BROKEN BOW – Residents of Broken Bow could be seeing an increase on their water and sewer bills soon. The topic was a topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s council meeting. All council members were present except Chris Myers, who was excused.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Ryan Jones came before council and explained that 2020 was the last time the city had implemented rate increases. He continued by saying that the rate increases were being suggested to work toward building reserves back up since they are running out, adding that the sewer department had actually been running at a loss for some time. The reserves would eliminate the need for bonds on future projects, and in turn, the interest payments for them as well.
Proposed increases are 10% for water and 16.5% for sewer, which would end up being an average monthly increase between $11 and $14 on monthly bills for residents. City Administrator Dave Schmidt stated that a separate piece of legislation was being worked on that would put in place a standard percent increase annually, in order to alleviate large increases in the future.
A new industrial sewer rate proposal was also introduced by Jones, which would be applied on a per-case basis to businesses that discharge large amounts into the city’s sewer system that could be harmful to the treatment process. The pH level of some waste water from BD was used as an example, and Jones said that BD had been contacted about the potential industrial rate. The implementation of the new rate would help ease the increase on residential bills.
The three readings of both the water and sewer rate increases were not waived, setting up further discussion at the next Council meeting.
City Council also gave authorization to Dave Schmidt to pursue the purchase of the property described as the “Broken Bow Armory”, which is located on South 1st Avenue. Schmidt told KCNI/KBBN following the meeting that the building has been demilitarized and is currently owned by the state. He said several options have been tossed around about a potential use for the building if a purchase is achieved, including possibly a rec center, but that no option has risen higher than another.
A bid for snow removal assistance from Myers Construction was accepted by Council. The $115/hour weekday and $140/hour evenings/holiday/weekend rates are both a $5 per hour increase from last year.
Payment of $409,535.68 was approved to Myers Construction for work completed on the Eagle Crest subdivision project. Schmidt indicated that sewer work is complete, water is almost done or done, and that pavement is the next step.
Approval was given by Council for the completion of the sale of S&L Sanitation Service from Sherman Porter to Joseph Roach. The city held a right of last refusal if the business were to ever be sold, and a novation agreement is also in effect which holds that the buyer (Roach) has been sent notice of the intent to renegotiate the current contract in 2028 when it expires.
In other City Council business from Tuesday’s meeting:
– Approved unanimously: The vacation of the first 125 feet South of the South 9th Avenue and South K Street intersection on a plotted street location for the construction of a car port or garage. Recommendation for approval was made by the mayor and zoning board.
– Approved unanimously: Motions that nuisance properties at 118 South 15th Avenue and 139 South 14th Avenue had been corrected as suggested. The 15th Avenue home is slated to be demolished eventually.
– Approved unanimously: Broken Bow Ambulance bylaws
– Approved unanimously: The reappointment of Steven Parr of JEO Consulting Group as the street superintendent from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, the appointment of JEO Consulting Group as the city engineer for 2025, and the authorization for signing the year-end certification of the city street superintendent.
The next City Council meeting will be Tuesday, November 26 at 6 PM at the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
