement of sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 and of its own rules and the action of appointees in the classified service. In the course of such investigation, the commission, or its authorized representative, shall have the power to administer oaths, and the commission shall have power, by subpoena, to secure both the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers relevant to such investigation;

(4) To provide, through the purchasing department of the county, all needed supplies for the use of the commission;

(5) To classify deputy sheriffs and subdivide them into groups according to rank and grade based upon the duties and responsibilities of such positions. The commission shall recommend to the county board salaries which are uniform for each group of the classified service and comparable to those of comparable counties in this section of the United States; and

(6) To perform such other duties as may be necessary to carry out sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 7, p. 643; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 6.    


Annotations

23-1728. Commission; competitive examinations; records of service; keep; subject to inspection by commission.

(1) The commission shall prepare and hold open competitive examinations in order to test the relative fitness of all applicants for appointment to the classified service. At least two weeks' notice shall be given of all such examinations by publication at least once in a legal newspaper published and of general circulation in the county or, if none is published in the county, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county.

(2) The commission shall cause to be kept records of the service of each employee, in the classified service, known as service records. These records shall contain facts and statements on all matters relating to the character and quality of the work done and the attitude of the individual toward his or her work. All such service records and employee records shall be subject only to the inspection of the commission.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 8, p. 644; Laws 1986, LB 960, § 21.    


23-1729. Sheriff; personnel director; duties.

The sheriff of each county under sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 shall be the personnel director of the merit system. The personnel director shall act as secretary of the sheriff's office merit commission and shall advise the commission in all matters pertaining to the merit system established by sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 9, p. 645; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 7.    


23-1730. Deputy sheriffs; classified service; chief deputy sheriff.

For purposes of sections 23-1721 to 23-1736, all deputy sheriffs actually serving as such shall comprise the classified service. The chief deputy sheriff shall not be within the classified service, but a deputy sheriff serving with permanent rank under sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 may be designated chief deputy sheriff and retain such rank during the period of his or her service as chief deputy sheriff and shall upon termination of his or her duties as chief deputy sheriff revert to his or her permanent rank.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 10, p. 645; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 8.    


23-1731. Classified service; vacancy; how filled.

Whenever a position in the classified service is to be filled, the sheriff shall notify the sheriff's office merit commission of that fact, and the commission shall certify the names and addresses of the three candidates standing highest on the eligibility list for the class or grade for the position to be filled, and the sheriff shall forthwith appoint to such position one of the three persons so certified. Such appointment shall be for a probationary period to be fixed by the rules, but not to exceed one year. On or before the expiration of the probationary period, the sheriff may, by presenting specific reasons for such action in writing, discharge a probationary appointee, or, with the approval of the commission, transfer him or her to another department within the sheriff's office. If not discharged prior to the expiration of the period of probation and if no complaint has been made about the service rendered, the appointment shall be deemed permanent. To prevent the stoppage of business or to meet extraordinary conditions or emergencies, the sheriff may, with the approval of the commission, make a temporary appointment to remain in force for not to exceed sixty days and only until regular appointment can be made under sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 11, p. 645; Laws 1982, LB 729, § 1; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 9.    


23-1732. Deputy sheriffs in active employment; examinations; when required.

(1) All deputy sheriffs in active employment on January 1, 1970, in counties of four hundred thousand inhabitants or more as determined by the most recent federal decennial census and on January 1, 1973, in counties having a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand but less than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, and who have been such for more than two years immediately prior thereto, shall hold their positions without examinations until discharged, reduced, promoted, or transferred in accordance with sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

(2) All deputy sheriffs in active employment on January 1, 1975, in counties having a population of more than sixty thousand but not more than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, and who have been deputy sheriffs for more than two years immediately prior thereto, or who have been certified by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and who have received a certificate of completion shall hold their positions without examinations until discharged, reduced, promoted, or transferred in accordance with sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

(3) All deputy sheriffs in active employment on January 1, 1977, in counties having a population of more than forty thousand but not more than sixty thousand inhabitants, and who have been deputy sheriffs for more than two years immediately prior thereto, or who have been certified by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and who have received a certificate of completion shall hold their positions without examinations until discharged, reduced, promoted, or transferred in accordance with sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

(4) All deputy sheriffs in active employment on January 1, 1982, in counties having a population of twenty-five thousand or more but not more than forty thousand inhabitants, and who have been deputy sheriffs for more than two years immediately prior thereto, or who have been certified by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, and who have received a certificate of completion shall hold their positions without examinations until discharged, reduced, promoted, or transferred in accordance with sections 23-1721 to 23-1736.

(5) All deputy sheriffs who have been so employed for more than six months and less than two years on such date shall be required to take qualifying examinations, and all such deputy sheriffs who have been so employed for less than six months on such date shall be required to take competitive examinations.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 12, p. 646; Laws 1972, LB 1093, § 4;    Laws 1975, LB 315, § 3;    Laws 1977, LB 122, § 3;    Laws 1982, LB 782, § 4; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 10;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 8.    


23-1733. Promotions; procedure.

Whenever possible, vacancies shall be filled by promotion. Promotion shall be made from among deputy sheriffs qualified by training and experience to fill the vacancies and whose length of service entitles them to consideration. The commission shall, for the purpose of certifying to the sheriff the list of deputy sheriffs eligible for promotion, rate such deputy sheriffs so qualified on the basis of their service record, experience in the work involved in the vacant position, training and qualifications for such work, seniority, and military service ratings. Seniority shall be controlling only when other factors are equal. Only the names of the three highest on the list of ratings shall be certified. The sheriff shall forthwith appoint one of the three persons so qualified.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 13, p. 646.


23-1734. Deputy sheriff; removal, suspension, reduced in rank or grade; procedure; grievance; procedure.

(1)(a) Any deputy sheriff may be removed, suspended with or without pay, or reduced in either rank or grade or both rank and grade by the sheriff, after appointment or promotion is complete, by an order in writing, stating specifically the reasons therefor. Such order shall be filed with the sheriff's office merit commission, and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the person so removed, suspended, or reduced. Any person so removed, suspended with or without pay, or reduced in either rank or grade or both rank and grade may, within ten days after presentation to him or her of the order of removal, suspension with or without pay, or reduction, appeal to the commission from such order. The commission shall, within two weeks after the filing of such appeal, hold a hearing thereon, and thereupon fully hear and determine the matter, and either affirm, modify, or revoke such order. The appellant shall be entitled to appear personally, produce evidence, and have counsel or other representation and a public hearing. The finding and decision of the commission shall be certified to the sheriff and shall forthwith be enforced and followed, but under no condition shall the employee who has appealed to the commission be permanently removed, suspended with or without pay, or reduced in rank until such finding and decision of the commission is so certified to the sheriff.

(b) This subsection does not apply to a deputy sheriff during his or her probationary period.

(2) Any deputy sheriff may grieve a violation of an employment contract, a personnel rule, a state or local law, or a written departmental policy or procedure to the commission. The commission shall hear the grievance at the next regularly scheduled meeting, or the commission may, at its discretion, set a special meeting to hear the grievance. If the deputy sheriff is subject to a labor agreement, all applicable procedures in the agreement shall be followed prior to the matter being heard by the commission. In all other cases, the matter shall be grieved, in writing, to the commission within fifteen calendar days after the date the deputy sheriff became aware of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance. After hearing or reviewing the grievance, the commission shall issue a written order either affirming or denying the grievance. Such order shall be delivered to the parties to the grievance or their counsel or other representative within seven calendar days after the date of the hearing or the submission of the written grievance.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 14, p. 646; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 11;    Laws 2009, LB158, § 3.    


Annotations

23-1735. Classified service; discrimination; prohibited.

No person in the classified service or seeking admission thereto shall be appointed, reduced, or removed, or in any way favored or discriminated against because of his political, racial, or religious opinions or affiliations, except for membership in any organization which has advocated or does advocate the overthrow of the government of the United States or this state by force or violence.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 15, p. 647.


23-1736. Classified service; political activity; prohibited.

No person serving in the classified service under sections 23-1721 to 23-1736 shall actively participate in any campaign conducted by any candidate for public office while on duty or while in uniform.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 140, § 16, p. 647; Laws 2003, LB 222, § 12.    


23-1737. Repealed. Laws 2003, LB 222, § 14.

23-1801. Inquest; when authorized; coroner's jury; compensation.

(1) The coroner shall hold an inquest upon the dead bodies of such persons only as are supposed to have died by unlawful means. When the coroner has notice of the presence in the county of the body of a person supposed to have died by unlawful means, the coroner may, at his or her discretion, issue a warrant to a sheriff of the county requiring the sheriff to summon six residents of the county to appear before the coroner at a time and place named in the warrant.

(2) Each juror shall receive for each day employed in the discharge of his or her duty the sum of twenty dollars to be paid by certificate drawn by the coroner on the general funds of the county.

(3) A juror may voluntarily waive payment under this section for his or her service as a juror.

Source:Laws 1879, § 97, p. 380; R.S.1913, § 5663; Laws 1915, c. 101, § 1, p. 244; C.S.1922, § 4993; Laws 1923, c. 109, § 1, p. 267; C.S.1929, § 26-1502; R.S.1943, § 23-1801; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 69;    Laws 1987, LB 313, § 2;    Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 7;    Laws 2012, LB865, § 2.    


Annotations

23-1802. Inquest; warrant; form.

The warrant may be in substance as follows: The State of Nebraska, ............. County. To any sheriff of such county:

In the name of the people of the State of Nebraska, you are hereby required to summon six residents of your county to appear before me at .........., on the ...... day of .......... 20...., then and there to hold an inquest upon the dead body of ................, there lying, and by what means such person died. Witness my hand this ...... day of ........ A.D. 20.... . ........... Coroner.

Source:Laws 1879, § 98, p. 381; R.S.1913, § 5664; C.S.1922, § 4994; C.S.1929, § 26-1503; R.S.1943, § 23-1802; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 70;    Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 8;    Laws 2004, LB 813, § 8.    


Annotations

23-1803. Inquest; warrant; execution.

The sheriff shall execute the warrant and make return thereof at the time and place therein named.

Source:Laws 1879, § 99, p. 381; R.S.1913, § 5665; C.S.1922, § 4995; C.S.1929, § 26-1504; R.S.1943, § 23-1803; Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 9.    


23-1804. Inquest; coroner's jury; vacancies; oath.

If any juror fails to appear, the coroner shall cause the proper number to be summoned or returned from the bystanders immediately, and proceed to impanel them and administer the following oath in substance: You do solemnly swear that you will diligently inquire and true presentment make, when, how, and by what means the person whose body lies here dead came to his or her death, according to your knowledge and the evidence given you, so help you God.

Source:Laws 1879, § 100, p. 381; R.S.1913, § 5666; C.S.1922, § 4996; C.S.1929, § 26-1505; R.S.1943, § 23-1804; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 71.    


23-1805. Inquest; juror; refusal to serve; penalty.

Whoever, being so summoned as a juror, fails or refuses, without good cause, to attend at the time and place required, or, appearing, refuses to act as such juror, or misbehaves while acting as such juror, shall, on complaint of the coroner before the county court, be fined not less than three nor more than twenty dollars.

Source:Laws 1879, § 101, p. 381; R.S.1913, § 5667; C.S.1922, § 4997; C.S.1929, § 26-1506; R.S.1943, § 23-1805; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 113.    


23-1806. Inquest; subpoenas; power to issue.

The coroner may issue subpoenas within the county for witnesses, returnable forthwith, or at such time and place as the coroner shall therein direct.

Source:Laws 1879, § 102, p. 382; R.S.1913, § 5668; C.S.1922, § 4998; C.S.1929, § 26-1507; R.S.1943, § 23-1806; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 72.    


Annotations

23-1807. Inquest; witnesses; oath.

An oath shall be administered to the witnesses in substance as follows: You do solemnly swear that the testimony which you shall give to this inquest, concerning the death of the person here lying dead, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.

Source:Laws 1879, § 103, p. 382; R.S.1913, § 5669; C.S.1922, § 4999; C.S.1929, § 26-1508; R.S.1943, § 23-1807.


23-1808. Inquest; witnesses; recognizance for appearance in district court.

If the evidence of any witness shall implicate any person as the unlawful slayer of the person over whom the said inquisition shall be held, the coroner shall recognize such witness, in such sum as the coroner may think proper, to be and appear at the next term of the district court for the said county, there to give evidence of the matter in question and not depart without leave. Such recognizance shall be in the same form, as nearly as practicable, and have the same effect as recognizances taken in county court in cases of felony.

Source:Laws 1879, § 104, p. 382; R.S.1913, § 5670; C.S.1922, § 5000; C.S.1929, § 26-1509; R.S.1943, § 23-1808; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 114;    Laws 1979, LB 80, § 73.    


23-1809. Inquest; verdict; form.

The jurors, having inspected the body, heard the testimony, and made all needful inquiries, shall return to the coroner their inquisition in writing, under their hands, in substance as follows, and stating the matter in the following form, as nearly as practicable:

State of Nebraska, ........... County. At an inquisition held at ............, in ............ County, on the .... day of ............ A.D. 20...., before me, ............, coroner of such county, upon the body of ........, lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereto subscribed, the jurors upon their oath do say ......... (Here state when, how, or by what person, means, weapon, or accident the person came to his or her death, and whether feloniously). In testimony whereof the jurors have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid. Attest: ..............., Coroner.

Source:Laws 1879, § 105, p. 382; R.S.1913, § 5671; C.S.1922, § 5001; C.S.1929, § 26-1510; R.S.1943, § 23-1809; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 74;    Laws 2004, LB 813, § 9.    


23-1810. Inquest; verdict of murder or manslaughter; effect.

The verdict of the coroner's jury, charging any person with murder or manslaughter, shall have the same force and effect as the finding of a bill of indictment by the grand jury, until the case shall have been investigated by a grand jury, and they shall have made their return thereon.

Source:Laws 1879, § 115, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5672; C.S.1922, § 5002; C.S.1929, § 26-1511; R.S.1943, § 23-1810.


23-1811. Inquest; arrest; when authorized.

If the person charged is present, the coroner may order his or her arrest by an officer or any other person present and shall then make a warrant requiring the officer or other person to take him or her before the county court for examination, or if the person charged is not present and the coroner believes the person can be taken, the coroner may issue a warrant to the sheriff requiring him or her to arrest the person and take the person charged before the county court for examination.

Source:Laws 1879, § 106, p. 383; R.S.1913, § 5673; C.S.1922, § 5003; C.S.1929, § 26-1512; R.S.1943, § 23-1811; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 115;    Laws 1979, LB 80, § 75;    Laws 1988, LB 1030, § 10.    


23-1812. Inquest; warrant of arrest; effect.

The warrant of a coroner in the above-stated cases shall be of equal authority with that of the county court; and when the person charged is brought before the court, the person charged shall be dealt with as a person held under a complaint in the usual form.

Source:Laws 1879, § 107, p. 383; R.S.1913, § 5674; C.S.1922, § 5004; C.S.1929, § 26-1513; R.S.1943, § 23-1812; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 116;    Laws 1979, LB 80, § 76.    


23-1813. Inquest; warrant of arrest; contents.

The warrant of the coroner shall recite substantially the verdict of the jury of inquest, and such warrant shall be a sufficient foundation for the proceedings of the justice instead of a complaint.

Source:Laws 1879, § 108, p. 383; R.S.1913, § 5675; C.S.1922, § 5005; C.S.1929, § 26-1514; R.S.1943, § 23-1813.


23-1814. Inquest; return to district court; contents; duty.

The coroner shall return to the district court the inquisition, the papers connected with the same, and a list of the names of witnesses who testified in the matter.

Source:Laws 1879, § 109, p. 383; R.S.1913, § 5676; C.S.1922, § 5006; C.S.1929, § 26-1515; R.S.1943, § 23-1814.


23-1815. Inquest; personal property; discovery on or near body; disposition.

When any valuable personal property, money or papers are found upon or near the body upon which an inquest is held, the coroner shall take charge of the same and deliver the same to those entitled to its care or possession. If not claimed, or, if the same shall be necessary to defray expenses of the burial, the coroner shall, after giving ten days' notice of the time and place of sale, sell such property. After deducting funeral expenses, the coroner shall deposit the proceeds thereof, and the money and papers so found, with the county treasurer, taking receipt therefor, there to remain subject to the order of the legal representatives of the deceased, if claimed within five years thereafter, or if not claimed within that time, to vest in the school fund of the county.

Source:Laws 1879, § 110, p. 383; R.S.1913, § 5677; Laws 1915, c. 38, § 1, p. 109; C.S.1922, § 5007; C.S.1929, § 26-1516; R.S.1943, § 23-1815; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 77.    


Annotations

23-1816. Inquest; body of deceased; disposition.

The coroner shall cause the body of each deceased person which the coroner is caused to view, to be delivered to the friends of the deceased, if there be any, but if there be none, the coroner shall cause the body to be decently buried and the expenses shall be paid from any property belonging to the deceased, or if there be none, from the county treasury, by warrant drawn thereon.

Source:Laws 1879, § 111, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5678; C.S.1922, § 5008; C.S.1929, § 26-1517; R.S.1943, § 23-1816; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 78.    


Annotations

23-1817. Coroner; duties; performance by sheriff.

When there is no coroner, and in case of the coroner's absence or inability to act, the sheriff of the county is authorized to discharge the duties of coroner in relation to dead bodies.

Source:Laws 1879, § 112, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5679; C.S.1922, § 5009; C.S.1929, § 26-1518; R.S.1943, § 23-1817; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 79.    


23-1818. Inquest; surgeons; subpoena; when authorized.

If the coroner or jury deem it necessary, for the purposes of an inquisition, to summon any surgeons, the coroner shall issue a subpoena for those preferred, the same as for any other witness.

Source:Laws 1879, § 113, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5680; C.S.1922, § 5010; C.S.1929, § 26-1519; R.S.1943, § 23-1818.


23-1819. Murder; warrant for arrest of suspect; when required.

The coroner is hereby authorized and required, on a request of a majority of the coroner's jury, to issue a warrant for any person suspected of having committed the crime of murder, and hold such person on said warrant until the inquest over the body is closed.

Source:Laws 1879, § 114, p. 384; R.S.1913, § 5681; C.S.1922, § 5011; C.S.1929, § 26-1520; R.S.1943, § 23-1819; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 80.    


23-1820. Coroner's physician; appointment; when authorized; duties; compensation; mileage.

In each county there is hereby created the office of coroner's physician, who shall be appointed by the coroner of the county and be removable by the coroner, at a salary or schedule of fees or both to be set by the county board and to be paid by the county. Such physician shall certify the cause of death in every case of death in such county not certified by an attending physician and shall perform or cause to be performed an autopsy when requested by the coroner or as provided in section 23-1824. Such physician shall perform such other services in aid of the coroner as shall be requested by the coroner and shall be reimbursed for mileage at the rate provided in section 81-1176 for each mile actually and necessarily traveled by the most direct route while in the performance of such physician's duties.

Source:Laws 1907, c. 35, § 1, p. 169; R.S.1913, § 5682; C.S.1922, § 5012; Laws 1925, c. 97, § 1, p. 283; Laws 1929, c. 109, § 1, p. 403; C.S.1929, § 26-1521; Laws 1933, c. 96, § 5, p. 385; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1521; R.S.1943, § 23-1820; Laws 1949, c. 44, § 1, p. 147; Laws 1963, c. 121, § 1, p. 467; Laws 1967, c. 125, § 3, p. 401; Laws 1979, LB 80, § 81;    Laws 1981, LB 204, § 30;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 13;    Laws 1999, LB 46, § 2.    


23-1821. Death during apprehension or custody; notice required; penalty.

(1) Every hospital, emergency care facility, physician, nurse, emergency care provider, or law enforcement officer shall immediately notify the county coroner in all cases when it appears that an individual has died while being apprehended by or while in the custody of a law enforcement officer or detention personnel.

(2) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor.

Source:Laws 1988, LB 676, § 1;    Laws 1992, LB 1138, § 19; Laws 1997, LB 138, § 33;    Laws 2020, LB1002, § 3.    


23-1822. Death during apprehension or custody; county coroner; duties.

In each instance when the county coroner is given notice in accordance with section 23-1821, the coroner or coroner's physician shall perform an examination, a test, or an autopsy as he or she may deem necessary to establish, by a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the cause or causes of death and shall thereafter certify the cause or causes of death to the presiding judge of the district court.

Source:Laws 1988, LB 676, § 2.    


23-1823. Death during apprehension or custody; powers.

In the performance of his or her duties under section 23-1822, the county coroner may, when applicable, invoke any or all of the provisions of sections 23-1815, 23-1816, and 23-1820.

Source:Laws 1988, LB 676, § 3.    


23-1824. Minor; autopsy required; when; guidelines; reimbursement.

(1) The county coroner or coroner's physician shall perform, at county expense, an autopsy on any person less than nineteen years of age who dies a sudden death, except that no autopsy needs to be performed if (a) the death was caused by a readily recognizable disease or the death occurred due to trauma resulting from an accident and (b) the death did not occur under suspicious circumstances. The Attorney General shall create, by July 1, 2007, guidelines for county coroners or coroner's physicians regarding autopsies on persons less than nineteen years of age.

(2) The county coroner or coroner's physician shall attempt to establish, by a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the cause or causes of the death, and shall thereafter certify the cause or causes of death to the county attorney. No cause of death shall be certified as sudden infant death syndrome unless an autopsy, a death scene investigation, and a review of the child's medical history reveal no other possible cause.

(3) A county may request reimbursement of up to fifty percent of the cost of an autopsy from the Attorney General. Reimbursement requests may include, but not be limited to, costs for expert witnesses and complete autopsies, including toxicology screens and tissue sample tests. The Attorney General shall place an emphasis on autopsies of children five years of age and younger.

Source:Laws 1999, LB 46, § 1;    Laws 2006, LB 1113, § 20.    


23-1825. Organ and tissue donations; legislative findings.

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to facilitate organ and tissue donations pursuant to the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and thereby to increase the availability of organs and tissues for medical transplantation. To accomplish these purposes, the following constitutes the procedure to facilitate the recovery of organs and tissues from donors under the jurisdiction of a coroner within a time period compatible with the preservation of such organ or tissue for the purpose of transplantation.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 1;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 23.    


Cross References

23-1826. Organ and tissue donations; terms, defined.

For purposes of sections 23-1825 to 23-1832:

(1) Coroner means a coroner or his or her designated representative;

(2) Decedent means an individual with respect to whom a determination of death has been made pursuant to section 71-7202;

(3) Donor has the definition found in section 71-4825; and

(4) Preliminary investigation means an inquiry into whether any organs or tissues are necessary to determine the proximate cause or means of death.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 2;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 24.    


23-1827. Organ and tissue donations; preliminary investigation; access to information; release of organs or tissues; exception; presence for removal procedure.

(1) A coroner shall conduct a preliminary investigation of a decedent within the coroner's jurisdiction as soon as possible after notification by the hospital in which such decedent is located or the hospital to which such decedent is being transported. The coroner may designate the coroner's physician or another physician to conduct the preliminary investigation.

(2) The preliminary investigation shall be completed within a time period that is compatible with the preservation and recovery of organs or tissues for the purpose of transplantation.

(3) The coroner may request and shall have access to all necessary information including copies of medical records, laboratory test results, X-rays, and other diagnostic results. The information shall be provided as expeditiously as possible, through reasonable means, to permit the preliminary investigation to be completed within a time period compatible with the preservation and recovery of organs or tissues for the purpose of transplantation.

(4) Upon completion of the preliminary investigation, the coroner shall release all organs or tissues which have been donated or may yet be donated pursuant to the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act except those that the coroner reasonably believes contain evidence of the proximate cause or means of death. If the coroner reasonably believes that a specific organ or tissue contains evidence of the proximate cause or means of death and the organ or tissue is otherwise subject to recovery as a donated organ or tissue pursuant to the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, the coroner or his or her designee shall be present for the removal procedure (a) to make a final determination that allows the recovery of the organs and tissues to proceed, (b) to request a biopsy, or (c) to deny removal of such organ or tissue if the coroner determines such organ or tissue contains evidence of the proximate cause or means of death. After a preliminary investigation is completed under this section, all organs or tissues compatible for transplantation, except any organs or tissues for which the coroner has denied recovery, may be recovered pursuant to the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 3;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 25.    


Cross References

23-1828. Organ and tissue donations; failure to complete preliminary investigation; effect.

If the coroner, coroner's physician, or other physician designated by the coroner fails to complete the preliminary investigation required under section 23-1827, or if the coroner fails to designate the coroner's physician or another physician to conduct and complete the preliminary investigation, within a time period compatible with the preservation of the organs and tissues for the purpose of transplantation, or if the coroner declines to conduct the preliminary investigation, any organ or tissue that is compatible for transplantation may be recovered pursuant to the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act as though the donor was not within the coroner's jurisdiction.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 4;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 26.    


Cross References

23-1829. Organ and tissue donations; denial of recovery; written report required.

If the coroner denies recovery of an organ or tissue, the coroner shall include in a written report the reasons such recovery was denied and provide the report within ten days to the federally designated organ procurement organization for Nebraska.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 5;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 27.    


23-1830. Organ and tissue donations; coroner's access to medical information, medical records, pathology reports, and the donor's body.

(1) If the coroner releases any organ or tissue for recovery, the coroner may request that a blood sample, a sample of catheterized urine, a sample of bile if the liver is recovered for the purpose of transplantation, a biopsy specimen in fixative of the organ or tissue procured, and copies of any photographs, pictures, or other diagrams of the organ or tissue made at the time of recovery be delivered to the coroner.

(2) A coroner shall have access to medical records, pathology reports, and the body of the donor following the recovery of any organ or tissue allowed under section 23-1827 or 23-1828.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 6;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 28.    


23-1831. Organ and tissue donations; report provided to coroner; contents.

Any physician or designated recovery personnel authorized by the federally designated organ procurement organization for Nebraska to recover any organ or tissue pursuant to section 23-1827 or 23-1828 shall provide to the coroner a report detailing the recovery of such organ or tissue and any known relationship to the proximate cause or means of death. If appropriate, such report shall include a biopsy or medically approved sample from the recovered organ or tissue and the results of any diagnostic testing performed upon the recovered organ or tissue. Such report shall become part of the coroner's report or coroner's physician's report.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 7;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 29.    


23-1832. Organ and tissue donations; immunity from criminal liability.

A coroner, a coroner's designee, a coroner's physician or his or her designee, a facility at which an organ or tissue recovery took place pursuant to sections 23-1825 to 23-1832, any authorized recovery personnel, or any other person who acts in good faith in compliance with sections 23-1825 to 23-1832 shall be immune from criminal liability for recovery of any organ or tissue.

Source:Laws 2008, LB246, § 8;    Laws 2010, LB1036, § 30.    


23-1901. County surveyor; county engineer; qualifications; powers and duties.

(1) It shall be the duty of the county surveyor to make or cause to be made all surveys within his or her county that the county surveyor may be called upon to make and record the same.

(2) In all counties having a population of at least one hundred thousand inhabitants but less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, the county surveyor shall be ex officio county engineer and shall be either a professional engineer as provided in the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act or a registered land surveyor as provided in the Land Surveyors Regulation Act or both. In such counties, the office of surveyor shall be full time.

In counties having a population of one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants or more, a county engineer shall be a professional engineer as provided in the act and shall be elected as provided in section 32-526.

(3) The county engineer or ex officio county engineer shall:

(a) Prepare all plans, specifications, and detail drawings for the use of the county in advertising and letting all contracts for the building and repair of bridges, culverts, and all public improvements upon the roads;

(b) Make estimates of the cost of all such contemplated public improvements, make estimates of all material required for such public improvements, inspect the material and have the same measured and ascertained, and report to the county board whether the same is in accordance with its requirements;

(c) Superintend the construction of all such public improvements and inspect and require that the same shall be done according to contract;

(d) Make estimates of the cost of all labor and material which shall be necessary for the construction of all bridges and improvements upon public highways, inspect all of the work and materials placed in any such public improvements, and make a report in writing to the county board with a statement in regard to whether the same comply with the plans, specifications, and detail drawings of the county board prepared for such work or improvements and under which the contract was let; and

(e) Have charge and general supervision of work or improvements authorized by the county board, inspect all materials, direct the work, and make a report of each piece of work to the county board.

The county engineer or surveyor shall also have such other and further powers as are necessarily incident to the general powers granted.

(4) The county surveyor shall prepare and file the required annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody or possession as provided in sections 23-346 to 23-350.

(5) In counties having a population of one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants or more, the county engineer shall appoint a full-time county surveyor. The county surveyor shall perform all the duties prescribed in sections 23-1901 to 23-1913 and any other duties assigned to him or her by the county engineer. The county surveyor shall be a registered land surveyor as provided in the Land Surveyors Regulation Act.

Source:Laws 1879, § 127, p. 386; Laws 1905, c. 50, § 1, p. 295; R.S.1913, § 5685; Laws 1921, c. 141, § 1, p. 606; C.S.1922, § 5015; C.S.1929, § 26-1601; Laws 1939, c. 28, § 16, p. 154; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1601; R.S.1943, § 23-1901; Laws 1969, c. 170, § 1, p. 747; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 2;    Laws 1986, LB 512, § 1;    Laws 1990, LB 821, § 14;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 543;    Laws 1997, LB 622, § 58;    Laws 2015, LB138, § 1;    Laws 2017, LB200, § 1;    Laws 2022, LB791, § 1.    


Cross References

23-1901.01. County surveyor; residency; appointment; when; qualifications; term.

(1) A person need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as county surveyor, but if elected as county surveyor, such person shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

(2) In a county having a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants in which the voters have voted against the election of a county surveyor pursuant to section 32-525 or in which no county surveyor has been elected and qualified, the county board of such county shall appoint a competent registered land surveyor who is registered pursuant to the Land Surveyors Regulation Act either on a full-time or part-time basis to such office. In making such appointment, the county board shall negotiate a contract with the surveyor, such contract shall specify the responsibility of the appointee to carry out the statutory duties of the office of county surveyor and shall specify the compensation of the surveyor for the performance of such duties, which compensation shall not be subject to section 33-116. A county surveyor appointed under this subsection shall serve the same term as that of an elected surveyor.

(3) A person appointed to the office of county surveyor in any county shall not be required to reside in the county of appointment.

Source:Laws 1951, c. 45, § 1, p. 161; Laws 1979, LB 115, § 1;    Laws 1982, LB 127, § 3;    Laws 1986, LB 812, § 7;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 35;    Laws 2014, LB946, § 2;    Laws 2021, LB224, § 1.    


Cross References

23-1901.02. County surveyor; deputy; appointment; oath; duties.

The county surveyor may appoint a deputy for whose acts he or she will be responsible. The surveyor may not appoint the county treasurer, sheriff, register of deeds, or clerk as deputy.

In counties having a population of one hundred thousand but less than one hundred fifty thousand, if the county surveyor is a professional engineer, he or she shall appoint as deputy a registered land surveyor or, if the county surveyor is a registered land surveyor, he or she shall appoint as deputy a professional engineer. This requirement shall not apply if the county surveyor is both a professional engineer and a registered land surveyor.

The appointment shall be in writing and revocable in writing by the surveyor. Both the appointment and revocation shall be filed and kept in the office of the county clerk.

The deputy shall take the same oath as the surveyor which shall be endorsed upon and filed with the certificate of appointment. The surveyor may require a bond of the deputy.

In the absence or disability of the surveyor, the deputy shall perform the duties of the surveyor pertaining to the office, but when the surveyor is required to act in conjunction with or in place of another officer, the deputy cannot act in the surveyor's place.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 821, § 15;    Laws 2017, LB200, § 2;    Laws 2022, LB791, § 2.    


23-1902. Repealed. Laws 1982, LB 127, § 19.

23-1903. Witnesses; attendance and testimony; power to compel; fees.

The county surveyor or his deputy, in the performance of his official duties, shall have the power to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses before him, to testify respecting the location and identification of any line or corner. When any such witness testifies to any material fact, his testimony must be reduced to writing and subscribed by him and made a matter of record. The county surveyor and his deputy are hereby authorized and empowered to administer oaths and affirmations to any person appearing as a witness before them. But the testimony as provided for herein shall never be used as evidence in any action involving corners or boundary lines, except for the purpose of impeachment. Each witness shall be entitled to the same fees allowed in county court.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 1, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 5687; Laws 1921, c. 138, § 1, p. 604; C.S.1922, § 5017; C.S.1929, § 26-1603; R.S.1943, § 23-1903; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 117.    


23-1904. Surveyor's certificate; use as evidence; effect.

The certificate of the county surveyor of any survey made by him of any lands in the county shall be presumptive evidence of the facts stated therein, unless such surveyor shall be interested in the same.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 2, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 5688; C.S.1922, § 5018; C.S.1929, § 26-1604; R.S.1943, § 23-1904.


23-1905. Surveyor; interest; disqualification; who may act.

Whenever a survey of any lands or lots is required, in which the county surveyor is interested, such survey may be made by the surveyor of another county in like manner and to the same effect as though such survey had been made by the surveyor of the county where the land is situated. The surveyor doing the work shall record the field notes of said survey in the official record of surveys of the county wherein the land is situated.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 3, p. 142; R.S.1913, § 5689; C.S.1922, § 5019; C.S.1929, § 26-1605; R.S.1943, § 23-1905.


23-1906. Trespass; exemption from liability.

The county surveyor in the performance of his official duties, shall not be liable to prosecution for trespass.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 4, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 5690; C.S.1922, § 5020; C.S.1929, § 26-1606; R.S.1943, § 23-1906.


Annotations

23-1907. Original corners; perpetuation.

It shall be the duty of the county surveyor in surveys made by him or her to perpetuate all original corners not at the time well marked, and all corners or angles that he or she may establish or reestablish, in a permanent manner by setting monuments containing ferromagnetic material, according to the instructions of the State Surveyor.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 5, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 5691; C.S.1922, § 5021; C.S.1929, § 26-1607; R.S.1943, § 23-1907; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 4.    


23-1908. Corners; establishment and restoration; rules governing.

The boundaries of the public lands established by the duly appointed government surveyors, when approved by the Surveyor General and accepted by the government, are unchangeable, and the corners established thereon by them shall be held and considered as the true corners which they were intended to represent, and the restoration of lines and corners of such surveys and the division of sections into their legal subdivisions shall be in accordance with the laws of the United States, the circular of instructions of the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, on the restoration of lost and obliterated section corners and quarter corners, and the circular of instructions to the county surveyors by the State Surveyor under authority of the Board of Educational Lands and Funds. The county surveyor is hereby authorized to restore lost and obliterated corners of original surveys and to establish the subdivisional corners of sections in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 23-1907. Any registered land surveyor registered under the Land Surveyors Regulation Act is hereby authorized to establish any corner not monumented in the original government surveys in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 23-1907. Subdivision shall be executed according to the plan indicated by the original field notes and plats of surveys and governed by the original and legally restored corners. The survey of the subdivisional lines of sections in violation of this section shall be absolutely void.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 6, p. 143; R.S.1913, § 5692; Laws 1915, c. 102, § 1, p. 245; Laws 1917, c. 109, § 1, p. 280; Laws 1921, c. 161, § 1, p. 654; C.S.1922, § 5022; C.S.1929, § 26-1608; R.S.1943, § 23-1908; Laws 1969, c. 171, § 1, p. 748; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 5;    Laws 2015, LB138, § 2.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1909. Subdivisions; petition for survey; expense.

Whenever a majority of the owners of any section or quarter section of land, which has not been subdivided into its legal subdivisions, or owners of a major portion thereof, desire to have said land subdivided, they may petition the county surveyor to make such survey, who, after giving at least ten days' notice to all such owners residing within the county, shall proceed to make the survey. The expense thereof shall be borne by all the owners in proportion to the work done for each, to be apportioned by the surveyor.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 7, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 5693; C.S.1922, § 5023; C.S.1929, § 26-1609; R.S.1943, § 23-1909.


23-1910. Field books; contents.

Each county surveyor shall procure, at the expense of the county, suitable memorandum field books for his or her use in the field. He or she shall enter in such field books, as the work progresses, all the details necessary to make up a complete record of each survey. The field books are to be properly indexed and kept on file as a part of the records of his or her office.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 8, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 5694; C.S.1922, § 5024; C.S.1929, § 26-1910; R.S.1943, § 23-1910; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 6.    


23-1911. Surveys; records; contents; available to public.

The county surveyor shall record all surveys, for permanent purposes, made by him or her, as required by sections 81-8,121 to 81-8,122.02. Such record shall set forth the names of the persons making the application for the survey, for whom the work was done, and a statement showing it to be an official county survey or resurvey. The official records, other plats, and field notes of the county surveyor's office shall be deemed and considered public records. Any agent or authority of the United States, the State Surveyor or any deputy state surveyor of Nebraska, or any surveyor registered pursuant to the Land Surveyors Regulation Act shall at all times, within reasonable office or business hours, have free access to the surveys, field notes, maps, charts, records, and other papers as provided for in sections 23-1901 to 23-1913. In all counties, where no regular office is maintained in the county courthouse for the county surveyor of that county, the county clerk shall be custodian of the official record of surveys and all other permanent records pertaining to the office of county surveyor.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 9, p. 144; R.S.1913, § 5695; C.S.1922, § 5025; C.S.1929, § 26-1611; Laws 1941, c. 44, § 1, p. 227; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1611; R.S.1943, § 23-1911; Laws 1982, LB 127, § 7;    Laws 2015, LB138, § 3.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-1912. Repealed. Laws 1982, LB 127, § 19.

23-1913. Records; transfer to successor; violation; penalty.

When the term of any county surveyor shall expire or he shall resign or be removed, he shall deliver to his successor all books, maps, plats, diagrams, and papers pertaining to his office, and all correspondence with the Department of the Interior at Washington, D.C., and state officials pertaining to surveys in his county. Any county surveyor who, on the expiration of his term of office, or on his resignation or removal, shall neglect, for the period of thirty days after his successor shall be elected or appointed, and qualified, to deliver all such books, maps, plats, diagrams, papers, and correspondence aforesaid, or any executor or administrator of any deceased county surveyor, who shall neglect for the space of thirty days to deliver to such successor all such books, maps, plats, diagrams, papers, and correspondence aforesaid, which shall come into his hands, shall forfeit and pay into the county treasury a sum not less than ten and not more than fifty dollars, and a similar sum for each thirty days thereafter during which he shall so neglect to deliver the same as aforesaid. If no successor has been elected or appointed and qualified, then they shall be delivered to the county clerk.

Source:Laws 1913, c. 43, § 11, p. 146; R.S.1913, § 5697; C.S.1922, § 5027; C.S.1929, § 26-1613; R.S.1943, § 23-1913.


23-2001. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; grounds.

All county officers may be charged, tried, and removed from office, in the manner hereinafter provided, for (1) habitual or willful neglect of duty, (2) extortion, (3) corruption, (4) willful maladministration in office, (5) conviction of a felony, (6) habitual drunkenness, or (7) official misconduct as defined in section 28-924.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 1, p. 297; R.S.1913, § 5698; C.S.1922, § 5028; C.S.1929, § 26-1701; Laws 1937, c. 55, § 1, p. 222; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-1701; R.S.1943, § 23-2001; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 118;    Laws 1985, LB 423, § 2.    


Annotations

23-2002. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; jurisdiction of district court.

Any person may make such charge, and the district court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction thereof by summons.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 2, p. 298; Laws 1905, c. 51, § 1, p. 297; R.S.1913, § 5699; C.S.1922, § 5029; C.S.1929, § 26-1702; R.S.1943, § 23-2002.


23-2003. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; procedure.

The proceedings shall be as nearly like those in other actions as the nature of the case admits, excepting where otherwise provided in sections 23-2001 to 23-2009.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 3, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5700; C.S.1922, § 5030; C.S.1929, § 26-1703; R.S.1943, § 23-2003.


23-2004. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; complaint; verification.

The complaint shall be by an accuser against the accused, and shall contain the charges with the necessary specifications under them, and be verified by the affidavit of any elector of the state that he believes the charges to be true.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 4, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5701; C.S.1922, § 5031; C.S.1929, § 26-1704; R.S.1943, § 23-2004.


Annotations

23-2005. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; complaint; summons and service.

It will be sufficient that the summons require the accused to appear and answer to the complaint of .......... (naming the accuser) for official misdemeanor, but a copy of the complaint must be served with the summons.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 5, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5702; C.S.1922, § 5032; C.S.1929, § 26-1705; R.S.1943, § 23-2005.


23-2006. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; defensive pleadings.

No answer or other pleading after the complaint is necessary, but the defendant may move to reject the complaint upon any ground rendering such motion proper; and he may answer if he desires, and if he answers the accuser may reply or not. But if there be an answer and reply, the provisions of section 23-2003 relating to pleadings in the action shall apply.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 6, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5703; C.S.1922, § 5033; C.S.1929, § 26-1706; R.S.1943, § 23-2006.


23-2007. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; judgment.

The question of fact shall be tried as in other actions, and if the accused is found guilty, judgment shall be entered removing the officer from his office, and declaring the latter vacant, and the clerk shall enter a copy of the judgment in the election book.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 7, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5704; C.S.1922, § 5034; C.S.1929, § 26-1707; R.S.1943, § 23-2007.


23-2008. County officers; removal by judicial proceedings; costs of action.

The accuser and the accused are liable to costs as in other actions.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 8, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5705; C.S.1922, § 5035; C.S.1929, § 26-1708; R.S.1943, § 23-2008.


23-2009. County officers; suspension pending trial; vacancy; how filled.

When the accused is an officer of the court, and is suspended, the court may supply his place by appointment for the term.

Source:R.S.1866, c. 45, § 9, p. 298; R.S.1913, § 5706; C.S.1922, § 5036; C.S.1929, § 26-1709; R.S.1943, § 23-2009.


