During the public-comment portion of the Aug. 14 meeting, resident Willis Hunt of 616 Madden Road urged the Hastings Utilities Advisory Board and city officials to focus on economic development and clearer use of funds administered by the Hastings Economic Development Corporation (HEDC).

Hunt said Grand Island uses a sales-tax revenue stream commonly called LB840 to produce roughly $900,000 a year for economic development, and he contrasted that with the local HEDC account. He said the HEDC/related fund in Hastings had about $1,013,000 originally, with approximately $813,000 remaining in 2025. Hunt said those dollars are not currently tied to a public list of projects and argued constituents deserve transparency about how the money will be used. “You have to list the projects, and you can't deviate from that,” Hunt said, referencing how LB840 proposals are typically presented to voters.

Hunt told the board HEDC staff had identified housing and an industrial development park as priorities, and he urged the board to consider setting aside funds for an industrial development area. Board members responded that HEDC and the advisory board have discussed the funding and that both housing and industrial projects had been considered; board members noted that taking funds to a public vote may be required before reallocating or repurposing the revenue stream.

Board members thanked Hunt for his service and comments; several said they take economic-development funding and budgeting seriously and that a transparent project list is necessary before taking funds to voters. The board did not take action on Hunt’s suggestions but acknowledged the comments would be taken into account as they finalize budget and policy recommendations to City Council.