The Broken Bow City Council met for its regular session Tuesday evening, August 12th .
Councilman Luke Wassom was not present for the meeting.
City Street Improvements Discussed
After approving the Consent Agenda, which included an update to the Broken Bow
Ambulance Service Roster, the Council heard from Street Superintendent Steve Parr.
Parr presented a draft plan for potential street improvements in 1- and 6-year
increments. Parr indicated that while the work may or may not actually occur due to
budget constraints, the 1-year plan represented priority work. The 1-year plan includes work on low-water crossings in at least two locations around town, as well as numerous projects to improve Memorial Drive, ranging from simple concrete panel replacement to full reconstruction in some areas. The 6-year plan includes downtown street and sidewalk projects. A public hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks before the Council formally adopts the plan. Parr indicated the Street Plan is one of several requirements for obtaining Highway Allocation Funding from the State of Nebraska which must be matched by the City at a 25% rate and used expressly for street and road projects. City Administrator Dave Schmidt noted the city receives around $550,000 from the state. Another of the requirements for receiving Highway Allocation Funding is a Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance, which the Council also approved Tuesday evening.
During Council Comments, council member Paul Holland reported 3-way and 4-way
signs are on order to be installed with the new stop signs around the down-town area,
after a Facebook post from Broken Bow Chamber Director Stephanie Grafel reminding
drivers about the signs generated a swell of public comment. Administrator Schmidt indicated other issues with sign placement will be addressed soon as well. Grafel noted it is important for concerned citizens to also attend city council meetings to ensure they are informed and can provide feedback directly to the City.
Broken Bow Airport Authority Interlocal Agreement
The Council unanimously approved an agreement to provide funding of $13,000 in
2025-2026 to the Broken Bow Airport Authority. Robert Staab was on hand to provide
an update on activities at the Broken Bow Municipal Airport. Staab reported that with
the help of matching funds from the City, the airport has been able to upgrade
navigation aids, as well as update approach lighting dating from the 1960s.
This year will bring an airport terminal rehab project to fix a damaged roof and other
interior work, reported to cost about $280,000. Next year is slated for work on the
runway and taxiways. Staab noted that the airport provides services to the air ambulance and specialty doctors that arrive weekly, as well as providing a base for state and federal powerline inspection helicopters. Staab also reported the Nebraska National Guard is considering using the airport north of Broken Bow as staging for state-wide drills.
Other Council Action
In other matters before the Council, payment of $334,130.90 was approved to Myers
Construction for work completed on the Eagle Crest Subdivision through early summer.
Finally, the Council approved a pay raise for City Administrator David Schmidt.
Schmidt’s salary will now be $107,500. Council President Russ Smith thanked Schmidt
for his work, noting it is often above and beyond what the Council calls for, and stated
the pay raise is well earned. Schmidt responded “It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