Annotations

23-2010. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.01. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.02. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.03. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.04. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.05. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.06. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.07. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.08. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.09. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2010.10. Repealed. Laws 1984, LB 975, § 14.

23-2011. Repealed. Laws 1980, LB 601, § 13.

23-2012. Removal of disabled officers; procedure.

Whenever the county board shall determine after hearing that any county officer or deputy is physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of his office and cannot recover sufficiently to be able to perform such duties, the board shall declare such position vacant and appoint a successor. The county board shall appoint two physicians to examine the officer or deputy and shall receive the report of the physicians as evidence at the hearing. If the person so removed is an officer, the appointment shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. Such hearing shall be held only after ten days' notice in writing to the officer or deputy concerned. An appeal to district court may be taken from the action in the same manner as appeals are now taken from the action of the county board in the allowance or disallowance of claims against the county. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the office of county judge.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 110, § 1, p. 358.


23-2013. Incarcerated county officer; forfeiture of office; replacement.

Except as provided in section 23-2001, the county board may require a county officer incarcerated for the conviction of a crime to temporarily forfeit his or her powers and duties while so incarcerated. The county board may declare the office temporarily vacant and appoint a replacement for the period of time such officer is incarcerated. The temporary officer shall assume all the powers and duties of the office and be compensated accordingly. No compensation shall be given to the incarcerated officer. If no other action is taken, the county officer may resume all duties of his or her office after the completion of his or her period of incarceration.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 423, § 1.    


Annotations

23-2101. Transferred to section 13-701.

23-2102. Transferred to section 13-702.

23-2103. Transferred to section 13-703.

23-2104. Transferred to section 13-704.

23-2105. Transferred to section 13-705.

23-2106. Transferred to section 13-706.

23-2107. Repealed. Laws 1963, c. 340, § 1.

23-2201. Transferred to section 13-802.

23-2202. Transferred to section 13-801.

23-2203. Transferred to section 13-803.

23-2204. Transferred to section 13-804.

23-2205. Transferred to section 13-805.

23-2206. Transferred to section 13-806.

23-2207. Transferred to section 13-807.

23-2301. Terms, defined.

For purposes of the County Employees Retirement Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)(a) Actuarial equivalent means the equality in value of the aggregate amounts expected to be received under different forms of an annuity payment.

(b) For a member hired prior to January 1, 2018, the mortality assumption used for purposes of converting the member cash balance account shall be the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table using a unisex rate that is fifty percent male and fifty percent female. For purposes of converting the member cash balance account attributable to contributions made prior to January 1, 1984, that were transferred pursuant to the act, the 1994 Group Annuity Mortality Table for males shall be used.

(c) For a member hired on or after January 1, 2018, or rehired on or after January 1, 2018, after termination of employment and being paid a retirement benefit or taking a refund of contributions, the mortality assumption used for purposes of converting the member cash balance account shall be a unisex mortality table that is recommended by the actuary and approved by the board following an actuarial experience study, a benefit adequacy study, or a plan valuation. The mortality table and actuarial factors in effect on the member's retirement date will be used to calculate the actuarial equivalency of any retirement benefit;

(2) Annuity means equal monthly payments provided by the retirement system to a member or beneficiary under forms determined by the board beginning the first day of the month after an annuity election is received in the office of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems or the first day of the month after the employee's termination of employment, whichever is later. The last payment shall be at the end of the calendar month in which the member dies or in accordance with the payment option chosen by the member;

(3) Annuity start date means the date upon which a member's annuity is first effective and shall be the first day of the month following the member's termination or following the date the application is received by the board, whichever is later;

(4) Cash balance benefit means a member's retirement benefit that is equal to an amount based on annual employee contribution credits plus interest credits and, if vested, employer contribution credits plus interest credits and dividend amounts credited in accordance with subdivision (4)(c) of section 23-2317;

(5)(a) Compensation means gross wages or salaries payable to the member for personal services performed during the plan year. Compensation does not include insurance premiums converted into cash payments, reimbursement for expenses incurred, fringe benefits, per diems, or bonuses for services not actually rendered, including, but not limited to, early retirement inducements, cash awards, and severance pay, except for retroactive salary payments paid pursuant to court order, arbitration, or litigation and grievance settlements. Compensation includes overtime pay, member retirement contributions, and amounts contributed by the member to plans under sections 125, 403(b), and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code or any other section of the code which defers or excludes such amounts from income.

(b) Compensation in excess of the limitations set forth in section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be disregarded. For an employee who was a member of the retirement system before the first plan year beginning after December 31, 1995, the limitation on compensation shall not be less than the amount which was allowed to be taken into account under the retirement system as in effect on July 1, 1993;

(6) Date of adoption of the retirement system by each county means the first day of the month next following the date of approval of the retirement system by the county board or January 1, 1987, whichever is earlier;

(7) Date of disability means the date on which a member is determined by the board to be disabled;

(8) Defined contribution benefit means a member's retirement benefit from a money purchase plan in which member benefits equal annual contributions and earnings pursuant to section 23-2309 and, if vested, employer contributions and earnings pursuant to section 23-2310;

(9) Disability means an inability to engage in any substantially gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which was initially diagnosed or became disabling while the member was an active participant in the plan and which can be expected to result in death or be of a long-continued and indefinite duration;

(10) Employee means all persons or officers who are employed by a county of the State of Nebraska on a permanent basis, persons or officers employed by or serving in a municipal county formed by at least one county participating in the retirement system, persons employed as provided in section 2-1608, all elected officers of a county, and such other persons or officers as are classified from time to time as permanent employees by the county board of the county by which they are employed, except that employee does not include judges, employees or officers of any county having a population in excess of two hundred fifty thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, or, except as provided in section 23-2306, persons making contributions to the School Employees Retirement System of the State of Nebraska;

(11) Employee contribution credit means an amount equal to the member contribution amount required by section 23-2307;

(12) Employer contribution credit means an amount equal to the employer contribution amount required by section 23-2308;

(13) Final account value means the value of a member's account on the date the account is either distributed to the member or used to purchase an annuity from the plan, which date shall occur as soon as administratively practicable after receipt of a valid application for benefits, but no sooner than forty-five days after the member's termination;

(14) Five-year break in service means a period of five consecutive one-year breaks in service;

(15) Full-time employee means an employee who is employed to work one-half or more of the regularly scheduled hours during each pay period;

(16) Future service means service following the date of adoption of the retirement system;

(17) Guaranteed investment contract means an investment contract or account offering a return of principal invested plus interest at a specified rate. For investments made after July 19, 1996, guaranteed investment contract does not include direct obligations of the United States or its instrumentalities, bonds, participation certificates or other obligations of the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or the Government National Mortgage Association, or collateralized mortgage obligations and other derivative securities. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the liquidation of investment contracts or accounts entered into prior to July 19, 1996;

(18) Hire date or date of hire means the first day of compensated service subject to retirement contributions;

(19) Interest credit rate means the greater of (a) five percent or (b) the applicable federal mid-term rate, as published by the Internal Revenue Service as of the first day of the calendar quarter for which interest credits are credited, plus one and one-half percent, such rate to be compounded annually;

(20) Interest credits means the amounts credited to the employee cash balance account and the employer cash balance account at the end of each day. Such interest credit for each account shall be determined by applying the daily portion of the interest credit rate to the account balance at the end of the previous day. Such interest credits shall continue to be credited to the employee cash balance account and the employer cash balance account after a member ceases to be an employee, except that no such credit shall be made with respect to the employee cash balance account and the employer cash balance account for any day beginning on or after the member's date of final account value. If benefits payable to the member's surviving spouse or beneficiary are delayed after the member's death, interest credits shall continue to be credited to the employee cash balance account and the employer cash balance account until such surviving spouse or beneficiary commences receipt of a distribution from the plan;

(21) Member cash balance account means an account equal to the sum of the employee cash balance account and, if vested, the employer cash balance account and dividend amounts credited in accordance with subdivision (4)(c) of section 23-2317;

(22) One-year break in service means a plan year during which the member has not completed more than five hundred hours of service;

(23) Participation means qualifying for and making the required deposits to the retirement system during the course of a plan year;

(24) Part-time employee means an employee who is employed to work less than one-half of the regularly scheduled hours during each pay period;

(25) Plan year means the twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31;

(26) Prior service means service prior to the date of adoption of the retirement system;

(27) Regular interest means the rate of interest earned each calendar year as determined by the retirement board in conformity with actual and expected earnings on the investments through December 31, 1985;

(28) Required beginning date means, for purposes of the deferral of distributions and the commencement of mandatory distributions pursuant to section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder, April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which a member:

(a)(i) Terminated employment with all employers participating in the plan; and

(ii)(A) Attained at least seventy and one-half years of age for a member who attained seventy and one-half years of age on or before December 31, 2019;

(B) Attained at least seventy-two years of age for a member who attained seventy and one-half years of age on or after January 1, 2020, and prior to January 1, 2023;

(C) Attained at least seventy-three years of age for a member who attained seventy-two years of age after December 31, 2022, and seventy-three years of age prior to January 1, 2033; or

(D) Attained at least seventy-five years of age for a member who attained seventy-four years of age after December 31, 2032; or

(b)(i) Terminated employment with all employers participating in the plan; and

(ii) Otherwise reached the date specified by section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder;

(29) Required contribution means the deduction to be made from the compensation of employees as provided in the act;

(30) Retirement means qualifying for and accepting the retirement benefit granted under the act after terminating employment;

(31) Retirement application means the form approved and provided by the retirement system for acceptance of a member's request for either regular or disability retirement;

(32) Retirement board or board means the Public Employees Retirement Board;

(33) Retirement date means (a) the first day of the month following the date upon which a member's request for retirement is received on a retirement application if the member is eligible for retirement and has terminated employment or (b) the first day of the month following termination of employment if the member is eligible for retirement and has filed an application but has not yet terminated employment;

(34) Retirement system means the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties;

(35) Service means the actual total length of employment as an employee and is not deemed to be interrupted by (a) temporary or seasonal suspension of service that does not terminate the employee's employment, (b) leave of absence authorized by the employer for a period not exceeding twelve months, (c) leave of absence because of disability, or (d) military service, when properly authorized by the retirement board. Service does not include any period of disability for which disability retirement benefits are received under section 23-2315;

(36) Surviving spouse means (a) the spouse married to the member on the date of the member's death or (b) the spouse or former spouse of the member if survivorship rights are provided under a qualified domestic relations order filed with the board pursuant to the Spousal Pension Rights Act. The spouse or former spouse shall supersede the spouse married to the member on the date of the member's death as provided under a qualified domestic relations order. If the benefits payable to the spouse or former spouse under a qualified domestic relations order are less than the value of benefits entitled to the surviving spouse, the spouse married to the member on the date of the member's death shall be the surviving spouse for the balance of the benefits;

(37) Termination of employment occurs on the date on which a county which is a member of the retirement system determines that its employer-employee relationship with an employee is dissolved. The county shall notify the board of the date on which such a termination has occurred. Termination of employment does not occur if an employee whose employer-employee relationship with a county is dissolved enters into an employer-employee relationship with the same or another county which participates in the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties and there are less than one hundred twenty days between the date when the employee's employer-employee relationship ceased with the county and the date when the employer-employee relationship commenced with the same or another county which qualifies the employee for participation in the plan. It is the responsibility of the employer that is involved in the termination of employment to notify the board of such change in employment and provide the board with such information as the board deems necessary. If the board determines that termination of employment has not occurred and a retirement benefit has been paid to a member of the retirement system pursuant to section 23-2319, the board shall require the member who has received such benefit to repay the benefit to the retirement system; and

(38) Vesting credit means credit for years, or a fraction of a year, of participation in another Nebraska governmental plan for purposes of determining vesting of the employer account.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 1, p. 402; Laws 1969, c. 172, § 1, p. 750; Laws 1973, LB 216, § 1;    Laws 1974, LB 905, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 47, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 45, § 1;    Laws 1984, LB 216, § 2;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 432, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 2;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 417, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 833, § 1;    Laws 1995, LB 369, § 2;    Laws 1996, LB 847, § 2;    Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1273, § 14;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 1;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 23;    Laws 1999, LB 703, § 1;    Laws 2000, LB 1192, § 1;    Laws 2001, LB 142, § 32;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 1;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 3;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 2;    Laws 2004, LB 1097, § 2;    Laws 2006, LB 366, § 2;    Laws 2006, LB 1019, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 2;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 4;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 2;    Laws 2015, LB41, § 2;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 11;    Laws 2020, LB1054, § 1;    Laws 2023, LB103, § 1.    
Operative Date: May 2, 2023


Cross References

23-2302. Retirement System for Nebraska Counties; establish; purpose; acceptance of contributions.

(1) A county employees retirement system shall be established for the purpose of providing a retirement annuity or other benefits for employees as provided by the County Employees Retirement Act. It shall be known as the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties, and by such name shall transact all business and hold all cash and other property as provided in the County Employees Retirement Act.

(2) The retirement system shall not accept as contributions any money from members or participating counties except the following:

(a) Mandatory contributions and fees established by sections 23-2307 and 23-2308;

(b) Payments on behalf of transferred employees made pursuant to section 23-2306.02 or 23-2306.03;

(c) Money that is a repayment of refunded contributions made pursuant to section 23-2320;

(d) Contributions for military service credit made pursuant to section 23-2323.01;

(e) Actuarially required contributions pursuant to subdivision (4)(b) of section 23-2317;

(f) Trustee-to-trustee transfers pursuant to section 23-2323.04;

(g) Corrections ordered by the board pursuant to section 23-2305.01; or

(h) Payments made pursuant to subsection (4) of section 23-2306.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 2, p. 403; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 2;    Laws 1985, LB 432, § 2;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 3;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 3;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 1.    


23-2303. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 216, § 4.

23-2304. Repealed. Laws 1973, LB 216, § 4.

23-2305. Public Employees Retirement Board; duties; rules and regulations.

It shall be the duty of the board to administer the County Employees Retirement Act as provided in section 84-1503. The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the act.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 5, p. 404; Laws 1969, c. 172, § 2, p. 752; Laws 1979, LB 416, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 3;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 2; Laws 1995, LB 369, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 847, § 3;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 2.    


23-2305.01. Board; power to adjust contributions and benefits; overpayment of benefits; investigatory powers; subpoenas.

(1)(a) If the board determines that the retirement system has previously received contributions or distributed benefits which for any reason are not in accordance with the statutory provisions of the County Employees Retirement Act, the board shall refund contributions, require additional contributions, adjust benefits, credit dividend amounts, or require repayment of benefits paid. In the event of an overpayment of a benefit, the board may, in addition to other remedies, offset future benefit payments by the amount of the prior overpayment, together with regular interest or interest credits, whichever is appropriate, thereon. In the event of an underpayment of a benefit, the board shall immediately make payment equal to the deficit amount plus regular interest or interest credits, whichever is appropriate.

(b) The board shall have the power, through the director of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems or the director's designee, to make a thorough investigation of any overpayment of a benefit, when in the judgment of the retirement system such investigation is necessary, including, but not limited to, circumstances in which benefit payments are made after the death of a member or beneficiary and the retirement system is not made aware of such member's or beneficiary's death. In connection with any such investigation, the board, through the director or the director's designee, shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, and documents, whether in hardcopy, electronic form, or otherwise, and issue subpoenas for such purposes. Such subpoenas shall be served in the same manner and have the same effect as subpoenas from district courts.

(2) The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations implementing this section, which may include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) The procedures for refunding contributions, adjusting future contributions or benefit payments, and requiring additional contributions or repayment of benefits; (b) the process for a member, member's beneficiary, employee, or employer to dispute an adjustment of contributions or benefits; and (c) notice provided to all affected persons. All notices shall be sent prior to an adjustment and shall describe the process for disputing an adjustment of contributions or benefits.

Source:Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 5;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 4;    Laws 2006, LB 1019, § 2;    Laws 2015, LB40, § 4;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 3.    


23-2306. Retirement system; members; employees; elected officials; certain contemplated business transactions regarding retirement system participation; procedures; costs; new employee; participation in another governmental plan; how treated; separate employment; effect.

(1) The membership of the retirement system shall be composed of all persons who are or were employed by member counties and who maintain an account balance with the retirement system.

(2) The following employees of member counties are authorized to participate in the retirement system: (a) All permanent full-time employees who have attained the age of eighteen years shall begin participation in the retirement system upon employment and full-time elected officials shall begin participation in the retirement system upon taking office, (b) all permanent part-time employees who have attained the age of eighteen years may exercise the option to begin participation in the retirement system within the first thirty days of employment, and (c) all part-time elected officials may exercise the option to begin participation in the retirement system within thirty days after taking office. An employee who exercises the option to begin participation in the retirement system shall remain in the system until termination or retirement, regardless of any change of status as a permanent or temporary employee.

(3) On and after July 1, 2010, no employee of a member county shall be authorized to participate in the retirement system provided for in the County Employees Retirement Act unless the employee (a) is a United States citizen or (b) is a qualified alien under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., as such act existed on January 1, 2009, and is lawfully present in the United States.

(4)(a) The board may determine that a governmental entity currently participating in the retirement system no longer qualifies, in whole or in part, under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code as a participating employer in a governmental plan.

(b)(i) To aid governmental entities in their business decisionmaking process, any governmental entity currently participating in the retirement system contemplating a business transaction that may result in such entity no longer qualifying, in whole or in part, under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code may notify the board in writing as soon as reasonably practicable, but no later than one hundred eighty days before the transaction is to occur.

(ii) The board when timely notified shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, obtain from its contracted actuary the cost of any actuarial study necessary to determine the potential funding obligation. The board shall notify the entity of such cost.

(iii) If such entity pays the board's contracted actuary pursuant to subdivision (4)(c)(vi) of this section for any actuarial study necessary to determine the potential funding obligation, the board shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following its receipt of the actuarial study, (A) determine whether the entity's contemplated business transaction will cause the entity to no longer qualify under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, (B) determine whether the contemplated business transaction constitutes a plan termination by the entity, (C) determine the potential funding obligation, (D) determine the administrative costs that will be incurred by the board or the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems in connection with the entity's removal from the retirement system, and (E) notify the entity of such determinations.

(iv) Failure to timely notify the board pursuant to subdivision (4)(b)(i) of this section may result in the entity being treated as though the board made a decision pursuant to subdivision (4)(a) of this section.

(c) If the board makes a determination pursuant to subdivision (4)(a) of this section, or if the entity engages in the contemplated business transaction reviewed under subdivision (4)(b) of this section that results in the entity no longer qualifying under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code:

(i) The board shall notify the entity that it no longer qualifies under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code within ten business days after the determination;

(ii) The affected plan members shall be immediately considered fully vested;

(iii) The affected plan members shall become inactive within ninety days after the board's determination;

(iv) The entity shall pay to the County Employees Retirement Fund an amount equal to any funding obligation;

(v) The entity shall pay to the County Employees Cash Balance Retirement Expense Fund an amount equal to any administrative costs incurred by the board or the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems in connection with the entity's removal from the retirement system; and

(vi) The entity shall pay directly to the board's contracted actuary an amount equal to the cost of any actuarial study necessary to aid the board in determining the amount of such funding obligation, if not previously paid.

(d) For purposes of this subsection:

(i) Business transaction means a merger; consolidation; sale of assets, equipment, or facilities; termination of a division, department, section, or subgroup of the entity; or any other business transaction that results in termination of some or all of the entity's workforce; and

(ii) Funding obligation means the financial liability of the retirement system to provide benefits for the affected plan members incurred by the retirement system due to the entity's business transaction calculated using the methodology and assumptions recommended by the board's contracted actuary and approved by the board. The methodology and assumptions used must be structured in a way that ensures the entity is financially liable for all the costs of the entity's business transaction, and the retirement system is not financially liable for any of the cost of the entity's business transaction.

(e) The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this subsection including, but not limited to, the methods of notifying the board of pending business transactions, the acceptable methods of payment, and the timing of such payment.

(5) Within the first one hundred eighty days of employment, a full-time employee may apply to the board for vesting credit for years of participation in another Nebraska governmental plan, as defined by section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. During the years of participation in the other Nebraska governmental plan, the employee must have been a full-time employee, as defined in the Nebraska governmental plan in which the credit was earned. The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing the assessment and granting of vesting credit.

(6) Any employee who qualifies for membership in the retirement system pursuant to this section may not be disqualified from membership in the retirement system solely because such employee also maintains separate employment which qualifies the employee for membership in another public retirement system, nor may membership in this retirement system disqualify such an employee from membership in another public retirement system solely by reason of separate employment which qualifies such employee for membership in this retirement system.

(7) A full-time or part-time employee of a city, village, or township who becomes a county employee pursuant to a merger of services shall receive vesting credit for his or her years of participation in a Nebraska governmental plan, as defined by section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, of the city, village, or township.

(8) A full-time or part-time employee of a city, village, fire protection district, or township who becomes a municipal county employee shall receive credit for his or her years of employment with the city, village, fire protection district, or township for purposes of the vesting provisions of this section.

(9) A full-time or part-time employee of the state who becomes a county employee pursuant to transfer of assessment function to a county shall not be deemed to have experienced a termination of employment and shall receive vesting credit for his or her years of participation in the State Employees Retirement System of the State of Nebraska.

(10) Counties shall ensure that employees authorized to participate in the retirement system pursuant to this section shall enroll and make required contributions to the retirement system immediately upon becoming an employee. Information necessary to determine membership in the retirement system shall be provided by the employer.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 6, p. 405; Laws 1975, LB 32, § 1;    Laws 1984, LB 216, § 3;    Laws 1985, LB 349, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 3; Laws 1995, LB 501, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 2;    Laws 1997, LB 250, § 5;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 2;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 24;    Laws 2000, LB 1192, § 2;    Laws 2001, LB 142, § 33;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 2;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 5;    Laws 2004, LB 1097, § 3;    Laws 2006, LB 366, § 3;    Laws 2008, LB1147, § 1;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 1;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 4;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 3;    Laws 2015, LB261, § 3;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 4;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 1.    


Annotations

23-2306.01. Repealed. Laws 2006, LB 366, § 14.

23-2306.02. Retirement system; transferred employee; payment to system.

Under such rules and regulations as the retirement board may adopt and promulgate, a full-time or part-time employee of a city, village, or township who becomes a county employee pursuant to a merger of services may pay to the retirement system an amount equal to the sum of all deductions which were made from the employee's compensation, plus earnings, during such period of employment with the city, village, or township. Payment shall be made within five years after the merger or prior to retirement, whichever comes first, and may be made through direct payment, installment payments, or an irrevocable payroll authorization.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 250, § 6;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 5.    


23-2306.03. Retirement system; municipal county employee; participation in another governmental plan; how treated.

Under such rules and regulations as the retirement board may adopt and promulgate, a full-time or part-time employee of a city, village, fire protection district, or township who becomes a municipal county employee shall transfer all of his or her funds in the retirement system of the city, village, fire protection district, or township by paying to the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties from funds held by the retirement system of the city, village, fire protection district, or township an amount equal to one of the following: (1) If the retirement system of the city, village, fire protection district, or township maintains a defined benefit plan, an amount not to exceed the initial benefit transfer value as provided in section 13-2401, leaving no funds attributable to the transferred employee within the retirement system of the city, village, fire protection district, or township; or (2) if the retirement system of the city, village, fire protection district, or township maintains a defined contribution plan, an amount not to exceed the employee and employer accounts of the transferring employee plus earnings during the period of employment with the city, village, fire protection district, or township. The employee shall receive vesting credit for his or her years of service in a governmental plan, as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, maintained by the city, village, fire protection district, or township. Payment shall be made within five years after employment begins with the receiving entity or prior to retirement, whichever comes first, and may be made through direct payment, installment payments, or an irrevocable payroll deduction authorization.

Source:Laws 2001, LB 142, § 34;    Laws 2006, LB 366, § 4;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 6.    


23-2307. Retirement system; members; contribution; amount; county pay.

Each employee who is a member of the retirement system shall pay to the county or have picked up by the county a sum equal to four and one-half percent of his or her compensation for each pay period. The contributions, although designated as employee contributions, shall be paid by the county in lieu of employee contributions. The county shall pick up the employee contributions required by this section for all compensation paid on or after January 1, 1985, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions pursuant to section 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code in determining federal tax treatment under the code and shall not be included as gross income of the employee until such time as they are distributed or made available. The county shall pay these employee contributions from the same source of funds which is used in paying earnings to the employee. The county shall pick up these contributions by a compensation deduction through a reduction in the cash compensation of the employee. Employee contributions picked up shall be treated for all purposes of the County Employees Retirement Act in the same manner and to the extent as employee contributions made prior to the date picked up.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 7, p. 405; Laws 1981, LB 459, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 218, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 4;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 4; Laws 1992, LB 1057, § 1; Laws 1995, LB 574, § 31;    Laws 2001, LB 186, § 1;    Laws 2001, LB 408, § 1;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 4.    


23-2308. County Employees Retirement Fund; created; investment; system; county clerk; payment; fees; accounting of funds.

(1) The County Employees Retirement Fund is created. The fund shall be administered by the board and shall consist of contributions and other such sums as provided in section 23-2302. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(2) The county clerk shall pay to the board or an entity designated by the board an amount equal to two hundred fifty percent of the amounts deducted from the compensation of employees in accordance with the provisions of section 23-2307, which two hundred fifty percent equals the employees' contributions plus the county's contributions of one hundred fifty percent of the employees' contributions.

(3) The board may charge the county an administrative processing fee of twenty-five dollars if the reports of necessary information or payments made pursuant to this section are received later than the date on which the board requires that such information or money should be received. In addition, the board may charge the county a late fee of thirty-eight thousandths of one percent of the amount required to be submitted pursuant to this section for each day such amount has not been received or in an amount equal to the amount of any costs incurred by the member due to the late receipt of contributions, whichever is greater. The late fee may be used to make a member's account whole for any costs that may have been incurred by the member due to the late receipt of contributions.

(4) The Department of Administrative Services may, for accounting purposes, create subfunds of the County Employees Retirement Fund to separately account for defined contribution plan assets and cash balance plan assets.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 8, p. 405; Laws 1981, LB 459, § 2; Laws 1991, LB 549, § 5; Laws 1992, LB 1057, § 2; Laws 1993, LB 417, § 2;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 25;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 3;    Laws 2005, LB 364, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 5;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 5.    


Cross References

23-2308.01. Cash balance benefit; election; effect; administrative services agreements; authorized.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that, in order to improve the competitiveness of the retirement plan for county employees, a cash balance benefit shall be added to the County Employees Retirement Act on and after January 1, 2003. Each member who is employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, may either elect to continue participation in the defined contribution benefit as provided in the act prior to January 1, 2003, or elect to participate in the cash balance benefit as set forth in this section. An active member shall make a one-time election beginning September 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012, in order to participate in the cash balance benefit. If no such election is made, the member shall be treated as though he or she elected to continue participating in the defined contribution benefit as provided in the act prior to January 1, 2003. Members who elect to participate in the cash balance benefit beginning September 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012, shall commence participation in the cash balance benefit on January 2, 2013. Any member who made the election prior to April 7, 2012, does not have to make another election of the cash balance benefit beginning September 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012.

(2) For a member employed and participating in the retirement system beginning on and after January 1, 2003, or a member employed and participating in the retirement system on January 1, 2003, who, prior to April 7, 2012, or beginning September 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012, elects to convert his or her employee and employer accounts to the cash balance benefit:

(a) The employee cash balance account within the County Employees Retirement Fund shall, at any time, be equal to the following:

(i) The initial employee account balance, if any, transferred from the defined contribution plan account described in section 23-2309; plus

(ii) Employee contribution credits deposited in accordance with section 23-2307; plus

(iii) Interest credits credited in accordance with subdivision (20) of section 23-2301; plus

(iv) Dividend amounts credited in accordance with subdivision (4)(c) of section 23-2317; and

(b) The employer cash balance account shall, at any time, be equal to the following:

(i) The initial employer account balance, if any, transferred from the defined contribution plan account described in section 23-2310; plus

(ii) Employer contribution credits deposited in accordance with section 23-2308; plus

(iii) Interest credits credited in accordance with subdivision (20) of section 23-2301; plus

(iv) Dividend amounts credited in accordance with subdivision (4)(c) of section 23-2317.

(3) In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the board may enter into administrative services agreements for accounting or record-keeping services. No agreement shall be entered into unless the board determines that it will result in administrative economy and will be in the best interests of the counties and their participating employees. The board may develop a schedule for the allocation of the administrative services agreements costs for accounting or record-keeping services and may assess the costs so that each member pays a reasonable fee as determined by the board.

Source:Laws 2002, LB 687, § 6;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 4;    Laws 2005, LB 364, § 2;    Laws 2006, LB 366, § 5;    Laws 2006, LB 1019, § 3;    Laws 2007, LB328, § 1;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 2;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 2;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 6;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 6;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 12;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 2.    


23-2309. Defined contribution benefit; employee account, defined; interest credited to account.

For a member employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected not to participate in the cash balance benefit, a member's share of the fund arising from the compensation deductions made in accordance with section 23-2307 shall be known as his or her employee account. Each year, commencing January 1, 1975, and ending December 31, 1985, regular interest shall be credited to the employee account. As of January 1 of each such year, a member's employee account shall be equal to one hundred percent of his or her employee account as of the next preceding January 1, increased by any regular interest earned and any amounts deducted from the member's compensation since the next preceding January 1 in accordance with section 23-2307.

On and after January 1, 1986, the employee account shall be equal to the sum of the employee's stable return account, equities account, and any assets of additional accounts created pursuant to section 23-2309.01.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 9, p. 405; Laws 1974, LB 905, § 2;    Laws 1983, LB 313, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 5;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 6; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 2;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 7.    


23-2309.01. Defined contribution benefit; employee account; investment options; procedures; administration.

(1)(a) Each member employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected not to participate in the cash balance benefit, shall be allowed to allocate all contributions to the member's employee account to various investment options. The investment options shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(i) An investor select account which shall be invested under the direction of the state investment officer with an asset allocation and investment strategy substantially similar to the investment allocations made by the state investment officer for the defined benefit plans under the retirement systems described in subdivision (1)(a) of section 84-1503. Investments shall most likely include domestic and international equities, fixed income investments, and real estate, as well as potentially additional asset classes;

(ii) A stable return account which shall be invested by or under the direction of the state investment officer in a stable value strategy that provides capital preservation and consistent, steady returns;

(iii) An equities account which shall be invested by or under the direction of the state investment officer in equities;

(iv) A fixed income account which shall be invested by or under the direction of the state investment officer in fixed income instruments; and

(v) A life-cycle fund which shall be invested under the direction of the state investment officer with an asset allocation and investment strategy that adjusts from a position of higher risk to one of lower risk as the member ages.

(b) If the member fails to select an option or combination of options pursuant to subdivision (a) of this subsection, all of the member's funds shall be placed in the option described in subdivision (a)(v) of this subsection. Each member shall be given a detailed current description of each investment option prior to making or revising the member's allocation.

(2) Members of the retirement system may allocate their contributions to the investment options in percentage increments as set by the board in any proportion, including full allocation to any one option. A member under subdivision (1)(a) of section 23-2321 or the member's beneficiary may transfer any portion of the member's funds among the options, except for restrictions on transfers to or from the stable return account pursuant to rule or regulation. The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for changes of a member's allocation of contributions to the member's accounts after the member's most recent allocation and for transfers from one investment account to another.

(3) The board shall develop a schedule for the allocation of administrative costs of maintaining the various investment options and shall assess the costs so that each member pays a reasonable fee as determined by the board.

(4) In order to carry out this section, the board may enter into administrative services agreements for accounting or record-keeping services. No agreement shall be entered into unless the board determines that it will result in administrative economy and will be in the best interests of the county and its participating employees.

(5) The state, the board, the state investment officer, the members of the Nebraska Investment Council, or the county shall not be liable for any investment results resulting from the member's exercise of control over the assets in the employee account.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 347, § 11;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 7; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 847, § 4;    Laws 1999, LB 703, § 2;    Laws 2000, LB 1200, § 1;    Laws 2001, LB 408, § 2;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 4;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 8;    Laws 2005, LB 503, § 1;    Laws 2008, LB1147, § 2;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 3;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 7;    Laws 2014, LB759, § 16;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 7;    Laws 2019, LB32, § 1;    Laws 2022, LB700, § 1.    


23-2310. Defined contribution benefit; employer account, defined; state investment officer; duties.

(1) For a member employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected not to participate in the cash balance benefit, a member's share of the fund arising from the county contributions shall be known as his or her employer account. Prior to January 1, 1981, as of any January 1 a member's employer account shall be equal to his or her account as of the next preceding January 1, increased by one hundred percent of any amounts deducted from the member's compensation since the next preceding January 1 in accordance with section 23-2307. As of January 1, 1982, a member's employer account shall be equal to the account as of January 1, 1981, increased by one hundred percent of the amounts deducted from the member's compensation for the first nine months of the year and one hundred fifty percent for the final three months of the year in accordance with section 23-2307. As of January 1, 1983, and each year thereafter, the member's employer account shall be equal to the account as of the next preceding January 1 increased by one hundred fifty percent of the amounts deducted from the member's compensation since the next preceding January 1 in accordance with section 23-2307. The member's employer account shall be increased by any interest allocated under the provisions of the guaranteed investment contract and any gains on investments and reduced by any losses on investments, any expense charges under the guaranteed investment contract or other investments, and any expense charges incurred in connection with administering the retirement system in excess of those provided for in section 23-2319.01, except that a member who ceased being an employee since the next preceding January 1 may have his or her employer account reduced in accordance with such section. On and after July 1, 1999, the employer account shall be equal to the sum of the assets of the accounts created by the board pursuant to section 23-2310.05.

(2) On and after January 1, 1997, and until July 1, 1999, the state investment officer shall invest the employer account, and, after July 1, 1999, upon maturity, the state investment officer shall invest the employer account funds which have been invested in guaranteed investment contracts prior to January 1, 1997. On and after July 1, 1999, the employer account shall be invested pursuant to section 23-2310.05. The state investment officer shall invest or reinvest the funds in securities and investments the nature of which individuals of prudence, discretion, and intelligence acquire or retain in dealing with the property of another, and if the state investment officer has special skills or is appointed on the basis of representations of special skills or expertise, he or she is under a duty to use such skills.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 10, p. 406; Laws 1981, LB 462, § 1; Laws 1983, LB 313, § 2;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 6;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 3;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 8; Laws 1992, LB 1057, § 3; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 4;    Laws 1996, LB 847, § 5;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 3;    Laws 1999, LB 687, § 2;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 9.    


Annotations

23-2310.01. Repealed. Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 85.

23-2310.02. Repealed. Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 85.

23-2310.03. State Treasurer; duties.

The State Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds and securities of the retirement system and may deposit the funds and securities in any financial institution approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. All disbursements therefrom shall be paid by him or her only upon vouchers signed by a person authorized by the retirement board. The State Treasurer shall transmit monthly to the board a detailed statement showing all credits to and disbursements from the funds in his or her custody belonging to the retirement system.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 623, § 1.    


23-2310.04. County Employees Defined Contribution Retirement Expense Fund; County Employees Cash Balance Retirement Expense Fund; created; use; investment; forfeiture funds; use.

(1) The County Employees Defined Contribution Retirement Expense Fund is created. The fund shall be credited with money from the retirement system assets and income sufficient to pay the pro rata share of administrative expenses incurred as directed by the board for the proper administration of the County Employees Retirement Act and necessary in connection with the administration and operation of the retirement system, except as provided in sections 23-2308.01, 23-2309.01, and 23-2310.05. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(2) The County Employees Cash Balance Retirement Expense Fund is created. The fund shall be credited with money forfeited pursuant to section 23-2319.01 and with money from the retirement system assets and income sufficient to pay the pro rata share of administrative expenses incurred as directed by the board for the proper administration of the County Employees Retirement Act and necessary in connection with the administration and operation of the retirement system, except as provided in sections 23-2308.01, 23-2309.01, and 23-2310.05. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

(3) Forfeiture funds collected from members participating in the defined contribution benefit shall be used to either pay expenses or reduce employer contributions related to the defined contribution benefit. Any unused funds shall be allocated as earnings of and transferred to the accounts of the remaining members within twelve months after receipt of the funds by the board.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 623, § 2;    Laws 2000, LB 1200, § 2;    Laws 2001, LB 408, § 3;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 5;    Laws 2005, LB 364, § 3;    Laws 2007, LB328, § 2;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 4;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 5.    


Cross References

23-2310.05. Defined contribution benefit; employer account; investment options; procedures; administration.

(1) Each member employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected not to participate in the cash balance benefit, shall be allowed to allocate all contributions to the member's employer account to various investment options. Such investment options shall be the same as the investment options of the employee account as provided in subsection (1) of section 23-2309.01. If a member fails to select an option or combination of options, all of the member's funds in the employer account shall be placed in the investment option described in subdivision (1)(a)(v) of section 23-2309.01. Each member shall be given a detailed current description of each investment option prior to making or revising the member's allocation.

(2) Each member of the retirement system may allocate contributions to the member's employer account to the investment options in percentage increments as set by the board in any proportion, including full allocation to any one option. A member under subdivision (1)(a) of section 23-2321 or the member's beneficiary may transfer any portion of the member's funds among the options. The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for changes of a member's allocation of contributions to the member's accounts after the member's most recent allocation and for transfers from one investment account to another.

(3) The board shall develop a schedule for the allocation of administrative costs of maintaining the various investment options and shall assess the costs so that each member pays a reasonable fee as determined by the board.

(4) In order to carry out this section, the board may enter into administrative services agreements for accounting or record-keeping services. No agreement shall be entered into unless the board determines that it will result in administrative economy and will be in the best interests of the state and participating employees.

(5) The state, the board, the state investment officer, the members of the Nebraska Investment Council, or the county shall not be liable for any investment results resulting from the member's exercise of control over the assets in the employer account.

Source:Laws 1999, LB 687, § 1;    Laws 2000, LB 1200, § 3;    Laws 2001, LB 408, § 4;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 5;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 10;    Laws 2004, LB 1097, § 4;    Laws 2005, LB 364, § 4;    Laws 2005, LB 503, § 2;    Laws 2008, LB1147, § 3;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 5;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 8;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 8;    Laws 2019, LB32, § 2;    Laws 2022, LB700, § 2.    


23-2311. Transferred to section 23-2333.

23-2312. Retirement system; records; contents; employer education program.

(1) The director of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems shall keep a complete record of all members with respect to names, current addresses, ages, contributions, and any other facts as may be necessary in the administration of the County Employees Retirement Act. The information in the records shall be provided by the employer in an accurate and verifiable form, as specified by the director. The director shall, from time to time, carry out testing procedures pursuant to section 84-1512 to verify the accuracy of such information. For the purpose of obtaining such facts and information, the director shall have access to the records of the various counties and state departments and agencies and the holder of the records shall comply with a request by the director for access by providing such facts and information to the director in a timely manner. A certified copy of a birth certificate or delayed birth certificate shall be prima facie evidence of the age of the person named in the certificate.

(2) The director shall develop and implement an employer education program using principles generally accepted by public employee retirement systems so that all employers have the knowledge and information necessary to prepare and file reports as the board requires.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 12, p. 406; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 7;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 4;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 9; Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 26;    Laws 2000, LB 1192, § 3;    Laws 2005, LB 503, § 3.    


23-2313. Retirement system; Auditor of Public Accounts; audit; report.

It shall be the duty of the Auditor of Public Accounts to make an annual audit of the retirement system and an annual report to the retirement board and to the Clerk of the Legislature of the condition of the retirement system. The report submitted to the Clerk of the Legislature shall be submitted electronically. Each member of the Legislature shall receive an electronic copy of the report required by this section by making a request for such report to either the Auditor of Public Accounts or the retirement board.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 13, p. 407; Laws 1973, LB 214, § 2;    Laws 1979, LB 322, § 5;    Laws 1988, LB 1169, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB782, § 23.    


23-2314. Retirement system; powers.

The retirement system may sue or be sued in the name of the system, and in all actions brought by or against it, the system shall be represented by the Attorney General.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 14, p. 407; Laws 1996, LB 847, § 6.    


23-2315. Retirement system; retirement; when; conditions; application for benefits; deferment of payment; board; duties; certain required minimum distributions; election authorized.

(1) Upon filing an application for benefits with the board, an employee may elect to retire at any time after attaining the age of fifty-five or an employee may retire as a result of disability at any age.

(2) The member shall specify in the application for benefits the manner in which he or she wishes to receive the retirement benefit under the options provided by the County Employees Retirement Act. Payment under the application for benefits shall be made (a) for annuities, no sooner than the annuity start date, and (b) for other distributions, no sooner than the date of final account value.

(3) Payment of any benefit provided under the retirement system shall not be deferred later than the required beginning date.

(4) The board shall make reasonable efforts to locate the member or the member's beneficiary and distribute benefits by the required beginning date. If the board is unable to make such a distribution, the benefit shall be distributed pursuant to the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act and no amounts may be applied to increase the benefits any member would otherwise receive under the County Employees Retirement Act.

(5) A participant or beneficiary who would have been required to receive required minimum distributions for 2009 but for the enactment of section 401(a)(9)(H) of the Internal Revenue Code, and who would have satisfied that requirement by receiving distributions that are either equal to the 2009 required minimum distributions or one or more payments in a series of substantially equal distributions, including the 2009 required minimum distribution, made at least annually and expected to last for the life or life expectancy of the participant, the joint lives or joint life expectancy of the participant and the participant's designated beneficiary, or for a period of at least ten years, shall receive those distributions for 2009 unless the participant or beneficiary chooses not to receive such distributions. Participants and beneficiaries shall be given the opportunity to elect to stop receiving the distributions described in this subsection.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 15, p. 407; Laws 1975, LB 47, § 2;    Laws 1979, LB 391, § 1;    Laws 1982, LB 287, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 5;    Laws 1987, LB 60, § 1;    Laws 1987, LB 296, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 833, § 7;    Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 3;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 6;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 3;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 6;    Laws 2020, LB1054, § 2.    


