The Beatrice City Council unanimously adopted two ordinances to update the city's stormwater rules and align the code with the Drainage Criteria Manual adopted in September 2020.

Ordinance 25‑39 amends chapter 27 of the Beatrice City Code regarding stormwater erosion and sediment control. Staff said the changes remove duplicative sections (for example, the administration and soil engineering report language already present in the manual) and clarify that the city is the issuing authority. Council voted to suspend the rules and passed the ordinance by an 8–0 vote.

Ordinance 25‑40 amends section 7‑13 of the city code (building code) to eliminate duplicated stormwater criteria from the building-code chapter and instead direct builders to the Drainage Criteria Manual for stormwater requirements. Staff noted local projects such as Heritage Heights and Crow Crossing as examples of where the manual provides the necessary detail. The ordinance passed 8–0.

Council discussion emphasized reducing duplication in the code so future amendments occur in a single authoritative place and prevent conflicting rules.