BROKEN BOW— The Broken Bow City Council approved the 2019-2020 property tax request and budget at the regular meeting on Tuesday, September 10. The board voted unanimously to approve the tax request at $1,325,389.00. According to the resolution, the total assessed value of property differs from last year’s total assessed value by 3%.
City Treasurer Nancee Coufal noted that they had tried to keep the increase at a minimum to offset the tax increase from the Custer County Board of Supervisors, but bond payments were going to be higher for 2019-2020. Coufal also informed the board that the city would run in a deficit in next year’s budget, but was hopeful that the following year the city would break even or possibly be ahead.
The board also approved the increase of the Restricted Funds by 1%, approved the wage ordinance, and approved the appropriation bill to finish off the budget section of the meeting.
Other meeting topics included the approval for the ADA accessible playground to move from Indian Hills to Melham Park. Originally the plan was to build the new playground at Indian Hills, but after discussion with the Park Board, it was decided that the best idea was to build the playground at Melham Park.
Carlene Albin told the board that due to the other ADA accessible facilities that were already at Melham Park, it makes the most sense to have the playground at that location. Park Board Chairman Paul Holland also told the City Council that the Park Board had voted unanimously to recommend this idea to the council. Holland noted that when the funds were raised for the ADA playground, plans would begin to build the new playground and move the existing playground.
Other approvals included the one and six year plans that were presented to the board by Streets Superintendent Bud Clark, Ordinance 1206 Water Rates and Ordinance 1207 Sewer Rates was approved, and a payment of $498 to JEO Consulting Group for work on the Broken Bow Flood Risk Reduction.
The Broken Bow City Council entered executive session at approximately 6:30 PM for the purpose of a strategy session regarding collective bargaining.
The next Broken Bow City Council Meeting will take place on September 24 at 6 PM at the Broken Bow Public Library.