Cross References

23-2315.01. Retirement for disability; application; when; medical examination; waiver.

(1) Any member, disregarding the length of service, may be retired as a result of disability either upon his or her own application or upon the application of his or her employer or any person acting in his or her behalf. Before any member may be so retired, a medical examination shall be made at the expense of the retirement system, which examination shall be conducted by a disinterested physician legally authorized to practice medicine under the laws of the state in which he or she practices, such physician to be selected by the retirement board, and the physician shall certify to the board that the member should be retired because he or she suffers from an inability to engage in any substantially gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which was initially diagnosed or became disabling while the member was an active participant in the plan and which can be expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration. The medical examination may be waived if, in the judgment of the retirement board, extraordinary circumstances exist which preclude substantial gainful activity by the member. Such circumstances shall include hospice placement or similar confinement for a terminal illness or injury. The application for disability retirement shall be made within one year of termination of employment.

(2) The retirement board may require any disability beneficiary who has not attained the age of fifty-five years to undergo a medical examination at the expense of the board once each year. Should any disability beneficiary refuse to undergo such an examination, his or her disability retirement benefit may be discontinued by the board.

(3) The retirement board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations and prescribe the necessary forms to carry out this section.

Source:Laws 1975, LB 47, § 3;    Laws 1997, LB 623, § 5;    Laws 2001, LB 408, § 5;    Laws 2010, LB950, § 6;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 13.    


23-2316. Retirement system; retirement value for employee.

The retirement value for any employee who retires under the provisions of section 23-2315 shall be (1) for participants in the defined contribution benefit, the sum of the employee's employee account and employer account as of the date of final account value and (2) for participants in the cash balance benefit, the benefit provided in section 23-2308.01 as of the date of final account value.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 16, p. 407; Laws 2002, LB 687, § 11;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 7.    


23-2317. Retirement system; future service retirement benefit; when payable; how computed; selection of annuity; board; certain required minimum distributions; election authorized.

(1) The future service retirement benefit shall be an annuity, payable monthly with the first payment made no earlier than the annuity start date, which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the retirement value as specified in section 23-2316 based on factors determined by the board, except that gender shall not be a factor when determining the amount of such payments pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

Except as provided in section 42-1107, at any time before the annuity start date, the retiring employee may choose to receive his or her annuity either in the form of an annuity as provided under subsection (4) of this section or any optional form that is determined by the board.

Except as provided in section 42-1107, in lieu of the future service retirement annuity, a retiring employee may receive a benefit not to exceed the amount in his or her employer and employee accounts as of the date of final account value payable in a lump sum and, if the employee chooses not to receive the entire amount in such accounts, an annuity equal to the actuarial equivalent of the remainder of the retirement value, and the employee may choose any form of such annuity as provided for by the board.

In any case, the amount of the monthly payment shall be such that the annuity chosen shall be the actuarial equivalent of the retirement value as specified in section 23-2316 except as provided in this section.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the monthly income payable to a member retiring on or after January 1, 1984, shall be as follows:

He or she shall receive at retirement the amount which may be purchased by the accumulated contributions based on annuity rates in effect on the annuity start date which do not utilize gender as a factor, except that such amounts shall not be less than the retirement income which can be provided by the sum of the amounts derived pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) of this subsection as follows:

(a) The income provided by the accumulated contributions made prior to January 1, 1984, based on male annuity purchase rates in effect on the date of purchase; and

(b) The income provided by the accumulated contributions made on and after January 1, 1984, based on the annuity purchase rates in effect on the date of purchase which do not use gender as a factor.

(3) Any amount, in excess of contributions, which may be required in order to purchase the retirement income specified in subsection (2) of this section shall be withdrawn from the County Equal Retirement Benefit Fund.

(4)(a) The normal form of payment shall be a single life annuity with five-year certain, which is an annuity payable monthly during the remainder of the member's life with the provision that, in the event of the member's death before sixty monthly payments have been made, the monthly payments will continue until sixty monthly payments have been made in total pursuant to section 23-2327.

Such annuity shall be equal to the actuarial equivalent of the member cash balance account or the sum of the employee and employer accounts, whichever is applicable, as of the date of final account value. As a part of the annuity, the normal form of payment may include a two and one-half percent cost-of-living adjustment purchased by the member, if the member elects such a payment option.

Except as provided in section 42-1107, a member may elect a lump-sum distribution of his or her member cash balance account as of the date of final account value upon termination of service or retirement.

For a member employed and participating in the retirement system prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected to participate in the cash balance benefit pursuant to section 23-2308.01, or for a member employed and participating in the retirement system beginning on and after January 1, 2003, the balance of his or her member cash balance account as of the date of final account value shall be converted to an annuity using an interest rate that is recommended by the actuary and approved by the board following an actuarial experience study, a benefit adequacy study, or a plan valuation. The interest rate and actuarial factors in effect on the member's retirement date will be used to calculate actuarial equivalency of any retirement benefit. Such interest rate may be, but is not required to be, equal to the assumed rate of return.

For an employee who is a member prior to January 1, 2003, who has elected not to participate in the cash balance benefit pursuant to section 23-2308.01, and who, at the time of retirement, chooses the annuity option rather than the lump-sum option, his or her employee and employer accounts as of the date of final account value shall be converted to an annuity using an interest rate that is equal to the lesser of (i) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation initial interest rate for valuing annuities for terminating plans as of the beginning of the year during which payment begins plus three-fourths of one percent or (ii) the interest rate used to calculate the retirement benefits for cash balance plan members.

(b) For the calendar year beginning January 1, 2003, and each calendar year thereafter, the actuary for the board shall perform an actuarial valuation of the system using the entry age actuarial cost method. Under this method, the actuarially required funding rate is equal to the normal cost rate plus the contribution rate necessary to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability on a level-payment basis. The normal cost under this method shall be determined for each individual member on a level percentage of salary basis. The normal cost amount is then summed for all members. The initial unfunded actual accrued liability as of January 1, 2003, if any, shall be amortized over a twenty-five-year period. During each subsequent actuarial valuation, changes in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability due to changes in benefits, actuarial assumptions, the asset valuation method, or actuarial gains or losses shall be measured and amortized over a twenty-five-year period beginning on the valuation date of such change. If the unfunded actuarial accrued liability under the entry age actuarial cost method is zero or less than zero on an actuarial valuation date, then all prior unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities shall be considered fully funded and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability shall be reinitialized and amortized over a twenty-five-year period as of the actuarial valuation date. If the actuarially required contribution rate exceeds the rate of all contributions required pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Act, there shall be a supplemental appropriation sufficient to pay for the difference between the actuarially required contribution rate and the rate of all contributions required pursuant to the act.

(c) If the unfunded accrued actuarial liability under the entry age actuarial cost method is less than zero on an actuarial valuation date, and on the basis of all data in the possession of the retirement board, including such mortality and other tables as are recommended by the actuary engaged by the retirement board and adopted by the retirement board, the retirement board may elect to pay a dividend to all members participating in the cash balance option in an amount that would not increase the actuarial contribution rate above ninety percent of the actual contribution rate. Dividends shall be credited to the employee cash balance account and the employer cash balance account based on the account balances on the actuarial valuation date. In the event a dividend is granted and paid after the actuarial valuation date, interest for the period from the actuarial valuation date until the dividend is actually paid shall be paid on the dividend amount. The interest rate shall be the interest credit rate earned on regular contributions.

(5) At the option of the retiring member, any lump sum or annuity provided under this section or section 23-2334 may be deferred to commence at any time, except that no benefit shall be deferred later than the required beginning date. Such election by the retiring member may be made at any time prior to the commencement of the lump-sum or annuity payments.

(6) A participant or beneficiary who would have been required to receive required minimum distributions for 2009 but for the enactment of section 401(a)(9)(H) of the Internal Revenue Code, and who would have satisfied that requirement by receiving distributions that are either equal to the 2009 required minimum distributions or one or more payments in a series of substantially equal distributions, including the 2009 required minimum distribution, made at least annually and expected to last for the life or life expectancy of the participant, the joint lives or joint life expectancy of the participant and the participant's designated beneficiary, or for a period of at least ten years, shall receive those distributions for 2009 unless the participant or beneficiary chooses not to receive such distributions. Participants and beneficiaries shall be given the opportunity to elect to stop receiving the distributions described in this subsection.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 17, p. 407; Laws 1979, LB 416, § 2;    Laws 1981, LB 462, § 2; Laws 1983, LB 210, § 1;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 8;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 6;    Laws 1987, LB 60, § 2;    Laws 1992, LB 543, § 1;    Laws 1993, LB 417, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 1273, § 15;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 12;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 8;    Laws 2006, LB 1019, § 4;    Laws 2007, LB328, § 3;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 4;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 9;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 7;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 14;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 3;    Laws 2020, LB1054, § 3.    


23-2317.01. County Equal Retirement Benefit Fund; created; use; investment.

The County Equal Retirement Benefit Fund is created. The fund shall be administered by the board. Each county participating in the retirement system on January 1, 1984, pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Act shall make a contribution at least once a year to the fund, in addition to any other retirement contributions. Such contribution shall be in an amount determined by the board to provide all similarly situated male and female members of the retirement system with equal benefits pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23-2317 and to provide for direct expenses incurred in administering the fund. The board shall keep a record of the contributions made by each county. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

Source:Laws 1983, LB 210, § 4;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 10; Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 27;    Laws 2022, LB700, § 3.    


Cross References

23-2318. Transferred to section 23-2334.

23-2319. Termination of employment; termination benefit; vesting; certain required minimum distributions; election authorized.

(1) Except as provided in section 42-1107, upon termination of employment, except for retirement or disability, and after filing an application with the board, a member may receive:

(a) If not vested, a termination benefit equal to the amount of his or her employee account or member cash balance account as of the date of final account value payable in a lump sum or an annuity with the lump-sum or first annuity payment made at any time after termination but no later than the required beginning date; or

(b) If vested, a termination benefit equal to (i) the amount of his or her member cash balance account as of the date of final account value payable in a lump sum or an annuity with the lump-sum or first annuity payment made at any time after termination but no later than the required beginning date or (ii)(A) the amount of his or her employee account as of the date of final account value payable in a lump sum or an annuity with the lump-sum or first annuity payment made at any time after termination but no later than the required beginning date plus (B) the amount of his or her employer account as of the date of final account value payable in a lump sum or an annuity with the lump-sum or first annuity payment made at any time after termination but no later than the required beginning date.

(c) The member cash balance account or employer and employee accounts of a terminating member shall be retained by the board, and the termination benefit shall be deferred until a valid application for benefits has been received.

(2) At the option of the terminating member, any lump sum of the employer account or member cash balance account or any annuity payment provided under subsection (1) of this section shall commence as of the first of the month at any time after such member has terminated his or her employment with the county and no later than the required beginning date. Such election by the terminating member shall be made at any time prior to the commencement of the lump-sum or annuity payments.

(3) Members of the retirement system shall be vested after a total of three years of participation in the system as a member pursuant to section 23-2306, including vesting credit. If an employee retires pursuant to section 23-2315, such employee shall be fully vested in the retirement system.

(4) A participant or beneficiary who would have been required to receive required minimum distributions for 2009 but for the enactment of section 401(a)(9)(H) of the Internal Revenue Code, and who would have satisfied that requirement by receiving distributions that are either equal to the 2009 required minimum distributions or one or more payments in a series of substantially equal distributions, including the 2009 required minimum distribution, made at least annually and expected to last for the life or life expectancy of the participant, the joint lives or joint life expectancy of the participant and the participant's designated beneficiary, or for a period of at least ten years, shall receive those distributions for 2009 unless the participant or beneficiary chooses not to receive such distributions. Participants and beneficiaries shall be given the opportunity to elect to stop receiving the distributions described in this subsection.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 19, p. 408; Laws 1975, LB 32, § 3;    Laws 1975, LB 47, § 4;    Laws 1984, LB 216, § 4;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 7;    Laws 1987, LB 60, § 3;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 11; Laws 1993, LB 417, § 4;    Laws 1994, LB 1306, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 4;    Laws 1996, LB 1273, § 16;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 4;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 28;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 13;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 9;    Laws 2006, LB 366, § 6;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 5;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 8;    Laws 2020, LB1054, § 4.    


23-2319.01. Termination of employment; account forfeited; when; County Employer Retirement Expense Fund; created; use; investment.

(1) For a member who has terminated employment and is not vested, the balance of the member's employer account or employer cash balance account shall be forfeited. The forfeited account shall be credited to the County Employees Retirement Fund and shall first be used to meet the expense charges incurred by the retirement board in connection with administering the retirement system, which charges shall be credited to the County Employees Defined Contribution Retirement Expense Fund, if the member participated in the defined contribution option, or to the County Employees Cash Balance Retirement Expense Fund, if the member participated in the cash balance option, and the remainder, if any, shall then be used to restore employer accounts or employer cash balance accounts. Except as provided in subsection (3) of section 23-2310.04 and subdivision (4)(c) of section 23-2317, no forfeited amounts shall be applied to increase the benefits any member would otherwise receive under the County Employees Retirement Act.

(2) If a member ceases to be an employee due to the termination of his or her employment by the county and a grievance or other appeal of the termination is filed, transactions involving forfeiture of his or her employer account or employer cash balance account and transactions for payment of benefits under sections 23-2315 and 23-2319 shall be suspended pending the final outcome of the grievance or other appeal.

(3) The County Employer Retirement Expense Fund is created. The fund shall be administered by the Public Employees Retirement Board. Prior to July 1, 2012, the County Employer Retirement Expense Fund shall be used to meet expenses of the retirement system whether such expenses are incurred in administering the member's employer account or in administering the member's employer cash balance account when the funds available in the County Employees Defined Contribution Retirement Expense Fund or County Employees Cash Balance Retirement Expense Fund make such use reasonably necessary. The County Employer Retirement Expense Fund shall consist of any reduction in a county contribution which would otherwise be required to fund future service retirement benefits or to restore employer accounts or employer cash balance accounts referred to in subsection (1) of this section. On July 1, 2012, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any money in the County Employer Retirement Expense Fund shall be transferred by the State Treasurer to the County Employees Retirement Fund and credited to the cash balance benefit established in section 23-2308.01.

(4) Prior to July 1, 2012, expenses incurred as a result of a county depositing amounts into the County Employer Retirement Expense Fund shall be deducted prior to any additional expenses being allocated. Any remaining amount shall be allocated in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. Any money in the County Employer Retirement Expense Fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 624, § 5;    Laws 2000, LB 1200, § 4;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 14;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 10;    Laws 2005, LB 364, § 5;    Laws 2007, LB328, § 4;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 7;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 10;    Laws 2013, LB263, § 9;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 4.    


Cross References

23-2319.02. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 916, § 47.

23-2320. Employee; reemployment; status; how treated; reinstatement; repay amount received.

(1) Prior to January 1, 2020, except as otherwise provided in this section, a member of the retirement system who has a five-year break in service shall upon reemployment be considered a new employee with respect to the County Employees Retirement Act and shall not receive credit for service prior to his or her reemployment date.

(2)(a) A member who ceases to be an employee before becoming eligible for retirement under section 23-2315 and again becomes a permanent full-time or permanent part-time county employee prior to having a five-year break in service shall immediately be reenrolled in the retirement system and resume making contributions. For purposes of vesting employer contributions made prior to and after the reentry into the retirement system under subsection (3) of section 23-2319, years of participation include years of participation prior to such employee's original termination. For a member who is not vested and has received a termination benefit pursuant to section 23-2319, the years of participation prior to such employee's original termination shall be limited in a ratio equal to the amount that the member repays divided by the termination benefit withdrawn pursuant to section 23-2319.

(b) The reemployed member may repay the value of, or a portion of the value of, the termination benefit withdrawn pursuant to section 23-2319. A reemployed member who elects to repay all or a portion of the value of the termination benefit withdrawn pursuant to section 23-2319 shall repay the actual earnings on such value. Repayment of the termination benefit shall commence within three years of reemployment and shall be completed within five years of reemployment or prior to termination of employment, whichever occurs first, through (i) direct payments to the retirement system, (ii) installment payments made pursuant to a binding irrevocable payroll deduction authorization made by the member, (iii) an eligible rollover distribution as provided under the Internal Revenue Code, or (iv) a direct rollover distribution made in accordance with section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(c) The value of the member's forfeited employer account or employer cash balance account, as of the date of forfeiture, shall be restored in a ratio equal to the amount of the benefit that the member has repaid divided by the termination benefit received. The employer account or employer cash balance account shall be restored first out of the current forfeiture amounts and then by additional employer contributions.

(3) For a member who retired pursuant to section 23-2315 and becomes a permanent full-time employee or permanent part-time employee with a county under the County Employees Retirement Act more than one hundred twenty days after his or her retirement date, the member shall continue receiving retirement benefits. Such a retired member or a retired member who received a lump-sum distribution of his or her benefit shall be considered a new employee as of the date of reemployment and shall not receive credit for any service prior to the member's retirement for purposes of the act.

(4) A member who is reinstated as an employee pursuant to a grievance or appeal of his or her termination by the county shall be a member upon reemployment and shall not be considered to have a break in service for such period of time that the grievance or appeal was pending.

(5) Beginning January 1, 2020, if a contributing member of the retirement system ceases to be an employee and returns to service in any capacity with any county under the County Employees Retirement Act prior to having a one-hundred-twenty-day break in service, the member:

(a) Shall not be deemed to have had a bona fide separation of service;

(b) Shall be immediately reenrolled in:

(i) The defined contribution benefit if the member was contributing to the defined contribution benefit prior to ceasing employment; or

(ii) The cash balance benefit in which the member was participating prior to ceasing employment if the member was contributing to the cash balance benefit prior to ceasing employment;

(c) Shall immediately resume making contributions;

(d) Shall make up any missed contributions based upon services rendered and compensation received;

(e) Shall have all distributions from the retirement system canceled; and

(f) Shall repay the gross distributions from the retirement system.

(6)(a) Beginning January 1, 2020, if a contributing member of the retirement system ceases to be an employee and returns to permanent full-time or permanent part-time service in any capacity with any county under the County Employees Retirement Act after having a one-hundred-twenty-day break in service, the member:

(i) Shall be immediately reenrolled in:

(A) The defined contribution benefit if the member was contributing to the defined contribution benefit prior to ceasing employment; or

(B) The cash balance benefit in which the member was participating prior to ceasing employment if the member was contributing to the cash balance benefit prior to ceasing employment;

(ii) Shall immediately resume making contributions;

(iii) Shall continue receiving any annuity elected after the member ceased employment and before the member was reemployed; and

(iv) Shall be prohibited from taking any distributions from the retirement system until the employee again terminates employment with any and all counties under the County Employees Retirement Act.

(b) For the purposes of vesting employer contributions made prior to and after reentry into the retirement system, the member's years of participation prior to the date the member originally ceased employment and the years of participation after the member is reenrolled in the retirement system shall be included as years of participation, except that if the member is not vested on the date the member originally ceased employment and has taken a distribution, the years of participation prior to the date the member originally ceased employment shall be limited in a ratio equal to the value of the distribution that the member repays divided by the total value of the distribution taken as described in subdivision (6)(c) of this section.

(c) A reemployed member may repay all or a portion of the value of a distribution except for an annuity elected after the member ceased employment and before the member was reemployed. Repayment of such a distribution shall commence within three years after reemployment and shall be completed within five years after reemployment or prior to the member again ceasing employment, whichever occurs first, through (i) direct payments to the retirement system, (ii) installment payments made pursuant to a binding irrevocable payroll deduction authorization made by the member, (iii) an eligible rollover distribution as provided under the Internal Revenue Code, or (iv) a direct rollover distribution made in accordance with section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the member fails to repay all of the value of such a distribution prior to the member again ceasing employment, the member shall be forever barred from repaying the value of such a distribution taken between the periods of employment. The value of the member's forfeited employer account or employer cash balance account, as of the date of forfeiture, shall be restored in a ratio equal to the amount of the distribution repaid by the member divided by the amount of the distribution taken. The employer account or employer cash balance account shall be restored first out of the current forfeiture amounts and then by additional employer contributions.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 20, p. 409; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 9;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 12; Laws 1993, LB 417, § 5;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 6;    Laws 1999, LB 703, § 3;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 6;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 15;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 11;    Laws 2004, LB 1097, § 5;    Laws 2007, LB328, § 6;    Laws 2008, LB1147, § 4;    Laws 2011, LB509, § 8;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 5.    


23-2321. Retirement system; member; death before retirement; death benefit; death while performing qualified military service; additional death benefit.

(1)(a) In the event of a member's death before the member's retirement date, the death benefit shall be equal to (i) for participants in the defined contribution benefit, the total of the employee account and the employer account and (ii) for participants in the cash balance benefit, the benefit provided in section 23-2308.01.

(b) Except as provided in section 42-1107, the death benefit shall be paid pursuant to section 23-2327.

(c) If the beneficiary is not the member's surviving spouse, the death benefit shall be paid as a lump-sum payment or payments, except that the entire account must be distributed by the fifth anniversary of the member's death. If the sole primary beneficiary is the member's surviving spouse, the surviving spouse may elect to receive an annuity calculated as if the member retired and selected a one-hundred-percent joint and survivor annuity effective on the annuity purchase date. If the surviving spouse does not elect the annuity option within one hundred eighty days after the death of the member, the surviving spouse shall receive a lump-sum payment or payments, except that the entire account must be distributed by the fifth anniversary of the member's death.

(2) A lump-sum death benefit paid to the member's beneficiary, other than the member's estate, that is an eligible distribution may be distributed in the form of a direct transfer to a retirement plan eligible to receive such transfer under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3) For any member whose death occurs on or after January 1, 2007, while performing qualified military service as defined in section 414(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, the member's beneficiary shall be entitled to any additional death benefit that would have been provided, other than the accrual of any benefit relating to the period of qualified military service. The additional death benefit shall be determined as if the member had returned to employment with a participating county and such employment had terminated on the date of the member's death.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 21, p. 409; Laws 1975, LB 47, § 5;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 10;    Laws 1994, LB 1306, § 2;    Laws 1996, LB 1273, § 17;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 16;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 12;    Laws 2004, LB 1097, § 6;    Laws 2009, LB188, § 6;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 11;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 6.    


23-2322. Retirement system; retirement benefits; exemption from legal process; exception.

Annuities or benefits which any person shall be entitled to receive under the County Employees Retirement Act shall not be subject to garnishment, attachment, levy, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any other process of law whatsoever and shall not be assignable except to the extent that such annuities or benefits are subject to a qualified domestic relations order under the Spousal Pension Rights Act.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 22, p. 409; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 12;    Laws 1986, LB 311, § 8;    Laws 1989, LB 506, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 1273, § 18;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 12;    Laws 2015, LB40, § 5.    


Cross References

23-2323. Transferred to section 23-2335.

23-2323.01. Reemployment; military service; contributions; effect; applicability.

(1)(a) For military service beginning on or after December 12, 1994, but before January 1, 2018, any employee who, while an employee, entered into and served in the armed forces of the United States and who within ninety days after honorable discharge or honorable separation from active duty again became an employee shall be credited, for the purposes of section 23-2315, with all the time actually served in the armed forces as if such person had been an employee throughout such service in the armed forces pursuant to the terms and conditions of subdivision (b) of this subsection.

(b) Under such rules and regulations as the retirement board may adopt and promulgate, an employee who is reemployed on or after December 12, 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., may pay to the retirement system an amount equal to the sum of all deductions which would have been made from the employee's compensation during such period of military service. Payment shall be made within the period required by law, not to exceed five years. To the extent that payment is made, (i) the employee shall be treated as not having incurred a break in service by reason of the employee's period of military service, (ii) the period of military service shall be credited for the purposes of determining the nonforfeitability of the employee's accrued benefits and the accrual of benefits under the plan, and (iii) the employer shall allocate the amount of employer contributions to the employee's employer account in the same manner and to the same extent the allocation occurs for other employees during the period of service. For purposes of employee and employer contributions under this section, the employee's compensation during the period of military service shall be the rate the employee would have received but for the military service or, if not reasonably determinable, the average rate the employee received during the twelve-month period immediately preceding military service.

(c) The employer shall pick up the employee contributions made through irrevocable payroll deduction authorizations pursuant to this subsection, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in the same manner as contributions picked up under section 23-2307.

(2)(a) For military service beginning on or after January 1, 2018, any employee who is reemployed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., shall be treated as not having incurred a break in service by reason of the employee's period of military service. Such military service shall be credited for purposes of determining the nonforfeitability of the employee's accrued benefits and the accrual of benefits under the plan.

(b) The county employing the employee shall be liable for funding any obligation of the plan to provide benefits based upon such period of military service. To satisfy the liability, the county employing the employee shall pay to the retirement system an amount equal to:

(i) The sum of the employee and employer contributions that would have been paid during such period of military service; and

(ii) Any actuarial costs necessary to fund the obligation of the plan to provide benefits based upon such period of military service. For the purposes of determining the amount of such liability and obligation of the plan, earnings and forfeitures, gains and losses, regular interest, interest credits, or dividends that would have accrued on the employee and employer contributions that are paid by the employer pursuant to this section shall not be included.

(c) The amount required pursuant to subdivision (b) of this subsection shall be paid to the retirement system as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of reemployment but must be paid within eighteen months of the date the board notifies the employer of the amount due. If the employer fails to pay the required amount within such eighteen-month period, then the employer is also responsible for any actuarial costs and interest on actuarial costs that accrue from eighteen months after the date the employer is notified by the board until the date the amount is paid.

(d) The retirement board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this subsection, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations on:

(i) How and when the employee and employer must notify the retirement system of a period of military service;

(ii) The acceptable methods of payment;

(iii) Determining the service and compensation upon which the contributions must be made;

(iv) Accelerating the payment from the employer due to unforeseen circumstances that occur before payment is made pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, the employee's termination or retirement or the employer's reorganization, consolidation, merger, or closing; and

(v) The documentation required to substantiate that the employee was reemployed pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.

(3) This section applies to military service that falls within the definition of uniformed services under 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., and includes (a) preparation periods prior to military service, (b) periods during military service, (c) periods of rest and recovery authorized by 38 U.S.C. 4301 et seq., after military service, (d) periods of federal military service, and (e) periods during active service of the state provided pursuant to sections 55-101 to 55-181.

Source:Laws 1996, LB 847, § 7;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 29;    Laws 1999, LB 703, § 4;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 15;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 9;    Laws 2023, LB103, § 2.    
Operative Date: May 2, 2023


23-2323.02. Direct rollover; terms, defined; distributee; powers; board; powers.

(1) For purposes of this section and section 23-2323.03:

(a) Direct rollover means a payment by the retirement system to the eligible retirement plan or plans specified by the distributee;

(b) Distributee means the member, the member's surviving spouse, or the member's former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order as defined in section 414(p) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(c) Eligible retirement plan means (i) an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the code, except for an endowment contract, (iii) a qualified plan described in section 401(a) of the code, (iv) an annuity plan described in section 403(a) or 403(b) of the code, (v) except for purposes of section 23-2323.03, an individual retirement plan described in section 408A of the code, and (vi) a plan described in section 457(b) of the code and maintained by a governmental employer. For eligible rollover distributions to a surviving spouse, an eligible retirement plan means subdivisions (1)(c)(i) through (vi) of this section; and

(d) Eligible rollover distribution means any distribution to a distributee of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee in the plan, except such term shall not include any distribution which is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments, not less frequently than annually, made for the life of the distributee or joint lives of the distributee and the distributee's beneficiary or for the specified period of ten years or more and shall not include any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) For distributions made to a distributee on or after January 1, 1993, a distributee may elect to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.

(3) A member's surviving spouse or former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order and, on or after January 1, 2010, any designated beneficiary of a member who is not a surviving spouse or former spouse who is entitled to receive an eligible rollover distribution from the retirement system may, in accordance with such rules, regulations, and limitations as may be established by the board, elect to have such distribution made in the form of a direct transfer to a retirement plan eligible to receive such transfer under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

(4) An eligible rollover distribution on behalf of a designated beneficiary of a member who is not a surviving spouse or former spouse of the member may be transferred to an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code that is established for the purpose of receiving the distribution on behalf of the designated beneficiary and that will be treated as an inherited individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity described in section 408(d)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(5) The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for direct rollover procedures which are consistent with section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code and which include, but are not limited to, the form and time of direct rollover distributions.

Source:Laws 1996, LB 847, § 8;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 7;    Laws 2012, LB916, § 13;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 10.    


23-2323.03. Retirement system; accept payments and rollovers; limitations; board; powers.

(1) The retirement system may accept cash rollover contributions from a member who is making payment pursuant to section 23-2306.02, 23-2306.03, 23-2320, or 23-2323.01 if the contributions do not exceed the amount authorized to be paid by the member pursuant to section 23-2306.02, 23-2306.03, 23-2320, or 23-2323.01, and the contributions represent (a) all or any portion of the balance of the member's interest in a qualified plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or (b) the interest of the member from an individual retirement account or an individual retirement annuity, the entire amount of which is attributable to a qualified total distribution, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, from a qualified plan under section 401(a) of the code and qualified as a tax-free rollover amount. The member's interest under subdivision (a) or (b) of this subsection must be transferred to the retirement system within sixty days from the date of the distribution from the qualified plan, individual retirement account, or individual retirement annuity.

(2) Cash transferred to the retirement system as a rollover contribution shall be deposited as other payments made under section 23-2306.02, 23-2306.03, 23-2320, or 23-2323.01.

(3) Under the same conditions as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the retirement system may accept eligible rollover distributions from (a) an annuity contract described in section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, (b) a plan described in section 457(b) of the code which is maintained by a state, a political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state, or (c) the portion of a distribution from an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or 408(b) of the code that is eligible to be rolled over and would otherwise be includable in gross income. Amounts accepted pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited as all other payments under this section.

(4) The retirement system may accept direct rollover distributions made from a qualified plan pursuant to section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code. The direct rollover distribution shall be deposited as all other payments under this section.

(5) The board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations defining procedures for acceptance of rollovers which are consistent with sections 401(a)(31) and 402 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Source:Laws 1996, LB 847, § 9;    Laws 1997, LB 250, § 7;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 7;    Laws 2001, LB 142, § 35;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 8;    Laws 2018, LB1005, § 11.    


23-2323.04. Retirement system; accept transfers; limitations; how treated.

The retirement system may accept as payment for withdrawn amounts made pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Act a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer from (1) an eligible tax-sheltered annuity plan as described in section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code or (2) an eligible deferred compensation plan as described in section 457(b) of the code on behalf of a member who is making payments for such amounts. The amount transferred shall not exceed the amount withdrawn and such transferred amount shall qualify as a purchase of permissive service credit by the member as defined in section 415 of the code.

Source:Laws 2002, LB 407, § 9.    


23-2324. Retirement system; membership status; not lost while employment continues.

Persons who have become members of the retirement system shall not thereafter lose their status as members while they remain employees.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 24, p. 409.


23-2325. Retirement system; false or fraudulent actions; prohibited acts; penalty; denial of benefits.

Any person who, knowing it to be false or fraudulent, presents or causes to be presented a false or fraudulent claim or benefit application, any false or fraudulent proof in support of such a claim or benefit, or false or fraudulent information which would affect a future claim or benefit application to be paid under the retirement system for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the retirement system shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor. The retirement board shall deny any benefits that it determines are based on false or fraudulent information and shall have a cause of action against the member to recover any benefits already paid on the basis of such information.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 25, p. 410; Laws 1977, LB 40, § 98;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 32.    


23-2326. Retirement benefits; declared additional to benefits under federal Social Security Act.

The retirement allowances and benefits provided for by the County Employees Retirement Act shall be in addition to benefits and allowances payable under the provisions of the federal Social Security Act.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 26, p. 410; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 13.    


23-2327. Beneficiary designation; order of priority.

(1) Except as provided in section 42-1107, in the event of a member's death, the death benefit shall be paid to the following, in order of priority:

(a) To the member's surviving designated beneficiary on file with the board;

(b) To the spouse married to the member on the member's date of death if there is no surviving designated beneficiary on file with the board; or

(c) To the member's estate if the member is not married on the member's date of death and there is no surviving designated beneficiary on file with the board.

(2) The priority designations described in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply if the member has retired under a joint and survivor benefit option.

Source:Laws 2019, LB34, § 8.    


23-2328. Retirement system; elected officials and employees having regular term; when act operative.

The provisions of the County Employees Retirement Act pertaining to elected officials or other employees having a regular term of office shall be so interpreted as to effectuate its general purpose and to take effect as soon as the same may become operative under the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 28, p. 410; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 15.    


23-2329. Retirement system; when effective.

The County Employees Retirement Act shall become effective for each county upon its adoption by the county board or on January 1, 1987, whichever is earlier.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 29, p. 410; Laws 1975, LB 45, § 2;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 16;    Laws 1985, LB 432, § 3.    


Cross References

23-2330. Retirement system; adoption; certification; list of eligible employees to retirement board.

Upon the adoption of the retirement system by the county board, the county clerk shall certify such action to the retirement board. Upon the adoption of the retirement system by the county board or by January 1, 1987, whichever is earlier, the county clerk shall submit to the board a list of all employees then eligible for participation in the plan, which list shall state the name and address of the employee and his or her gross monthly wage.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 30, p. 410; Laws 1967, c. 133, § 1, p. 418; Laws 1973, LB 216, § 2;    Laws 1975, LB 45, § 3;    Laws 1985, LB 347, § 17;    Laws 1985, LB 432, § 4.    


23-2330.01. Limitation of actions.

Every claim and demand under the County Employees Retirement Act and against the retirement system or the retirement board shall be forever barred unless the action is brought within two years of the time at which the claim accrued.

Source:Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 6.    


23-2330.02. Retirement system contributions, property, and rights; how treated.

All contributions to the retirement system, all property and rights purchased with the contributions, and all investment income attributable to the contributions, property, or rights shall be held in trust by the State of Nebraska for the exclusive benefit of members and their beneficiaries and shall only be used to pay benefits to such persons and to pay administrative expenses according to the provisions of the County Employees Retirement Act.

Source:Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 30.    


23-2330.03. Termination of system or contributions; effect.

Upon termination or partial termination of the retirement system or upon complete discontinuance of contributions under the retirement system, the rights of all affected members to the amounts credited to the members' accounts shall be nonforfeitable.

Source:Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 31.    


23-2330.04. Municipal county; duties.

The municipal county shall be responsible for making contributions and performing other duties and shall exercise the powers of a county under the County Employees Retirement Act with respect to the employees of the municipal county.

Source:Laws 2001, LB 142, § 36.    


23-2331. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-2301 to 23-2332.01 shall be known and may be cited as the County Employees Retirement Act.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 31, p. 411; Laws 1985, LB 347, § 18;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 13; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 8;    Laws 1995, LB 501, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 847, § 10;    Laws 1996, LB 1076, § 7;    Laws 1997, LB 250, § 8;    Laws 1997, LB 623, § 6;    Laws 1997, LB 624, § 8;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 33;    Laws 1999, LB 687, § 3;    Laws 2001, LB 142, § 37;    Laws 2001, LB 186, § 2;    Laws 2002, LB 407, § 10;    Laws 2002, LB 687, § 17;    Laws 2019, LB34, § 7.    


23-2332. County in excess of 85,000 inhabitants; commissioned law enforcement personnel; supplemental retirement plan.

Any county with a population in excess of eighty-five thousand inhabitants that participates in the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties established by the County Employees Retirement Act shall establish and fund a supplemental retirement plan for the benefit of all present and future commissioned law enforcement personnel employed by such county. The auxiliary benefit plan shall be funded by additional contributions to the county employees retirement plan in excess of the amounts established by sections 23-2307 and 23-2308. The additional contributions made by employees shall be credited to the employee account, and contributions paid by the county shall be credited to the employer account, with each amount to be established at a rate of three percent of compensation. All contributions made pursuant to this section shall be invested and administered according to the County Employees Retirement Act.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 432, § 5;    Laws 1991, LB 549, § 14; Laws 2023, LB103, § 3.    
Operative Date: September 2, 2023


23-2332.01. County of 85,000 inhabitants or less; commissioned law enforcement personnel; supplemental retirement plan.

Any county with a population of eighty-five thousand inhabitants or less that participates in the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties established by the County Employees Retirement Act shall establish and fund a supplemental retirement plan for the benefit of all present and future commissioned law enforcement personnel employed by such county who possess a valid law enforcement officer certificate or diploma, as established by the Nebraska Police Standards Advisory Council. The auxiliary benefit plan shall be funded by additional contributions to the county employees retirement plan in excess of the amounts established by sections 23-2307 and 23-2308. The additional contributions made by employees shall be credited to the employee account, and contributions paid by the county shall be credited to the employer account, with each amount to be established at a rate of two percent of compensation. All contributions made pursuant to this section shall be invested and administered according to the County Employees Retirement Act.

Source:Laws 2001, LB 186, § 3;    Laws 2023, LB103, § 4.    
Operative Date: September 2, 2023


23-2333. Retirement; prior service annuity; how computed.

For purposes of sections 23-2333 and 23-2334, the definitions found in section 23-2301 shall apply.

As of the date of adoption of the retirement system, a prior service annuity shall be computed for all employees who have been employees continuously for one year prior to the date of the adoption of the retirement system and who are at least twenty-five years of age. Such prior service annuity shall be equal to the number of years of creditable prior service multiplied by the prior service annuity factor.

The number of years of creditable prior service shall be the number of completed years of prior service less all years during which the employee was participating in or for which he or she received a benefit from a public retirement plan, but not more than twenty-five.

The prior service annuity factor shall be the smaller of (1) one dollar or (2) the employee's compensation for the last completed twelve months of prior service divided by two thousand four hundred.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 11, p. 406; Laws 1969, c. 172, § 3, p. 753; R.S.1943, (1991), § 23-2311; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 9;    Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 34.    


23-2334. Retirement; prior service retirement benefit; how determined.

The prior service retirement benefit shall be a straight life annuity, payable monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually with the first payment made as of the annuity start date, in an amount determined in accordance with section 23-2333. No prior service retirement benefit shall be paid to any person who terminates his or her employment unless such person has been continuously employed by the county for ten or more years immediately prior to termination. An employee meeting such requirement and who terminates his or her employment shall not receive a prior service benefit determined in accordance with section 23-2333 prior to attaining age sixty-five.

Prior service retirement benefits shall be paid directly by the county to the retired employee.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 94, § 18, p. 408; Laws 1973, LB 352, § 1;    Laws 1975, LB 32, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1991), § 23-2318; Laws 1994, LB 833, § 10;    Laws 2003, LB 451, § 13;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 16.    


23-2335. Repealed. Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 85.

23-2401. Transferred to section 13-902.

23-2402. Transferred to section 13-903.

23-2403. Transferred to section 13-904.

23-2404. Transferred to section 13-905.

23-2405. Transferred to section 13-906.

23-2406. Transferred to section 13-907.

23-2407. Transferred to section 13-908.

23-2408. Transferred to section 13-909.

23-2409. Transferred to section 13-910.

23-2410. Transferred to section 13-912.

23-2410.01. Transferred to section 13-911.

23-2411. Transferred to section 13-913.

23-2411.01. Transferred to section 13-914.

23-2412. Transferred to section 13-915.

23-2413. Transferred to section 13-916.

23-2414. Transferred to section 13-917.

23-2415. Transferred to section 13-918.

23-2416. Transferred to section 13-919.

23-2416.01. Transferred to section 13-920.

23-2416.02. Transferred to section 13-921.

23-2416.03. Transferred to section 13-922.

23-2417. Transferred to section 13-923.

23-2418. Transferred to section 13-924.

23-2419. Transferred to section 13-925.

23-2419.01. Transferred to section 13-926.

23-2420. Transferred to section 13-901.

23-2501. Transferred to section 23-402.

23-2502. Transferred to section 23-403.

23-2503. Transferred to section 23-404.

23-2504. Transferred to section 23-405.

23-2505. Transferred to section 23-406.

23-2506. Transferred to section 23-407.

23-2507. Transferred to section 23-408.

23-2508. Transferred to section 23-409.

23-2509. Transferred to section 23-410.

23-2510. Transferred to section 23-411.

23-2511. Transferred to section 23-412.

23-2512. Transferred to section 23-413.

23-2513. Transferred to section 23-414.

23-2514. Transferred to section 23-415.

23-2515. Transferred to section 23-417.

23-2516. Transferred to section 23-418.

23-2517. Act, how cited; purpose of act.

(1) Sections 23-2517 to 23-2533 shall be known and may be cited as the County Civil Service Act.

(2) The general purpose of the County Civil Service Act is to establish a system of personnel administration that meets the social, economic, and program needs of county offices. This system shall provide means to recruit, select, develop and maintain an effective and responsive work force, and shall include policies and procedures for employee hiring and advancement, training and career development, position classification, salary administration, fringe benefits, discharge and other related activities. All appointments and promotions under the County Civil Service Act shall be made based on merit and fitness.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 1;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 7;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 10.    


Annotations

23-2518. Terms, defined.

