The Broken Bow City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening, October 14, at the Broken Bow Municipal Building. All members were present for the session.
Henderson Promoted
The first order of business for the evening was the promotion of Broken Bow Police Sargent Chris Henderson to the rank of Captain.
In announcing the promotion, City Administrator Dave Schmidt was effusive in praising Henderson, saying, “Chris brings to this role not just years of exemplary service, but a deep rooted commitment to our town that embodies the very spirit of Broken Bow.”
Henderson is the son of former Custer County Sheriff Ted Henderson, and a lifelong resident of Broken Bow.
Schmidt completed his announcement of the promotion by saying, “Today as we elevate him to captain, I know Chris will continue to weave those relationships into every aspect of our work, fostering trust, safety and pride in our town. Chris on behalf of the mayor, the city council and every resident of Broken Bow thank you for your unwavering dedication.
Collective Bargaining Agreement Approved
The council then moved on to approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and Local Union No. 1597 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The Union covers many City workers, including those in the utilities departments, the library, parks and streets. It does not cover the police department, or city employees in supervisory positions.
Schmidt called the negotiations establishing the updated agreement this year agreeable and positive.
Some updates called out by Schmidt included the ability to review wages annually to account for the vagaries of the current economy and inflation. This will allow cost of living changes for city employees to be addressed in a more timely manner.
The maximum number of hours of leave an employee may accrue was leveled for all employees at the highest level currently available, allowing younger employees to accrue more vacation time than they had been able to previously. Also included was a process to excuse city employees for active duty with the Broken Bow Fire Department.
The Council unanimously approved the new Agreement.
Electrical Rates to Increase
Broken Bow Electrical Superintendent Blake Waldow presented proposed increases in electric rates for the upcoming year.
Waldow stated residential rates are set to increase by 2%, while rates for industrial and large power users are increasing by 7%.
Changes are linked to increases in the amount charged by electric wholesaler, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN). Waldow stated though that for indurstrial users anyway, the update represents the first increase in electric rates since 2017.
In order to provide Broken Bow residents an opportunity to weigh in on the change, the Council voted not to approve the updated rates at the current meeting. Any such ordinance is required to be presented three times unless otherwise waived. The electric rate ordinance will be re-considered at the next City Council meeting as well.
Other Council Actions
The Council moved the November 11 City Council Meeting to Monday November 10. The 11th being Veterans Day, the City Offices would be closed that day, and the Municipal Building was already booked for the annual Veterans Dinner.
An application form for work requiring an administrative subdivision was also approved. Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb noted that the process for subdivisions was already in place in existing zoning ordinances, however, the form for documenting the changes was new.
Asked about the $100 fee for subdivision changes, Holcomb noted that he reviewed similar procedures in similar towns, and found fees range from $150 – $200.
As its final act, the Council approved a fireworks display for the November 15 Safranek/Uhling Wedding at the Cobblestone Event Center from 9:50 PM to 10:00 PM.
The meeting of the Broken Bow City Council adjourned at 6:21 PM. The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled for October 28 at 6:00 PM in the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
