Columbus council adopts FY25‑26 budget, sets property tax hearing; approves downtown lighting project and other measures

Columbus City Council on Sept. 2 adopted its fiscal year 2025‑26 budget, approved related fee and pay plans and set a joint property‑tax hearing with an asking amount of $7,562,660.83.

The council approved the budget and associated items after the Committee of the Whole recommended adoption. Mayor Boeckley, speaking about the choices behind the budget, said, "when you take a $75,000,000 operating budget and have $200,000 in what you would call a positive balance, it's not much." The council then voted to set a joint property tax hearing for Sept. 18, 2025, with the stated asking amount of $7,562,660.83.

The budget vote followed approvals earlier in the meeting of the fee schedule, the pay plan and the capital improvement plan; council members moved and seconded the committee reports and adopted them without extended discussion.

Also on the consent and business agenda, the council:

- Recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for a retail class D liquor license for Tienda e Panaderia Suarez LLC, 1709‑20 Third Street, naming Javier Suarez Maldonado as manager. Manager Angelica Palacios spoke briefly at the public hearing and said she had not previously participated in this process.

- Adopted the Public Property, Safety and Works Committee's Pavement Management Program and priority list and accepted the committee recommendation on the 2026 one‑ and six‑year road plan; a public hearing on the road plan was scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 15, 2025.

- Adopted Resolution R25‑117 to use the design‑build delivery system for lighting improvements at Frankfurt Square and designated City Engineer Rick Bogus to develop performance criteria for the project. Jean, speaking for the downtown Business Improvement District, said the BID had set money aside for the project and received an anonymous $25,000 donation toward lighting the area to improve nighttime ambience and safety.

- Appointed Chuck Slido to the Employee Retirement Committee for a two‑year term and Terry Haysacker to the rank of police sergeant. During his remarks after appointment, Sergeant Haysacker said, "I'm just excited ... to be given that opportunity," and described his long experience with the department and local volunteer service.

- Accepted a vendor quote from MRS Distribution LLC for $17,860 for UV bulbs and accessories for well No. 19.

- Held the first reading of Ordinance No. 25‑14 to amend Section 133.99 of Columbus City Code (Title 13, Chapter 133) to add a $100 penalty for unlawful discharge of fireworks. The ordinance advanced on first reading; the council indicated the second and third readings will follow, with a final vote on the third reading expected at the first meeting in October.

Many routine consent items were approved by single motions, and several committee reports were adopted without further discussion. Public participation at the meeting was limited; most votes were voice votes with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript): - Consent agenda (minutes, Civil Service certifications, resolution authorizing payments, payroll and bills): approved (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Liquor license: council recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed/recommended). - Pavement Management Program and priority list: committee recommendation adopted (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - 2026 one‑ and six‑year road plan: committee recommendation adopted; public hearing scheduled for 09/15/2025 at 6 p.m. (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed; hearing scheduled). - FY25‑26 fee schedule, pay plan, capital improvement plan, and budget: adopted following Committee of the Whole recommendations (motions and seconds; voice votes; outcomes: all passed). - Property tax hearing and asking amount: set for 09/18/2025 with asking of $7,562,660.83 (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Appointment of Chuck Slido to Employee Retirement Committee: approved (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Appointment of Terry Haysacker as police sergeant: approved (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Acceptance of MRS Distribution LLC quote for $17,860: approved (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Resolution R25‑117 (Frankfurt Square lighting, design‑build): adopted (motion and second; voice vote; outcome: passed). - Ordinance No. 25‑14 (fireworks penalty): introduced on first reading; additional readings required before final adoption.

The council adjourned after completing the evening's agenda. No further public hearings or extended debates were recorded on the listed items.