For purposes of the County Civil Service Act:

(1) Appointing authority means elected officials and appointed department directors authorized to make appointments in the county service;

(2) Board of county commissioners means the board of commissioners of any county with a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more but less than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census;

(3) Classified service means the positions in the county service to which the act applies;

(4) County personnel officer means the employee designated by the board of county commissioners to administer the act;

(5) Department means a functional unit of the county government headed by an elected official or established by the board of county commissioners;

(6) Deputy means an individual who serves as the first assistant to and at the pleasure of an elected official;

(7) Elected official means an officer elected by the popular vote of the people and known as the county attorney, public defender, county sheriff, county treasurer, clerk of the district court, register of deeds, county clerk, county assessor, or county surveyor;

(8) Internal Revenue Code means the Internal Revenue Code as defined in section 49-801.01;

(9) Political subdivision means a village, city of the second class, city of the first class, city of the primary class, city of the metropolitan class, county, school district, public power district, or any other unit of local government including entities created pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or the Joint Public Agency Act. Political subdivision does not include a contractor with the county;

(10) State means the State of Nebraska;

(11) Straight-time rate of pay means the rate of pay in effect on the date of transfer of employees stated in the resolution by the county board requesting the transfer; and

(12) Transferred employee means an employee of the state or a political subdivision transferred to the county pursuant to a request for such transfer made by the county under section 23-2518.01.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 2;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 11;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 8;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 11;    Laws 2017, LB508, § 2.    


Cross References

23-2518.01. Transfer of employees to county; state employee; rights.

(1) The board of county commissioners may, by resolution, request that a state or political subdivision transfer employees to the county (a) if the board of county commissioners finds that direct control over such employees will be of benefit to the county, (b) pursuant to a merger of services, or (c) due to the assumption of functions of the state or a political subdivision by the county. Such resolution shall state an effective date for the transfer of such employees. If the state or political subdivision determines that the transfer of its employees is necessary or desirable and approves the request of the board of county commissioners, the employees who are being transferred shall become county employees on the effective date of the transfer as stated in the resolution of the board of county commissioners requesting such transfer.

(2) No state employee subject to a transfer under subsection (1) of this section is required to become a county employee and may instead exercise all of his or her rights under any contract involving state employees and negotiated pursuant to the Industrial Relations Act and the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act.

Source:Laws 2006, LB 808, § 9.    


Cross References

23-2518.02. Transfer of employees; retirement benefits; calculation; funding.

(1) For transfers involving a retirement system which maintains a defined benefit plan, the transfer value of the transferring employee's accrued benefit shall be calculated by one or both of the retirement systems involved as follows:

(a) If the retirement system of the state or political subdivision maintains a defined benefit plan, an initial benefit transfer value of the employee's accrued benefit shall be determined by calculating the present value of the employee's retirement benefit based on the employee's years of service as of the date of transfer and the other actuarial assumptions of the retirement system of the state or political subdivision so that the effect on the retirement system of the state or political subdivision will be actuarially neutral; and

(b) If the retirement system of the county maintains a defined benefit plan, the final benefit transfer value of the employee's accrued benefit shall be determined by calculating the present value of the employee's retirement benefit as if the employee were employed on the date of transfer and had completed the same amount of service with the same compensation as the employee actually completed at the state or political subdivision prior to transfer. The calculation shall then be based on the employee's assumed years of service as of the date of transfer and the other actuarial assumptions of the retirement system of the county so that the effect on the retirement system of the county will be actuarially neutral.

(2) An employee of the state or a political subdivision who transfers from a position in the state or a political subdivision to a position in the county, and whose customary employment with the state or a political subdivision was for more than twenty hours per week shall receive credit for his or her years of participation in the retirement system of the state or political subdivision for purposes of membership in the retirement system of the county.

(3) An employee referred to in subsection (2) of this section shall have his or her participation in the retirement system of the state or political subdivision transferred to the retirement system of the county through one of the following options:

(a) If the retirement system of the county maintains a defined contribution plan, the employee shall transfer all of his or her funds by paying to the retirement system of the county from funds held by the retirement system of the state or political subdivision an amount equal to one of the following: (i) If the retirement system of the state or political subdivision maintains a defined benefit plan, an amount not to exceed the initial benefit transfer value, leaving no funds attributable to the transferred employee within the retirement system of the state or political subdivision; or (ii) if the retirement system of the state or political subdivision maintains a defined contribution plan, an amount not to exceed the employee and employer accounts of the transferring employee plus earnings during the period of employment with the state or political subdivision. The employee shall receive vesting credit for his or her years of service in a governmental plan, as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, maintained by the state or political subdivision. Payment shall be made within five years after employment begins with the receiving entity or prior to retirement whichever comes first, and may be made through direct payment, installment payments, or an irrevocable payroll deduction authorization; or

(b) If the retirement system of the county maintains a defined benefit plan, the employee shall transfer all of his or her funds out of the retirement system of the state or political subdivision to purchase service credits that will generate a final benefit transfer value not to exceed the employee's initial benefit transfer value in the retirement system of the state or political subdivision. After such purchase, the employee shall receive vesting credit in the retirement system of the county for his or her years of service in a governmental plan, as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, maintained by the state or political subdivision. The amount to be paid by the member for such service credit shall equal the actuarial cost to the retirement system of the county for allowing such additional service credit to the employee. If any funds remain in the retirement system of the state or political subdivision after the employee has purchased service credits in the retirement system of the county, such remaining funds shall be rolled over into another qualified trust under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, an individual retirement account, or an individual retirement annuity. Payment shall be made within five years after the transfer of services, but prior to retirement, and may be made through direct payment, installment payments, or an irrevocable payroll deduction authorization.

(4) The state or political subdivision, the county, and the employees who are being transferred may by binding agreement determine which parties will provide funds to pay any amount needed to purchase creditable service in the retirement system of the county sufficient to provide a final benefit transfer value not to exceed the employee's initial benefit transfer value, if the amount of a direct rollover from the retirement system of the state or political subdivision is not sufficient to provide a final benefit transfer value in the retirement system of the county.

(5) The retirement system of the county may accept cash rollover contributions from a member who is making payment pursuant to this section if the contributions do not exceed the amount of payment required for the service credits purchased by the member and the contributions represent (a) all or any portion of the balance of the member's interest in a qualified trust under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or (b) the interest of the member from an individual retirement account or an individual retirement annuity, all of which is attributable to a qualified total distribution, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, from a qualified trust under section 401(a) of the code and qualified as a tax-free rollover amount. The member's interest under subdivision (a) or (b) of this subsection shall be transferred to the retirement system within sixty days after the date of the distribution from the qualified trust, individual retirement account, or individual retirement annuity.

(6) Cash transferred to the retirement system of the county as a rollover contribution shall be deposited as other contributions.

(7) The retirement system of the county may accept direct rollover distributions made from a qualified trust pursuant to section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code. The direct rollover distribution shall be deposited as all other payments under this section.

(8) The county or its retirement system shall adopt provisions defining procedures for acceptance of rollovers which are consistent with sections 401(a)(31) and 402 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(9) If the county participates in the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties and the transferred employee participates in the State Employees Retirement System, the transferred employee shall immediately begin participation in the Retirement System for Nebraska Counties under the same benefit which had been elected pursuant to subsection (1) of section 84-1309.02.

Source:Laws 2006, LB 808, § 10.    


23-2518.03. Transfer of employees; sick leave; annual leave; vacation leave; other benefits; how treated.

(1) The state or a political subdivision shall transfer all accrued sick leave of the transferred employee up to the maximum number of accumulated hours for sick leave allowed by the county personnel system. The state or political subdivision shall reimburse the county for twenty-five percent of the value of the accrued sick leave hours based on the straight-time rate of pay for the employee.

(2) The transferred employee may transfer the maximum amount of accrued annual leave earned as an employee of the state or a political subdivision allowed by the county personnel system. The state or a political subdivision shall reimburse the county for one hundred percent of the value of the hours of accrued annual leave transferred.

(3) No transferred employee shall lose any accrual rate value of his or her sick leave and vacation leave as a result of becoming a county employee, and a transferred employee may credit years of service with the state or a political subdivision toward the accrual rate for sick leave and vacation leave plans. When accrued sick leave and vacation leave for a transferred employee are at a greater rate value than allowed by the county's sick leave and vacation leave plans, the state or political subdivision shall pay the county the difference between the value of the benefits allowed by the county and the state or political subdivision based on, at the time of the transfer, twenty-five percent of the employee's straight-time rate of pay for the sick leave and one hundred percent of the employee's straight-time rate of pay for vacation leave. A state or political subdivision shall reimburse the county not later than one year after the transfer is complete.

(4) The transferred employee shall not receive any additional accrual rate value for county benefits until the employee meets the qualifications for the increased accrual rates pursuant to the county's requirements.

(5) The transferred employee shall receive credit for time of service with the state or a political subdivision toward participation, coverage by insurance programs for the county, and the waiting period for medical insurance coverage provided by the county.

Source:Laws 2006, LB 808, § 11.    


23-2518.04. Transfer of employees; credit for time of service; seniority.

(1) A transferred employee shall be credited for time of service with the state or a political subdivision toward the probationary period in the county:

(a) A transferred employee whose credited time of service with the state or a political subdivision does not satisfy the county's probationary period time requirement shall be a probationary employee of the county and afforded the same rights, benefits, and privileges as are afforded to a probationary employee under the county personnel system; and

(b) A transferred employee whose credited time of service with the state or a political subdivision does not satisfy the county's probationary period time requirement shall successfully complete the remainder of the county's probationary period time requirement before being given status with the county.

(2) Transferred employees shall retain seniority accumulated during service with the state or a political subdivision, and no transferred employee shall lose accumulated seniority as a result of becoming a county employee.

Source:Laws 2006, LB 808, § 12.    


23-2519. County service; classified and unclassified service, defined; exemptions.

(1) The county service shall be divided into the classified service and the unclassified service.

(2) All officers and positions of the county shall be in the classified service unless specifically designated as being in the unclassified service established by the County Civil Service Act. All county employees who have permanent status under any other act prior to the passage of the County Civil Service Act shall have status under the act without further qualification.

(3) Positions in the unclassified service shall not be governed by the act and shall include the following:

(a) County officers elected by popular vote and persons appointed to fill vacancies in such elective offices;

(b) The county personnel officer and the administrative assistant to the board of county commissioners;

(c) Bailiffs;

(d) Department heads and one principal assistant or chief deputy for each county department. When more than one principal assistant or chief deputy is mandated by law, all such positions shall be in the unclassified service;

(e) Members of boards and commissions appointed by the board of county commissioners;

(f) Persons employed in a professional or scientific capacity to make or conduct a temporary and special investigation or examination on behalf of the board of county commissioners;

(g) Attorneys;

(h) Physicians;

(i) Employees of an emergency management organization;

(j) Deputy sheriffs; and

(k) Law clerks and students employed by the county attorney or public defender.

(4) Nothing in the act shall be construed as precluding the appointing authority from filling any positions in the unclassified service in the manner in which positions in the classified service are filled.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 3;    Laws 1991, LB 117, § 1;    Laws 1996, LB 43, § 4;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 13;    Laws 2017, LB80, § 1.    


23-2520. Personnel office; created; county personnel officer; board; members; costs of administering.

There is hereby created a personnel office in the office of the board of county commissioners, the executive head of which shall be the county personnel officer. In such office there shall be a personnel policy board with members appointed pursuant to section 23-2521 and with powers and duties provided in the County Civil Service Act. The board of county commissioners shall make appropriations from the general fund to meet the estimated costs of administering the act.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 4;    Laws 1987, LB 198, § 1;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 14;    Laws 2017, LB508, § 3.    


23-2521. Personnel policy board; members; qualifications; appointment; term; removal; chairperson; meetings; quorum.

(1) The members of the personnel policy board shall be persons in sympathy with the application of merit principles to public employment and who are not otherwise employed by the county, except that the member employed by the county if serving on such board on May 6, 1987, shall continue to serve until the term of such member expires. No member shall hold during his or her term, or shall have held for a period of one year prior thereto, any political office or a position as officer or employee of a political organization.

(2)(a) Prior to January 1, 2018, two members of the board shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners, two members shall be appointed by the elected department heads, and two members shall be appointed by classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2018, a new personnel policy board shall be appointed pursuant to this subdivision to replace the board appointed pursuant to subdivision (a) of this subsection. One member shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners, one member shall be appointed by the elected department heads, and two members shall be appointed by classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system. The four members shall select a fifth member for the personnel policy board. The initial selection of the fifth member for a term beginning on January 1, 2018, shall be made on or before March 1, 2018.

(3)(a) This subdivision applies until January 1, 2018. The first appointments made to the personnel policy board shall be for one, two, three, four, and five years. The board of county commissioners shall initially appoint members for terms of one and five years. The elected department heads shall initially appoint members for terms of two and four years. The classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system shall initially appoint a member for a term of three years. Within three months after May 6, 1987, the classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system shall initially appoint another member for a term of one year.

(b) This subdivision applies beginning January 1, 2018. The member appointed for a term beginning on January 1, 2018, by the board of county commissioners shall serve for a term of one year. The member appointed for a term beginning on January 1, 2018, by the elected department heads shall serve for a term of five years. The members appointed for a term beginning on January 1, 2018, by the classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system shall serve for terms of two years and four years as designated by the appointment process. The fifth member appointed for a term beginning on January 1, 2018, by the other four members shall serve a term of three years.

(c) Thereafter, each member shall be appointed in the same manner for a term of five years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed in the same manner for the remainder of the term. Each member of the board shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(4) The board of county commissioners and elected department heads may remove any member of the personnel policy board for neglect of duty or misconduct in office after first giving him or her a copy of the reasons for removal and providing for the member to be heard publicly before the commissioners and elected department heads. A copy of the charges and a transcript of the record of the hearing shall be filed with the county clerk.

(5) The personnel policy board shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The board shall meet at such time and place as shall be specified by call of the chairperson or the county personnel officer. At least one meeting shall be held quarterly. For the personnel policy board appointed prior to January 1, 2018, pursuant to subdivision (2)(a) of this section, four members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. For the personnel policy board appointed on and after January 1, 2018, pursuant to subdivision (2)(b) of this section, three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except that no business shall be transacted unless one of the members appointed by the board of county commissioners or the elected department heads and one of the members appointed by the classified employees who are covered by the county personnel system are present at the meeting. Board members shall serve without compensation.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 5;    Laws 1987, LB 198, § 2;    Laws 2017, LB508, § 4.    


23-2522. Personnel policy board; powers; duties.

The powers and duties of the personnel policy board shall be:

(1) To review and make recommendations to the board of county commissioners on the personnel rules and regulations and any amendments thereto prior to the approval by the commissioners;

(2) To advise and assist the personnel officer on matters of personnel policy, administration, and practice;

(3) To cooperate with and advise the personnel officer in fostering interest and cooperation of institutions of learning and civic, professional, and employee organizations in the improvement of personnel standards and the development of high public regard for the county as an employer and for careers in the county service;

(4) To require the personnel officer to make or to make on its own initiative any investigation which it may consider necessary concerning the management of personnel in the county service;

(5) To review any grievance or case of disciplinary action of a classified service employee when appealed by such employee in accordance with approved personnel rules and regulations and issue a determination that is binding on all parties concerned;

(6) To issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of county employees as witnesses and the production of documents and to administer oaths, take testimony, hear proofs, and receive exhibits in evidence in connection with any of the powers and duties of such board. In case of a refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any county employee, the personnel policy board on its own motion, or a party to the proceedings, may make application to the district court of Lancaster County for an enforcement order, and any failure to obey such order may be punished by such court as contempt thereof;

(7) To make annual reports and recommendations to the board of county commissioners; and

(8) To perform such other duties as may be expressly set forth in the County Civil Service Act and in the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 6;    Laws 1987, LB 198, § 3;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 15.    


Annotations

23-2523. County personnel officer; appointment; qualifications.

The board of county commissioners shall appoint a county personnel officer who shall be a person experienced in the field of personnel administration and in known sympathy with the application of merit principles in public employment.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 7.    


23-2524. County personnel officer; duties.

In addition to other duties imposed upon him or her by or pursuant to the County Civil Service Act, it shall be the duty of the county personnel officer:

(1) To apply and carry out the act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder;

(2) To attend meetings of the personnel policy board and to act as its secretary and keep minutes of its proceedings;

(3) To establish and maintain a roster of all employees in the classified service, in which there shall be set forth as to each employee the class title, pay, or status, and other pertinent data;

(4) To appoint such employees of his or her office and such experts and special assistants as may be necessary to carry out effectively the act;

(5) To foster and develop, in cooperation with appointing authorities and others, programs for the improvement of employee effectiveness, including training, safety, health, counseling, and welfare;

(6) To encourage and exercise leadership in the development of effective personnel administration with the several county agencies, departments, and institutions; and

(7) To perform such other lawful acts as he or she may consider necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes and provisions of the County Civil Service Act.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 8;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 16.    


23-2525. County personnel officer; personnel rules and regulations for classified service.

The county personnel officer shall, with the assistance of two advisory groups, one of classified employees and one of department heads, prepare and submit to the personnel policy board proposed personnel rules and regulations for the classified service. He or she shall give reasonable notice thereof to the heads of all agencies, departments, county employee associations, and institutions affected thereby, and they shall be given an opportunity, upon request, to appear before the board and present their views thereon. The personnel policy board shall submit the rules and regulations for adoption or amendment and adoption by resolution of the board of county commissioners. Amendments thereto shall be made in the same manner. The rules and regulations shall provide:

(1) For a single integrated classification plan covering all positions in the county service except those expressly exempt from the County Civil Service Act, which shall group all positions into defined classes containing a descriptive class title and a code identifying each class, and which shall be based on similarity of duties performed and responsibilities assumed, so that the same qualifications may reasonably be required and the same schedule of pay may be equitably applied to all positions in the same class. After the classification plan has been approved by the personnel policy board, the county personnel officer shall be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the plan and for the allocation of each classified position. Any employee affected by the allocation of a position to a class shall, upon request, be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard thereon by the personnel policy board who shall issue an advisory opinion to the personnel officer;

(2) For a compensation plan for all employees in the classified service, comprising salary schedules, hours of work, premium payments, special allowances, and fringe benefits, considering the amount of money available, the prevailing rates of pay in government and private employment, the cost of living, the level of each class of position in the classification plan, and other relevant factors. Initial, intervening, and maximum rates of pay for each class shall be established to provide for steps in salary advancement without change of duty in recognition of demonstrated quality and length of service. The compensation plan and amendments thereto shall be adopted in the manner prescribed for rules and regulations and shall in no way limit the authority of the board of county commissioners relative to appropriations for salary and wage expenditures;

(3) For open competitive examinations to test the relative fitness of applicants for the respective positions. Competitive examination shall not be required for transferred employees transferring from positions in the state or a political subdivision to positions in the county pursuant to a merger of services or transferred employees transferring from positions in the state or a political subdivision to positions in the county due to the assumption of functions of the state or a political subdivision by the county. The rules and regulations shall provide for the public announcement of the holding of examinations and shall authorize the personnel officer to prescribe examination procedures and to place the names of successful candidates on eligible lists in accordance with their respective ratings. Examinations may be assembled or unassembled and may include various job-related examining techniques, such as rating training and experience, written tests, oral interviews, recognition of professional licensing, performance tests, investigations, and any other measures of ability to perform the duties of the position. Examinations shall be scored objectively and employment registers shall be established in the order of final score. Certification of eligibility for appointment to vacancies shall be in accordance with a formula which limits selection by the hiring department from among the highest ranking available and eligible candidates, but which also permits selective certification under appropriate conditions as prescribed in the rules and regulations;

(4) For promotions which shall give appropriate consideration to examinations and to record of performance, seniority, and conduct. Vacancies shall be filled by promotion whenever practicable and in the best interest of the service, and preference may be given to employees within the department in which the vacancy occurs;

(5) For the rejection of candidates who fail to comply with reasonable requirements of the personnel officer in regard to such factors as physical conditions, training, and experience or who have been guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct, who are addicted to alcohol or narcotics, or who have attempted any deception or fraud in connection with an examination;

(6) Prohibiting disqualification of any person from taking an examination, from promotion or from holding a position because of race, sex, unless it constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification, or national origin, physical disabilities, age, political or religious opinions or affiliations, or other factors which have no bearing upon the individual's fitness to hold the position;

(7) For a period of probation not to exceed one year before appointment or promotion may be made complete, and during which period a probationer may be separated from his or her position without the right of appeal or hearing except as provided in section 23-2531. After a probationer has been separated, he or she may again be placed on the eligible list at the discretion of the personnel officer. The rules shall provide that a probationer shall be dropped from the payroll at the expiration of his or her probationary period if, within ten days prior thereto, the appointing authority has notified the personnel officer in writing that the services of the employee have been unsatisfactory;

(8) When an employee has been promoted but fails to satisfactorily perform the duties of the new position during the probationary period, he or she shall be returned to a position comparable to that held immediately prior to promotion at the current salary of such position;

(9) For temporary or seasonal appointments of limited terms of not to exceed one year;

(10) For part-time appointment where the employee accrues benefits of full-time employment on a basis proportional to the time worked;

(11) For emergency employment for not more than thirty days with or without examination, with the consent of the county personnel officer and department head;

(12) For provisional employment without competitive examination when there is no appropriate eligible list available. No such provisional employment shall continue longer than six months, nor shall successive provisional appointments be allowed;

(13) For transfer from a position in one department to a similar position in another department involving similar qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and salary ranges;

(14) For the transfer of employees of the state or a political subdivision to the county pursuant to a merger of services or due to the assumption of functions of the state or a political subdivision by the county;

(15) For layoff by reason of lack of funds or work or abolition of the position, or material change in duties or organization, for the layoff of nontenured employees first, and for reemployment of permanent employees so laid off, giving consideration in both layoff and reemployment to performance record and seniority in service;

(16) For establishment of a plan for resolving employee grievances and complaints;

(17) For hours of work, holidays, and attendance regulations in the various classes of positions in the classified service, and for annual, sick, and special leaves of absence, with or without pay, or at reduced pay;

(18) For the development of employee morale, safety, and training programs;

(19) For a procedure whereby an appointing authority may suspend, reduce, demote, or dismiss an employee for misconduct, inefficiency, incompetence, insubordination, malfeasance, or other unfitness to render effective service and for the investigation and public hearing of appeals of such suspended, reduced, demoted, or dismissed employee;

(20) For granting of leave without pay to a permanent employee to accept a position in the unclassified service, and for his or her return to a position comparable to that formerly held in the classified service at the conclusion of such service;

(21) For regulation covering political activity of employees in the classified service; and

(22) For other regulations not inconsistent with the County Civil Service Act and which may be necessary for its effective implementation.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 9;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 17.    


Annotations

23-2526. Personal service; classified service; certification of payrolls.

(1) No county personnel or fiscal or other officer shall make or approve or take any part in making or approving any payment for personal service to any person holding a position in the classified service unless the payroll voucher or account of such pay bears the certification of the county personnel officer or his or her authorized agent, in the manner he or she may prescribe, that the persons named therein have been appointed and employed in accordance with the County Civil Service Act and the rules and regulations adopted hereunder.

(2) The county personnel officer may, for proper cause, withhold certification from a payroll any specific item or items thereon. The personnel officer shall provide that certification of payrolls be made each year and that such certification shall remain in effect except in the case of an officer or employee whose status has changed after the last certification of his or her payroll, in which case no voucher for payment of salary to such officer or employee shall be issued or payment of salary made without further certification by the personnel officer.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 10;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 18.    


23-2527. Reciprocal agreements; county personnel officer; cooperate with other governmental agencies.

(1) Any county subject to the County Civil Service Act may enter into reciprocal agreements, upon such terms as may be agreed upon, for the use of equipment, materials, facilities, and services with any public agency or body for purposes deemed of benefit to the county personnel system.

(2) The county personnel officer, with the approval of the board of county commissioners, may cooperate with other governmental agencies charged with public personnel administration in conducting personnel tests, recruiting personnel, training personnel, establishing lists from which eligible candidates shall be certified for appointment, and for the interchange of personnel and their benefits.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 11;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 19.    


23-2528. Tenure.

(1) An employee in the classified service who has completed a probationary period shall have permanent tenure until the employee resigns voluntarily or is separated in accordance with the rules and regulations governing retirement, dismissal, or layoff.

(2) An employee in the classified service with a probationary, provisional, temporary, or emergency appointment shall have no tenure under that appointment and may be separated from employment by the appointing authority without any right of appeal except as provided in section 23-2531.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 12;    Laws 2018, LB786, § 14.    


23-2529. Veterans preference; sections applicable.

Veterans preference shall be given in accordance with sections 48-225 to 48-231.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 13;    Laws 1991, LB 2, § 4;    Laws 2014, LB588, § 1.    


23-2530. Compliance with act; when.

A board of county commissioners shall comply with the County Civil Service Act within six months after a determination that the population requirement as provided in subdivision (2) of section 23-2518 has been attained as determined by the most recent federal decennial census.

Source:Laws 2016, LB742, § 12.    


23-2531. Discrimination; prohibited; other prohibited acts.

(1) Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline, or any other aspect of personnel administration because of political or religious opinions or affiliations or because of race, national origin, or other nonmerit factors shall be prohibited. Discrimination on the basis of age or sex or physical disability shall be prohibited unless specific age, sex, or physical requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to proper and efficient administration. The rules and regulations shall provide for appeals in cases of alleged discrimination to the personnel policy board whose determination shall be binding upon a finding of discrimination.

(2) No person shall make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating, or report with regard to any test, certification, or appointment made under the County Civil Service Act or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of the act and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the act.

(3) No person shall, directly or indirectly, give, render, pay, offer, solicit, or accept any money, service, or other valuable consideration for or on account of any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion, or proposed promotion to, or any advantage in, a position in the classified service.

(4) No employee of the personnel office, examiner, or other person shall defeat, deceive, or obstruct any person in his or her right to examination, eligibility, certification, or appointment under the act, or furnish to any person any special or secret information for the purpose of affecting the rights or prospects of any persons with respect to employment in the classified service.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 15;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 20.    


23-2532. Federal merit standards; federal Hatch Act provisions; applicable to programs.

Whenever federal merit standards or the federal Hatch Act provisions are applicable to programs, the personnel policy board shall take such action as is necessary to assure that all personnel practices in those programs are in accordance with federal regulations, and those practices found not to be in compliance with such regulations shall not be implemented in those programs.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 16.    


23-2533. Violations; penalty.

Any person who willfully violates any provision of the County Civil Service Act or of the rules and regulations adopted under the act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than six months, or be both so fined and imprisoned.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 995, § 17;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 21.    


Annotations

23-2534. County board; adopt personnel policies and procedures.

The county board of any county with a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants may adopt policies and procedures pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 which concern employee hiring, advancement, training, career development, position classification, salary administration, fringe benefits, discharge, and other related activities.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 1.    


23-2535. Terms, defined.

For purposes of sections 23-2534 to 23-2544:

(1) Appointing authority shall mean officials and appointed department directors authorized to make appointments in the county service;

(2) Classified service shall mean the positions in the county service to which sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 are made applicable;

(3) County board shall mean the board of county supervisors or board of county commissioners of a county with a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants;

(4) County personnel officer shall mean the employee designated by the county board to administer a program adopted pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544;

(5) Department shall mean a major functional unit of the county government headed by an official or established by the county board;

(6) Deputy shall mean an individual who serves as the first assistant to and at the pleasure of an official;

(7) Lay member shall mean anyone not employed by the county or acting on its behalf other than a member of the personnel policy board; and

(8) Official shall mean an officer elected by the popular vote of the people or a person appointed to a countywide office.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 2.    


23-2536. County service; classified and unclassified service, defined.

If a program is adopted pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544, the county service shall be divided into the classified service and the unclassified service. All officials and employees of the county shall be in the classified service unless specifically designated as being in the unclassified service. Positions in the unclassified service shall not be governed by personnel rules and regulations adopted pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544. Unless otherwise designated by rules and regulations adopted pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544, the unclassified service shall include the following:

(1) Officials;

(2) The county personnel officer and the administrative assistant to the county board;

(3) Bailiffs;

(4) Department heads and one principal assistant or deputy for each county department;

(5) Members of boards and commissions appointed by the county board;

(6) Persons employed in a professional or scientific capacity to make or conduct a temporary and special investigation or examination on behalf of the county board;

(7) Attorneys, including deputy county attorneys; and

(8) Employees who are covered by the State Personnel System.

Nothing in sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 shall be construed as precluding the appointing authority from filling any positions in the unclassified service in the manner in which positions in the classified service are filled.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 3;    Laws 1995, LB 124, § 1.    


23-2537. Personnel policy board; members; terms; removal; officers; meetings.

(1) A personnel policy board may be created by resolution of the county board. The members of a personnel policy board shall include one elected county official chosen by the elected county officials other than the members of the county board, one county board member chosen by the county board, one member chosen by the employees who are not described in subdivisions (1) through (8) of section 23-2536, one lay member chosen by the elected county officials, and one lay member chosen by the county board. All members shall serve four-year terms, except of the members first chosen, the elected county official and the county board member shall serve one-year terms, the lay member chosen by the county board shall serve a two-year term, the lay member chosen by the elected county officials shall serve a three-year term, and the member chosen by the employees shall serve a four-year term. Each member of the board shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed in the same manner for the remainder of the term.

(2) A majority of the county board and elected county officials may remove any member of the personnel policy board for nonattendance at three meetings.

(3) A personnel policy board shall elect a chairperson from among its members. A board shall meet at such time and place as shall be specified by call of the chairperson or the county personnel officer. At least one meeting shall be held quarterly. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Board members shall serve without compensation but shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 4;    Laws 1995, LB 124, § 2.    


23-2538. Personnel policy board; powers and duties.

The powers and duties of a personnel policy board shall be:

(1) To review and make recommendations to the county board on the personnel rules and regulations and any amendments thereto prior to the approval by the county board;

(2) To advise and assist the county personnel officer, if appointed, on matters of personnel policy, administration, and practice;

(3) To direct the county personnel officer, if appointed, in fostering the interest and cooperation of institutions of learning and civic, professional, and employee organizations in the improvement of personnel standards and the development of high public regard for the county as an employer and for careers in the county service;

(4) To require the county personnel officer, if appointed, to make any investigation which the personnel policy board may consider necessary concerning the management of personnel in the county service;

(5) To review any grievance or case of disciplinary action of a classified service employee when appealed by such employee in accordance with approved personnel rules and regulations and issue a determination that is binding on all parties concerned;

(6) To make annual reports and recommendations to the county board; and

(7) To perform such other acts and duties as may be expressly set forth in sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 and in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and such other acts and duties as directed by the county board in furtherance of the purposes of sections 23-2534 to 23-2544.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 5.    


23-2539. County personnel officer; appointment.

Only the county board of a county having a personnel policy board may appoint a county personnel officer who shall be a person experienced in the field of personnel administration. The person appointed may be an elected county official, a member of the personnel policy board, a county employee, or a person employed for the position.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 6.    


23-2540. County personnel officer; powers.

In addition to other duties imposed upon a county personnel officer, if appointed, a county personnel officer may:

(1) Attend meetings of the personnel policy board and act as its secretary and keep minutes of its proceedings;

(2) Establish and maintain a roster of all employees in the classified service in which there shall be set forth as to each employee the class title, pay or status, and other pertinent data;

(3) Establish and maintain a central record-keeping system for all county personnel records;

(4) Foster and develop, in cooperation with appointing authorities and others, programs for the improvement of employee effectiveness, including training, safety, health, counseling, and welfare;

(5) Encourage and exercise leadership in the development of effective personnel administration with the several county agencies, departments, and institutions; and

(6) Perform such other lawful acts as the personnel policy board may direct.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 7.    


23-2541. Personnel rules and regulations; adoption; contents.

The personnel policy board, if created, shall, with the assistance of two advisory groups, one of classified employees and one of department heads, adopt proposed personnel rules and regulations for the classified service and provide reasonable notice of proposed rules and regulations to the heads of all agencies, departments, county employee associations, and institutions affected thereby. Any person affected by such rules and regulations shall be given an opportunity, upon request, to appear before the personnel policy board and present his or her views on the rules and regulations. The personnel policy board shall submit proposed rules and regulations or amendments for adoption by the county board. The county board may consider and adopt only personnel rules and regulations or amendments proposed by the personnel policy board and may not repeal or revoke a rule or regulation except upon the recommendation of the personnel policy board.

The rules and regulations or amendments may provide:

(1) For a single integrated classification plan covering all positions in the county service except those expressly exempt from sections 23-2534 to 23-2544, which shall (a) group all positions into defined classes containing a descriptive class title and a code identifying each class and (b) be based on similarity of duties performed and responsibilities assumed, so that the same qualifications may reasonably be required and the same schedule of pay may be equitably applied to all positions in the same class. After the classification plan has been approved by the personnel policy board, the county personnel officer shall be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the plan and for the allocation of each classified position. Any employee affected by the allocation of a position to a class shall, upon request, be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on such allocation by the personnel policy board which shall issue an advisory opinion to the county personnel officer;

(2) For a compensation plan for all employees in the classified service, comprising salary schedules, attendance regulations, premium payments, special allowances, and fringe benefits, considering the amount of money available, the prevailing rates of pay in government and private employment, the cost of living, the level of each class of position in the classification plan, and other relevant factors. The compensation plan and amendments to such plan shall be adopted in the manner prescribed for rules and regulations and shall in no way limit the authority of the county board relative to appropriations for salary and wage expenditures;

(3) For open competitive examinations to test the relative fitness of applicants for the respective positions. The rules and regulations shall provide for the public announcement of the holding of examinations and shall authorize the county personnel officer to prescribe examination procedures and to place the names of successful candidates on eligible lists in accordance with their respective ratings. Examinations may be assembled or unassembled and may include various job-related examining techniques, such as rating training and experience, written tests, oral interviews, recognition of professional licensing, performance tests, investigations, and any other measures of ability to perform the duties of the position. Examinations shall be scored objectively and employment registers shall be established in the order of final score. Certification of eligibility for appointment to vacancies shall be in accordance with a formula which limits selection by the hiring department from among the highest ranking available and eligible candidates, but which also permits selective certification under appropriate conditions as prescribed in the rules and regulations;

(4) For promotions which shall give appropriate consideration to examinations and to record of performance, seniority, and conduct. Vacancies shall be filled by promotion whenever practicable and in the best interest of the service and preference may be given to employees within the department in which the vacancy occurs;

(5) For the rejection of candidates who fail to comply with reasonable requirements of the county personnel officer in regard to such factors as physical conditions, training, and experience, who have been guilty of infamous or disgraceful conduct, who are currently abusing alcohol or narcotics, or who have attempted any deception or fraud in connection with an examination;

(6) For prohibiting disqualification of any person from (a) taking an examination, (b) promotion, or (c) holding a position, solely because of race, sex, national origin, physical disabilities, age, political or religious opinions or affiliations, or other factors which have no bearing upon the individual's fitness to hold the position;

(7) For a period of probation, not to exceed one year, before appointment or promotion may be made complete and during which period a probationer may be separated from his or her position without the right of appeal or hearing. After a probationer has been separated, he or she may again be placed on the eligible list at the discretion of the county personnel officer. The rules and regulations shall provide that a probationer shall be dropped from the payroll at the expiration of his or her probationary period if, within ten days prior thereto, the appointing authority has notified the county personnel officer in writing that the services of the employee have been unsatisfactory;

(8) For temporary or seasonal appointments of limited terms of not to exceed one year;

(9) For part-time appointment in which the employee accrues benefits of full-time employment on a basis proportional to the time worked;

(10) For emergency employment for not more than thirty days with or without examination with the consent of the county personnel officer and department head;

(11) For provisional employment without competitive examination when there is no appropriate eligible list available. Provisional employment shall not continue longer than six months and successive provisional appointments shall not be allowed;

(12) For transfer from a position in one department to a similar position in another department involving similar qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and salary ranges;

(13) For layoff by reason of lack of funds or work, abolition of the position, or material change in duties or organization, for the layoff of nontenured employees first, and for reemployment of permanent employees so laid off, giving consideration in both layoff and reemployment to performance record and seniority in service;

(14) For establishment of a plan for resolving employee grievances and complaints;

(15) For holidays, for attendance regulations in the various classes of positions in the classified service, and for annual, sick, and special leaves of absence, with or without pay or at reduced pay;

(16) For the development of employee morale, safety, and training programs;

(17) For a procedure whereby an appointing authority may suspend, reduce, demote, or dismiss an employee for misconduct, inefficiency, incompetence, insubordination, malfeasance, or other unfitness to render effective service and for the investigation and public hearing of appeals of such suspended, reduced, demoted, or dismissed employee;

(18) For granting of leave without pay to a permanent employee to accept a position in the unclassified service and for his or her return to a position comparable to that formerly held in the classified service at the conclusion of such service;

(19) For regulation covering political activity of employees in the classified service; and

(20) For other rules and regulations not inconsistent with sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 and the implementation of personnel policy in the county.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 8.    


23-2542. Federal law; compliance.

Whenever federal Hatch Act provisions are applicable to programs, action shall be taken to assure that all personnel practices in those programs are in accordance with federal regulations. Those practices found not to be in compliance with such regulations shall not be implemented in those programs.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 9.    


23-2543. Abolishment or termination of provisions.

The county board of a county which creates a personnel policy board may, by a two-thirds majority, vote to abolish such board, terminate the position of the personnel officer, and revoke all rules and regulations.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 10.    


23-2544. Violations; penalty.

Any person who willfully violates sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to sections 23-2534 to 23-2544 shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 212, § 11.    


23-2545. Payments to employees; methods authorized.

The county board of each county in this state may authorize payments that include, but are not limited to, salary and reimbursable expenses to any employee by electronic funds transfer or a similar means of direct deposit.

Source:Laws 2011, LB278, § 2.    


23-2601. Transferred to section 13-1301.

23-2602. Transferred to section 13-1302.

23-2603. Transferred to section 13-1303.

23-2604. Transferred to section 13-1304.

23-2605. Transferred to section 13-1305.

23-2606. Transferred to section 13-1306.

23-2607. Transferred to section 13-1307.

23-2608. Transferred to section 13-1308.

23-2609. Transferred to section 13-1309.

23-2610. Transferred to section 13-1310.

23-2611. Transferred to section 13-1311.

23-2612. Transferred to section 13-1312.

23-2701. Transferred to section 13-601.

23-2702. Transferred to section 13-602.

23-2703. Transferred to section 13-603.

23-2801. Declaration of intent.

It has been the declared policy of the State of Nebraska in the exercise of its police powers to foster and promote local control of local affairs. Highest ranking in this hierarchy of local matters is the supervision of law enforcement. The state provides a system of law enforcement and local officers to carry out the functions thereof on a day-to-day basis within such system. When shifting populations and modern day trends make particular divisions of responsibilities obsolete, it is incumbent on the Legislature to remedy such a situation when it arises on the county level. It is in the interest of the people of the State of Nebraska that the Legislature establish a new structure of responsibility over the county jails and correctional facilities in certain heavily populated counties and give other counties the discretion whether or not to employ such structure. Such a structure would enable county boards to constitute themselves as county boards of corrections while the sheriffs of such counties would be released to pursue more fully their primary duties as law enforcement officers.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 396, § 2; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 2.    


23-2802. County board of corrections; created; powers and duties.

In each county having a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more inhabitants, the county board shall also serve as the county board of corrections and in counties of less than one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants the county board may choose to serve as the county board of corrections. Any such county board of corrections shall have charge of the county jail and correctional facilities and of all persons by law confined in such jail or correctional facilities. Such county board of corrections shall comply with any rule prescribed by the Jail Standards Board pursuant to sections 47-101 to 47-104.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 2;    Laws 1979, LB 396, § 3; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 233, § 1.    


Cross References

23-2803. County board of corrections; meetings; functions; dissolution; procedure.

A county board which, by a majority vote of its members, elects to serve as the county board of corrections shall meet as the county board of corrections within sixty days after such election and shall meet at least once every sixty days thereafter. Such board of corrections shall hear arguments and make recommendations for the maintenance, supervision, control, and direction of the county jail and correctional facilities.

A county board which, by a majority vote of its members, elects to serve as the county board of corrections may elect to dissolve the county board of corrections by a majority vote of its members. Such election to dissolve the county board of corrections shall be made at least sixty days before the beginning of the fiscal year in which the sheriff would resume responsibility for the jail.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 3;    Laws 1979, LB 396, § 4; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 4.    


23-2804. County board of corrections; functions, duties, and responsibilities; how performed.

Each county board of corrections shall carry out the functions, duties, and responsibilities as provided in Chapter 47, article 1.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 4.    


23-2805. Division of corrections; established; administrative officer; qualifications.

To aid the county board of corrections in accomplishing the purposes of sections 23-1723 and 23-2801 to 23-2806, there is hereby established the division of corrections under the jurisdiction of the board. The administrative officer of the division shall be the director of corrections, who shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to perform the duties of such position.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 5;    Laws 1979, LB 396, § 5; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 5.    


23-2806. Employment rights of employee of sheriff's office.

No person in the employ of the office of the sheriff shall be reduced in rank or pay, suspended, removed, or deprived of any benefits accrued as of July 10, 1984, except as provided in the rules of the merit commission.

Source:Laws 1974, LB 782, § 7;    Laws 1979, LB 396, § 6; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 6.    


23-2807. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 396, § 8.

23-2808. Repealed. Laws 1979, LB 396, § 8.

23-2809. County board of corrections; contracts authorized.

The county board of corrections may, pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or Joint Public Agency Act, contract with any governmental unit for the purposes of implementing and complying with this section and sections 23-1703, 23-2801 to 23-2803, 23-2805, and 23-2806 and may contract with any individual, firm, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation to provide goods or services essential to the operation and maintenance of the county jail.

Source:Laws 1979, LB 396, § 7; Laws 1984, LB 394, § 7;    Laws 1993, LB 121, § 163;    Laws 1999, LB 87, § 66.    


Cross References

23-2810. Transferred to section 47-501.

23-2811. Transferred to section 47-502.

23-2901. Legislative intent.

The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to encourage maintenance of community buildings and grounds for the housing of various community enterprises and activities and for social, athletic, and recreational purposes and that different methods of accomplishing this should be made available in order to meet the desires and needs of different areas of the state.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 1.    


