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Shelton trustees raise property tax request and approve $240,000 water meter purchase and other measures
Summary
On Sept. 11, 2025, the Village of Shelton Board of Trustees adopted a property tax request that raises the tax rate to $0.649411 per $100, passed the annual appropriation ordinance, and approved purchases including 470 water meters (not to exceed $240,000) and police vehicle laptops; the board also enacted an on-call pay policy and a wages ordinance.
The Village of Shelton Board of Trustees on Sept. 11 adopted a property tax request for fiscal 2025–2026 that sets the general levy at $422,843.57 and a bond levy of $126,409.57, a package the board said will result in a proposed tax rate of $0.649411 per $100 of assessed value. The resolution noted the village’s total assessed value rose 12.85% and, based on changes in other revenues, projected the village’s operating budget distributions would increase by 85.34% from the prior year. The board voted 4–0 in favor with Trustee Jensen absent.
The trustees also read and adopted Ordinance No. 875, the annual appropriation (budget) ordinance, at the same meeting. Four trustees present voted to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance; the board ordered the ordinance published in pamphlet form.
Among other purchases approved, the board adopted Resolution No. 25-09-11A to acquire 470 one-inch Neptune water meters with associated software and training from Municipal Supply of Hastings for a cost not to exceed $240,000, and authorized the chairman, utility superintendent and clerk to execute necessary contracts. The board approved the measure by unanimous vote of those present.
Police Chief Clark presented a quote to make in-vehicle computers compatible with Buffalo County systems; the board adopted Resolution No. 25-09-11B authorizing the purchase of two laptop computers and docking stations for police vehicles for a price not to exceed $7,200.
The board approved a contract with Thrasher Foundation Repair, presented by Marsha Fairbanks of the Lions Club, to level concrete and repaint part of the tennis/pickleball courts for $7,559.97.
On personnel matters, trustees adopted a change to the personnel manual establishing on-call pay for utilities employees through Resolution No. 25-09-12D. The resolution directs that a non-exempt utilities employee on call will receive $25 per day and that employees called in will receive overtime pay for a minimum of one hour per call unless the call begins less than an hour before a scheduled shift. The board also passed Ordinance No. 876, setting wages and the timing of raises; the final recorded vote on passage was 3–0 with Trustee Keslar recorded as abstaining and Trustee Jensen absent.
Other business included authorization to open a separate checking account for library grant funds (with a two-signature withdrawal requirement naming the Administrative Clerk, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman as authorized signers), an update on library ADA parking and lift projects from Reed Miller of Miller & Associates, and a discussion of a TextMyGov communications system (the board favored a one-way texting option for village-to-resident messages). The board voted to waive the 120-day objection period for lot splits in the Keslar Estates subdivision; Trustee Keslar abstained from that vote.
The board also approved the municipal annual certification of program compliance required for state highway allocation funds, citing Nebraska statutes governing the certification process, and approved claims as presented. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 25-09-11 (property tax request): Yes — Rabbe, Oberg, Keslar, Roe; Absent — Jensen. Ordinance No. 875 (annual appropriation): Yes — Keslar, Rabbe, Oberg, Roe; Absent — Jensen. Resolution No. 25-09-11A (470 water meters, ≤ $240,000): Yes — Roe, Oberg, Rabbe, Keslar; Absent — Jensen. Resolution No. 25-09-11B (police laptops, ≤ $7,200): Yes — Roe, Oberg, Rabbe, Keslar; Absent — Jensen. Resolution No. 25-09-11C (annual certification): Yes — Roe, Oberg, Rabbe, Keslar; Absent — Jensen. Waiver of 120-day objection period (Keslar Estates): Yes — Roe, Oberg, Rabbe; Abstain — Keslar; Absent — Jensen. Resolution No. 25-09-12D (on-call pay): Yes — Roe, Oberg, Rabbe, Keslar; Absent — Jensen. Ordinance No. 876 (wages/raises): Adopted — Yes 3 (Rabbe, Oberg, Roe); Abstain 1 (Keslar); Absent — Jensen. Claims payment: Yes — Roe, Oberg, Keslar, Rabbe.
The article is based on the board’s minutes and adopted resolutions from the Sept. 11, 2025 meeting and reports presented during that session. The board certified the minutes on Sept. 16, 2025.
