The Broken Bow City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening, May 26. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rod Sonnichsen at 6:00 PM in the upstairs Council Chambers in the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
Two Utility Ordinances Heard
The Council reviewed two utility-related ordinances at Tuesday’s meeting. The first item was the second reading of an ordinance increasing the trash rate for city residents. As previously reported, S&L Sanitation Service has requested a rate increase of $2 a month for residential service and $4 monthly for small, medium, and large businesses.
City Administrator Dave Schmidt noted that since the previous meeting, he had received no questions or concerns about the increase. The Council waived further readings of the ordinance and approved the rate increase.
Electrical Superintendent Blake Waldow, approached the Council requesting an increase in electric rates. Waldow noted that the wholesaler that the City buys electricity from has increased their rates by 5%. Waldow sought a 4% increase for his customers. The city last updated electric rates in November of 2025, following a prior rate hike from electric wholesalers.
Waldow also noted the updates to the electric rates to correct inconsistencies in past rate calculations between city and rural customers, establishing a consistent 7.89% higher rate for rural customers across all usage levels. Waldow said the previous structure unfairly charged some rural customers significantly higher rates and that the updated pricing better aligns rates based on power usage.
Based on a recommendation from Sonnichsen, the Council will wait on approval, allowing the public to consider and provide input at future meetings.
City Administrator Provides Updates, Comments
The Council approved a new Interlocal Agreement between the City and Custer County Communications Center, which handles all calls for law enforcement, medical, and fire services within the county. The Custer County Supervisors had approved the agreement earlier in the day.
Schmidt noted that the new agreement was the result of much work, and results in several benefits to the City, including a 10% reduction in the cost-share for the City, more frequent reviews between the City and County, and the ability for the Council to review and approve or reject any cost increases above 3%.
Council President Russ Smith thanked Sonnichsen, Schmidt, and Emergency Services Head Dave Baltz for their efforts on the agreement.
Schmidt later returned to the podium to discuss three items of interest. Schmidt noted that the City-wide Cleanup day held May 16 was a great success. 33,880 pounds of trash was dropped off to the city, an increase of 8,500 pounds over last year. By noon, the city tree dump had seen at least 120 drop-offs.
Mayor Sonnichsen joined Schmidt in thanking the many city employees who gave extra time to making the project a success.
Schmidt also noted that a draft ordinance regarding E-bikes is in the works, but not quite ready to present for review. Schmidt said the current draft is on the stricter side of those established in other communities, banning E-bikes in the Square and business district. However, the City is seeking the active participation and feedback of the public – copies of the draft ordinance are available for review at the City offices, and comments are welcome.
Finally, Schmidt followed up on his morning’s comments to the Custer County Supervisors on zoning regulations covering data centers. Schmidt said that public concerns about such facilities have been heard, and both the City and County are looking to adopt regulations preventing any adverse impacts that a data center might have on the region.
Other Business:
- Jerry Haines won the bid for the property at 843 N 6th street. Haines’ bid of $12,000 beat out three other bids. Sonnichsen noted it would be good to have the property back on the tax rolls for the City.
- A petition for a change to lots at 909 and 923 South 7th Streets was approved by the Council. Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb noted that the change moved the lot lines, placing a house that once straddled both lots in a single lot, and allowing the other lot to be sold separately.
The Broken Bow City Council adjourned at 6:32 PM. The next meeting of the Council will be Tuesday, June 9 at 6:00 PM.