23-2902. Site acquisition; purpose.

Any county in the State of Nebraska is hereby authorized to acquire a site or sites for and to equip a county community building or buildings for housing county enterprises and community activities and for social, athletic, and recreational purposes.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 2.    


23-2903. Building; use; rules and regulations; agreements; funds.

The county board of any county may (1) make such rules and regulations as may be appropriate with respect to the use of any such building, including fees and charges for such use, (2) enter into agreements with any city, village, or school district in such county with respect to the use, maintenance, and support of any such building, and (3) use any available funds including federal revenue-sharing funds to aid in the equipping of any such building.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 3.    


23-2904. Community building district; establish; purpose.

A majority of the resident taxpayers in any compact and contiguous district, territory, neighborhood, or community in the State of Nebraska, which is equivalent in area to one township or more, is hereby authorized to form, organize, and establish a community building district which shall be empowered to equip and maintain a community building or buildings for the purposes set forth in section 23-2901 when the organization thereof is completed.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 4.    


23-2905. District; petition; requirements.

Whenever a majority of the resident taxpayers of any such district, territory, neighborhood, or community intends or desires to form, organize, and establish a community building district which will be empowered to acquire and maintain a community building or buildings for the purposes set forth in section 23-2901 when the organization thereof is completed, they shall signify such intention or desire by presenting to the county board of the county in which the greater portion of the land proposed to be included in such district is situated a petition setting forth the desires and intentions of such petitioners. Such petition may be in the form of two or more separate petitions which read substantially the same except for the different signatures and addresses thereon. Such petition shall contain the full names and post office addresses of the petitioners, a statement of the area in square miles, and the complete description of the boundaries of the real properties to be embraced in the proposed district. When such proposed district includes any municipality, the petitions must be signed by a majority of the resident taxpayers within such municipality and by a majority of the resident taxpayers outside such municipality and within the boundaries of the proposed district.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 5.    


23-2906. District; petition; hearing; notice.

Upon receipt of such petition, the county board shall examine it to determine whether it complies with the requirements of section 23-2905. Upon finding that such petition complies with such requirements, the county board shall set a hearing thereon and cause notice thereof to be published at least three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the area to be included in the proposed district. Such notice shall contain a statement of the information contained in such petition and of the date, time, and place at which the hearing shall be held and that at such hearing proposals may be submitted for the exclusion of land from or the inclusion of additional land in the proposed district. If the proposed district lies in two or more counties, the hearing shall be held before the combined boards of all counties interested and the time and place thereof shall be as mutually agreed by such boards.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 6.    


23-2907. District; boundaries; election.

After completion of the hearing required by section 23-2906, the county board, if it determines that formation of the proposed district would promote public health, convenience, or welfare, shall propose such changes in the boundaries of such proposed district or of the areas into which such proposed district is to be divided as it shall deem proper. The county board shall call a special election for the purpose of approval of the formation of such district and the boundaries thereof by a majority of the qualified electors of the area affected by such district, or may submit the question of approval to be voted upon at any primary or general election.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 7.    


23-2908. District; voter approval; board of trustees; how appointed; officers.

If the voters approve the formation and boundaries of the district, permanent organization shall be effected by the appointment by the county board of a board of trustees consisting of five residents of the district if the district includes territory in five townships or less. If the district embraces or includes territory in more than five townships, each township shall be represented on the board of trustees by one trustee who shall be a resident of the township. All trustees shall be appointed for two years and hold office until their successors have been appointed, except at the first appointment at least two trustees shall be appointed for one-year terms. The board of trustees shall organize by electing a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer from the members of the board for a term of one year. All officers shall serve without pay.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 8.    


23-2909. Board of trustees; budget statement; tax; levied; warrants.

The board of trustees shall annually fix the amount of money for the proposed budget statement as may be deemed sufficient and necessary for carrying out the proposed policy in regard to the contemplated building or buildings for the ensuing fiscal year. After the adoption of the district's budget statement, the president and secretary shall certify the amount to be received from taxation, according to the adopted budget statement, to the proper county clerk or county clerks and the proper county board or boards which may levy a tax subject to section 77-3443, not to exceed the amount so certified nor to exceed one and seven-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such district, for the acquisition or maintenance of the building or buildings in the district for the fiscal year as provided by law. Such tax shall be collected as other taxes are collected in the county by the county treasurer, shall be placed to the credit of the district so authorizing the same, and shall be paid to the treasurer of the district upon warrants drawn upon the fund by the board of trustees of the district. Such warrants shall bear the signature of the president and the countersignature of the secretary of the district. The amount of the tax levy shall not exceed the amount of funds required to defray the expenses of the district for a period of one year as set forth in the adopted budget statement.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 9;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 257;    Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 109;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 47.    


23-2910. District; bylaws.

The board of trustees of the district may adopt such bylaws as may be deemed necessary for the government of the district.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 10.    


23-2911. District; unpaid warrants; interest; rate.

All warrants for the payment of any indebtedness of such a district, which are unpaid for want of funds, shall bear interest, not to exceed six percent per annum, from the date of the registering of such unpaid warrants with the district treasurer. The amount of such warrants shall not exceed the revenue provided for the year in which the indebtedness was incurred.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 11.    


23-2912. District; territory; added or withdrawn; procedure.

Lands may be added to or withdrawn from such district in the manner provided for its formation, but no withdrawal may be allowed if the result thereof would be to reduce the remaining territory included in the district below the minimum area provided in section 23-2904.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 12.    


23-2913. District; territory withdrawn; outstanding obligations; liability.

Any area withdrawn from a district shall be subject to assessment and be otherwise chargeable for the payment and discharge of all of the obligations outstanding at the time of the filing of the petition for the withdrawal of the area as fully as though the area had not been withdrawn. All provisions which could be used to compel the payment by a withdrawn area of its portion of the outstanding obligations had the withdrawal not occurred may be used to compel the payment on the part of the area of the portion of the outstanding obligations of the district for which it is liable.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 13.    


23-2914. District; territory withdrawn; obligations; when not liable.

An area withdrawn from a district shall not be subject to assessment or otherwise chargeable for any obligation of any nature or kind incurred after the withdrawal of the area.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 14.    


23-2915. District; dissolution; procedure.

Any district subject to the provisions of sections 23-2904 to 23-2915 which has no outstanding indebtedness may be dissolved in the manner provided for formation of such districts. When such dissolution is ordered, any remaining funds of the district shall be transferred to the counties in which the district is situated in the same proportion as the area of the district in each county bears to the total area of the district, and such funds shall be deposited in the general fund of the respective counties.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 29, § 15.    


23-3001. Transferred to section 20-160.

23-3101. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-3101 to 23-3115 shall be known and may be cited as the County Purchasing Act.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 1;    Laws 1988, LB 828, § 3.    


23-3102. Purpose of act.

The purpose of the County Purchasing Act is to provide a uniform purchasing procedure for county purchases of equipment, supplies, other items of personal property, and services and to provide for county sales of surplus personal property which is obsolete or not usable by the county.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 2;    Laws 1988, LB 828, § 4.    


23-3103. Legislative intent.

The Legislature encourages counties to work together under the provisions of the County Purchasing Act when joint purchases would be to the best advantage of such counties.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 3.    


23-3104. Terms, defined.

As used in the County Purchasing Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Mobile equipment means all vehicles propelled by any power other than muscular, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles, off-road designed vehicles, motorcycles, passenger cars, self-propelled mobile homes, truck-tractors, trucks, cabin trailers, semitrailers, trailers, utility trailers, and road and general-purpose construction and maintenance machinery not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property, including, but not limited to, ditchdigging apparatus, asphalt spreaders, bucket loaders, leveling graders, earthmoving carryalls, power shovels, earthmoving equipment, and crawler tractors;

(2) Personal property includes, but is not limited to, supplies, materials, mobile equipment, and equipment used by or furnished to any county officer, office, department, institution, board, or other agency of the county government. Personal property does not include election ballots;

(3) Services means any and all services except telephone, telegraph, postal, and electric light and power service, other similar services, and election contractual services; and

(4) Purchasing or purchase means the obtaining of personal property or services by sale, lease, or other contractual means. Purchase also includes contracting with sheltered workshops for products or services as provided in Chapter 48, article 15. Purchasing or purchase does not include any purchase or lease of personal property or services by a facility established under section 23-3501 or by or on behalf of a county coroner.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 5, p. 228; R.S.1943, § 23-324.03; R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.03; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 4;    Laws 1988, LB 602, § 1;    Laws 1988, LB 828, § 5;    Laws 2003, LB 41, § 1;    Laws 2011, LB628, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB995, § 1;    Laws 2017, LB458, § 1.    


23-3105. Purchasing agent; compensation; bond.

The governing board of a county with a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand shall and the governing board of any other county may employ a purchasing agent who shall not be a county officer of the county. All purchases made from appropriated funds of the county shall be made through the purchasing agent. The county board shall pay the agent for such services as shall be agreed upon at the time of employment. The person so employed and designated shall serve at the pleasure of the county board and give bond to the county in such amount as the county board shall prescribe.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 3, p. 227; R.S.1943, § 23-324.01; Laws 1974, LB 1007, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.01; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 5;    Laws 1988, LB 602, § 2.    


23-3106. Purchasing agent or county board; powers; election supplies.

The purchasing agent, under the supervision of the county board, or the county board, if there is no purchasing agent, shall purchase all personal property and services required by any office, officer, department, or agency of the county government in the county, subject to the County Purchasing Act. The purchasing agent or the county board, if there is no purchasing agent, shall draw up and enforce standard specifications which shall apply to all personal property purchased for the use of the county government, shall have charge of all central storerooms operated or established by the county board, and shall transfer personal property to or between the several county offices, officers, and departments. All purchases of election ballots and election contractual services shall be made by the election commissioner or by the county clerk in counties without an election commissioner.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 4, p. 228; R.S.1943, § 23-324.02; R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.02; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 6;    Laws 1988, LB 602, § 3;    Laws 1988, LB 828, § 6.    


23-3107. County board or purchasing agent; administrative duties.

The county board or purchasing agent, subject to the approval of the county board, shall: (1) Prescribe the manner in which personal property shall be purchased, delivered, and distributed; (2) prescribe dates for making estimates, the future period which they are to cover, the form in which they are submitted, and the manner of their authentication; (3) revise forms from time to time as conditions warrant; (4) provide for the transfer to and between county departments and agencies of personal property which is surplus with one department or agency but which may be needed by another or others; (5) dispose of by sale personal property which has been declared by the county board to be surplus and which is obsolete or not usable by the county. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of section 23-3115, such property with a value of less than two thousand five hundred dollars may be sold without competitive bidding. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of section 23-3115, property with a value of two thousand five hundred dollars or more shall be sold through competitive bidding; (6) prescribe the amount of cash deposit or bond to be submitted with a bid on a contract and the amount of deposit or bond to be given for the performance of a contract, if the amount of the bond is not specifically provided by law; and (7) prescribe the manner in which claims for personal property or services delivered to any department or agency of the county shall be submitted, approved, and paid.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 6, p. 228; R.S.1943, § 23-324.04; R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.04; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 7;    Laws 1988, LB 828, § 7;    Laws 2003, LB 41, § 2;    Laws 2011, LB628, § 2.    


23-3108. Purchases; how made.

(1) Except as provided in section 23-3109, purchases of personal property or services by the county board or purchasing agent shall be made:

(a) Through the competitive sealed bidding process prescribed in section 23-3111 if the estimated value of the purchase is fifty thousand dollars or more;

(b) By securing and recording at least three informal bids, if practicable, if the estimated value of the purchase is equal to or exceeds ten thousand dollars, but is less than fifty thousand dollars; or

(c) By purchasing in the open market if the estimated value of the purchase is less than ten thousand dollars, subject to section 23-3112. In any county having a population of less than one hundred thousand inhabitants and in which the county board has not appointed a purchasing agent pursuant to section 23-3105, all elected officials are hereby authorized to make purchases with an estimated value less than ten thousand dollars.

(2) In no case shall a purchase made pursuant to subdivision (1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section be divided to produce several purchases which are of an estimated value below that established in the relevant subdivision.

(3) All contracts and leases shall be approved as to form by the county attorney, and a copy of each long-term contract or lease shall be filed with the county clerk.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 8;    Laws 1987, LB 55, § 1;    Laws 2003, LB 41, § 3;    Laws 2018, LB1098, § 1.    


23-3109. Competitive bidding; when not required; waiver of bidding requirements; when.

(1) Competitive bidding shall not be required (a) when purchasing unique or noncompetitive items, (b) when purchasing petroleum products, (c) when obtaining professional services or equipment maintenance, or (d) when the price has been established by one of the following: (i) The federal General Services Administration; (ii) the materiel division of the Department of Administrative Services; or (iii) a cooperative purchasing agreement by which supplies, equipment, or services are procured in accordance with a contract established by another governmental entity or group of governmental entities if the contract was established in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the establishing governmental entity or, if a group, the lead governmental entity.

(2) The county board may, by majority vote of its members, waive the bidding requirements of the County Purchasing Act if such waiver is necessary to meet an emergency which threatens serious loss of life, health, or property in the county.

(3) The governing board may waive the bidding requirements of the County Purchasing Act if the county can save a significant amount of money by entering into a special purchase. The county board shall, five days prior to such special purchase, publish notice of its intention to make such a special purchase, stating the items considered and inviting informal quotes. A two-thirds vote of the entire county board shall approve such special purchase.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 9;    Laws 2003, LB 41, § 4.    


23-3110. Competitive bidding; considerations.

In awarding the bid, the following elements shall be given consideration when applicable:

(1) The price;

(2) The ability, capacity, and skill of the supplier to perform;

(3) The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the supplier;

(4) The quality of previous performance;

(5) Whether the supplier can perform within the time specified;

(6) The previous and existing compliance of the supplier with laws relating to the purchase or contract;

(7) The life-cost of the personal property or service in relation to the purchase price and the specific use;

(8) The performance of the personal property or service taking into consideration any commonly accepted tests and standards of product or service usability and user requirements;

(9) The energy efficiency ratio as stated by the supplier;

(10) The life-cycle costs between alternatives for all classes of equipment, the evidence of expected life, the repair and maintenance costs, and the energy consumption on a per year basis; and

(11) Such other information as may be secured having a bearing on the decision.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 10.    


23-3111. Competitive bidding; procedure.

When competitive sealed bidding is required by section 23-3108:

(1) Sealed bids shall be solicited by public notice in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county at least once a week for two consecutive weeks before the final date of submitting bids;

(2) In addition to subdivision (1) of this section, sealed bids may also be solicited by sending requests by mail to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on a public bulletin board;

(3) The notice shall contain: (a) A general description of the proposed purchase; (b) an invitation for sealed bids; (c) the name of the county official in charge of receiving the bids; (d) the date, time, and place the bids received shall be opened; and (e) whether alternative items will be considered;

(4) All bids shall remain sealed until opened on the published date and time by the county board or its designated agent;

(5) Any or all bids may be rejected and the bid need not be awarded at the time of opening, but may be held over for further consideration;

(6) If all bids received on a pending contract are for the same unit price or total amount and appear to be so as the result of collusion between the bidders, the county board or purchasing agent shall have authority to reject all bids and to purchase the personal property or services in the open market, except that the price paid in the open market shall not exceed the bid price;

(7) Each bid, with the name of bidder, shall be entered on a record and each record, with the successful bidder indicated thereon, shall, after the award or contract, be open to public inspection; and

(8) All lettings on such bids shall be public and shall be conducted as provided in Chapter 73, article 1.

Source:Laws 1985, LB 393, § 11.    


23-3112. Insufficient funds; compliance with budget; wrongful purchase, effect.

Except in an emergency, which the county board shall declare by resolution, no order for delivery on a contract on open market order for personal property or services for any county department or agency shall be awarded until the county clerk is satisfied that the unencumbered balance in the fund concerned, in excess of all unpaid obligations, is sufficient to defray the cost of such order or contract or the county clerk is satisfied that the purchase is one contemplated in the terms of the county budget as set up by the county board. Whenever any officer, office, department, or agency of the county government shall purchase or contract for any personal property or services contrary to the County Purchasing Act, such order or contract shall be void. The county officer or the head of such department or agency shall be personally liable for the costs of such order or contract and, if already paid for out of county funds, the amount may be recovered in the name of the county in an appropriate action.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 8, p. 230; R.S.1943, § 23-324.06; R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.06; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 12.    


23-3113. Purchasing agent or staff; financial interest prohibited; penalty; county board; limitation.

(1) Neither the county purchasing agent nor any member of his or her office staff, if any, shall be financially interested in or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly, in any contract or purchase order for any personal property or services used by or furnished to any office, officer, department, or agency of the county government, nor shall such purchasing agent or a member of his or her staff, if any, receive directly or indirectly, from any person, firm, or corporation to which any contract or purchase order may be awarded, by rebate, gift, or otherwise, any money, anything of value whatsoever, or any promise, obligation, or contract for future reward or compensation. Any county purchasing agent or any member of his or her office staff, if any, who violates any of the provisions of the County Purchasing Act shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class IV felony. All contracts or agreements in violation of this section are declared unlawful and shall be wholly void as an obligation against the county.

(2) If there is no purchasing agent, the county board acting pursuant to the County Purchasing Act shall be subject to section 49-14,103.01.

Source:Laws 1943, c. 57, § 9, p. 230; R.S.1943, § 23-324.07; Laws 1983, LB 370, § 15;    R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.07; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 13;    Laws 1986, LB 548, § 10.    


23-3114. Equipment; lease; contract.

The county board, in addition to other powers granted it by law, may enter into contracts for lease of real or personal property for authorized purposes. Such leases shall not be restricted to a single year and may provide for the purchase of the property in installment payments. This section shall be in addition to and notwithstanding the provisions of sections 23-132 and 23-916.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 115, § 1, p. 363; R.S.1943, (1983), § 23-324.08; Laws 1985, LB 393, § 14.    


23-3115. Surplus personal property other than mobile equipment; surplus mobile equipment; sale; conditions.

(1) The county board or the purchasing agent, with the approval of the county board, may authorize a county official or employee to sell surplus personal property, other than mobile equipment, which is obsolete or not usable by the county and which has a value of less than two thousand five hundred dollars. In making such authorization, the county board or purchasing agent may place any restriction on the type or value of property to be sold, restrict such authority to a single transaction or to a period of time, or make any other appropriate restrictions or conditions.

(2) The county board or the purchasing agent, with the approval of the county board, may authorize a county official or employee to sell surplus mobile equipment which is obsolete or not usable by the county and which has a value of less than five thousand dollars. Surplus mobile equipment which is obsolete or not usable by the county and which has a value of five thousand dollars or more shall be sold through competitive bidding.

(3) Any county official or employee granted the authority to sell surplus personal property which is obsolete or not usable by the county as prescribed in subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall make a written report to the county board within thirty days after the end of the fiscal year reflecting, for each transaction, the item sold, the name and address of the purchaser, the price paid by the purchaser for each item, and the total amount paid by the purchaser.

(4) The money generated by any sales authorized by this section shall be payable to the county treasurer and shall be credited to the funds of the department, office, or agency to which the property belonged.

(5) No person authorized by the county board or purchasing agent to make such sales shall be authorized to make or imply any warranty of any kind whatsoever as to the nature, use, condition, or fitness for a particular purpose of any property sold pursuant to this section. Any person making sales authorized by this section shall inform the purchaser that such property is being sold as is without any warranty of any kind whatsoever.

Source:Laws 1988, LB 828, § 2;    Laws 2011, LB628, § 3.    


23-3201. County assessor; elected; when; duties; county assessor, defined; additional salary for county clerk.

Except as provided in section 22-417, (1) each county having a population of more than three thousand five hundred inhabitants and having more than one thousand two hundred tax returns in any tax year shall have an elected county assessor and (2) each other county shall have an elected county assessor or shall have the county clerk serve as county assessor as determined by the registered voters of the county in accordance with section 32-519.

The county assessor shall work full time and his or her office shall be separate from that of the county clerk except in counties which do not elect a full-time assessor.

For purposes of sections 23-3201 to 23-3210, county assessor shall mean a county assessor or a county clerk who is the ex officio county assessor. For the performance of the duties as county assessor, the county clerk shall receive such additional salary as may be fixed by the county board.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 85, § 1, p. 391; Laws 1961, c. 146, § 7, p. 428; R.S.1943, (1988), § 32-310.01; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 16;    Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 19; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 19;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 544;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 36.    


Cross References

23-3202. County assessor or deputy; county assessor certificate; required; exception.

No person shall be eligible to file for, be appointed to, or hold the office of county assessor or serve as deputy assessor in any county of this state unless he or she holds a county assessor certificate issued pursuant to section 77-422.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 623, § 3, p. 2521; Laws 1983, LB 245, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1986), § 77-423; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 17;    Laws 1999, LB 194, § 3;    Laws 2000, LB 968, § 14;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 22;    Laws 2009, LB121, § 3.    


Annotations

23-3203. County clerk acting as ex officio county assessor; county assessor certificate; required.

No person shall be eligible to file for, assume, or be appointed to the office of county clerk acting as ex officio county assessor unless he or she holds a county assessor certificate issued pursuant to section 77-422.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 622, § 13, p. 2517; R.S.1943, (1981), § 77-1337; Laws 1986, LB 817, § 10;    Laws 1987, LB 508, § 13;    R.S.Supp.,1988, § 77-429; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 18.    


23-3204. County assessor; residence requirements.

A county assessor need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as county assessor, but a county assessor shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1969, c. 623, § 6, p. 2522; R.S.1943, (1986), § 77-426; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 19;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 37.    


23-3205. County assessor; oath; bond.

The county assessor, before entering upon the duties of the office, shall take and subscribe an oath to perform well, faithfully, and impartially such duties and shall execute a bond as required by Chapter 11, article 1.

Source:Laws 1903, c. 73, § 21, p. 393; R.S.1913, § 6307; Laws 1921, c. 133, art. IV, § 1, p. 551; C.S.1929, § 77-401; R.S.1943, § 77-401; Laws 1969, c. 52, § 2, p. 352; Laws 1987, LB 508, § 7;    R.S.Supp.,1988, § 77-401; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 20.    


Cross References

Annotations

23-3206. County assessor in counties over 200,000 population; deputies.

In counties having a population of over two hundred thousand, the county assessor shall have two chief deputies, a chief field deputy and a chief office deputy.

Source:Laws 1903, c. 73, § 22, p. 392; Laws 1905, c. 110, § 1, p. 509; Laws 1909, c. 111, § 1, p. 436; Laws 1913, c. 87, § 1, p. 229; R.S.1913, § 2451; Laws 1917, c. 46, § 1, p. 129; Laws 1919, c. 61, § 1, p. 168; C.S.1922, § 2390; C.S.1929, § 33-129; Laws 1931, c. 69, § 1, p. 188; Laws 1941, c. 65, § 1, p. 289; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 33-129; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 21, p. 307; R.S.1943, § 33-129; Laws 1957, c. 133, § 1, p. 449; R.S.1943, (1988), § 33-129; Laws 1989, LB 5, § 6;    R.S.Supp.,1989, § 77-401.02; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 21.    


23-3207. Administration of oaths.

County assessors and their deputies may administer oaths within their respective counties in matters pertaining to their official duties.

Source:Laws 1990, LB 821, § 22.    


Cross References

23-3208. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-3209. Neglect of duty; damages.

Any county assessor, elected or appointed, who willfully neglects or refuses in whole or in part to perform the duties required by law in the assessment of property for taxation shall be answerable in damages to a political subdivision or any person thereby injured up to the limits of his or her official bond.

Source:Laws 1903, c. 73, § 27, p. 393; R.S.1913, § 6312; Laws 1921, c. 133, art. IV, § 6, p. 552; C.S.1922, § 5838; C.S.1929, § 77-406; R.S.1943, § 77-408; Laws 1947, c. 250, § 10, p. 791; Laws 1969, c. 650, § 1, p. 2567; Laws 1977, LB 39, § 211;    Laws 1987, LB 508, § 8;    R.S.Supp.,1988, § 77-408; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 24;    Laws 2006, LB 808, § 23.    


23-3210. Assessor's bond; action to recover upon; by whom brought.

The state, any municipality, or any person aggrieved or injured by the willful neglect of duty by the county assessor or any deputy or assistant assessor may recover upon the officer's bond the amount lost to the state, municipality, or person on account of such neglect of the county assessor or deputy or assistant assessor, together with the costs of suit.

Source:Laws 1903, c. 73, § 21, p. 393; R.S.1913, § 6307; Laws 1921, c. 133, art. IV, § 1, p. 551; C.S.1929, § 77-401; R.S.1943, § 77-403; Laws 1951, c. 260, § 2, p. 886; R.S.1943, (1986), § 77-403; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 25.    


23-3211. Law enforcement officer, Nebraska National Guard member, or judge; residential address; withheld from public; application; form; county assessor and register of deeds; duty.

(1) Unless requested in writing, the county assessor and register of deeds shall withhold from the public the residential address of a law enforcement officer, a member of the Nebraska National Guard acting pursuant to subdivision (3) of section 55-182, or a judge who applies to the county assessor in the county of his or her residence. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the county assessor and shall include the applicant's name and address and the parcel identification number for his or her residential address. A law enforcement officer shall include in the application his or her law enforcement identification number. A member of the Nebraska National Guard shall include in the application proof of his or her status as a member, in a manner prescribed by the county assessor. A judge shall include in the application the name of the specific court of which he or she is a judge. The county assessor shall notify the register of deeds regarding the receipt of a complete application. The county assessor and the register of deeds shall withhold the address of a law enforcement officer, member of the Nebraska National Guard, or judge who complies with this section for five years after receipt of a complete application. The officer, member, or judge may renew his or her application every five years upon submission of an updated application.

(2) For purposes of this section, judge includes the judge or magistrate judge of any court located in this state, including any county court, any district court, the Court of Appeals, the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, any separate juvenile court, the Supreme Court, and any federal court.

Source:Laws 2017, LB624, § 1;    Laws 2019, LB152, § 2;    Laws 2022, LB1178, § 1.    


23-3301. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3302. Repealed. Laws 2018, LB377, § 87.

23-3303. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3304. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3305. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3306. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3307. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3308. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3309. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-3310. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3311. County school administrator; mileage.

When it is necessary for the county school administrator to travel on business of the county, he or she shall be allowed mileage at the rate allowed by the provisions of section 81-1176 for each mile actually and necessarily traveled by the most direct route if the trip or trips are made by automobile, but if travel by rail or bus is economical and practical, he or she shall be allowed only the actual cost of rail or bus transportation upon the presentation of the bill for the same accompanied by a proper voucher to the county board of his or her county in like manner as is provided for as to all other claims against the county.

Source:Laws 1953, c. 58, § 2, p. 196; Laws 1957, c. 70, § 8, p. 301; Laws 1971, LB 292, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 79-320; Laws 1990, LB 821, § 36;    Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 15;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 13.    


23-3312. County superintendent; elimination of office; county clerk; duties.

The office of county superintendent of schools shall be eliminated on June 30, 2000. The records of the office of county superintendent of schools shall be transferred to and maintained by the county clerk in each county.

Source:Laws 1997, LB 806, § 63;    Laws 1999, LB 272, § 14.    


23-3313. Repealed. Laws 1999, LB 272, § 118.

23-3401. Public defender in certain counties; election; qualifications; prohibited practices; residency.

(1) There is hereby created the office of public defender in counties that have or that attain a population in excess of one hundred thousand inhabitants and in other counties upon approval by the county board. The public defender shall be elected as provided in the Election Act.

(2) The public defender shall be a lawyer licensed to practice law in this state. He or she shall take office after election and qualification at the same time that other county officers take office, except that upon the creation of such office in any county, a qualified person may be appointed by the county board to serve as public defender until such office can be filled by an election in accordance with section 32-523.

(3) In counties having a population of more than one hundred seventy thousand inhabitants, the public defender shall devote his or her full time to the legal work of the office of the public defender and shall not engage in the private practice of law. All assistant public defenders in such counties shall devote their full time to the legal work of such office of the public defender and shall not engage in the private practice of law so long as each assistant public defender receives the same annual salary as each deputy county attorney of comparable ability and experience receives in such counties.

(4) No public defender or assistant public defender shall solicit or accept any fee for representing a criminal defendant in a prosecution in which the public defender or assistant is already acting as the defendant's court-appointed counsel.

(5) A public defender elected after November 1986 need not be a resident of the county when he or she files for election as public defender, but a public defender shall reside in a county for which he or she holds office, except that in counties with a population of one hundred thousand or less inhabitants, the public defender shall not be required to reside in the county in which he or she holds office.

Source:Laws 1915, c. 165, § 1, p. 336; Laws 1917, c. 150, § 1, p. 335; Laws 1919, c. 58, § 1, p. 162; C.S.1922, § 10105; C.S.1929, § 29-1803; Laws 1931, c. 65, § 6, p. 179; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 29-1803; Laws 1943, c. 90, § 15, p. 303; R.S.1943, § 29-1804; Laws 1947, c. 62, § 10, p. 203; Laws 1957, c. 107, § 7, p. 382; Laws 1961, c. 134, § 1, p. 387; Laws 1965, c. 151, § 4, p. 495; Laws 1967, c. 605, § 5, p. 2050; Laws 1967, c. 178, § 1, p. 495; Laws 1969, c. 238, § 1, p. 878; Laws 1972, LB 1463, § 1;    Laws 1984, LB 189, § 1;    Laws 1986, LB 812, § 8;    Laws 1989, LB 627, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1804; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 343, § 1;    Laws 1994, LB 76, § 546;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 38.    


Cross References

23-3402. Public defender; duties; appointment; prohibitions.

(1) It shall be the duty of the public defender to represent all indigent felony defendants within the county he or she serves. The public defender shall represent indigent felony defendants at all critical stages of felony proceedings against them through the stage of sentencing. Sentencing shall include hearings on charges of violation of felony probation. Following the sentencing of any indigent defendant represented by him or her, the public defender may take any direct, collateral, or postconviction appeals to state or federal courts which he or she considers to be meritorious and in the interest of justice and shall file a notice of appeal and proceed with one direct appeal to either the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Nebraska upon a timely request after sentencing from any such convicted felony defendant, subject to the public defender's right to apply to the court to withdraw from representation in any appeal which he or she deems to be wholly frivolous.

(2) It shall be the duty of the public defender to represent all indigent persons against whom a petition has been filed with a mental health board as provided in sections 71-945 to 71-947.

(3) It shall be the duty of the public defender to represent all indigent persons charged with misdemeanor offenses punishable by imprisonment when appointed by the court.

(4) Appointment of a public defender shall be by the court in accordance with sections 29-3902 and 29-3903. A public defender shall not represent an indigent person prior to appointment by the court, except that a public defender may represent a person under arrest for investigation or on suspicion. A public defender shall not inquire into a defendant's financial condition for purposes of indigency determination except to make an initial determination of indigency of a person under arrest for investigation or on suspicion. A public defender shall not make a determination of a defendant's indigency, except an initial determination of indigency of a person under arrest for investigation or on suspicion, nor recommend to a court that a defendant be determined or not determined as indigent.

(5) For purposes of this section, the definitions found in section 29-3901 shall be used.

Source:Laws 1972, LB 1463, § 2;    Laws 1975, LB 285, § 1;    Laws 1984, LB 189, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1804.03; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 2;    Laws 1991, LB 732, § 27; Laws 1991, LB 830, § 28; Laws 2004, LB 1083, § 85.    


Annotations

23-3403. Public defender; assistants; personnel; compensation; office space, fixtures, and supplies.

The public defender may appoint as many assistant public defenders, who shall be attorneys licensed to practice law in this state, secretaries, law clerks, investigators, and other employees as are reasonably necessary to permit him or her to effectively and competently represent the clients of the office subject to the approval and consent of the county board which shall fix the compensation of all such persons as well as the budget for office space, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, supplies, law books, court costs, and brief-printing, investigative, expert, travel, and other miscellaneous expenses reasonably necessary to enable the public defender to effectively and competently represent the clients of the office.

Source:Laws 1972, LB 1463, § 10;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1804.11; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 3.    


Annotations

23-3404. Public defender; certain counties; appointment authorized.

(1) In a county having a population of less than thirty-five thousand inhabitants which does not have an elected public defender, the county board of such county may appoint a qualified attorney to serve as public defender for such county. In making the appointment and negotiating the contract, the county board shall comply with sections 23-3405 to 23-3408.

(2) Nothing in sections 23-3401 to 23-3403 or 29-3901 to 29-3908 shall be construed to apply to sections 23-3404 to 23-3408.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 885, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1824; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 4.    


23-3405. Public defender; policy board created; members; duties.

(1) Prior to making the appointment and negotiating the contract provided for in section 23-3404, the county board of such county shall appoint a policy board which shall ensure the independence of the contracting attorney and provide the county board with expertise and support in such matters as criminal defense functions, determination of salary levels, determination of reasonable caseload standards, response to community and client concerns, and implementation of the contract. The policy board shall consist of three members. Two of the members shall be practicing attorneys, and one member shall be a layperson. The policy board shall not include judges, prosecutors, or law enforcement officials.

(2) The policy board shall: (a) Receive applications from all attorneys who wish to be a public defender; (b) screen the applications to insure compliance with sections 23-3404 to 23-3408; (c) forward the names of any qualified applicants to the county board which shall make the appointments from the list of qualified candidates; (d) recommend to the county board the level of compensation that the public defender should receive and further recommend any contract provisions consistent with such sections; and (e) monitor compliance with such sections, including any continuing legal education requirements.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 885, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1825; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 5.    


23-3406. Public defender; contract; terms.

(1) The contract negotiated between the county board and the contracting attorney shall specify the categories of cases in which the contracting attorney is to provide services.

(2) The contract negotiated between the county board and the contracting attorney shall be awarded for at least a two-year term. Removal of the contracting attorney short of the agreed term may be for good cause only.

(3) The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney may specify a maximum allowable caseload for each full-time or part-time attorney who handles cases under the contract. Caseloads shall allow each lawyer to give every client the time and effort necessary to provide effective representation.

(4) The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall provide that the contracting attorney be compensated at a minimum rate which reflects the following factors:

(a) The customary compensation in the community for similar services rendered by a privately retained counsel to a paying client or by government or other publicly paid attorneys to a public client;

(b) The time and labor required to be spent by the attorney; and

(c) The degree of professional ability, skill, and experience called for and exercised in the performance of the services.

(5) The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall provide that the contracting attorney may decline to represent clients with no reduction in compensation if the contracting attorney is assigned more cases which require an extraordinary amount of time and preparation than the contracting attorney can competently handle.

(6) The contract between the contracting attorney and the county board shall provide that the contracting attorney shall receive at least ten hours of continuing legal education annually in the area of criminal law. The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall provide funds for the continuing legal education of the contracting attorney in the area of criminal law.

(7) The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall require that the contracting attorney provide legal counsel to all clients in a professional, skilled manner consistent with minimum standards set forth by the American Bar Association and the Canons of Ethics for Attorneys in the State of Nebraska. The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall provide that the contracting attorney shall be available to eligible defendants upon their request, or the request of someone acting on their behalf, at any time the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Nebraska requires the appointment of counsel.

(8) The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall provide for reasonable compensation over and above the normal contract price for cases which require an extraordinary amount of time and preparation, including capital cases.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 885, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1826; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 6;    Laws 2015, LB268, § 1;    Referendum 2016, No. 426.

Note: The changes made to section 23-3406 by Laws 2015, LB 268, section 1, have been omitted because of the vote on the referendum at the November 2016 general election.


23-3407. Public defender; contracting attorney; qualifications; experts; support staff; fees.

(1) The contracting attorney shall have been a practicing attorney for at least two years prior to entering into the contract with the county board, shall be a member in good standing of the Nebraska State Bar Association at the time the contract is executed, and shall have past training or experience in criminal law.

(2) The contracting attorney shall apply to the court which is hearing the case for fees to employ social workers, mental health professionals, forensic experts, investigators, and other support staff to perform tasks for which such support staff and experts possess special skills and which do not require legal credentials or experience. The court which is hearing the case shall allow reasonable fees for such experts and support staff, and the fees shall be paid by the county board. The contract between the county board and the contracting attorney shall not specify any sums of money for such experts or support staff.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 885, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1827; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 7.    


23-3408. Public defender; second attorney authorized; when; fees.

In the event that the contracting attorney is appointed to represent an individual charged with a Class I or Class IA felony, the contracting attorney shall immediately apply to the district court for appointment of a second attorney to assist in the case. Upon application from the contracting attorney, the district court shall appoint another attorney with substantial felony trial experience to assist the contracting attorney in the case. Application for fees for the attorney appointed by the district court shall be made to the district court judge who shall allow reasonable fees. Once approved by the court, such fees shall be paid by the county board.

Source:Laws 1986, LB 885, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1989), § 29-1828; Laws 1990, LB 822, § 8;    Laws 2015, LB268, § 2;    Referendum 2016, No. 426.

Note: The changes made to section 23-3408 by Laws 2015, LB 268, section 2, have been omitted because of the vote on the referendum at the November 2016 general election.


23-3501. Medical and multiunit facilities; authorized; bonds; issuance; procedure.

(1) The county board in any county in this state having three thousand six hundred inhabitants or more or in which the taxable value of the taxable property is twenty-eight million six hundred thousand dollars or more may issue and sell bonds of such county in such an amount as the county board may deem advisable for the construction, acquisition, or replacement of a hospital, including any clinic of such hospital, a nursing facility, an assisted-living facility, a home health agency, a mental health clinic, a clinic or facility to combat developmental disabilities, a public health center, a medical complex, multiunit housing, or a similar facility required to protect the health and welfare of the people and to initially equip and acquire property deemed necessary for operation of such facility. Such bonds shall bear interest at a rate set by the county board.

(2) No bonds shall be issued pursuant to this section until the question of the issuance of the bonds has been submitted to the voters of such county at a general election or a special election called for such purpose. The issuance of such bonds shall be approved by a majority vote of the electors voting on such proposition at any such election. Such election may be called either by resolution of the county board or upon a petition submitted to the county board calling for an election. Such petition shall be signed by the legal voters of the county equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast in the county for the office of Governor at the last general election.

Source:Laws 1917, c. 170, § 1, p. 381; C.S.1922, § 1054; C.S.1929, § 26-748; Laws 1937, c. 54, § 1, p. 220; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 26-748; R.S.1943, § 23-343; Laws 1945, c. 44, § 1, p. 208; Laws 1957, c. 64, § 1, p. 284; Laws 1959, c. 82, § 1, p. 372; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 1, p. 447; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 1, p. 386; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 82, p. 326; Laws 1972, LB 1168, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 102;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343; Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 20; Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 20; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 20;    Laws 2012, LB995, § 2.    


Annotations

23-3502. Board of trustees; membership; vacancy; county board serve as board of trustees; terms; removal.

(1) When a county with a population of three thousand six hundred inhabitants or more and less than two hundred thousand inhabitants or with a taxable value of the taxable property of twenty-eight million six hundred thousand dollars or more establishes a facility as provided by section 23-3501, the county board of the county shall appoint a board of trustees.

(2) In counties having a population of two hundred thousand inhabitants or more, the county board of the county having a facility, in lieu of appointing a board of trustees of such facility, may elect to serve as the board of trustees of such facility. If the county board makes such election, the county board shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the board of trustees of the facility, including those set forth in sections 23-3504 and 23-3505. Such election shall be evidenced by the adoption of a resolution by the county board.

(3)(a) The board of trustees appointed pursuant to this section shall consist of three, five, seven, or nine members as fixed by the county board.

(b) When the board is first established:

(i) If the county provides for a three-member board, one member shall be appointed for a term of two years, one for four years, and one for six years from the date such member is appointed. Thereafter, as the members' terms expire, members shall be appointed for terms of six years;

(ii) If the county board provides for a five-member board, one additional member shall be appointed for four years and one for six years. If the board is changed to a five-member board, the three members who are serving as such trustees at the time of a change from a three-member to a five-member board shall each complete his or her respective term of office. The two additional members shall be appointed by the county board, one for a term of four years and one for a term of six years. Thereafter, as the members' terms expire, members shall be appointed for terms of six years;

(iii) If the county board provides for a seven-member board, one additional member shall be appointed for two years and one for four years. If the board is changed to a seven-member board, the three or five members who are serving as such trustees at the time of the change shall each complete his or her respective term of office. The two or four additional members shall be appointed by the county board. If two additional members are appointed, one shall be appointed for four years and one for six years. If four additional members are appointed, one shall be appointed for two years, two for four years, and one for six years. Thereafter, as the members' terms expire, members shall be appointed for terms of six years; and

(iv) If the county board provides for a nine-member board, one additional member shall be appointed for two years and one for six years. If the board is changed to a nine-member board, the three, five, or seven members who are serving as such trustees at the time of the change shall each complete his or her respective term of office. The two, four, or six additional members shall be appointed by the county board. If two additional members are appointed, one shall be appointed for two years and one for six years. If four additional members are appointed, two shall be appointed for two years, one for four years, and one for six years. If six additional members are appointed, two shall be appointed for two years, two for four years, and two for six years. Thereafter, as the members' terms expire, members shall be appointed for terms of six years.

(4)(a) All members of the board of trustees shall be residents of the county.

(b) In any county having a population of more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, a minimum of one member of the board of trustees shall reside outside the corporate limits of the city in which such facility or facilities are located. In any county having a population of more than four hundred thousand inhabitants as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, if only one member of the board of trustees resides outside the corporate limits of the city in which the facility is located and the residence of the member is annexed by the city, he or she shall be allowed to complete his or her term of office but shall not be eligible for reappointment.

(c) The trustees shall, within ten days after their appointment, qualify by taking the oath of county officers as provided in section 11-101 and by furnishing a bond, if required by the county board, in an amount to be fixed by the county board.

