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WCNDD presents nuisance-abatement plan to Arnold trustees; program could cost about $12,000 per section
Summary
At a July 28 special meeting, Edward Dunn of the West Central Nebraska Development District outlined a multi-step nuisance abatement program—developed with Creighton University School of Law—that would use an appointed nuisance officer, staged assessments and potential abatement, and could cost roughly $12,000 per section over four years. The board will consider applying on Aug. 11.
Edward Dunn, executive director of the West Central Nebraska Development District, presented a proposed Nuisance Abatement Program to the Village of Arnold Board of Trustees at a July 28 special meeting.
Dunn told trustees the program, developed with assistance from Creighton University School of Law, is an administrative approach intended to be legally defensible while giving property owners multiple opportunities to comply. "By appointing WCNDD as the Nuisance Officer that allows a fair and impartial review of properties," Dunn said.
Dunn listed conditions WCNDD treats as nuisances, including odorous or putrid organic matter; unsecured vaults or pits; filthy yards, vacant lots and buildings; improperly stored animal manure; improperly disposed household waste; unsecured trash, debris and scrap materials; dangerous buildings with structural defects; junkyards and automobile wrecking areas in residential zones; stagnant water on properties; abandoned or inoperable vehicles left more than 30 days; unorganized wood or tree limbs; debris from burned buildings; poorly maintained animal enclosures that emit foul odors; and weeds over 12 inches tall.
The proposed process includes adoption of a local ordinance, appointment of a nuisance officer, area identification (division of the community into three to five sections), a cost formula and agreement, a public information campaign, windshield assessments from public rights-of-way with photographs and documentation, courtesy letters, follow-up assessments, a declaration-of-nuisance resolution, show-cause hearings if requested, and, if necessary, motions to abate followed by actual abatement and special assessments.
Dunn said WCNDD’s program is intended to provide due process and documented steps before any abatement. He told the board that "as of 2024 WCNDD has reviewed over 19,000 properties," of which 2,301 were declared nuisances, 120 were abated and 83 unsafe structures removed.
Cheryl Carson, economic development director and vice-chair of the Central Nebraska Economic Development District Board, said CNEDD is considering starting a similar nuisance-abatement program but that local implementation through CNEDD could take up to two years. Trustee Donnell DeLosh asked how the village would move from WCNDD to CNEDD; Dunn said the transfer would occur through an interlocal agreement between the two districts.
Dunn provided a local cost estimate: dividing Arnold into four sections would yield an estimated cost of about $12,000 per section, and the work would be expected to take approximately four years to complete if the village pursues the WCNDD program. The board scheduled consideration of submitting an application to WCNDD for the Nuisance Abatement Program at its August 11, 2025 meeting.
The special meeting was convened at the Arnold Community Center and adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
