Broken Bow City Council approves consent agenda, sets budget hearing for Sept. 23

The Broken Bow City Council on Sept. 9 approved its consent agenda, including the minutes of Aug. 26 and bills and payroll that together totaled $520,040.66. Councilmember Russ Smith moved to approve the consent agenda, Travis Kleeb seconded, and the council voted unanimously in favor (Smith, Kleeb, Holland). Mayor Rod Sonnichsen presided; Joe Wamsley was recorded absent.

The consent agenda included vendor payments listed in the meeting record totaling $427,022.96, bi-weekly payroll of $93,017.70 and a grand total of $520,040.66. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all three present councilmembers voting aye.

The council also voted to excuse the absence of Councilmember Joe Wamsley. That motion was moved by Russ Smith, seconded by Travis Kleeb, and approved unanimously.

In new business, the council set the Budget Hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Councilmember Paul Holland moved the date, Russ Smith seconded, and the motion carried. City Administrator David Schmidt explained that the hearing had been rescheduled “because a publication error of omission, the hearing had to be rescheduled to a later date to allow our accountants time to submit the required document for publication.” He added that the city remained ahead of schedule on budget preparations despite the need to reschedule.

A final procedural motion to adjourn was moved by Russ Smith, seconded by Paul Holland and approved; the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. The meeting minutes were attested by City Clerk Jennifer A. Waterhouse.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda approval — mover: Russ Smith; second: Travis Kleeb; vote: Smith, Kleeb, Holland — aye; Outcome: approved. Excuse absence (Joe Wamsley) — mover: Russ Smith; second: Travis Kleeb; vote: Smith, Kleeb, Holland — aye; Outcome: approved. Set Budget Hearing (Sept. 23, 2025, 4:30 p.m.) — mover: Paul Holland; second: Russ Smith; vote: Smith, Kleeb, Holland — aye; Outcome: approved.