(d) Any person who has been excluded from participation in a federally funded health care program or is included in a federal exclusionary database shall be ineligible to serve as a trustee.

(5) The board of trustees shall elect a trustee to serve as chairperson, one as secretary, and one as treasurer. The board shall make such elections at each annual board meeting.

(6)(a) When a member is absent from three consecutive board meetings, either regular or special, without being excused by the remaining members of the board, his or her office shall become vacant and a new member shall be appointed by the county board to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of such member pursuant to subdivision (6)(b) of this section.

(b) Any member of such board may at any time be removed from office by the county board for any reason. Vacancies shall be filled in substantially the same manner as the original appointments are made. The person appointed to fill such a vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of the member that he or she has replaced.

(7) The county board shall consult with the existing board of trustees regarding the skills and qualifications of any potential appointees to the board pursuant to this section prior to appointing any new trustee.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 2, p. 208; Laws 1953, c. 53, § 1, p. 185; Laws 1957, c. 64, § 2, p. 284; Laws 1963, c. 113, § 3, p. 443; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 2, p. 447; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 2, p. 386; Laws 1974, LB 293, § 1;    Laws 1977, LB 481, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 103;    Laws 1980, LB 685, § 1; Laws 1981, LB 260, § 1;    Laws 1982, LB 703, § 1;    Laws 1987, LB 134, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 122, § 1;    R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.01; Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 21; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 21;    Laws 1999, LB 212, § 1;    Laws 2002, LB 1062, § 1;    Laws 2012, LB995, § 3;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 13.    


Annotations

23-3503. Board of trustees; compensation; mileage.

The salary of the members of the board of trustees of such facility or facilities as provided by section 23-3501 shall be fixed by an order of the county board of such county. The county board may establish a salary in an amount not less than one hundred dollars per year but not more than one hundred dollars per meeting of the board of trustees and not to exceed one thousand two hundred dollars per year. The members shall also be reimbursed for necessary mileage at the rate provided in section 81-1176 while on business of the facility or facilities.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 3, p. 209; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 3, p. 449; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 3, p. 387; Laws 1978, LB 719, § 1;    Laws 1981, LB 204, § 22;    Laws 1989, LB 135, § 1;    R.S.Supp.,1990, § 23-343.02; Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 16.    


23-3504. Board of trustees; powers and duties.

The board of trustees:

(1) May purchase or lease a site for a facility established under section 23-3501 and provide and equip any building deemed necessary to fulfill the facility's mission;

(2) May accept property by gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise and may carry out any conditions connected to the receipt of any gift, devise, or bequest;

(3) May sell, lease, exchange, encumber, or otherwise dispose of a facility or any other property under the control of the board of trustees upon a concurring vote of a majority of the board of trustees. If such sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance, or disposal is of all or substantially all of the facility or property, the sale, lease, exchange, encumbrance, or disposal shall also be approved by the county board;

(4) May borrow money on an unsecured basis or secured by the facility and revenue of the facility for the purposes of initially financing or refinancing the construction, improvement, maintenance, or replacement of the facility or equipping the facility and acquiring other property or for any other purpose deemed appropriate by the board of trustees. Any issuance of revenue bonds for which the revenue of the facility has been pledged shall be subject to approval by the county board;

(5) Shall have exclusive control of the expenditures of all money collected to the credit of the fund for any such facility;

(6) Shall have exclusive control over any and all improvements or additions to the facility and equipment, including the authority to contract for improvements, additions, equipment, and other property. If any such improvement or addition to the facility costs more than fifty percent of the current replacement cost of the facility, the improvement or addition shall also be approved by the county board;

(7) Shall have exclusive control, supervision, care, and custody of the grounds, rooms, buildings, and other property purchased, constructed, leased, or set apart for the purposes set forth under section 23-3501;

(8) Shall have the authority to pay all bills and claims due and owing by the facility and the salaries of all employees of such facility;

(9) Shall have the authority to expend hospital operating funds for recruitment and reimbursement of the reasonable expenses of any person interviewed or retained for employment or for medical staff appointment at the facility;

(10) May authorize the delivery of any additional health care service, ambulance service, assisted-living or independent living service, or other ancillary service deemed by the board to be necessary for the betterment of the health status of the residents of the county;

(11) May control, own, and operate clinics and health care facilities both within and outside the county; and

(12) Is granted all other powers and duties necessary for the management, control, and governance of a facility, including, but not limited to, any applicable powers and duties granted to any board under Nebraska law relating to nonprofit corporations, except as otherwise provided in this section or section 23-3505.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 4, p. 209; Laws 1949, c. 38, § 1, p. 130; Laws 1951, c. 50, § 1, p. 168; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 4, p. 449; Laws 1965, c. 102, § 1, p. 424; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 4, p. 388; Laws 1981, LB 171, § 2;    Laws 1981, LB 260, § 2;    Laws 1991, LB 798, § 1; R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.03; Laws 1995, LB 366, § 2;    Laws 1996, LB 681, § 193;    Laws 2012, LB995, § 4.    


Annotations

23-3505. Board of trustees; meetings; bylaws, rules, and regulations; employees; filing required; other duties.

The board of trustees shall:

(1) Hold meetings at least once each month and keep a complete record of all of its proceedings;

(2) Adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for its own guidance and for the governance of a facility. The board of trustees shall file such bylaws, rules, and regulations with the county board;

(3) Employ or contract for an administrator of a facility, fix the administrator's compensation, and review the administrator's job performance on at least an annual basis. The administrator shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility and its employees;

(4) If a facility maintains a medical staff, adopt and approve medical staff bylaws that govern the medical staff of the facility, approve the appointment of a qualified medical staff, and oversee the quality of medical care and services provided at the facility;

(5) Manage and control a facility's funds in accordance with guidelines established for political subdivisions by the Nebraska Investment Council and invest such funds in investments as permitted for counties in the State of Nebraska;

(6) Fix the price to be charged to patients admitted to a facility for care and treatment;

(7) Establish charity-care policies for free treatment or financial assistance for care provided by a facility;

(8) Procure and pay premiums on any and all insurance policies required for the prudent management of a facility, including, but not limited to, general liability, professional malpractice liability, workers' compensation, vehicle liability, and directors' and officers' liability; and

(9) On or before July 15 of each year:

(a) File with the county board a report of its proceedings with reference to a facility and a statement of all receipts and expenditures during the year; and

(b) Certify the amount necessary, if any, to maintain and improve a facility for the ensuing year.

The treasurer of the board of trustees or his or her designee shall receive and pay out all money under the control of the board of trustees as ordered by the board and report such expenditures and receipts to the county board as required by subdivision (9)(a) of this section.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 5, p. 210; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 5, p. 450; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 5, p. 389; Laws 1987, LB 134, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.04; Laws 2012, LB995, § 5.    


23-3506. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 995, § 20.

23-3507. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 995, § 20.

23-3508. County board; bonds; purpose; terms; levy; limitation; procedure to exceed.

(1) The county board in counties in this state in which a facility has been established as provided in section 23-3501 may, by a majority vote of the board, issue and sell bonds of the county in such sums as the county board may deem advisable to defray the cost of improvements or additions thereto, equipment, and other property deemed necessary for operation of the facility.

(2) Such bonds shall (a) be payable in not to exceed thirty years after the date of issuance, (b) bear interest payable annually or semiannually, and (c) contain an option to the county to pay all or any part thereof at any time after five years after the date of issuance. When such bonds have been issued under this section or section 23-3501, the county board shall cause to be levied and collected annually a tax upon all of the taxable property of such county sufficient to pay the interest and principal of the bonds as the interest and principal become due and payable. If the county board deems it appropriate, the county board may submit to the electors of such county at a general or special election the question of whether to exceed the tax limitation set forth in Article VIII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska or any other applicable statutory levy limitation.

(3) Any taxes levied to pay bonds issued under this section or section 23-3501 shall be kept in a separate fund in the county treasury. Any such bonds shall not be deemed to be payable from the general fund of the county.

(4) This section shall not apply to any bond or other indebtedness authorized by the board of trustees pursuant to section 23-3504.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 8, p. 210; Laws 1949, c. 38, § 2, p. 131; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 8, p. 451; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 8, p. 390; Laws 1969, c. 157, § 1, p. 729; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 83, p. 327; Laws 1978, LB 560, § 1;    Laws 1991, LB 798, § 2; R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.07; Laws 2012, LB995, § 6.    


Annotations

23-3509. County board; tax levy; amount.

The county board may annually levy a tax upon all of the taxable property within the county sufficient to defray the amount required for such maintenance and improvement as certified to it by the board of trustees.

Source:Laws 1945, c. 44, § 9, p. 211; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.08; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 111;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 40.    


23-3510. Acceptance of gifts or devises; authorization; powers of county board; tax levy.

The county board of any county may, in its discretion, accept a gift or devise of a specific sum of money for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, or replacing a facility as provided by section 23-3501 and by tax levy raise such additional sum of money as may be necessary to construct, acquire, or replace such facility.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 61, § 1, p. 196; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 10, p. 453; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 10, p. 391; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.10; Laws 2012, LB995, § 7.    


23-3511. Tax levy; limitation; purpose.

The county board may levy a tax each year of not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the taxable value of all the taxable property in such county for the purpose of acquiring, remodeling, improving, equipping, maintaining, and operating a facility as provided by section 23-3501. In counties having a population of not more than seven thousand inhabitants, such tax shall not exceed seven cents on each one hundred dollars of the taxable value.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 61, § 2, p. 196; Laws 1953, c. 287, § 44, p. 957; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 11, p. 453; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 11, p. 392; Laws 1973, LB 20, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 104;    Laws 1991, LB 798, § 3; R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.11; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 112;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 41;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 48;    Laws 2012, LB995, § 8.    


23-3512. Sections, how construed.

The provisions of sections 23-3510 to 23-3512 are intended to be cumulative to and not amendatory of sections 23-3501 to 23-3509.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 61, § 3, p. 196; Laws 1987, LB 134, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.12.


23-3513. Cities and villages; gifts of money or property to aid county in acquisition, construction, or maintenance; issuance of bonds; procedure.

(1) Any city or village may make a gift of money or property, including equipment, to the county in which such city or village is situated to aid and assist in the acquisition, construction, or maintenance of such facility or facilities as provided by section 23-3501, to a nonprofit corporation which will provide or is providing hospital facilities within such city or village, or to a hospital district established pursuant to section 23-3529 and in which such city or village is located. Any such gift shall be approved by three-fourths of all the members elected to the city council of the city or board of trustees of the village making such gift. In order to enable any such city or village to make such gift of money to such county, the city or village shall be empowered and authorized to borrow money, pledge the property and credit of the city or village, and issue its bonds to obtain money therefor in an amount not to exceed three and one-half percent of the taxable valuation of such city or village. No such bonds shall be issued until after the bonds have been authorized by a majority vote of the electors voting on the proposition of their issuance at a general municipal election or at a special election called for the submission of such proposition.

(2) Such bonds shall be payable in not to exceed twenty years from date and shall bear interest payable annually or semiannually. Notice of the time and place of the election shall be given by publication three successive weeks prior thereto in some legal newspaper printed in and of general circulation in such city or village or, if no newspaper is printed in such city or village, in a newspaper of general circulation in such city or village. No such election shall be called except upon a three-fourths vote of all the members elected to the city council of the city or board of trustees of the village, which three-fourths vote of the city council or board of trustees shall constitute the approval provided for in either subsection (1) or (2) of this section, and either the city council or village board shall be required to make such gift, in the event the electors vote such bonds.

Source:Laws 1947, c. 41, § 2, p. 157; Laws 1957, c. 65, § 1, p. 288; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 12, p. 454; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 12, p. 392; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 84, p. 328; Laws 1971, LB 80, § 1;    Laws 1971, LB 534, § 26;    Laws 1972, LB 1124, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 105;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.13; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 113.    


23-3514. Repealed. Laws 2012, LB 995, § 20.

23-3515. Adjoining counties; issuance of joint bonds; election; majority required.

Any two or more adjoining counties having a combined population of thirty-six hundred inhabitants or more or having a combined taxable value of the taxable property of twenty-eight million six hundred thousand dollars or more may, upon resolution of the county board of each county, issue their joint bonds in the amount, for the purposes, and upon the conditions provided in section 23-3501. No bonds shall be issued until the question of their issuance has been submitted to the voters of each county at a general election or at a special election called for such purpose. The issuance of such bonds shall be approved by a majority vote of the electors voting on such question in each county, which election may be called either by resolution of the county boards or upon a petition submitted to the county boards calling for the same signed by the legal voters of each county equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast in each county for the office of Governor at the last general election.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 64, § 3, p. 286; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 106;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.15; Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 22; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 22.    


Annotations

23-3516. Adjoining counties; board; membership; powers.

(1) Whenever two or more counties establish a facility or facilities as provided by section 23-3515, the county board of each such county shall proceed immediately to appoint three members to serve on the board of trustees of such facility or facilities. When such board is first established, each county board shall appoint one member for a term of two years, one for four years, and one for six years from the date they are appointed. Thereafter, as their terms expire, members shall be appointed for a term of six years.

(2) Whenever the board would consist of an even number of members, one additional member shall be appointed for a term of six years by the county board of the county having the greatest population as disclosed by the latest United States census.

(3) The board of trustees provided for in this section shall have the same powers, duties, obligations, and authority provided in sections 23-3502 to 23-3509.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 64, § 4, p. 286; Laws 1961, c. 88, § 2, p. 308; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 14, p. 455; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 14, p. 393; Laws 1987, LB 134, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.16; Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 21.


23-3517. Adjoining counties; reports; county board actions; voter approval; construction of sections.

Sections 23-3501 to 23-3509 shall apply to any facility or facilities established pursuant to section 23-3515. For purposes of sections 23-3515 to 23-3519, whenever such sections: (1) Require the making of any report to the county board, such report shall be made to the county board of each county concerned; (2) authorize or require the taking of any action by the county board, such action shall be concurred in by the county board of each county concerned; and (3) provide for the submission of any question to the voters before any action may be taken, such question shall be submitted to the voters of each county concerned and shall be approved by a majority vote of the electors voting on such question in each such county.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 64, § 5, p. 287; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 15, p. 456; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 15, p. 394; Laws 1987, LB 134, § 6;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.17.


23-3518. Repealed. Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 24.

23-3519. Adjoining counties; certification of taxes; levy; limitation; disposition of proceeds.

The board of trustees of any such facility organized under section 23-3515 shall, each year, fix the amount of money for the proposed budget statement as may be deemed sufficient and necessary for the operation of such facility during the following calendar year. After the adoption of the budget statement and on or before July 15 of each year, the board of trustees of such facility shall certify to the county board of the county in which such facility is located the amount of the tax which may be levied under the facility's adopted budget statement to be received from taxation. Such county board may apportion such amount among the counties concerned in proportion to the taxable valuation of all taxable property and shall certify to each county its share of such amount.

Each county may levy a tax sufficient to raise the amount so certified to it, and the county treasurer shall transmit the proceeds of such tax to the treasurer of the county in which such facility is located for credit to the facility fund.

Source:Laws 1957, c. 64, § 7, p. 287; Laws 1963, c. 114, § 17, p. 456; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 16, p. 394; Laws 1969, c. 145, § 28, p. 689; Laws 1971, LB 9, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 107;    Laws 1991, LB 798, § 4; R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.19; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 114;    Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 22; Laws 1995, LB 366, § 4;    Laws 1996, LB 1085, § 42;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 49.    


23-3520. Preexisting rights; intent of sections.

The provisions of sections 23-3520 to 23-3525 are not intended to limit any preexisting rights to charge and collect for services rendered prior to the passage of sections 23-3520 to 23-3525 had by hospitals which are created and existing under the general powers of counties of this state or under the provisions of sections 23-3501 to 23-3519 and 23-3528 to 23-3572.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.68.


23-3521. Governing board; rates and fees; establish.

The governing board of each hospital which is existing and operating under the general powers granted to counties of this state or under the provisions of sections 23-3501 to 23-3519 and 23-3528 to 23-3572, shall establish rates and fees to be charged for care or services, or both care and services rendered to persons by its hospital.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.69.


23-3522. Care and services; liability.

Persons to whom care and services have been rendered shall be liable for the cost and fees of such care and services to the appropriate county, counties or hospital district maintaining and operating the hospital providing such care and services. In cases where the person receiving the care and services is a minor child, the parents of such minor patient shall be liable jointly and severally for the costs and fees of such care and services to the appropriate county, counties or hospital district maintaining and operating the hospital providing such care and services. In cases where the person receiving such care and services is married, both the patient and the patient's spouse shall be jointly and severally liable for the cost and fees of such care and services to the appropriate county, counties or hospital district maintaining and operating the hospital providing such care and services. In cases where the person receiving such care and services is under guardianship, the guardian, to the extent of the value of the estate of the ward controlled by the guardian, shall be liable for the cost and fees of such care and services to the appropriate county, counties or hospital district maintaining and operating the hospital providing such care and services. Persons, not otherwise legally liable for the care of another, may enter into an agreement with such hospitals for the care of such person and having done so shall be liable to the hospital providing such care for the costs and fees of such care provided.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.70.


23-3523. Care and services; action for recovery.

Any suit to recover any costs and fees for the care and services as described in section 23-3522 shall be brought (1) in the name of the board of trustees of the facility established under section 23-3501 or (2) in the case of a hospital maintained and operated by a hospital district, in the name of the hospital district.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.71; Laws 2012, LB995, § 9.    


23-3524. Care and services; costs and fees; authority of board to compromise.

The governing board of any hospital providing the care and services described in section 23-3522 and its administrator or his or her designee may compromise and settle or completely write off the costs and fees for care and services rendered in or by the hospital pursuant to any terms and conditions of policies approved by the board.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.72; Laws 2012, LB995, § 10.    


23-3525. Care and services; costs and fees; collection; disposition.

Costs and fees collected for care and services rendered by a county hospital or a hospital district hospital shall be deposited in a fund for the exclusive use by the appropriate county hospital or hospital district for the maintenance, operation, and improvement of the hospital.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 908, § 6;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.73; Laws 2012, LB995, § 11.    


23-3526. Retirement plan; authorized; reports.

(1) The board of trustees of each facility, as provided by section 23-3501, shall, upon approval of the county board, have the power and authority to establish and fund a retirement plan for the benefit of its full-time employees. The plan may be funded by any actuarially recognized method approved by the county board. Employees participating in the plan may be required to contribute toward funding the benefits. The facility shall pay all costs of establishing and maintaining the plan. The plan may be integrated with old age and survivor's insurance.

(2) Beginning December 31, 1998, through December 31, 2017:

(a) The chairperson of the board of trustees of a facility with a retirement plan established pursuant to this section and section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code shall file with the Public Employees Retirement Board an annual report on such plan and shall submit copies of such report to the Auditor of Public Accounts. The Auditor of Public Accounts may prepare a review of such report pursuant to section 84-304.02 but is not required to do so. The annual report shall be in a form prescribed by the Public Employees Retirement Board and shall contain the following information for each such retirement plan:

(i) The number of persons participating in the retirement plan;

(ii) The contribution rates of participants in the plan;

(iii) Plan assets and liabilities;

(iv) The names and positions of persons administering the plan;

(v) The names and positions of persons investing plan assets;

(vi) The form and nature of investments;

(vii) For each defined contribution plan which is not administered by a retirement system under the County Employees Retirement Act, a full description of investment policies and options available to plan participants; and

(viii) For each defined benefit plan which is not administered by a retirement system under the County Employees Retirement Act, the levels of benefits of participants in the plan, the number of members who are eligible for a benefit, and the total present value of such members' benefits, as well as the funding sources which will pay for such benefits.

If a plan which is not administered by a retirement system under the County Employees Retirement Act contains no current active participants, the chairperson may file in place of such report a statement with the Public Employees Retirement Board indicating the number of retirees still drawing benefits, and the sources and amount of funding for such benefits; and

(b) If such retirement plan is a defined benefit plan which was open to new members on January 1, 2004, in addition to the reports required by section 13-2402, the board of trustees shall cause to be prepared an annual report for each retirement plan which is not administered by a retirement system under the County Employees Retirement Act, and the chairperson shall file the same with the Public Employees Retirement Board and the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee of the Legislature and submit to the Auditor of Public Accounts a copy of such report. The Auditor of Public Accounts may prepare a review of such report pursuant to section 84-304.02 but is not required to do so. If the board of trustees does not submit a copy of the report to the Auditor of Public Accounts within six months after the end of the plan year, the Auditor of Public Accounts may audit, or cause to be audited, the facility. All costs of the audit shall be paid by the facility. The report shall consist of a full actuarial analysis of each such retirement plan established pursuant to this section which is not administered by a retirement system under the County Employees Retirement Act. The analysis shall be prepared by an independent private organization or public entity employing actuaries who are members in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries, and which organization or entity has demonstrated expertise to perform this type of analysis and is unrelated to any organization offering investment advice or which provides investment management services to the retirement plan. The report to the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee shall be submitted electronically.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 346, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.121; Laws 1998, LB 1191, § 35;    Laws 1999, LB 795, § 11;    Laws 2011, LB474, § 11;    Laws 2014, LB759, § 17;    Laws 2017, LB415, § 17.    


Cross References

23-3527. Retirement system; option to participate in County Employees Retirement Act.

A facility established under the provisions of section 23-3501, in a county eligible to participate in the County Employees Retirement Act pursuant to Chapter 23, article 23, shall be given the option to participate in the retirement system under such act so long as the facility elects to participate within the later of one year from July 19, 2018, or one year from the date the facility is established. Failure to timely elect to participate in such retirement system shall bar the facility from electing to participate in the future.

Source:Laws 1977, LB 346, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.122; Laws 2018, LB1005, § 12.    


Cross References

23-3528. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-3528 to 23-3552 may be cited as the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 28, p. 384; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.47.


23-3529. Hospital districts; establish.

Whenever it shall be conducive to the public health and welfare, a local hospital district may be established in the manner and having the powers and duties provided in sections 23-3528 to 23-3552.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 1, p. 375; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.20.


Annotations

23-3530. Hospital districts; petition; contents; signatures required; valuation required.

Whenever the formation of a local hospital district is desired, a petition stating (1) the name of the proposed district, (2) the location of the hospital to be maintained by such proposed district, and (3) the territory to be included within it, which territory should be contiguous, may be presented to the county board of the county in which the land or a greater portion of the land in the proposed district is situated. Such petitions shall be signed by at least ten percent of the resident freeholders whose names appear on the current tax schedules in the office of the county assessor and who appear to reside within the suggested boundaries of the proposed district. The minimum taxable valuation of all taxable property within such proposed district shall be eight million six hundred thousand dollars. Parts of a voting precinct may be included in the proposed district.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 2, p. 375; Laws 1963, c. 115, § 1, p. 458; Laws 1965, c. 103, § 1, p. 426; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 108;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.21; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 115.    


Annotations

23-3531. Hospital districts; petition; hearing; notice; modification of boundaries.

Upon receipt of such petition, the county board shall examine it to determine whether it complies with the requirements of section 23-3530. Upon finding that such petition complies with such requirements, the county board shall set a hearing thereon and cause notice thereof to be published at least three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the area to be included in such proposed district. Such notice shall contain a statement of the information contained in such petition and of the date, time, and place at which such hearing shall be held and that at such hearing proposals may be submitted for the exclusion of land from, or the inclusion of additional land in such proposed district or for modification of the boundaries of the areas into which such district shall be divided for the purpose of election of members of the board of directors.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 3, p. 375; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.22.


Annotations

23-3532. Hospital districts; hearing; changes in boundary; submission to electors.

After completion of the hearing required by section 23-3531, the county board shall order such changes in the boundaries of such proposed district or of the areas into which such proposed district is to be divided as it deems proper, but no such change shall reduce the total taxable valuation of all taxable property within such proposed district below eight million six hundred thousand dollars. The county board shall also order that the question of the formation of such district, as set forth in the petition and any changes therein ordered by the board, shall be submitted to the electors of such proposed district at a special election to be held for that purpose and shall set a date when such election shall be held at the usual voting place within each precinct. The county board shall certify such question to the county clerk or election commissioner who shall give notice of such election in the manner provided by law for the conduct of special elections.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 4, p. 376; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 109;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.23; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 116.    


Annotations

23-3533. Hospital district; election; canvass of votes; resolution; district, body corporate; presumption.

The votes cast for and against the formation of such district shall be counted and canvassed in the manner provided by law and the results shall be certified to the county board. If the county board finds that a majority of the votes cast in the area of the proposed district favor the formation of such proposed district, it shall so declare by resolution entered on its records and forward a copy of such resolution to the county board of each county containing land embraced within such proposed district, and the district shall thereupon be fully organized. The district shall be a body corporate and politic and may sue and be sued in its own name. Every such hospital district shall, in all cases, be conclusively presumed to have been legally organized six months after such resolution has been adopted by the county board unless an action attacking the validity of such organization is brought within such time.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 5, p. 376; Laws 1961, c. 88, § 3, p. 309; Laws 1963, c. 115, § 2, p. 458; Laws 1965, c. 103, § 2, p. 426; Laws 1967, c. 122, § 1, p. 396; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.24.


Cross References

23-3534. Board of directors; members; election; terms; vacancies.

The elective officers of a local hospital district shall be a board of directors consisting of five members. The members of the first board shall be appointed by the county board and shall be so appointed that two members shall serve terms ending on the first Tuesday in June following the first statewide primary election following the initial appointment, and three shall serve terms ending on the first Tuesday in June following the second statewide primary election following the initial appointment.

Members shall be elected as provided in section 32-550. All registered voters of this state who reside within the hospital district on or before the day of the election shall be entitled to vote in such hospital district election.

Any vacancy upon such board occurring other than by the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board of directors. Any person appointed to fill such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. If there are vacancies in the offices of a majority of the members of the board, there shall be a special election conducted by the Secretary of State to fill such vacancies.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 6, p. 376; Laws 1963, c. 115, § 3, p. 458; Laws 1972, LB 661, § 15;    Laws 1972, LB 1168, § 2;    Laws 1973, LB 552, § 5;    Laws 1989, LB 640, § 1;    R.S.Supp.,1990, § 23-343.25; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 547.    


23-3535. Hospital district; board of directors; meetings; officers; selection; expenses.

The board of directors shall meet on or before the second Monday after the completion of organization of the district and shall organize by the election of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary-treasurer. The members of such board shall serve without compensation, except that each shall be allowed his or her actual and necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 7, p. 377; Laws 1981, LB 204, § 23;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.26; Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 17.    


23-3536. Hospital district; board of directors; meetings; quorum; rules and regulations.

The board of directors shall provide for the time and place of holding its regular meetings and the manner of calling the same and the manner for the calling of special meetings, and shall establish rules for its proceedings and may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as may be necessary for the exercise of the powers conferred and the performance of the duties imposed upon the board. All of the sessions of such board, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public, and a majority of the members of such board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 8, p. 377; Laws 1972, LB 1168, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.27.


23-3537. Repealed. Laws 1994, LB 76, § 615.

23-3538. Secretary-treasurer; bond.

The secretary-treasurer of such district shall give a corporate surety bond, in such penal sum, not less than five thousand dollars, as the board of directors shall determine, conditioned upon the faithful performance of all duties imposed upon him and the faithful and accurate accounting for all money belonging to such district coming into his possession.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 10, p. 378; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.29.


23-3539. Hospital district; additional land; annexation; procedure.

A petition seeking the annexation of additional land to such district, signed by the legal voters in the area proposed for annexation equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast in the area for Governor at the last general election, may be filed with the board of directors. The board shall submit the question of annexation of such area to the legal voters of the district and of the area proposed for annexation, which question shall be submitted at the next annual hospital district election. If a majority of those voting on the question in the district and a majority of those voting on the question in the area proposed for annexation vote in favor of annexation, the board of directors shall declare such area annexed and certify the altered boundaries of the district to the county board of the county in which the annexed area is located and of the county in which the greater portion of the district is located.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 11, p. 378; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.30.


23-3540. Hospital district; withdrawal of land from district; procedure.

A petition seeking the withdrawal of land from such district signed by the legal voters in the area proposed for withdrawal equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast for Governor at the last general election may be filed with the board of directors. If the board finds that the portion of the district that would remain after such proposed withdrawal would have a minimum taxable valuation of eight million six hundred thousand dollars, it shall submit the question of withdrawal of such area to the legal voters of the district at the next annual hospital district election. If a majority of those voting on the question in the area sought to be withdrawn and a similar majority in the remaining portion of the district vote in favor of such withdrawal, the board of directors shall declare such area withdrawn and certify the altered boundaries of the district to the county board of the county in which the withdrawn area is located and of the county in which the greater portion of the district is located.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 12, p. 378; Laws 1972, LB 1048, § 1;    Laws 1979, LB 187, § 110;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.31; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 117.    


23-3541. Hospital district; annexation or withdrawal; resubmission.

If the question of annexation or withdrawal is defeated at the polls, it may again be submitted after the expiration of one year.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 13, p. 379; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.32.


23-3542. Hospital district; area excluded from district; outstanding obligations; chargeable.

Any area excluded from a district shall be subject to assessment and be otherwise chargeable for the payment and discharge of all of the obligations outstanding at the time of the filing of the petition for the exclusion of the area as fully as though the area had not been excluded. All provisions which could be used to compel the payment by an excluded area of its portion of the outstanding obligations had the exclusion not occurred may be used to compel the payment on the part of the area of the portion of the outstanding obligations of the district for which it is liable.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 14, p. 379; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.33.


23-3543. Hospital district; area withdrawn; not subject to assessments after withdrawal.

An area withdrawn from a district shall not be subject to assessment or otherwise chargeable for any obligation of any nature or kind incurred after the withdrawal of the area from the district.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 15, p. 379; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.34.


23-3544. Hospital district; dissolution; petition; signatures required; submission to electors.

Upon the filing of a petition with the board of directors signed by ten percent of the qualified electors in the district, the board of directors shall submit the question of dissolution of the district to the district electors at the next annual district election. If a majority of the voters favor dissolution, the board shall by resolution dissolve the district.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 16, p. 379; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.35.


23-3545. Hospital district; dissolution; resolution; winding up of affairs.

The board of directors shall file a certified copy of the resolution of dissolution with the county board of each of the counties in which any part of the district is situated, and thereupon the district shall be dissolved for all purposes, except for winding up its affairs. The board of directors shall be, ex officio, the governing body of any dissolved district, and it may perform all acts necessary to wind up the affairs of the district.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 17, p. 379; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.36.


23-3546. Hospital district; dissolution; convert property to cash; disposition.

When a district is dissolved its board of directors shall convert all property of the district to cash and discharge all indebtedness of the district. All funds remaining after discharge of the district's indebtedness shall be deposited in the county treasuries of the counties in which the district is located in proportion to the population of the district located in each county, and credited to the general fund.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 18, p. 380; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.37.


23-3547. Hospital district; general powers; hospital, defined.

Each local hospital district shall have and exercise the following powers:

(1) To have and use a corporate seal and alter it at pleasure;

(2) To sue and be sued in all courts and places and in all actions and proceedings whatever;

(3) To purchase, receive, have, take, hold, lease, use, and enjoy property of every kind and description within and outside the district and to control, dispose of, convey, and encumber the same and create a leasehold interest in such property for the benefit of the district;

(4) To exercise the right of eminent domain for the purpose of acquiring real or personal property of every kind necessary to the exercise of any of the powers of the district, which power shall be exercised in the manner provided in sections 76-704 to 76-724;

(5) To administer any trust declared or created for hospitals of the district and receive by gift, devise, or bequest and hold in trust or otherwise property situated in this state or elsewhere and, when not otherwise provided, dispose of the same for the benefit of such hospitals;

(6) To employ legal counsel to advise the board of directors in all matters pertaining to the business of the district and to perform such functions in respect to the legal affairs of the district as the board may direct;

(7) To employ such officers and employees, including architects and consultants, as the board of directors deems necessary to carry on properly the business of the district;

(8) To prescribe the duties and powers of the manager, secretary, and other officers and employees of any such hospitals, to determine the number of and appoint all such officers and employees, and to fix their compensation. Such officers and employees shall hold their offices or positions at the pleasure of such boards;

(9) To do any and all things which an individual might do which are necessary for and to the advantage of a hospital;

(10) To establish, maintain, lease, or operate one or more hospitals within or outside the district, or both. For purposes of the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act, hospital has the meaning provided in subdivision (10) of section 23-3594;

(11) To do any and all other acts and things necessary to carry out the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act; and

(12) To acquire, maintain, and operate ambulances or an emergency medical service, including the provision of scheduled and unscheduled ambulance service, within and outside the district.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 19, p. 380; Laws 1969, c. 158, § 1, p. 730; Laws 1987, LB 134, § 7;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.38; Laws 1994, LB 1118, § 18;    Laws 1997, LB 28, § 1;    Laws 1997, LB 138, § 34;    Laws 2001, LB 808, § 2.    


23-3548. Hospital district; board of directors; purchase of equipment.

(1) The board of directors may purchase all necessary surgical instruments and hospital equipment and equipment for nurses' homes and all other property necessary for equipping a hospital and nurses' home.

(2) The board of directors may purchase such real property, and erect or rent and equip such buildings or building, room or rooms as may be necessary for the hospital.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 20, p. 381; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.39.


23-3549. Hospital district; board of directors; operation; fix rates.

The board of directors shall be responsible for the operation of all hospitals owned or leased by the district, according to the best interests of the public health and shall make and enforce all rules, regulations, and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, protection, and maintenance of hospitals under their management and all property belonging thereto and may prescribe the terms upon which patients may be admitted thereto. Such hospitals shall not contract to care for indigent county patients at below the cost for care. In fixing the rates the board shall, insofar as possible, establish such rates as will permit the hospital to be operated upon a self-supporting basis. The board may establish different rates for residents of the district than for persons who do not reside within the district. Minimum standards of operation as prescribed in sections 23-3528 to 23-3552 shall be established and enforced by the board of directors.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 21, p. 382; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.40.


23-3550. Hospital district; board; membership in organization; dues.

The board of directors may maintain membership in any local, state or national group or association organized and operated for the promotion of the public health and welfare or the advancement of the efficiency of hospital administration, and in connection therewith pay dues and fees thereto.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 23, p. 382; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.42.


23-3551. Hospital district; board of directors; officers; books and records; open to inspection.

The board of directors shall annually select such officers as may be necessary. The board shall cause to be kept accurate minutes of all meetings and accurate records and books of accounts, conforming to approved methods of bookkeeping, clearly reflecting the entire operation, management, and business of the district, which shall be kept at the principal place of business of the district. All books, papers, and vouchers shall be subject to public inspection at all reasonable hours.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 24, p. 382; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.43.


23-3552. Hospital district; board of directors; budget statement; tax; levy; limitation; additional annual tax; election; collection.

(1) The board of directors may, after the adoption of the budget statement, levy and collect an annual tax which the district requires under the adopted budget statement to be received from taxation for the ensuing fiscal year not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars of the taxable value of the taxable property within such district. On and after July 1, 1998, the tax levy provided in this subsection is subject to section 77-3443.

(2) In addition to the levy authorized in subsection (1) of this section, the board of directors of a hospital district may authorize an additional annual tax not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars of the taxable value of the taxable property within such district. On and after July 1, 1998, the tax levy provided in this subsection is subject to section 77-3443. Such tax shall not be authorized until the question of such additional tax has been submitted to the qualified electors of the district at a primary or general election or a special election called for that purpose and a majority of those voting approve the additional tax. Notice of the time and place of the special election shall be given by publication at least once each week in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the district for three successive weeks immediately preceding such election.

(3) Until July 1, 1998, the taxes authorized by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not be included within the levy limitations for general county purposes prescribed in section 23-119 or Article VIII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska. On and after July 1, 1998, the taxes authorized by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not be included within the levy limitations for general county purposes prescribed in section 77-3442 or Article VIII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska. On and after July 1, 1998, for purposes of section 77-3443, the county board of each of the counties having land embraced within the district shall approve the tax levy.

(4) The taxes authorized by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not be used to support or supplement the operations of health care services or facilities located outside the geographic boundaries of the district.

(5) The board shall annually, on or before September 30, certify the taxes authorized by this section to the county clerk of each of the counties having land embraced within such district. The county clerk shall extend such levies on the tax list, and the county treasurer shall collect the tax in the same manner as county taxes and shall remit the taxes collected to the county treasurer of the county in which the petition for the formation of the district was filed. The county treasurer shall credit the local hospital district with the amount thereof and make disbursements therefrom on warrants of the district signed by the chairperson and secretary-treasurer of the board of directors.

Source:Laws 1959, c. 83, § 27, p. 383; Laws 1969, c. 145, § 29, p. 690; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 111;    Laws 1986, LB 753, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.46; Laws 1992, LB 1063, § 23; Laws 1992, LB 1019, § 28; Laws 1992, Second Spec. Sess., LB 1, § 23;    Laws 1993, LB 734, § 34;    Laws 1995, LB 452, § 7;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 50;    Laws 1997, LB 28, § 2;    Laws 2021, LB644, § 12.    


23-3553. Depreciation funds, authorized; limitations on use.

Nothing contained in the Nebraska Local Hospital District Act and sections 23-3501 to 23-3519 shall be construed to prohibit the board of trustees of any facility established under section 23-3501 or a local hospital district from establishing depreciation funds from patient or other revenue income for the purpose of replacing equipment or providing for future improvements or additions or from using such patient or other revenue income for purchasing equipment or for retiring indebtedness incurred for improvements or additions not financed by bonds of the county or direct tax levies. The limitations upon expenditures provided for in section 23-3508 shall not apply to expenditures made from patient or other revenue income or for the retiring of indebtedness or payment of other obligations from such patient or revenue income.

Source:Laws 1965, c. 95, § 1, p. 411; Laws 1967, c. 121, § 17, p. 395; Laws 1991, LB 798, § 5; R.S.Supp.,1991, § 23-343.48; Laws 1992, LB 1240, § 23; Laws 2012, LB995, § 12.    


Cross References

23-3554. Hospital district; bonds; issuance; purpose.

The board of directors of any hospital district may, on the terms and conditions set forth in sections 23-3554 to 23-3572, issue the bonds of the district for the purpose of (1) purchasing a site for and erecting thereon a hospital, nursing home, or both, or for such purchase or erection, and furnishing and equipping the same, in such district, (2) purchasing an existing building or buildings and related furniture and equipment, including the site or sites upon which such building or buildings are located, for use as a hospital, nursing home, or both, and to furnish and equip them in such district, (3) retiring registered warrants, and (4) paying for additions to or repairs for a hospital, nursing home, or both.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 1, p. 352; Laws 1972, LB 1168, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.49.


23-3555. Hospital district; bonds; issuance; approval of electors.

No bonds shall be issued under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 until the question has been submitted to the qualified electors of the district, and a majority of all the qualified electors voting on the question shall have voted in favor of issuing the same, at a special election called for that purpose, upon notice given by the board of directors at least twenty days prior to such election.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 2, p. 352; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.50.


23-3556. Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; petition.

A vote shall be ordered upon the issuance of such bonds either (1) upon resolution of a majority of the members of the board of directors, or (2) whenever a petition shall be presented to the board requesting that a vote be taken for or against the issuing of bonds in such amount as may be specified for any one or more of the purposes authorized by section 23-3554. Such petition shall be signed by at least ten percent of the qualified voters of such district.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 3, p. 352; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.51.


23-3557. Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; election; polling places; ballots; counting.

In all elections at which the registered voters of hospital districts are voting on the question of issuing bonds of the district, the board of directors shall designate the polling places, prepare the form of ballot, and appoint the election officials. Ballots for early voting shall be issued by the secretary of the board of directors in the same manner as provided in the Election Act and returned to the secretary. All ballots cast at the election shall be counted by the same board. When all the ballots have been counted, the returns of such election shall be turned over to the board of directors of the district in which the election was held for the purpose of making a canvass thereof.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 4, p. 353; Laws 1984, LB 920, § 32;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.52; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 548;    Laws 2005, LB 98, § 2.    


Cross References

23-3558. Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; limitation.

The aggregate amount of bonds issued for all purposes in hospital districts shall in no event exceed fourteen percent of the last taxable valuation of all taxable property in such hospital district, but such limitation shall not apply to the issuance of refunding or compromise of indebtedness bonds by any such hospital district for the purpose of retiring outstanding bonds, warrants, or other indebtedness.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 5, p. 353; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 112;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.53; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 118.    


23-3559. Hospital districts; bonds; interest; rate.

The bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 shall draw such interest as shall be agreed upon.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 6, p. 353; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 85, p. 329; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.54.


23-3560. Hospital districts; bonds; contents.

The bonds shall specify on their face the date, amount, purpose for which issued, time they shall run, and rate of interest. The bonds shall be printed on good paper, with coupons attached for each year's or half year's interest, and the amount of each year's interest shall be placed on corresponding coupons until such bonds shall become due, in such manner that the last coupon shall fall due at the same time as the bonds. The bonds and coupons thereto attached shall be severally signed by the president and secretary of the board of directors. The bonds and interest shall be payable at the office of the county treasurer in the county in which the district is located and if the district is located in more than one county, at the office of the county treasurer as may be provided in the history of the district and in the bonds.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 7, p. 353; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.55.


23-3561. Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.

The board of directors of any hospital district in which any bonds may be voted shall, before the issuance of such bonds, make a written statement of all proceedings relative to the vote upon the issuance of such bonds and the notice of the election, the manner and time of giving notice, the question submitted, and the result of the canvass of the vote on the proposition pursuant to which it is proposed to issue such bonds, together with a full statement of the taxable valuation, the number of persons residing within the district, and the total bonded indebtedness of the hospital district voting such bonds. Such statement shall be certified to under oath by the board of directors.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 8, p. 354; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 113;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.56; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 119;    Laws 2001, LB 420, § 21.    


