North Platte council adopts annexation ordinance, approves $317,319.83 warrant and several purchases

The North Platte City Council on Dec. 16 adopted Ordinance No. 4242, annexing 11 government-owned parcels into the city limits, totaling approximately 51.9797 acres, and approved a resolution authorizing issuance of a warrant to Paulson Inc. for $317,319.83.

The annexation measure was approved on second reading after a motion by Councilmember Volz and a second by Councilmember McNew. The presiding official announced that the measure had passed. The ordinance brings roughly 52 acres of government-owned land into the city of North Platte.

Council also approved the consent agenda, which had been presented as routine business. Items approved include placing the treasurer’s reports for October and November 2025 on file, approval of minutes from Dec. 2, 2025, authorization for the mayor to sign documents related to a warranty deed for property at 1619 West 13th Street, and an approved contract extension for yard and tree-waste hauling and disposal by Ryan Coleman. The consent agenda was initially moved by Bowles and seconded by Nisley; item d (the purchase of two semitractors) was removed from the omnibus vote for separate consideration and later approved on a motion by Reeker, seconded by Volz.

The council approved the purchase of two semitractors for the sanitation department under Sourcewell contract pricing, in the amount of $252,879, with local dealership participation noted. The council also awarded a street/right-of-way mowing contract to Big Brother Landscaping in the amount of $8,500 plus $6.50 per mowing cycle.

Separately, the council approved a resolution authorizing issuance of a single warrant to Paulson Inc. for $317,319.83 to pay an approved claim, referencing terms of Ordinance No. 3874 relating to warrant financing.

During approval of claims, a councilmember asked about a line item listed as 'Orchardland's card center' in the fire department portion of the claims and about charges tied to phone-company billing. A staff member, identified in the meeting as Keith Reeves, explained that some telephone companies bill a maintenance fee related to the Master Street Address Guide and noted the fees are tied to landline collections.

The mayor removed two agenda items from tonight’s agenda (items 3 and 5) because several council members were absent due to illness; those items will be considered at the next meeting in January. A member of the public asked how to request a public hearing; the presiding official said requests should be brought to the mayor with the rationale and that items must fall within the council’s authority.

A motion to adjourn, moved by Reeker and seconded by Volz, carried and the council adjourned with holiday remarks and plans to reconvene in January.