The Broken Bow City Council met for its regular session on Monday evening, November 10 at the Broken Bow Municipal Building. All Council Members were present for the meeting.
Council Hears Emergency Management Update
After approval of the consent agenda, including minutes from the October 28 meeting, bills for the month and the updated Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department Roster, the Council heard from Emergency Services Department Head David Baltz.
Baltz provided an overview of a successful past year for Broken Bow Emergency Services. Baltz noted a call volume of 483 incidents so far this year, a 15% increase in calls over last year. 41% of those calls required at least some form of Advanced Life Support (ALS) care.
Inter-facility (hospital-to-hospital) transports are up substantially, from 63 last year to 97 as of the Council meeting.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen noted the ability for Broken Bow Emergency Services to provide this transport represents a significant benefit in patient care, saving anywhere from 3 to 8 hours waiting on transport from out of town.
Technological improvements include two new Stryker LIFEPAK 35 Monitor/Defibrillators and inclusion of Starlink internet connection in all three ambulances, providing communication connectivity even when out of cell-phone range.
The Broken Bow Emergency Services are staffed by 32 professional volunteers, including EMTs, Advanced EMTs and two paramedics.
Up next the Broken Bow Emergency Services will host the Lincoln Fire & Rescue (LFR) Resuscitation Academy December 13th and 14th to provide advanced cardiac training in western Nebraska.
Water Main Work Continues on Highway 2 in Broken Bow
The other substantive items under taken by the Council were a series of measures regarding work on the water main along the south side of Highway 2 in Broken Bow.
According to Water and Sewer Superintendent Ryan Jones, the work was delayed earlier this year to deconflict with the major street resurfacing that took place along the same route. One item approved by the Council was an update extending the substantial completion date for the work by Myers Construction from August to December 31.
Starting November 11th, the Council also approved closure of South 13th Ave and South 15th Ave along the south side of Highway 2 for the water main construction.
Some activities however are designed to alleviate disruption during the water main work. The Council approved installation of of an “8-inch tapping tee” with valve and box for an additional $8,712.50. Jones told KCNI/KBBN that the purpose of this equipment was to alleviate the need to turn off water service while making new connections during the construction.
Council member Joe Wamsley abstained from voting on actions related to work done by Myers Construction.
Other Council Action
Other actions taken by the city Council on Monday Evening included the final approval of an ordinance increasing electric rates. As previously reported, rates will increase between 2% and 7% under this ordinance, depending on the residential or industrial nature of the electric user.
Broken Bow Police Chief Chris Anderson was approved as a signer for bank accounts at Nebraska State Bank, a change needed due to Anderson’s appointment to the position.
Steven Parr of JEO Consulting Group, Inc. was re-appointed to the position of Street Superintendent. Described as a housekeeping action, the Street Superintendent is required to hold certain professional licenses. Parr has held the position since 2020.
JEO Consulting was also renewed as the City Engineer for 2026.
The Broken Bow City Council adjourned at 6:25. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25th in the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