23-3562. Repealed. Laws 2001, LB 420, § 38.

23-3563. Hospital districts; bonds; taxes.

Taxes for the payment of the hospital district bonds and the interest thereon shall be levied in the manner provided by section 23-3565.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 10, p. 354; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.58; Laws 2001, LB 420, § 22.    


23-3564. Repealed. Laws 2001, LB 420, § 38.

23-3565. Hospital districts; bonds; interest; levy; sinking fund.

The county board in each county shall levy annually upon all the taxable property in each hospital district in such county a tax sufficient to pay the interest accruing upon any bonds issued by such hospital district and to provide a sinking fund for the final redemption of the same. Such levy shall be made with the annual levy of the county and the taxes collected with other taxes and when collected shall be and remain in the hands of the county treasurer as a special fund for the payment of the interest upon such bonds and for the final payment of the same at maturity. The county clerk shall furnish a copy of his or her register to the county treasurer. The levy for the purpose of paying off such indebtedness providing a sinking fund for the final redemption of such indebtedness may be in addition to the levy provided for in section 23-3552.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 12, p. 355; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.60; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 120.    


23-3566. Hospital district, defined.

The phrase hospital district, as used in section 23-3565, shall mean the hospital district as it existed immediately prior to and at the time of the issuance of any bonds by such hospital district, including all lands, property, and inhabitants contained in the hospital district at the time of the issuance of any bonds, and all portions of the district subsequently separated from the district, whether by the formation of a new district or by any change of boundaries of the original district and all territory annexed to the hospital district during the life of such bonds.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 13, p. 355; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.61.


23-3567. Hospital district; sinking fund; investment.

Any money in the hands of any treasurer as a sinking fund for the redemption of bonds which are a valid and legal obligation of the hospital district to which such money belongs or for the payment of interest on any such bonds and which is not currently required to retire bonds and pay interest on bonds, shall be invested by the treasurer, when so ordered by the board of directors, in securities authorized as legal investments for counties, school districts or hospital districts. The interest earned on such investments shall be credited to the sinking fund from which the invested funds were drawn.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 14, p. 355; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.62.


23-3568. Hospital districts; tax; collection; disbursement.

The tax and funds collected under the provisions of sections 23-3554 to 23-3572 shall be deemed pledged and appropriated to the payment of the interest and principal of the registered bonds provided for in sections 23-3554 to 23-3572, until fully satisfied, and the treasurer shall be liable on his official bond for the faithful disbursement of all money so collected or received by him. After the principal and interest of such bonds shall have been fully paid and all obligations for which such fund and taxes were raised have been discharged, the county clerk, upon the order of the county board, shall notify the county treasurer to transfer all such funds remaining in his hands to the credit of the district to which they belong.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 15, p. 356; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.63.


23-3569. Hospital districts; bonds; maturity; payment.

When any registered bonds shall mature, the same shall be paid off by the treasurer at the place where the same shall be payable out of any money in his hands or under his control for that purpose, and when so paid the same shall be endorsed by the treasurer on the face thereof Canceled, together with the date of such payment, and thereupon shall be filed with the clerk who shall enter satisfaction of such bonds upon the records of such hospital district.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 16, p. 356; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.64.


23-3570. Hospital districts; bonds; liability of district; redemption.

Any hospital district which has heretofore voted and issued, or which shall hereafter vote and issue, bonds to build or furnish a hospital, or for any other purpose, and which bonds, or any part thereof, still remain unpaid and remain and are a legal liability against such district and are bearing interest, may issue coupon bonds to be substituted in place of, and exchanged for such bonds heretofore issued, whenever such hospital district can effect such substitution and exchange at a rate of not to exceed dollar for dollar or such bonds may be sold for cash where such bonds heretofore issued are subject to the right of redemption at the time the refunding bonds are issued. All bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-3570 to 23-3572 must, on their face, contain a clause that the district issuing such bonds shall have the right to redeem such bonds at the expiration of five years from the date of the issuance thereof.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 17, p. 356; Laws 1969, c. 51, § 86, p. 329; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.65.


23-3571. Hospital districts; bonds; issuance; statement; contents.

Each new bond issued under the provisions of sections 23-3570 to 23-3572 shall state therein (1) the object of its issuance, (2) the section or sections of the law under which the issuance thereof was made, including a statement that the issuance is made pursuant thereto, and (3) the number, date, and amount of the bond or bonds for which it is substituted. Such new bond shall not be delivered until the surrender of the bond or bonds so designated or until such bonds are called for redemption.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 18, p. 357; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.66.


23-3572. Hospital districts; bonds; new; vote of electors not required.

The issuance of such new bonds shall not require a vote of the people to authorize such issue, and such bonds shall be paid, and the levy be made and tax collected for their payment, in accordance with laws governing the bonds which they are issued to replace.

Source:Laws 1967, c. 109, § 19, p. 357; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.67.


23-3573. Hospital districts; merger; petition; election.

Any two or more hospital districts may merge into one district if a petition for merger is presented to the county board in the county which will include the greater portion of the proposed district by population and such merger is approved by a majority of the voters in the existing districts at an election as provided in section 23-3575. A petition for merger shall be sufficient if for each district affected by the proposed merger it has been either signed by a majority of the board of directors of each district or signed by the legal voters in each district equal to at least ten percent of the number of votes cast in such district for the Governor at the last general election. The petition shall be filed at least sixty days prior to any election.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.123.


23-3574. Hospital districts; petition for merger; plan; contents.

The petition for merger shall include a plan for the proposed merger which plan shall contain:

(1) A description of the proposed boundaries of the merged district;

(2) A summary statement of the reasons for the proposed merger;

(3) The amount of the outstanding bonded indebtedness of each district and the manner in which such outstanding bonded indebtedness is proposed to be allocated if the merger is approved;

(4) The amount of outstanding indebtedness other than the bonded indebtedness of each district;

(5) The name of the proposed district; and

(6) Such other matters as the petitioner shall determine proper to be included.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.124.


23-3575. Hospital districts; merger; election; procedure.

After determining the sufficiency of the petition presented under section 23-3573, the county board shall by resolution provide for the submission of the question of the merger of the districts at a general, primary, or special election. If a special election is called, the costs of such election shall be borne equally by the districts petitioning for the merger. If the question is submitted at a special election, the county clerk or election commissioner of each county having registered voters entitled to vote on the issue shall conduct the special election in such county and shall be responsible for designating the polling places and appointing the election officials, who need not be the regular election officials, and otherwise conducting the election within such county. The county board shall designate the form of ballot.

The county clerk or election commissioner for the county whose county board has received the petition and called the election shall be responsible for giving notice of the special election. Such notice shall be published at least twenty days prior to the election and shall be published, for each district, in a legal newspaper of general circulation in such district. The notice of election shall state where ballots for early voting may be obtained pursuant to the Election Act.

In any such special election, the ballots shall be counted by the county clerks or election commissioners conducting the election and each such county clerk or election commissioner shall designate two disinterested persons to assist him or her with the counting of ballots. If the question is submitted at the statewide general election or primary election, the ballots shall be counted as provided in the Election Act. When all of the ballots have been counted in each county, the returns of such election shall be canvassed by the county canvassing board.

All elections conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted as provided under the Election Act except as otherwise specifically provided for in this section.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 6;    Laws 1984, LB 920, § 33;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.125; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 549;    Laws 2005, LB 98, § 3.    


Cross References

23-3576. Hospital districts; merger; voter approval; order.

If after canvassing the returns for each county the county board determines that the merger has been approved by a majority of the voters in each district, the county board shall enter an order for the merger of the districts.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 7;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.126.


23-3577. Hospital districts; merger; new officers; board of directors; elected; term.

Immediately following the entry of the order of merger by the county board, the members of the board of directors of the former hospital districts which were merged by such order shall meet and elect from among themselves a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary-treasurer. No more than two of such offices may be held by persons from one of such former hospital districts. The members of such boards shall adopt as rules for its proceeding the rules of one of such former districts with such changes and modifications as the members shall deem necessary. The members of the board of directors shall continue to serve as members of the board of directors of the merged district until the next statewide primary, at which time a board of directors, consisting of five members, shall be elected from the merged district for staggered terms of two for two years and three for four years in the manner prescribed for the election of an original board under section 23-3534.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 8;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.127.


23-3578. Hospital districts; merger; property, debts, liabilities; transferred; exception.

After the entry by the county board of its order for merger of the districts, all property, debts, and liabilities of the former hospital districts shall be transferred to the new district, except that all outstanding bonded indebtedness of the previously existing hospital districts shall be allocated to the real estate included within such prior existing districts as provided in the plan of merger.

Source:Laws 1978, LB 560, § 9;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.128.


23-3579. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 shall be known and may be cited as the Hospital Authorities Act.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.74; Laws 1993, LB 815, § 1.    


23-3580. Hospital Authorities Act; declaration of purpose.

It is declared that conditions resulting from the concentration of population of various counties, cities, and villages in this state require the construction, maintenance, and operation of adequate hospital facilities for the care of the public health and for the control and treatment of epidemics, for the care of the indigent and for the public welfare; that in various counties, cities, and villages of the state there is a lack of adequate hospital facilities available to the inhabitants thereof and that consequently many persons including persons of low income are forced to do without adequate medical and hospital care and accommodations; that these conditions cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the state and impair economic values; that these conditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary operations of private enterprises; that the providing of adequate hospital and medical care are public uses; that it is in the public interest that adequate hospital and medical facilities and care be provided in order to care for and protect the health and public welfare; and the necessity in the public interest for the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

It is hereby further declared as a matter of legislative determination that high interest rates are contributing to rising costs of health care, that techniques of financing health care facilities have changed, that existing financing documents may impose unnecessary burdens, and that the giving of power to hospital authorities created pursuant to sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 to refinance existing indebtedness and to utilize improved financing techniques would serve the public interest by improving the quality of health care or minimizing the cost thereof.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 2;    Laws 1980, LB 801, § 1; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.75.


23-3581. Hospital authority; public corporation; powers.

Whenever it shall be conducive to the public health and welfare, a hospital authority constituting a public corporation and body politic may be established in the manner and having the powers and duties provided in sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.76.


23-3582. Hospital authority; formation; requirements.

(1) Whenever the formation of a hospital authority is desired, a petition or petitions stating (a) the general location of the hospital to be maintained by such proposed authority, (b) the territory to be included within it, which territory shall be contiguous, (c) the approximate number of persons believed to reside within the boundaries of the proposed authority, and (d) the names of five or more, but not exceeding eleven, proposed trustees, who shall be electors residing within the boundaries of the proposed authority, to serve as a board of trustees until their successors are appointed and qualified, should the authority be formed, together with a prayer that the same be declared to be a hospital authority under the Hospital Authorities Act may be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the proposed authority is situated.

(2)(a) Each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of four hundred thousand or more, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least forty thousand persons reside, (b) each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of one hundred fifty thousand to four hundred thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least thirty thousand persons reside, (c) each hospital authority established in a county having a total population of twenty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall encompass an area in which at least twenty thousand persons reside, and (d) no hospital authority shall be established in any county having a total population of less than twenty thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, unless the hospital authority encompasses the entire county which it is to serve. Such petitions shall be signed by at least one hundred electors who appear to reside within the suggested boundaries of the proposed authority.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.77; Laws 1993, LB 815, § 2;    Laws 2016, LB742, § 14.    


23-3583. Hospital authority; formation; petitions; notice; contents.

Upon receipt of such petitions, the county clerk shall set the date for a hearing thereon, which shall not be less than twenty nor more than forty-five days from their date of filing, and cause notice thereof to be published on the same day in each of three successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation throughout the area to be included in the proposed authority. Such notice shall contain a statement of the information contained in such petitions and of the date, time, and place at which such hearing shall be held before the board of county commissioners and that at such hearing proposals may be considered for the exclusion of land from or the inclusion of additional land in such proposed authority, and for designating as initial trustees persons other than those named in the petitions.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 5;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.78.


23-3584. Hospital authority; objections; contents.

All electors residing within the boundaries of the proposed authority who have not signed the petitions and who may object to the organization of the authority or to any one or more of the proposed trustees shall, not less than five days prior to the date set for the hearing on the petitions, file with the county clerk any such objection in writing, stating (1) why such hospital authority should not be organized and declared a public corporation in this state, (2) why the territory comprising the authority should be enlarged, decreased or otherwise changed, and (3) their objections to any one or more of the proposed trustees.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 6;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.79.


23-3585. Hospital authority; formation; submission to health planning agency prior to hearing; findings.

Prior to the holding of a hearing on the petitions, the question of forming the proposed hospital authority shall be submitted to the appropriate local or area health planning agency for its consideration and review if there has been created, pursuant to state or federal law, such a local or area health planning agency having jurisdiction within the area in which the proposed hospital authority is to be established. Such local or area health planning agency shall within sixty days render its findings and recommendations, if any, and shall be deemed to have approved the formation of the proposed hospital authority if its findings and recommendations have not been rendered within such period of sixty days.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 7;    Laws 1986, LB 733, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.80.


23-3586. Hospital authority; hearing; county board; findings; initial trustees; qualifications; terms.

Such petitions, written objections, findings, and recommendations filed as provided in sections 23-3584 and 23-3585, if any, shall be heard by the county board without any unnecessary delay. In making its determination with respect to whether or not a proposed authority should be declared a public corporation of this state, the county board shall ascertain, to its satisfaction, that all of the requirements set forth in the Hospital Authorities Act have been met or complied with. If the county board determines that the formation of such authority will be conducive to the public health, convenience, or welfare, it shall declare the authority a public corporation and body politic of this state and shall declare the trustees nominated, or in case of meritorious objection thereto, other suitable trustees who shall be electors residing within the county in which the authority is situated, to be the board of trustees of the authority to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The board of trustees shall not consist of more than eleven members. In arriving at its determination as to who should be appointed to initial membership on the board of trustees of an authority, the county board shall give due consideration to each nominee's general reputation in the community, his or her education and experience in areas such as education, medicine, hospital administration, business management, finance, law, engineering, and other fields which might be of benefit to the authority, his or her background in public service activities, the amount of time and energy that he or she might be expected to be able to devote to the affairs of the authority, and such other factors as the county board may deem relevant. One or more of the trustees initially appointed shall be consumers of health care services as distinguished from providers of health care services. The county board in appointing the initial trustees shall classify such initial trustees so that approximately one-third of their number shall serve for two years, approximately one-third of their number shall serve for four years, and approximately one-third of their number shall serve for six years, their successors to be thereafter appointed for terms of six years each.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 11;    Laws 1986, LB 733, § 2;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.84; Laws 1993, LB 815, § 3;    Laws 1996, LB 898, § 1.    


23-3586.01. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3587. Hospital authority; certificate; transmit to Secretary of State; county clerk.

Within twenty days after the authority has been declared a public corporation and body politic by the county board, the county clerk shall transmit to the Secretary of State a certified copy of the record relating thereto, and the same shall be filed in his office in the same manner as articles of incorporation are required to be filed under the general law concerning corporations. A copy of such record shall also be filed by the county clerk in his own office.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 12;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.85.


23-3588. Hospital authority; corporate name.

Such authority shall be a public body corporate and politic by the name of Hospital Authority No. ...... of .............. County, Nebraska.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 13;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.86.


23-3589. Hospital authority; trustees; meetings; officers; expenses; seal; rules and regulations.

Within thirty days after the county board shall have declared the authority a public corporation, the trustees so appointed by the county board shall meet and elect one of their number chairperson, one of their number vice-chairperson, and one of their number secretary of the authority. The trustees shall serve without compensation, except that each shall be allowed his or her actual and necessary traveling and incidental expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties with reimbursement for mileage to be made at the rate provided in section 81-1176. The board shall (1) adopt a seal, bearing the name of the authority, (2) keep a record of all of its proceedings which shall be open to inspection by all interested persons during regular business hours and under reasonable circumstances, and (3) establish the time and place of holding its regular meetings and the manner of calling special meetings and shall have the power from time to time to pass all necessary resolutions, orders, rules, and regulations for the necessary conduct of its business and to carry into effect the objects for which such authority was formed.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 14;    Laws 1981, LB 204, § 24;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.87; Laws 1996, LB 1011, § 18.    


23-3590. Hospital authority; trustees; vacancy; how filled.

Any vacancy upon the board of trustees, occurring other than by the expiration of a term, shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board of trustees. Any person appointed to fill such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. There shall at all times be one or more members of the board of trustees who are consumers of health care services as distinguished from providers of health care services.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 15;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.88.


23-3591. Hospital authority; trustees; election.

Candidates for other than initial appointment to the board of trustees of a hospital authority may be nominated by petitions signed by not less than twenty-five electors residing within the boundaries of the authority. Such petitions shall be filed with the board of trustees not less than forty-five days prior to the date upon which the term of office of any trustee is due to expire. Not less than thirty days prior to such date of expiration the board of trustees shall cause such petitions to be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the authority is situated. Upon receipt of such petitions, the county clerk shall set the date for a hearing thereon, which shall be not less than ten nor more than forty-five days from their date of filing, and cause notice thereof to be published on the same day in each of two successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation throughout the area included within the authority. Such notice shall contain the date, time and place at which such hearing shall be held before the county board; the names of each person nominated for appointment to a six-year term on the board of trustees of the authority; and that at the hearing before the county board objections will be heard to the appointment of any one or more of the persons nominated. Any member of the board of trustees may be nominated for reappointment.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 16;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.89.


23-3592. Hospital authority; trustees; appointment; objections; file with county clerk.

All electors residing within the boundaries of the authority who have not signed the petitions nominating a candidate for appointment to the board of trustees may, not less than five days prior to the date set for hearing on the nominations, file with the county clerk any objections to the appointment of any such candidate stating their objections to any one or more of the candidates.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 17;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.90.


23-3593. Hospital authority; trustees; nominations; objections; hearing; findings; appointment.

The petitions for nomination of candidates for the office of trustee of an authority, and any written objections filed as provided in section 23-3592, if any, shall be heard by the county board without unnecessary delay. In arriving at its determination as to which of the candidates should be appointed to serve a six-year term on the board of trustees of the authority, the county board shall give due consideration to each nominee's general reputation in the community, his education and experience in areas such as education, medicine, hospital administration, business management, finance, law, engineering and other fields which might be of benefit to the authority, his background in public service activities, the amount of time and energy that he might be expected to be able to devote to the affairs of the authority and such other factors as the county board may deem relevant. At the conclusion of the hearing, the county board shall, within ten days, enter its order appointing such candidate or candidates as it shall have determined upon to serve a term of six years on the board of trustees of the authority, such term of office to continue until a successor has been appointed.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 18;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.91.


23-3594. Hospital authority; powers.

Each hospital authority shall have and exercise the following powers:

(1) To have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate, except that any county board having declared a hospital authority to be a public corporation and body politic of this state shall, upon a showing duly made and with appropriate notice given to the Secretary of State, but not sooner than upon expiration of a period of two years from and after the date upon which the record relating to formation of such hospital authority was filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to section 23-3587, enter an order dissolving any hospital authority which does not then have under construction, own, lease as lessee or as lessor, or operate a hospital;

(2) To have and use a corporate seal and alter it at pleasure;

(3) To sue and be sued in all courts and places and in all actions and proceedings whatever;

(4) To purchase, receive, have, take, hold, lease as lessee, use, and enjoy property of every kind and description within the limits of the authority and to control, dispose of, sell for a nominal or other consideration, convey, and encumber the same and create a leasehold interest in the same, as lessor, with any nonprofit person, firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, or corporation, other than a county, city, or village in this state, for the benefit of the authority;

(5) To administer any trust declared or created for hospitals of the authority and to receive by gift, devise, or bequest and hold, in trust or otherwise, property situated in this state or elsewhere and, if not otherwise provided, dispose of the same for the benefit of such hospitals;

(6) To employ legal counsel to advise the board of trustees in all matters pertaining to the business of the authority and to perform such functions with respect to the legal affairs of the authority as the board may direct;

(7) To employ such technical experts and such officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require and to determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation, such technical experts, officers, agents, and employees to hold their offices or positions at the pleasure of the board;

(8) To delegate to one or more of its agents or employees such powers and duties as it deems proper;

(9) To do any and all things which an individual might do which are necessary for and to the advantage of a hospital;

(10) To purchase, construct, establish, or otherwise acquire and to improve, alter, maintain, and operate one or more hospitals situated within the territorial limits of the authority. The term hospital as used in the Hospital Authorities Act shall mean and include, except as used in section 23-3597, any structure or structures suitable for use as a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or other health care facility, laboratory, laundry, nurses' or interns' residences and dormitories, administration buildings, research facilities, and maintenance, storage, or utility facilities and other structures or facilities reasonably related thereto or required or useful for the operation thereof, including parking and other facilities or structures essential or convenient for the orderly operation thereof and shall also include furniture, instruments, equipment, and machinery and other similar items necessary or convenient for the operations thereof, and any hospital authority which has established or acquired a hospital may also purchase, construct, or otherwise acquire and improve, alter, maintain, and operate all types of ancillary care facilities, including rehabilitation, recreational, and research facilities for children, addicted persons, disabled individuals, and elderly persons, including both residential and outpatient care and ancillary facilities for physicians, technicians, educators, psychologists, social scientists, scientists, nutritionists, administrators, interns, residents, nurses, students preparing to engage in the health service field, and other health care related personnel;

(11) To enter into contracts and other agreements for the purchase, construction, establishment, acquisition, management, operation, and maintenance of any hospital or any part thereof upon such terms and conditions and for such periods of time as its board of trustees may determine;

(12) To do any and all other acts and things necessary to carry out the Hospital Authorities Act, including the power to borrow money on its bonds, notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness and to secure the same by pledges of its revenue in the manner and to the extent provided in the act and to fund or refund the same; and

(13) To acquire, maintain, and operate ambulances or an emergency medical service, including the provision of scheduled or unscheduled ambulance service, within and without the authority.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 19;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 1;    Laws 1974, LB 693, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.92; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 164;    Laws 1993, LB 815, § 5;    Laws 1996, LB 898, § 2;    Laws 1997, LB 138, § 35;    Laws 2001, LB 808, § 3.    


23-3594.01. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.02. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.03. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.04. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.05. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.06. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.07. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.08. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3594.09. Repealed. Laws 1996, LB 898, § 8.

23-3595. Hospital authority; board of trustees; duties.

All hospitals operated directly by an authority and not operated or leased as lessee by a nonprofit person, firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, or corporation shall be operated by the board of trustees of such authority according to the best interests of the public health, and the board of trustees shall make and enforce all rules, regulations, and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, protection, and maintenance of such hospitals and all property belonging thereto and may prescribe the terms upon which patients may be admitted thereto. Such hospitals shall not be required to contract with counties or with agencies thereof to provide care for indigent county patients at below the cost for care. In fixing the basic room rates for such hospitals, the board of trustees shall establish such basic room rates as will, together with other income and revenue available for such purpose and however derived, permit each such hospital to be operated upon a self-supporting basis. In establishing basic room rates for such hospital, the board of trustees shall give due consideration to at least the following factors: Costs of administration, operation, and maintenance of such hospitals; the cost of making necessary repairs and renewals thereto; debt service requirements; the creation of reserves for contingencies; and projected needs for expansion and for the making of major improvements. Minimum standards of operation for such hospitals, at least equal to those set by the Department of Health and Human Services, shall be established and enforced by the board of trustees.

In the case of hospitals financed with the proceeds of bonds issued by an authority, but not operated directly by an authority, the board of trustees shall require that the financing documents contain covenants of the operators of such hospitals to establish rates at least sufficient to pay costs of administration, operation, and maintenance of such hospitals, the cost of making necessary repairs and renewals thereto, and to provide for debt service requirements, the creation of reserves for contingencies, and projected needs for expansion and the making of major improvements.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 20;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 2;    Laws 1980, LB 801, § 2; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.93; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 165;    Laws 1996, LB 1044, § 58;    Laws 2007, LB296, § 25.    


23-3596. Hospital authority; board of trustees; pecuniary interest in contract; prohibited; penalty.

No member of the board of trustees, or any person who shall have been a member of the board of trustees at any time during the immediately preceding period of two years, shall have any direct or indirect personal pecuniary interest in the purchase of any material to be used by or supplied to such authority, or in any contract with such authority. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor, and his office shall be vacated.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 21;    Laws 1977, LB 40, § 88;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.94.


23-3597. Hospital authority; structures; construction; submission of plans.

Prior to constructing any structure which is to be utilized as a hospital or as a nursing home, as opposed to structures related thereto, the question of constructing such structure shall be submitted to the appropriate local or area health planning agency for its consideration and review if there has been created, pursuant to state or federal law, such a local or area health planning agency having jurisdiction within the area in which the proposed structure is to be constructed. Such local or area health planning agency shall within sixty days render its findings and recommendations, if any, and shall be deemed to have approved construction of the proposed structure if its findings and recommendations have not been rendered within such period of sixty days. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the purchase or other acquisition by an authority of any interest in any existing structure which is to be utilized as a hospital if such structure has been in existence for more than one year.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 22;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 3;    Laws 1986, LB 733, § 3;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.95.


23-3598. Hospital authority; construction; plans; recommendations; effect.

The findings and recommendations, if any, of the appropriate local health planning agency, if any, shall be considered by the board of trustees of the hospital authority in making its determination as to whether or not to proceed with construction of the proposed structure.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 24;    Laws 1979, LB 412, § 4;    Laws 1986, LB 733, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.97.


23-3599. Hospital authority; bonds; issuance.

An authority may issue bonds for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise acquiring an existing structure or structures and related furniture and equipment, including the site or sites upon which the same are located, for use as a hospital, and to furnish, equip, alter, renovate, and remodel the same, or for constructing, furnishing, and equipping new facilities or additions or improvements to existing facilities, or for the purpose of providing for the refunding of any bonds issued under sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120.

An authority shall also have the power to issue bonds for the purpose of refinancing indebtedness incurred for the benefit of a hospital.

In lieu of acquiring an interest in a hospital, an authority may lend the proceeds from the sale of its bonds for any of the purposes set forth in this section, and such financing, which shall be pursuant to a loan agreement, may be either unsecured or secured as the board of trustees of the authority shall determine. Bonds may be issued under sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 notwithstanding any debt or other limitation, including limitation as to interest rates, prescribed in any statute.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 26;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 5;    Laws 1980, LB 801, § 3; R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.99.


23-35,100. Hospital authority; bonds; principal and interest; payment out of revenue.

The principal and interest on such bonds shall be payable exclusively from the income and revenue of the facilities purchased, constructed, altered, renovated, remodeled, furnished and equipped with the proceeds of such bonds or with such proceeds together with the proceeds of a grant from the federal government to aid in financing, furnishing or equipping thereof; Provided, that an authority may, in its discretion, also pledge to the payment of the principal and interest on any such bonds all or any part of the income and revenue derived from the operation of any or all of the other facilities then owned or operated by it; and provided further, that an authority may in its discretion, also expressly provide that any such bonds shall be general obligations of the authority payable out of any revenue, income, receipts, profits, or other money or funds of the authority derived from any source whatsoever. Such bonds may be additionally secured by a trust indenture.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 27;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 6;    Laws 1974, LB 693, § 4;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.100.


23-35,101. Hospital authority; trustees; bonds; exempt from liability.

Neither the trustees of the authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 28;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.101.


23-35,102. Hospital authority; bonds, obligations; not debt of political subdivision.

The bonds and other obligations of the authority shall not be a debt of any county, city or village in which the authority is located or of the state, and neither the state nor any such county, city or village shall be liable thereon, nor in any event shall they be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the authority, and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation of the laws of this state.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 29;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.102.


23-35,103. Hospital authority; bonds; maturity; interest.

The bonds of the authority shall be authorized by its resolution and shall be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, not exceeding sixty years from their respective dates, bear interest at such rate or rates, payable annually or semiannually, be in such denominations, which may be made interchangeable, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places either within or without the state, and be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, as such resolution or its trust indenture may provide.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 30;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.103.


23-35,104. Hospital authority; bonds; sale.

The bonds may be sold at public or private sale at such price or prices or such rate or rates, and at such premiums or at such discounts, as the authority shall determine.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 31;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.104.


23-35,105. Hospital authority; interim certificates; issuance.

Pending the authorization, preparation, execution or delivery of definitive bonds, the authority may issue interim certificates, or other temporary obligations, to the purchaser of such bonds. Such interim certificates, or other temporary obligations, shall be in such form, contain such terms, conditions and provisions, bear such date or dates, and evidence such agreements relating to their discharge or payment or the delivery of definitive bonds as the authority may by resolution or trust indenture determine.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 32;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.105.


23-35,106. Hospital authority; bonds; signature; validation.

In case any of the officers whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officers before the delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if they had remained in office until such delivery.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 33;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.106.


23-35,107. Hospital authority; bonds; purchase; cancellation.

The authority shall have the power out of any funds available therefor to purchase any bonds issued by it at a price not more than the principal amount thereof, the then applicable premium payable upon their redemption, or the next applicable redemption premium if the bonds are not then redeemable, and the accrued interest; Provided, that bonds payable exclusively from the revenue of a designated facility or facilities shall be purchased only out of any such revenue available therefor. All bonds so purchased shall be canceled. This section shall not apply to the redemption of bonds.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 34;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.107.


23-35,108. Hospital authority; bonds, interim certificates, obligations; issuance; validation.

Any provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds, interim certificates, or other obligations issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 shall be fully negotiable.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 35;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.108.


23-35,109. Hospital authority; bonds; obligations; secure; powers of authority.

In connection with the issuance of bonds or the incurring of any obligations under a lease and in order to secure the payment of such bonds or obligations, the authority shall have power:

(1) To pledge by resolution, trust indenture, or other contract, all or any part of its income, rents, fees, revenue or other funds;

(2) To covenant to impose and maintain such schedule of fees and charges as will produce funds sufficient to pay operating costs and debt service;

(3) To covenant with respect to limitations on its right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any hospital facility or any part thereof, or with respect to limitations on its right to undertake additional hospital facilities;

(4) To covenant against pledging all or any part of its income, rents, fees, revenue and other funds to which its right then exists or the right to which may thereafter come into existence or against permitting or suffering any lien thereon;

(5) To provide for the release of income, rents, fees, revenue and other funds, from any pledge and to reserve rights and powers in, or the right to dispose of property, the income, rents, fees and revenue from which are subject to a pledge;

(6) To covenant as to the bonds to be issued pursuant to any resolution, trust indenture, or other instrument and as to the issuance of such bonds in escrow or otherwise, and as to the use and disposition of the proceeds thereof;

(7) To covenant as to what other, or additional debt, may be incurred by it;

(8) To provide for the terms, form, registration, exchange, execution and authentication of bonds;

(9) To provide for the replacement of lost, destroyed, or mutilated bonds;

(10) To covenant as to the use of any or all of its property, real or personal;

(11) To create or to authorize the creation of special funds in which there shall be segregated: (a) The proceeds of any bequest, gift, loan or grant; (b) all of the income, rents, fees and revenue of any hospital facility or facilities or parts thereof; (c) any money held for the payment of the costs of operation and maintenance of any such hospital facilities or as a reserve for the meeting of contingencies in the operation and maintenance thereof; (d) any money held for the payment of the principal and interest on its bonds or the sums due under its leases or as a reserve for such payments; and (e) any money held for any other reserve or contingencies; and to covenant as to the use and disposal of the money held in such funds;

(12) To redeem the bonds, and to covenant for their redemption and to provide the terms and conditions thereof;

(13) To covenant against extending the time for the payment of its bonds or interest thereon, directly or indirectly, by any means or in any manner;

(14) To prescribe the procedure, if any, by which the authority may issue additional parity or junior lien bonds;

(15) To prescribe the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which such consent may be given;

(16) To covenant as to the maintenance of its property, the replacement thereof, the insurance to be carried thereon and the use and disposition of insurance money;

(17) To vest in an obligee of the authority the right, in the event of the failure of the authority to observe or perform any covenant on its part to be kept or performed, to cure any such default and to advance any money necessary for such purpose, and the money so advanced may be made an additional obligation of the authority with such interest, security and priority as may be provided in any trust indenture, lease or contract of the authority with reference thereto;

(18) To covenant and prescribe as to the events of default and terms and conditions upon which any or all of its bonds shall become or may be declared due before maturity and as to the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived;

(19) To covenant as to the rights, liabilities, powers and duties arising upon the breach by it of any covenant, condition, or obligation;

(20) To covenant to surrender possession of all or any part of any hospital facility or facilities the revenue from which have been pledged as provided for in sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 upon the happening of any event of default, as defined in the contract, and to vest in an obligee the right without judicial proceeding to obtain a substitute lessee for the hospital facilities or any part thereof or to take possession of and to use, operate, manage and control such hospital facilities or any part thereof, and to collect and receive all income, rents, fees and revenue arising therefrom in the same manner as the authority itself might do and to dispose of the money collected in accordance with the agreement of the authority with such obligee;

(21) To vest in a trustee or trustees the right to enforce any covenant made to secure, to pay, or in relation to the bonds, to provide for the powers and duties of such trustee or trustees, to limit liabilities thereof and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the trustee or trustees or the holders of bonds or any proportion of them may enforce any such covenant;

(22) To make covenants other than in addition to the covenants expressly authorized in this section, of like or different character;

(23) To execute all instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted in this section or in the performance of its covenants or duties, which may contain such covenants and provisions, in addition to those specified in sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120, as the government or any purchaser of the bonds of the authority may reasonably require; and

(24) To make such covenants and to do any and all such acts and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds, or in the absolute discretion of the authority tend to make the bonds more marketable, notwithstanding that such covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated in this section; it being the intention hereof to give the authority power to do all things in the issuance of bonds and in the making of provisions for their security that are not inconsistent with the Constitution of this state without the consent or approval of any judge or court being required therefor.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 36;    Laws 1972, LB 1382, § 7;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.109.


23-35,110. Hospital authority; bonds; obligee; rights.

An obligee of the authority shall have the right in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such obligee subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon such obligee:

(1) By mandamus, suit, action or proceeding in law or equity, all of which may be joined in one action, to compel the authority, and the trustees, officers, agents or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision and covenant contained in any resolutions, contracts or trust indentures of the authority, and to require the carrying out of any or all covenants and agreements of the authority and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon the authority by the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120; or

(2) By suit, action or proceeding in equity to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or the violation of any of the rights of such obligee of the authority.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 37;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.110.


23-35,111. Hospital authority; bonds; default; remedies of obligees.

Any authority shall have power by its trust indenture, lease or other contract to confer upon any obligee holding or representing a specified amount in bonds, lease or other obligations the right upon the happening of an event of default as defined in such instrument:

(1) By suit, action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain the appointment of a receiver of any hospital facility or facilities of the authority or any part or parts thereof. If such receiver be appointed, he may enter and take possession of such hospital facility or facilities or any part or parts thereof and operate and maintain the same, and collect and receive all income, fees, rents, revenue, or other charges thereafter arising therefrom in the same manner as the authority itself might do and shall keep such money in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in accordance with the obligations of the authority as the court shall direct; or

(2) By suit, action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction to require the authority and the trustees thereof to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 38;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.111.


23-35,112. Hospital authority; rights and remedies; cumulative.

All the rights and remedies conferred in sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 shall be cumulative and shall be subject to sale by the foreclosure of a trust indenture, or any other instrument thereon, or relating to any contract with the authority.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 39;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.112.


23-35,113. Hospital authority; property; subject to foreclosure; exempt from execution and liens.

No interest of the authority in any property, real or personal, shall be subject to sale by foreclosure of a mortgage, trust indenture, or any other instrument thereon, or relating thereto, either through judicial proceedings or the exercise of a power of sale contained in such instrument. All property of the authority shall be exempt from levy and sale by virtue of an execution, and no execution or other judicial process shall issue against the same. No judgment against the authority shall be a charge or lien upon its property, real or personal. Nothing in this section shall limit or be construed as limiting the right of a holder of a bond to reduce such bond, or the interest thereon, to judgment in the event of the failure of the authority to pay the principal of or interest on such bond as and when the same become due, or to prohibit, or be construed as prohibiting, such holder from enforcing and collecting such judgment out of the revenue and other money of the authority pledged to the payment of such bond and the interest thereon.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 40;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.113.


23-35,114. Hospital authority; bonds; refunding; applicability of provisions.

(1) Any hospital authority is hereby authorized to provide for the issuance of bonds of the authority for the purpose of refunding any bonds of the authority then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the earliest or subsequent date of redemption, purchase or maturity of such bonds, and, if deemed advisable by the authority, for the additional purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of constructing and acquiring additions, improvements, extensions or enlargements of a hospital or any portion thereof. Any such refunding bonds may, if the board of trustees in its absolute discretion finds the same to be in the best interests of the authority, bear a rate of interest or rates of interest higher than the rate or rates of interest carried by the bonds to be refunded and redeemed.

(2) The proceeds of any such bonds issued for the purpose of refunding outstanding bonds may, in the discretion of the authority, be applied to the purchase or retirement at maturity or redemption of such outstanding bonds either on their earliest or any subsequent redemption date or upon the purchase or at the maturity thereof and may, pending such application, be placed in escrow to be applied to such purchase or retirement at maturity or redemption on such date as may be determined by the authority.

(3) All such refunding bonds shall be subject to the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 in the same manner and to the same extent as other bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 41;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.114.


23-35,115. Hospital authority; bonds; who may purchase.

Bonds issued by any authority under the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 are hereby made securities in which all agencies, public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, state banks and trust companies, national banking associations, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state, may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations of the state is now or may hereafter be authorized by law, and shall also be eligible and lawful security for all deposits of public funds of the state and of its political subdivisions, to the extent of the full value of the bonds and appurtenant coupons.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 42;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.115.


23-35,116. Hospital authority; powers; supplemental to other laws; bonds.

The Hospital Authorities Act shall be deemed to provide a complete, additional, and alternative method for the doing of the things authorized thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws, except that the issuance of bonds and refunding bonds under the act need not comply with the requirements of any other law applicable to the issuance of bonds, including, but not limited to, Chapter 10, and the bonds shall not be required to be registered in the office of any county clerk or treasurer, comptroller, or finance director of any city or village. The bonds shall constitute exempt securities within the meaning of section 8-1110. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Hospital Authorities Act, none of the powers granted to an authority under the act shall be subject to the supervision or regulation or require the approval or consent of any municipality or political subdivision or any commission, court, board, body, bureau, official, or agency thereof or of the state.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 43;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.116; Laws 2001, LB 420, § 23.    


23-35,117. Hospital authority; taxation exemption.

The exercise of the powers granted by the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state, for the increase of their commerce, welfare and prosperity, and for the improvement of their health and living conditions, and as the operation and maintenance of a hospital by an authority or its agents will constitute the performance of an essential public function, neither the authority nor its agents shall be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon or in respect of a hospital or any property acquired or used by the authority or its agents under the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 or upon the income therefrom, and any bonds issued under the provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation of every kind by the state and by the municipalities and other political subdivisions in the state.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 44;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.117.


23-35,118. Hospital authority; county board; dissolve; when.

Whenever it shall have paid or provided for the payment of all of its outstanding obligations, and it shall appear to the board of trustees of an authority that the need for such authority no longer exists, then upon petition by the board of trustees to the county board of the county in which the authority is situated, and upon the production of satisfactory evidence in support of such petition, the county board shall enter an order declaring that the need for such authority no longer exists, and approving a plan for the winding up of the business of the authority, the payment or assumption of its obligations, and the transfer of its assets.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 45;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.118.


23-35,119. Hospital authority; order of dissolution; effect.

If the county board shall enter an order, as provided in section 23-35,118, that the need for such authority no longer exists, except for the winding up of its affairs in accordance with the plan approved by the county board, its authorities, powers and duties to transact business or to function shall cease to exist as of that date set forth in the order of the county board.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 46;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.119.


23-35,120. Hospital authority; bonds; holders; contract with state; powers.

(1) The State of Nebraska covenants and agrees with the holders of bonds issued by an authority that the state will not limit or alter the rights vested by sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 in an authority to acquire, maintain, construct, reconstruct, and operate hospitals; to establish and collect such rates, rentals, charges, and fees as may be convenient or necessary to produce sufficient revenue to meet the expense of maintenance and operation of such hospitals and to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with holders of bonds of the authority. The state will also not in any way impair the rights and remedies of the bondholders until the bonds together with interest thereon and with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of the bondholders, are fully met and discharged. The provisions of sections 23-3579 to 23-35,120 and of the proceedings authorizing bonds thereby shall constitute a contract with the holders of said bonds.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Hospital Authorities Act to the contrary, in addition to any other powers which an authority has, an authority may engage in the financing of any hospital or the refinancing of any indebtedness incurred to finance a hospital, whether or not incurred prior to or after March 27, 1979, by issuing its bonds pursuant to a plan of financing involving an acquisition or commitment to acquire or use any federally guaranteed security or securities and may enter into any agreement which it deems necessary or desirable in order to effectuate any such plan. For the purposes of this section, federally guaranteed security shall mean any direct obligation of the United States of America or any obligation the payment of principal of and interest on which are fully or partially guaranteed by the United States of America, whether or not secured by other collateral, and shall include, without limitation, any security guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association under section 306(g) of the National Housing Act, 12 U.S.C. 1721(g). The provisions of section 23-35,113 shall not apply in the case of any such financing or refinancing.

Source:Laws 1971, LB 54, § 47;    Laws 1979, LB 441, § 1;    R.S.1943, (1987), § 23-343.120.


23-3601. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-3601 to 23-3637 shall be known and may be cited as the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 1.    


23-3602. Legislative findings.

