City Council Discusses Electrical Rates, Mayor Addresses Rumors

City Council Discusses Electrical Rates, Mayor Addresses Rumors
Broken Bow City Council, Tuesday, October 22

BROKEN BOW—A second public hearing was held on Ordinance 1214 Electrical Rates during Tuesday’s city council meeting. In a less than 30-minute long meeting the council heard the second reading of Ordinance 1214 with Electrical Superintendent Jeremy Tarr echoing the one-percent increase for large industries as discussed during the October 8 meeting.

The council voted to not waive the last two readings and another public hearing will take place at the next meeting.

Property owner Justin Russell said the remodeling process at 631 South 9th Avenue has been a “slow, painful process but is headed in the right direction.” Broken Bow Police Chief Steve Scott said the house has been painted and is safer than it used to be. The council approved to extend the demolition of the property for a period of six months at the advisement of Chief Scott.

Kirk Crawley was appointed to the Board of Adjustment for a term ending February 2022.

Ordinance 1211 O’Reilly Administrative Lot Split Subdivision was approved by the city council following a public hearing and previous approval from the Planning Commission and Board of Public Works. City Clerk Stephanie Wright said the lot was along Highway 2 near the Catholic cemetery but said she could not comment on the future plans of the lot. The subdivision application listed O’Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC as the developer.

A public hearing was held regarding Ordinance 1215 Wellhead Protection Area, which was approved, “for the purpose of protecting the public water supply system.” Water/Wastewater Superintendent Darren Marten said the ordinance allows for a hydraulic study of water flow over the next 50 years to keep Broken Bow’s water pure and reduce the risk of contamination.

During a period of public comments at the end of Tuesday’s city council meeting Mayor Jonathon Berghorst was asked about his vision for the city and current rumors that are circulating.

Custer County Chief Managing Editor Mona Weatherly spoke before the council and asked the mayor directly about some of the “circulating rumors” regarding city vehicles being followed and photographed with pictures appearing on Facebook. He said he knew nothing about that.

When asked about a rumor of the Broken Bow electrical department being a focus of Custer Public Power (CPPD), the mayor said  no one in the city is attempting to transition the Broken Bow electrical department to CPPD.

“The city of Broken Bow would not be able to run without the electrical department. It’s our biggest revenue,” Mayor Berghorst said.

Weatherly asked for comment about city employees, private citizens, business men and women, or representatives from the press fearing intimidation from the mayor or his family in the current atmosphere of the city.

“I’m not very intimidating,” Berghorst said. “They’re rumors.”

Weatherly asked about the mayor’s vision for the city and asked if he could present a plan by the end of the year. The mayor said a plan is already in place with getting the budget under control and upgrading utilities and infrastructure that is more than 100 years old.

 




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