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Broken Bow council adopts ordinance imposing monthly utility assessments, approves interlocal agreement and surplus property sale
Summary
At its May 26 meeting, the Broken Bow City Council adopted Ordinance 1308 to impose mandatory monthly assessments on utility bills, approved an updated interlocal agreement with the Custer County Communications Center reducing the city’s share to 35%, and accepted a $12,000 bid to sell surplus property at 843 N. 6th Avenue.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen called the Broken Bow City Council to order at 6 p.m. on May 26; councilmembers Russ Smith, Travis Kleeb, Joe Wamsley and Paul Holland were present.
The council approved the consent agenda, which included the May 12 minutes, bills to date and the April 2026 Treasurer’s Report. Clerks presented an itemized bills list and payroll totals; the meeting record lists a grand total of $162,895.37, including bi-weekly payroll of $82,303.03.
In new business the council opened sealed bids for Resolution 2026-05, the sale of surplus real property at 843 N. 6th Avenue. City Administrator David Schmidt opened bids and reported Jerry A. Haines submitted the high bid of $12,000. On a motion by Paul Holland, seconded by Russ Smith, the council accepted Haines’s bid unanimously.
The council then held a public hearing and final action on Ordinance 1308, which would require mandatory monthly assessments on residential and business utility bills and clarify language on tipping fees. Administrator David Schmidt explained the clarifying language and said City Attorney Jason White confirmed it did not change assessed amounts. After closing the hearing, the council suspended the statutory rule requiring additional readings and, on a motion by Paul Holland seconded by Russ Smith, voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 1308.
Council also approved an updated Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with the Custer County Communications Center. Administrator Schmidt said the revised agreement reduces the city’s share of operating costs from 45% to 35%, shortens the term from a 99-year arrangement to a three-year term, requires mandatory quarterly oversight meetings, and ties the city’s annual payment to 35% of the prior year’s operating expenses (excluding equipment). The agreement includes a provision that any county request exceeding a 3% year-over-year increase will require council approval; if the council rejects an excessive ask an automatic 3% increase applies with notice to exit the agreement. Schmidt said the county approved the updated agreement earlier that day. The motion to approve the interlocal agreement carried unanimously.
The council approved Resolution 2026-09, the Paul Hammond Administrative Subdivision, following a short public hearing during which Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb explained that a recorded house encroachment was corrected by adjusting lot lines to create two compliant parcels; the planning commission recommended approval.
The meeting concluded with brief council remarks thanking staff for the City Wide Clean Up efforts and a motion to adjourn, carried unanimously at 6:32 p.m.