The Legislature finds that:

(1) The ability of Nebraska to attract and retain large commercial or industrial businesses to the state is dependent to a large extent upon the presence of adequate and efficient infrastructure improvements, available for use at the time the business begins construction of new plant or facilities;

(2) The ability to construct the necessary infrastructure improvements and most particularly sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants depends upon the presence and willingness of an appropriate public entity to plan, develop, and finance the facilities;

(3) The distance of many large tracts of land appropriate for industrial development from nearby cities and the large cost for developing sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants often makes it impractical, infeasible, and unfair for the financing burdens to be borne by a single municipality;

(4) The benefits of new industrial and commercial businesses are generally spread throughout a regional area and it is fairer and more appropriate that the costs of providing sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants for such users should be shared more broadly through the same area;

(5) It is necessary to facilitate industrial and commercial development in certain areas of the state by providing the authority for county governments to plan, develop, finance, and construct sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants so that the costs and benefits of such development are more properly allocated;

(6) The development of sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants can inevitably lead to additional urbanization and residential development in areas surrounding industrial tracts which are beyond the current limits of authorized zoning control by municipalities;

(7) This urbanization beyond municipal control can lead to the distortion of logical, planned development patterns and the creation of new demands for county services and other infrastructure improvements which distort budget priorities and add additional pressures on scarce financial resources;

(8) It is appropriate to extend to neighboring municipalities that may, through future growth, assume the responsibility for the planning and zoning and ultimately the annexation of the area the additional authority to prevent additional residential development in the area by authorizing it to review and control the activity of the county in authorizing the use of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed under its authority for additional residential purposes; and

(9) Because of the primary role of municipalities in the development and construction of sewerage disposal systems and plant or plants under the state's current statutory scheme, it is appropriate to provide for the review of county disposal sewerage development plans by appropriate municipalities prior to the construction of such systems and plant or plants to foster cooperative arrangements and insure that appropriate municipal concerns about additional residential development impacts have been addressed by the county.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 2.    


23-3603. Terms, defined.

For purposes of the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act:

(1) County shall mean any county with a population in excess of one hundred thousand inhabitants according to the most recent federal decennial census and at least forty percent of the population residing within the corporate boundaries of cities of the first and second class located in the county; and

(2) Sewerage disposal system and plant or plants shall mean and include any system or works above or below ground which has for its purpose the removal, discharge, conduction, carrying, treatment, purification, or disposal of liquid and solid waste and night soil.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 3.    


23-3604. Sewerage disposal system and plant; authorized; county; powers; vote by city or village governing body; when required.

(1) Any county in this state may own, construct, equip, and operate a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants for the treatment, purification, and disposal, in a sanitary manner, of liquid and solid wastes, sewage, and night soil or extend or improve any existing sanitary sewer system for the purpose of meeting the future needs of planned commercial or industrial users. The authority granted to a county under the provisions of the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act shall extend to the acquisition, leasing, or contracting for the use of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, and the county shall exercise this authority in the same manner as provided in the act for the construction, installation, improvement, or extension of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. A county is authorized to contract for the performance of any act or function provided for in the act with regard to the construction, installation, improvement, or extension of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or for the acquisition, leasing, or contracting for the use of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, except for such acts or functions as are governmental in nature.

(2) No county shall exercise the authority granted by the act within the boundaries of any incorporated city or village or outside the boundaries of the county. When more than fifty percent of the proposed length of a sewerage disposal system project will be located within the area of a city or village's declared extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction, the authority granted by the act shall not be exercised by a county without prior approval of the proposed project by a vote of the governing body of the city or village.

(3) Any county may acquire by gift, grant, purchase, or condemnation the necessary lands for the purposes authorized by the act.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 4.    


23-3605. Proposed system; resolution of county board; contents; procedure; county board; duties.

At such time as the county board decides to construct or install a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or decides to improve or extend an existing system, the county board shall formally adopt a resolution indicating its intent to proceed with such engineering studies and the development of such plans as are necessary to proceed with the development of the system. Such resolution shall specify the proposed location of the system and the area or areas which it will serve. The resolution shall specify what particular future needs of planned commercial or industrial users will be served by the development of the proposed system. Prior to adopting the resolution, the county board may conduct feasibility studies on sewerage system development and receive preliminary cost estimates on such development. At the discretion of the county board the resolution may, if such information is available, indicate the estimated cost of the development of the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and the manner in which such system and plants will be financed. Following the adoption of the resolution, the county board shall require that appropriate engineering studies be conducted and that plans and specifications be prepared of the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or improvement or extension of the existing system.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 5.    


23-3606. Adoption of resolution; notices required.

Not later than seven days after the adoption of the resolution by the county board regarding a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants pursuant to section 23-3605, the county board shall:

(1) Send formal notice of such resolution to the clerk of each city and village located within the county and inform such clerks of its intent to establish the boundaries of each city's or village's area of future growth and development within the boundaries of the county; and

(2) Send formal notice of such resolution to any city or other political subdivision into whose sewerage disposal system and plant or plants the proposed county sewerage system will or may connect.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 6.    


23-3607. City or village; proposed boundaries; file map.

Within forty-five days after the receipt of the notice provided for in section 23-3606, each city or village shall file with the county clerk a map clearly delineating the proposed boundaries of the area of future growth and development of the city or village within the county as developed and approved by the governing body of the city or village.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 7.    


23-3608. City or village; proposed boundaries; contents.

In defining the proposed boundaries of its area of future growth and development, each city or village shall include at least the area over which it formally exercises jurisdiction for purposes of zoning and platting. Each city or village may include in its proposed boundaries of the area of future growth and development such unincorporated lands within the county not more than five miles beyond its corporate limits which the city or village reasonably anticipates will in the future come within the jurisdiction of the city or village for purposes of zoning and platting as a result of long-range future growth. The boundaries of the area of future growth and development proposed by each city or village shall be based upon documented population and economic growth trends and projected patterns of land development and infrastructure improvement. The area of future growth and development of a city or village shall be delineated in conformity with the comprehensive development plan of the city or village or in conformance with the goals and standards in such plan. The governing body of the city or village shall not take formal action on the delineation of its area of future growth and development until it has received a recommendation thereon from its planning commission.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 8.    


23-3609. Maps; review by county board; notice.

The county board shall review the maps delineating the areas of future growth and development received from each city and village and shall identify those portions of the county which two or more cities or villages claim as being within each of their respective areas of future growth and development. Within fifteen days after the date upon which the last map was filed pursuant to section 23-3607, the county board shall notify the cities or villages that are claiming overlapping portions of areas of future growth and development of the territory which is the subject of dispute and of the other cities or villages claiming the same territory within their areas of future growth and development. The notice shall state the location, date, and time when the county board will hold a public hearing for all interested parties on the question of which city or village should properly be permitted to include the disputed territory within its defined area of future growth and development. Such notice shall be delivered at least twenty days prior to the public hearing.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 9.    


23-3610. Public hearing; adoption of map; disputed area; county board; duties.

(1) The county board shall hold a public hearing on each disputed area pursuant to such notice as set out in section 23-3609. Within fifteen days after the completion of such public hearings, the county board shall formally adopt a map designating and delineating the boundaries of the area of future growth and development of each city or village within the county.

(2) Over all territory regarding which there is no dispute between any cities or villages as to inclusion in their respective areas of future growth and development, the county board shall accept the recommended delineations of the cities and villages and incorporate them without amendment into its formal map.

(3) When any cities or villages involved in a dispute over the inclusion of territory within their respective areas of future growth and development reach an agreement on the allocation of the disputed territory and inform the county board of such agreement prior to the board's final action to adopt a formal map, the county board shall accept the agreement on the allocation and incorporate the agreed-upon delineation without amendment into its formal map.

(4) In determining any disputes on the allocation of territory not otherwise resolved by agreement between disputing cities and villages and in making its formal delineations with regard to such territory, the county board shall base its decision on the relative likelihood of the disputed area coming within the jurisdiction of the cities or villages for zoning or platting purposes based on (a) growth and land development patterns and (b) documented population and economic growth trends. The county board shall place the disputed area within the area of future growth and development of the city or village which would, based upon such factors, be the most likely city or village to first assume jurisdiction over such territory for zoning or platting purposes.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 10.    


23-3611. Map; change or amendment; procedure.

(1) After the adoption of the map designating and delineating areas of future growth and development of the cities and villages in the county by the county board as provided in section 23-3610, the map shall not be changed or amended except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

(2) When the county board is notified that the area over which a city or village formally exercises jurisdiction for purposes of zoning or platting has been extended so as to include a portion of the area of future growth and development of another city or village, the board shall promptly amend the map so as to place the territory that is in the jurisdiction of the city or village for zoning or platting purposes within the area of future growth and development of the same city or village.

(3) Upon the request of a city or village which recites that changes in growth and development patterns or population and economic trends have necessitated changes in the map of areas of growth and development, the county board shall review the territories specified in the request as requiring reallocation and make such changes as it deems warranted. The review shall be carried out in the same manner as prescribed in sections 23-3609 and 23-3610 for dealing with disputed territory, and any changes made by the county board shall be based on the same criteria as used by the board in making its original determination.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 11.    


23-3612. Notice to city or village; contents.

At such time as the county board determines that it is prepared to proceed with orders for the development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants proposed in the resolution under section 23-3605, it shall formally give notice to the city or village, within whose area of future growth and development the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will be located, of its intent to proceed. In the event that the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants project will be located within the area of future growth and development of more than one city or village, the county shall give notice to that city or village within whose area more than fifty percent of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, as determined by linear measure, will be located. With the notice the county shall provide the city or village with copies of all relevant documents and information regarding the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and the plans for its development, including any estimates of cost and proposed plans for financing the project.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 12.    


23-3613. City or village; schedule public hearing; presentation by county.

Not less than twenty days after receiving the notice provided for in section 23-3612, the city or village governing body shall schedule a public hearing for consideration of the county proposal for development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. At such hearing, the county shall present its plans for the proposed development for the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and the governing body of the city or village shall receive public comment on the matter.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 13.    


23-3614. City or village; vote on proposal; criteria.

Within fifteen days after the public hearing under section 23-3613, the city or village governing body shall vote in open public session on whether or not to authorize the county to proceed with the development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. The governing body shall base its decision on the following criteria:

(1) Whether the development of the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants is consistent with the sewerage system of the city or village and the comprehensive development plan of the county;

(2) Whether the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will enhance the possibility for industrial or commercial development in the area it will serve;

(3) Whether the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will encourage additional residential development in the area it will serve;

(4) Whether the county has developed appropriate plans and procedures to address the possibility of future residential development in the area and to ensure that such development proceeds in a fashion consistent with the standards established by the city or village for development within its area of jurisdiction for platting and zoning purposes;

(5) Whether the county has proposed measures for cooperative action between the city or village and the county to address matters of concern with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, its development, or related development issues;

(6) Whether the city or village is willing to proceed with the development of the proposed sewerage disposal system and plant or plants as its own project or in cooperation with the county;

(7) Whether the land development projects occurring as a result of the development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will require additional infrastructure expenditures to support the proposed industrial or commercial development and the impact of such required infrastructure expenditures upon then current city or village and county capital improvement plans; and

(8) Whether the projected commercial or industrial development occurring as a result of the development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will have a positive or adverse impact upon the economy of the city or village and the county.

Unless a number of members of the city or village governing body equal to two-thirds or more of its elected members vote against authorizing the county to proceed with the development of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, the county may proceed with the development of the system at the discretion of the county board.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 14.    


23-3615. Order for installation, improvement, or extension; bids.

Whenever the county board has ordered the installation of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or the improvement or extension of an existing system, the fact that such order was issued shall be recited in the official minutes of the county board. Upon approval of plans for such installation, improvement, or extension, the county board shall advertise for sealed bids for the construction of the system, improvement, or extension once a week for three weeks in a legal newspaper published in or of general circulation within the county, and the contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 15.    


23-3616. Sewer tax levy; authorized; use; vote; when required.

For the purpose of owning, operating, constructing, maintaining, and equipping a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants as authorized by the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act or improving or extending an existing system, a county may make a special levy known as the sewer tax levy not to exceed three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars upon the actual value of all the taxable property within any such county subject to section 77-3443. Any levy exceeding such amount for the purposes of such act shall be submitted for approval to the registered voters of the county at a general election or special election called for such purpose. The proceeds of such levy shall be used only for the purposes enumerated in this section and for no other purpose.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 16;    Laws 1996, LB 299, § 18;    Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 51.    


23-3617. Revenue bonds; authorized.

A county may issue revenue bonds for the purpose of owning, operating, constructing, and equipping a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or improving or extending an existing system. Such revenue bonds shall not impose any general liability upon the county but shall be secured only by the revenue as provided from such sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. Such revenue bonds shall be sold for not less than par value and bear interest at a rate set by the county board. The amount of such revenue bonds, either issued or outstanding, shall not be included in computing the maximum amount of bonds which the county may be authorized to issue under any statute of this state.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 17.    


23-3618. County board; adopt rules and regulations; connection to system; penalty; usage fees; permit; fee.

(1) The county board may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing the use, operation, and control of such sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, including the authority to compel all proper connections and to provide a penalty not to exceed one hundred dollars for any obstruction or injury to any sewer or part thereof or for failure to comply with the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated. If, after ten days' notice by certified mail or publication in a newspaper of general circulation, a property owner fails to make such connections and comply with such rules and regulations as may be ordered in accordance with this section, the county board may order such connection to be made and assess the cost of the connection against the property benefited in the same manner as special taxes are levied for other purposes.

(2) The county board may establish usage fees to be paid to it for the use of such sewerage disposal system and plant or plants by each person, firm, or corporation whose premises are served thereby. The county board may contract with another party for the billing and collection of such usage fees. If the usage fee so established is not paid when due, such sum may be recovered by the county in a civil action or it may be certified to the county assessor and assessed against the premises served and collected or returned in the same manner as other county taxes are certified, assessed, collected, and returned.

(3) The county board shall require the issuance of a permit for any property owner to connect with any sewer and the payment of a fee for the permit and connection as determined by the county board, which fee shall be paid prior to issuance of any such permit. The county board shall also require the issuance of a permit to connect with any sewer and payment of a connection fee by any developer payable at the time of filing a plat for the development, which fee shall be paid prior to issuance of such permit.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 18.    


23-3619. Revenue bonds; how paid; sinking fund; rights of holders.

(1) Revenue bonds issued as provided in section 23-3617 shall not be a general obligation of the county but shall be paid only out of the revenue received from the usage fees as provided in section 23-3618.

(2) If a usage fee is charged as a part of the revenue as provided in subsection (1) of this section, a sufficient portion shall be set aside as a sinking fund for the payment of the interest on such revenue bonds and the principal at maturity.

(3) The usage fee for the service of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants as provided in subsection (1) of this section shall be sufficient, at all times, to pay the cost of operation and maintenance of such system, to pay the principal and interest upon all revenue bonds issued pursuant to section 23-3617, and to carry out any covenants that may be provided in the resolutions authorizing the issuance of any such bonds.

(4) The holders of any of the revenue bonds or any of the coupons of any revenue bonds issued under such section, in any civil action, mandamus, or other proceeding, may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this section and the covenants made by the county board in the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds, including the making and collecting of sufficient rates or charges for the specified purposes and for the proper application of the income therefrom.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 19.    


23-3620. General obligation bonds; issuance.

For the purpose of owning, operating, constructing, and equipping any sewerage disposal system and plant or plants or improving or extending any existing system or for the purposes stated in the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act, any county may issue and sell the general obligation bonds of the county upon compliance with the provisions of section 23-3621. Such bonds shall not be sold or exchanged for less than the par value and shall bear interest which shall be payable annually or semiannually. The county board shall have the power to determine the denominations of such bonds and the date, time, and manner of the payment. The amount of such general obligation bonds, either issued or outstanding, shall not be included in the maximum amount of bonds which any such county may be authorized to issue and sell under any statutes of this state.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 20.    


23-3621. Bonds; resolution required; vote; when required.

Revenue bonds authorized by section 23-3617 may be issued by resolution duly passed by the governing body of the county without any other authority. General obligation bonds authorized by section 23-3620 may be issued by resolution duly adopted by the county board without any other authority, unless the proposed sewer tax levy authorized by section 23-3616 exceeds three and five-tenths cents on each one hundred dollars of actual value, in which case the bonds may be issued only after (1) the question of their issuance has been submitted to the registered voters of the county at a general or special election, (2) three weeks' notice thereof has been published in a legal newspaper published in or of general circulation in the county, and (3) more than a majority of the registered voters voting at the election have voted in favor of the issuance of the bond.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 21.    


23-3622. Rental or use charge; authorized; use.

(1) The county board, in addition to other sources of revenue available to the county, may by resolution set up a rental or use charge, to be collected from users of any sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, and provide methods for collection of the rental or use charge. The charges shall be charged to the real property served by the sewerage disposal system, shall be a lien upon the real property served, and may be collected either from the owner or the person, firm, or corporation requesting the service.

(2) All money raised from the charges referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be used for maintenance or operation of the existing sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, for payment of principal and interest on bonds issued, or to create a reserve fund for the purpose of future maintenance or construction of a new sewerage disposal system and plant or plants for the county. Any funds raised from such charge shall be placed in a separate fund and shall not be used for any other purpose or diverted to any other fund except as provided in section 23-3625.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 22.    


23-3623. Warrants; registration; sewerage fund.

For the purpose of paying the cost of construction of such sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, the county board may issue warrants in amounts not to exceed the total sum of the sewer tax levy provided in section 23-3616, which warrants shall bear interest at such rate as the county board orders. When there are no funds immediately available for the payment of the warrants, they shall be registered in the manner provided for the registration of other warrants and called and paid whenever there are funds available for the purpose in the manner provided for the calling and paying of other warrants. For the purpose of paying the warrants and the interest thereon from the time of their registration until paid, the sewer tax levy provided in such section shall be kept as it is paid and collected in a fund to be designated and known as the sewerage fund into which all money levied for such improvements shall be paid as collected and out of which all warrants issued for such purposes shall be paid.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 23.    


23-3624. Warrants; issuance for partial and final payments; redemption; interest.

For the purpose of making partial payments as the work progresses, warrants may be issued by the county board upon certificates of the engineer in charge showing the amount of work completed and materials necessarily purchased and delivered for the orderly and proper continuation of the project in a total amount not to exceed ninety-five percent of the cost. Upon completion and acceptance of the work, the county board shall issue a final warrant for the balance of the amount due the contractor. The county shall pay to the contractor interest at the rate of seven percent per annum on the amounts due on partial and final payments beginning forty-five days after the certification of the amounts due by the engineer in charge and approval of the county board and running until the date that the warrant is tendered to the contractor. The warrants shall be redeemed and paid out of the proceeds received from the sewer tax levy levied pursuant to section 23-3616 or usage fees adopted pursuant to section 23-3618 or out of the proceeds of the bonds or warrants issued. The warrants shall draw interest as provided in the warrants from the date of registration until paid.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 24.    


23-3625. Sinking fund; transfer of excess by county board.

All the sewer taxes, usage fees, and other revenue provided for in the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act shall, when levied and collected, constitute a sinking fund for the purpose of paying the cost of the improvements with allowable interest and shall be solely and strictly applied to such purpose to the extent required. Any excess may be by the county board, after fully discharging the purposes for which levied, transferred to such other fund or funds as the county board may deem advisable.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 25.    


23-3626. Annexation of sewerage disposal system and plant by city or village; powers and duties of city or village.

Whenever any city or village annexes all of the land encompassing a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed, improved, or extended by a county pursuant to the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act, the annexing city or village shall succeed to all the property and property rights of every kind, contracts, obligations, and choses in action of every kind, held by or belonging to the county with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, and the city or village shall be liable for and recognize, assume, and carry out all valid contracts and obligations of the county with regard to the sewerage system and plant or plants. All taxes, assessments, claims, and demands of every kind due or owing to the county with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants shall be paid to and collected by the city or village. Any special assessments which the county was authorized to levy, assess, relevy, or reassess, but which were not levied, assessed, relevied, or reassessed at the time of the annexation for improvements made by the county pursuant to such act, may be levied, assessed, relevied, or reassessed by the annexing city or village to the same extent as the county may have levied or assessed prior to the annexation.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 26.    


23-3627. Annexation of sewerage disposal system and plant by city or village; when effective; duties of county board.

The county board shall, within thirty days after the effective date of the annexation, submit to the annexing city or village a written accounting of all assets and liabilities, contingent or fixed, of the county with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. The annexation of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants shall be effective thirty days after the effective date of the ordinance annexing the territory unless some later date is specified in the ordinance and is agreed to by the annexing city or village and the county. If the validity of the ordinance annexing the territory is challenged by a proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction, the effective date of the annexation shall be thirty days after the final determination of the validity of the ordinance. The county shall continue in possession of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and shall continue to conduct all affairs with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants until the effective date of the annexation.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 27.    


23-3628. Partial annexation by city or village; agreement with county; approval by district court; adjustment; decree.

If only a portion of the territory encompassing a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed, improved, or extended by a county pursuant to the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act is annexed by a city or village, the county acting through the county board and the city or village acting through its governing body may agree between themselves as to the equitable division of the assets, liabilities, maintenance, or other obligations of the county so as to exclude the jurisdiction of the county over the portion of the system within the boundaries of the city or village, may agree to the merger of the entire system with the city or village despite the fact that some portion of the system is not within the boundaries of the city or village, or may agree that the county shall continue to own and operate the entire system despite the annexation by the city or village of a portion of the system. If a merger is agreed upon, the city or village shall have all the rights, privileges, duties, and obligations as provided in sections 23-3626 and 23-3627 when the city or village annexes the entire territory encompassing the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and the county shall be relieved of all further duties and liabilities as provided in the agreement between the city or village and the county. No agreement between the county and the city or village shall be effective until submitted to and approved by the district court of the county in which the system or plant is located. No agreement shall be approved which may prejudice the rights of any bondholder or creditor of the county with regard to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. The court may authorize or direct amendments to the agreement before approving the same. If the county and the city or village do not agree upon the proper adjustment of all matters growing out of the annexation of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, the annexing city or village or the county may apply to the district court for an adjustment of all matters growing out of or in any way connected with the annexation of a portion of the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and, after a hearing thereon, the court may enter an order or decree fixing the rights, duties, and obligations of the parties. Only the county and the city or village shall be necessary parties to such an action. The decree, when entered, shall be binding on all parties the same as though the parties had voluntarily agreed thereto.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 28.    


23-3629. Connection of lot or structure; when allowed.

No county shall permit the connection of any lot or any structure used or to be used for any residential purpose to a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed pursuant to the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act unless (1) such lot was platted and recorded prior to March 1, 1994, or such structure is or will be constructed on a lot platted and recorded prior to March 1, 1994, or (2) such connection is authorized by the appropriate city or village as provided in the act.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 29.    


23-3630. Owners of real property; subdivide or plat property; connection to system or plant; duty to inform; failure to inform; effect; county board; duties.

After the county board formally adopts its resolution of intent to develop a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants pursuant to section 23-3605, any owner of real property seeking approval from the county to subdivide, plat, or lay out the real property in building lots, any of which are intended for use in whole or in part for the construction of structures to be used for any residential purpose, shall at the time of application for approval inform the county if the owner intends to seek approval for connection of such lots or any proposed structures on them to a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed under the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act. Any owner failing to inform the county of his or her intent to seek approval for connection to the sewerage disposal system or plant or plants at the time of application for a plat shall be barred from applying for a connection to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants for any lot or any structure used for any residential purpose on such platted lots for a period of three years from the date such plat was finally approved and recorded. Such bar shall extend to any successor in interest of such owner in the platted lots during the same period of time. During the period between the date of adoption of the county board's resolution of intent to develop a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and the date upon which the county board formally adopts a map designating and delineating the area of future growth and development of each city and village in the county pursuant to section 23-3610, the county board shall not approve any application for the platting of any territory whose owner has indicated an intent to seek approval for the eventual connection to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants of any lots or any structures placed on such lots to be used for residential purposes. Such applications shall be treated as if filed on the date upon which the county board formally adopts a map designating and delineating the area of future growth and development of each city and village in the county pursuant to section 23-3610.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 30.    


23-3631. Application to subdivide or plat; referral to urbanizing area planning commission; when.

After the county board formally adopts a map designating and delineating the area of future growth and development of each city and village in the county pursuant to section 23-3610, the county board shall refer to the urbanizing area planning commission of the county any application by an owner of real property seeking approval from the county to subdivide, plat, or lay out the real property in building lots, any of which are intended for use in whole or in part for the construction of structures to be used for residential purposes, for which the owner indicates an intent to seek connection to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants of the county constructed pursuant to the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 31.    


23-3632. Urbanizing area planning commission; members; terms; vacancies.

The urbanizing area planning commission shall consist of six members. Three members shall be chosen by the county board from the membership of the county planning commission. Three members shall be chosen by the mayor with the approval of the governing body of the city or village from the regular membership of the planning commission of the city or village within whose area of future growth and development is located the territory which is the subject of the application. In the event that the territory which is the subject of the application is located in more than one area of future growth and development, the members of the urbanizing area planning commission shall be chosen from the city or village within whose area of future growth and development more than fifty percent of the territory which is the subject of the plat, as measured by area, is located. The members of the urbanizing area planning commission shall serve without compensation for two-year terms. Initial appointments shall be made within thirty days after the date upon which the county board formally adopts a map designating and delineating the area of future growth and development of each city and village in the county pursuant to section 23-3610. Members shall hold office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the person or body which made the original designation, and the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 32.    


23-3633. Urbanizing area planning commission; jurisdiction; powers and duties.

After the county board formally adopts a map designating and delineating the area of future growth and development of each city and village pursuant to section 23-3610, the urbanizing area planning commission shall assume jurisdiction of any matter within the jurisdiction of a county planning commission under sections 23-114 to 23-114.05, 23-168.01 to 23-168.04, 23-172 to 23-174, 23-174.02, 23-373, and 23-376 which arises from the application of an owner of real property seeking approval from the county to subdivide, plat, or lay out the real property in building lots, any of which are intended for use in whole or in part for the construction of structures to be used for any residential purposes, for which the owner has indicated his or her intent to seek approval for the eventual connection to the county sewerage disposal system and plant or plants developed under the provisions of the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act. The jurisdiction of the urbanizing area planning commission is restricted to such portions of the areas of future growth and development of the cities and villages as are outside of their areas of formal jurisdiction for zoning and platting purposes. All powers, duties, responsibilities, and functions of the county planning commission shall be assumed and exercised by the urbanizing area planning commission with regard to matters within its jurisdiction as defined by the act. Actions of the urbanizing area planning commission taken with regard to matters arising within the area of its jurisdiction shall be treated for all purposes as if made by the county planning commission.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 33.    


23-3634. Urbanizing area planning commission; county provide documentation or materials; when.

In all matters subject to the jurisdiction of the urbanizing area planning commission, upon the request of the city or village, the county shall make available to the city or village within whose area of future growth and development the matter arises any documentation or materials with regard to the matter in the possession of the county.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 34.    


23-3635. Application for connection; county clerk; duties; public hearing; notice; approval by city or village; criteria.

When the county receives an application from an owner of a lot proposed for residential use or a structure used for any residential purpose requesting connection of the lot or structure to a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants constructed pursuant to the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act, the county clerk shall, within five days after receipt of such application, provide a copy of such application to the city or village within whose area of future growth and development the lot or structure is located. The city or village governing body shall set a date for a public hearing on the application not sooner than fifteen days after receipt of the application. The owner of the lot or structure shall be notified by first-class United States mail of the date of the hearing. Within fourteen days after the hearing, the governing body of the city or village shall vote in open public session on whether to recommend that the county approve or disapprove the application. The county shall not authorize the connection of the lot or structure to the county sewerage disposal system and plant or plants without a recommendation of approval by a majority of the elected members of the governing body of the city or village. The determination by the city or village governing body as to whether or not to recommend approval of the application for connection to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants of the county shall be based on the following criteria:

(1) Whether the subdivision, of which the lot or structure for which the connection is sought is part, is or will be developed in a location and in a manner in conformity with the comprehensive development plan of the city or village and the county;

(2) Whether the county has developed appropriate plans and procedures to ensure that the development of the subdivision proceeds in a fashion consistent with the standards established by the city or village for development within its area of jurisdiction for platting and zoning purposes;

(3) Whether the subdivision, of which the lot or structure for which the connection is sought is part, has been developed in a manner consistent with properly adopted county standards and whether the plans for the proposed structure or the structure, if built, are in accordance with appropriate county building codes;

(4) Whether the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants has sufficient capacity to serve the applicant for connection in light of current and projected future needs for commercial and industrial users;

(5) Whether the additional connection to the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants will impact positively or negatively on the financial status of the system, including its debt structure, cash flow, and operational and maintenance financing requirements;

(6) Whether the use of septic tanks or any other practical alternative form of sewerage disposal in the subdivision or the lot is feasible or will pose present or future threats to public health and safety and the purity of local water supplies used for human consumption or recreational purposes;

(7) Whether the county has developed or adopted appropriate and adequate rules and regulations governing the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and procedures to enforce the same so as to ensure the safe, sanitary, and environmentally sound connection of lots or structures to the county sewerage disposal system and plant or plants and whether it has developed procedures to maintain such standards during its operations; and

(8) Whether all appropriate state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations have been complied with prior to the application for the connection to the county sewerage disposal system and plant or plants.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 35.    


23-3636. County board; prepare statement; contents; approval; provide to applicants; signed acknowledgment.

Prior to the date upon which the county adopts its resolution of intent to develop a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants pursuant to section 23-3605, the county board shall cause to be prepared a brief statement outlining the procedures set forth in the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act and the methods by which the county will exercise its authority to enforce the procedures so as to fully inform an owner of real property who may seek to plat such property for the eventual construction thereon of structures to be used for residential purposes and who may apply for connection of such lots or structures to the proposed county sewerage disposal system and plant or plants. At the time of the adoption of the resolution of intent pursuant to such section, the county board shall consider and approve the statement. On and after the date of such approval, the county board shall instruct the appropriate county official to inform all applicants to the county for the approval of a plat of the provisions of the act by providing them with a copy of the statement. The county official providing the statement shall obtain a signed acknowledgment from the applicant that he or she has received a copy of such statement. No application for a plat shall be accepted until the appropriate county official has received a copy of such signed acknowledgment.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 36.    


23-3637. Joint action agreements; service agreement; terms and conditions.

(1) The county and any city may enter into any agreement for joint action with regard to the planning, construction, management, operation, or financing of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants consistent with the authority of the county as provided in the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act and consistent with the authority of the city and county under the Interlocal Cooperation Act. The county may enter into an agreement with any city for the sale to the city of all or any portion of a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants developed by the county under the County Industrial Sewer Construction Act upon such terms and conditions as to which the city and county may formally agree. Any agreement entered into by the county and any city pursuant to this section shall be consistent with and conditioned upon the rights of any third party with a direct financial interest in the sewerage disposal system and plant or plants.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of Nebraska law, the county and any city may enter into a service agreement with any joint entity created pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act which owns or operates or proposes to own or operate any sewerage disposal system and plant, including the use or right to use real or personal property included in any such project.

(3) Any service agreement entered into under subsection (2) of this section may provide:

(a) For the payment of fixed or variable periodic amounts for service or the right to obtain service, including the use or right to use real or personal property;

(b) That such service agreement may extend for a term of years as determined by the governing body of the county or city and be binding upon such county or city over such term of years;

(c) That fixed or variable periodic amounts payable may be determined based upon any of the following factors, or such other factors as may be deemed reasonable by the parties, and such amounts may be divided and specifically payable with respect to such factors:

(i) Operating, maintenance, and management expenses, including renewals and replacements for facilities and equipment, amounts payable with respect to debt service on bonds or other obligations, including margins of debt service coverage and amounts for debt service reserves if deemed appropriate, which amounts may be separately identified and shall have the status of amounts paid for the principal or interest on bonds issued by such party for purposes of budget and expenditure limitations; and

(ii) Amounts necessary to build or maintain operating reserves, capital reserves, and debt service reserves;

(d) That any such service agreement may require payment to be made in the agreed-upon fixed or variable periodic amounts regardless of whether such sewerage disposal system and plant or plants are completed or operational and notwithstanding any suspension, interruption, interference, reduction, or curtailment of the services of such project or system; and

(e) Such other provisions as the parties to the service agreement deem appropriate in connection with constructing and operating a sewerage disposal system and plant or plants, including the acquisition of real and personal property, the construction of facilities, and the operation, maintenance, and management of services, property, and related facilities.

(4) In order for a county to provide for any or all of the payments due under such service agreement entered into under subsection (2) of this section, such payments may be made from the levy authority as authorized under section 23-3616. When such tax is used for the purposes under such service agreement, it shall have the same status as a tax levied for the purpose of paying bonds, but shall be subject to the levy limitation under Article VIII, section 5, of the Constitution of Nebraska.

Source:Laws 1994, LB 1139, § 37;    Laws 1999, LB 87, § 67;    Laws 2017, LB253, § 1.    


Cross References

23-3701. Auditor; duties.

In any county in which a city of the metropolitan class is located, the county board shall provide for an auditor who shall report directly to the county board. The auditor shall be the internal auditor of the county and shall examine or cause to be examined books, accounts, vouchers, records, expenditures, and information technology systems of all elected or appointed county officers and offices. Such examinations shall be done in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards set forth in the most recent Government Auditing Standards, published by the Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office. The auditor shall report promptly to the county board and the elected official whose office was the subject of the audit regarding the fiscal condition shown by such examination conducted by the auditor, including any irregularities or misconduct of officers or employees, any misappropriation or misuse of public funds or property, and any improper system or method of bookkeeping or condition of accounts.

Source:Laws 2010, LB475, § 2.    


23-3801. Act, how cited.

Sections 23-3801 to 23-3810 shall be known and may be cited as the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 1.    


23-3802. Terms, defined.

For purposes of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act:

(1) Colony means the series of burrows and tunnels created by the black-tailed prairie dog where black-tailed prairie dogs live;

(2) County board means the county board of commissioners or supervisors of a county that has adopted the act;

(3) Managed colony means a colony that is confined to land owned by one person; and

(4) Person means any individual, partnership, firm, limited liability company, corporation, company, society, or association, the state or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof, or any other public or private entity.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 2.    


23-3803. Program for management of black-tailed prairie dogs; county; finding required; powers; discontinuance of program; collection of unpaid assessments.

(1) A county may adopt by resolution and carry out a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs on property within the county consistent with the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act. When a county adopts such a resolution, the county shall assume the authority and duties provided in the act and the act shall be applicable to persons owning or controlling property within the county.

(2) A black-tailed prairie dog management plan adopted pursuant to this section shall:

(a) Include a finding by the county board of adverse impacts of unmanaged colonies within the county and the necessity to exercise the authority made available under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act;

(b) Include a listing of the methods for management of colonies to be used for purposes which are consistent with the act;

(c) Provide a method for an adjacent landowner to make a written waiver of objection to the expansion of a colony upon such adjacent landowner's property pursuant to section 23-3804; and

(d) Not conflict with any state management plan for black-tailed prairie dogs or any rules or regulations adopted and promulgated pursuant to the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act or with any state or federal recovery plan for endangered or threatened species.

(3) A county may cooperate and coordinate with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Game and Parks Commission, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and other local, state, and national agencies and organizations, public or private, to prepare a coordinated program for the control and management of black-tailed prairie dogs and to carry out its duties and responsibilities under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act.

(4) A county may by resolution discontinue a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs. If such a program is discontinued, any unpaid assessments against landowners for costs of black-tailed prairie dog management shall continue to be collected pursuant to the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 3;    Laws 2022, LB805, § 8.    


Cross References

23-3804. Person owning or controlling property; duty to manage colonies.

Each person who owns or controls property within a county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803 shall effectively manage colonies present upon such property to prevent the expansion of colonies to adjacent property unless the owner of the adjacent property makes a written waiver of objection to the expansion of such colonies to such adjacent landowner's property.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 4;    Laws 2022, LB805, § 9.    


23-3805. County board; powers.

A county board of a county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803 may:

(1) Employ personnel and expend funds for the purchase of materials, machinery, and equipment to carry out its duties and responsibilities under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act;

(2) Issue general and individual notices as provided in section 23-3806 for the management of colonies;

(3) Examine property within the county for the purpose of determining the location of colonies; and

(4) Assign performance of elements of the black-tailed prairie dog management plan, including, but not limited to, investigation of reports or complaints regarding unmanaged prairie dog colonies.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 5;    Laws 2022, LB805, § 10.    


23-3806. Notices for management of colonies; form; publication; hearing; failure to comply with notice; powers of county board; costs; lien; appeal.

(1)(a) Notices for management of colonies shall consist of two kinds: General notice and individual notices, which notices shall be on a form prescribed by this section.

(b) General notice shall be published by the county board of each county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803 in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county on or before May 1 of each year or at such other times as the county board may determine.

(c) Whenever any county board of a county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803 finds that a colony, or any portion of a colony, has expanded onto adjacent property and the owner of the adjacent property objects to such expansion and the county board determines that it is necessary to secure more prompt or definite management of a colony than is accomplished by the general published notice, it shall cause to be served individual notice, upon the owner of record of the property upon which the colony is located, by certified mail at his or her last-known address, of recommended methods of when and how black-tailed prairie dogs are to be managed.

(d) The county board shall use the following form for all individual notices:

.......... County Board

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Information received by the county board, including from an onsite investigation, indicates the existence of an unmanaged black-tailed prairie dog colony on property owned by you at: ................................. . The method of management recommended by the county board is as follows: ................................................ . Other appropriate management methods are acceptable if approved by the county board.

State law specifies a duty of each person who owns or controls property within a county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803 to manage black-tailed prairie dog colonies present upon his or her property to prevent the expansion of colonies to adjacent property unless the owner of the adjacent property waives objection in writing to such expansion. You must provide notice and evidence to the county board within sixty days after the date specified at the bottom of this notice that appropriate management as specified in this notice, or alternative management that is approved by the board, has been initiated. If services for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs are not available within the sixty-day period specified in this notice, you may satisfy this notice by providing evidence that you have arranged for management to occur when available. If such notice and evidence are not received by the county board within sixty days after the date specified at the bottom of this notice, the county board or its agent may enter upon your property for the purpose of taking the appropriate management measures. Costs for the management activities performed by the county board shall be at the expense of the owner of the property and shall become a lien on the property.

If the county board receives a written request from you within fifteen days after the date specified at the bottom of this notice, you are entitled to a hearing before the county board to challenge this notice.

County Board

Dated ...................

(2) Upon the written request of any landowner served with an individual notice pursuant to subsection (1) of this section received within fifteen days after the date specified by such notice, the county board shall hold an informal public hearing to allow such landowner an opportunity to address the county board's notice.

(3) Following the hearing, the county board may affirm, modify, or rescind such notice. If, upon expiration of the sixty-day period specified on the notice required by subdivision (1)(d) of this section, the landowner has not complied with the notice and has not requested a hearing pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the county board may cause proper management methods to be used on such property and shall advise the record landowner of the cost incurred in connection with such operation. The cost of any such management shall be at the expense of the landowner.

(4) Amounts collected under this section shall be deposited to the black-tailed prairie dog management fund of the county board if such fund has been created by the county board or, if no such fund has been created, then to the county general fund.

(5) Any action of the county board taken pursuant to this section may be appealed to any court having jurisdiction.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 6;    Laws 2022, LB805, § 11.    


23-3807. Costs; written protest; hearing; county board; power.

If any person is dissatisfied with the amount of any costs charged against him or her under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act, he or she may, within fifteen days after being advised of the amount of the charge, file a written protest with the county board. The county board shall hold a hearing to determine whether the charges were appropriate, taking into consideration whether the management measures were conducted in a timely fashion. Following the hearing, the county board shall have the power to adjust or affirm such charge.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 7.    


23-3808. Entry upon land authorized.

The county board of a county that has adopted a coordinated program for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs under section 23-3803, or anyone authorized by the county board, may enter upon property in the county for purposes of performing the duties and exercising the powers under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act after forty-eight hours' written advance notice of entrance is provided to the property owner or occupant.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 8;    Laws 2022, LB805, § 12.    


23-3809. Black-tailed prairie dog management fund; authorized; use.

A black-tailed prairie dog management fund may be established by a county, which fund shall be available for expenses authorized to be paid from such fund, including necessary expenses of the county board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Act.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 9.    


23-3810. Land owned or controlled by state or political subdivision; payment of cost.

The cost of managing colonies on all land owned or controlled by a state department, agency, commission, or board or a political subdivision shall be paid by the state department, agency, commission, or board in control thereof or the political subdivision out of funds appropriated to the state department, agency, commission, or board or budgeted by the political subdivision for its use.

Source:Laws 2012, LB473, § 10.    


23-3901. Guardian ad litem division; created; division director; assistant guardians ad litem.

(1) A county board may create a county guardian ad litem division to carry out section 43-272.01.

(2) The county board shall appoint a division director for the guardian ad litem division. The division director shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in Nebraska with at least five years of Nebraska juvenile court experience as a guardian ad litem for children, including both trial and appellate practice experience, prior to appointment. The division director may appoint assistant guardians ad litem and other employees as are reasonably necessary to permit him or her to effectively and competently fulfill the responsibilities of the division, subject to the approval and consent of the county board. All assistant guardians ad litem shall be attorneys admitted to practice law in Nebraska and shall comply with all requirements of the Supreme Court relating to guardians ad litem.

(3) All assistant guardians ad litem employed by the division shall devote their full time to the work of the division and shall not engage in the private practice of law so long as each assistant guardian ad litem receives the same annual salary as each deputy county attorney of comparable ability and experience receives in such counties.

(4) The director and any assistant guardian ad litem employed by the division shall not solicit or accept any fee for representing a child in a case in which the director or the assistant guardian ad litem is already acting as the child's court-appointed guardian ad litem.

Source:Laws 2016, LB894, § 14.