The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners authorized the board chair to sign a letter, drafted by North Platte Bulletin publisher George Laube and supported by local civic leaders, urging the U.S. Postal Service and Nebraska’s congressional delegation to address deteriorating mail service that residents and businesses report in and around North Platte.

Laube summarized complaints that mail delivery windows have lengthened, processing changes slowed first-class mail, drop boxes and rural post-office pick-ups now go once a day rather than twice, and that staffing shortages and unfamiliar substitute carriers have contributed to mis-sorted, delayed and returned mail. He cited examples including delayed property valuation notices and time-sensitive medication deliveries that local recipients reported taking many days to arrive.

The board discussed options for distributing the letter; Commissioner Hayek moved and a second was received to authorize the chair to sign and to provide the letter to the congressional delegation and postmaster general, with some commissioners offering to hand-deliver copies. The motion carried on roll call. Several local media leaders and civic officials present said they would sign on; the mayor had already agreed to sign.

Commissioners emphasized the importance of notifying the congressional delegation and the postmaster general and directed staff to pursue hand delivery and follow-up, noting some deliverables (e.g., lab water samples and veterans’ prescriptions) depend on timely postal service in rural areas.