Boyd Extension Board Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2026
The joint meeting with the Holt County Extension Board was opened at 7:05pm. The Boyd County members present were Nathan Gillaspie, Lisa Lechtenberg, Emma Vogt, Corey Finnegan, Carie Reiman, Extension Educator LaDonna Werth, and Office Manager Donna Bernt. Joining by Zoom were Extension Educator Bethany Johnston, Extension Educator Amy Timmerman, Engagement Zone 2 Jay Jenkins and the Holt County Board Members. Board Member Leslie Nielsen and Extension 4-H Assistant Debra Walnofer were absent.
Orientation for New Members
A short orientation presentation was given.
Narratives
Extension Educators told the highlights from their narratives.
Jay Jenkins reported on vacancies within our zone – the 4-H Educator position has had an interview, and the Livestock Educator position (Brown, Rock and Keya Paha) is still looking for candidates.
Jay encourages engagement with the university. He encouraged the board members to be the eyes and ears of our communities. Come back to meetings with the needs of the community and let us get the right person to present a meeting/workshop on that topic.
He stated that there is a statewide New Extension Board Member Training that members might want to watch.
Amy Timmerman reported that UNL will have budget cuts. She also reported that UNL Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett resigned effective January 12, 2026, leaving six months early following a November 2025 faculty no-confidence vote. Katherine S. Ankerson was approved as interim chancellor. She reported that there will be a merger between UNL and the UNL Medical Center.
The Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards (NACEB) has two positions open on their board.
Thanks to all who responded on the Staff Annual Evaluations.
Next Meeting
Bethany Johnston will send out available date for the April meeting sometime in March. Please respond back to her with available dates.
Joint meeting concluded.
The Boyd County Extension Board was called to order at 8:00pm by Vice President Nathan Gillaspie in the Boyd County Supervisor’s Meeting Room, Boyd County Courthouse, Butte, Nebraska.
Election of Officers -
Vice President Gillaspie ask for nomination for officers. Motion was made by Corey Finnegan, second by Emma Vogt, to nominate Nathan Gillaspie for President, to have nominations cease and to vote for Nathan by acclimation.
Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion carries and Nathan is elected President.
President Gillaspie asked for nominations for Vice President. Motion was made by Corey Finnegan, second by Nathan Gillaspie, to nominate Leslie Nielsen for Vice President, to have nominations cease and to vote for Leslie by acclimation.
Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion carries and Leslie is elected Vice President.
President Gillaspie asked for nominations for Secretary/Treasurer. Motion was made by Carie Reiman, second by Corey Finnegan, to nominate Lisa Lechtenber for Secretary/Treasurer, to have nominations cease and to vote for Lisa by acclimation. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion carries and Lisa is elected Secretary/Treasurer.
Approval of Minutes -
A motion was made by Lisa Lechtenberg, second by Nathan Gillaspie, to approve the minutes of the November and December meetings.
Ayes: 3 (Nathan, Lisa and Emma) Nays: 0 Abstain: 2 (Corey and Carie) Absent: 1 (Leslie).
Financial Report -
Treasurer’s Report was discussed. Amy reported that Donna had a 3% increase in her hourly wage as of December 16, 2025. Motion was made by Emma Vogt, second by Nathan Gillaspie, to pay the estimated January claims.
Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: 1.
Donna will send out notice of the final claims by phone text message to be voted upon.
Committee Reports
Budget Committee –
Amy reported that in March we will have the cost of the new laptop. It will run between 4-5 thousand.
Discussion was held on purchasing a color printer, scanner, and copier for the office. The current one is leaving lines on the page. Donna talked to a repairman, and he stated that it would cost more to fix it than to purchase a new one. Motion made by Corey Finnegan, second by Nathan to purchase a copier up to $700.00.
Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion carries to purchase a new copier.
Nominating Committee -
Nathan’s second term will end December 2026. We will continue to have this on the agenda so that we can come up with names to submit to the Boyd County Supervisors for appointment. Lisa’s first term will also end December 2026. She has agreed to another term. Several suggested names were Beth Lechtenberg and Taya Heisinger.
Programming -
Suggested programing was on grief planning. Bethany reported on who would be available and also that the Women in Ag Conference will address this topic.
Farm Bill Meetings – FSA will help with this when farm bill is set. Meetings will probably be in O’Neill.
Small Business Drought Low Interest Loan – Deadline is February 2.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:23pm by a motion made by Nathan Gillaspie with a second by Corey Finnegan.
Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Absent: 1.
Motion carried.
Extension Board Meetings
By Phone Voting Record
January 22, 2026
Final January Claims and Budget sheets were sent to members by phone text with a link to the final January reports on January 22, 2026. Voting to pay the January Claims:
President Nathan Gillaspie
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against
Vice President Leslie Nielsen
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against
Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Lechtenberg
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against
Board Member Carie Reiman
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against
Board Member Emma Vogt
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against
Board Member Corey Finnegan
Date: January 22, 2026
Voting by: Phone Text
X In Favor Against