The move of the Broken Bow City Council to a more formal and permanent site took another step forward recently with the installation of furniture in the future Council Chambers on the upper level of the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
The long process toward completion of the Council Chambers was set back in May 2024, when a combination of bad timing and heavy rains while roof repairs were being carried out caused extensive damage to the center of Broken Bow government.
With the water damage repaired and initial construction in the second-floor space nearing completion, the council member desks and podium were brought out of storage and installed on the short stage at the front of the room.
Broken Bow City Administrator Dave Schmidt told KCNI/KBBN that the furniture actually pre-dates his time in office. Prior Administrator Dan Knoell originally purchased the furniture through the Cornhusker State Industries wood shop at the Omaha Correctional Center.
Schmidt praised both the quality of the construction of the items and the price, saying that the arch of light blond wood desks where the members will sit cost only in the range of $7,000, estimating a significantly higher price for similar, hand-build materials if purchased commercially. A matching podium for addressing the Council includes a laser etching of the Broken Bow City motto: “Rooted, But Not Standing Still”.
While substantially smaller than the auditorium the Council currently occupies, when complete, Schmidt estimates an audience of 30-40 citizens should be able to be present for meetings in the new Council Chambers.
However, before the Chambers can be used additional electronic equipment is still to be installed. Unfortunately, the items are currently on back-order there is currently no indication of when they will be available.
Additionally, an elevator is planned to be installed in place of the stairwell that currently occupies the southeast corner of the entryway atrium to provide ADA-compliant access to all citizens. Schmidt noted that if the Council Chambers are able to be occupied before the elevator is complete, the council would always be able to convene in the auditorium again as needed.
With more convenient seating for all and better acoustics helping everyone hear and participate in Council deliberations, Schmidt is excited about the changes coming the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
