The Broken Bow City Council held two meetings on Tuesday, September 12. The first was the public budget hearing for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and the second was its regular meeting. All members were present for the budget meeting except Councilman Baltz.
Jeff Oeltjen, CPA with Dana F. Cole and Co., took the podium for the budget hearing, outlining where the money was to be allocated for the coming 2023-24 fiscal year. Overall, the property tax request for Broken Bow residents will be a total of $1,231,706.11. Of that, $972,187.11 will go to the general fund, and the remainder, $289,519, will go to the city’s bond fund.
After adjournment of the budget hearing, the Council immediately convened for its regular meeting. All members, including Council President Baltz, were present. A public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 1271, the Annual Appropriation Bill and it received unanimous approval. Unanimous approval was also given after a public hearing of Resolution 2023-13 that set the final property tax request for 2023-24. Resolution 2023-12, granting a 1% increase to restricted funds, also passed unanimously. City department wages were set through the public hearing and approval of Ordinance 1272. Mayor Sonnichsen and Council President Schmidt thanked all the city staff, especially City Treasurer Jennifer Waterhouse, for their work in preparing the budget for the next fiscal year.
At the beginning of the regular meeting, the consent agenda was approved and the Council approved action for the city to move forward with a nuisance property at 843 North 6th. In communication, Russ Smith representing the Diamond Youth Organization (DYO), said that group is planning to work on the Tyke Arnold Field. The labor and materials will be donated and with DYO assistance, no cost will be incurred by the city.
The next Broken Bow City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 26, and as always, is open to the public.
