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Broken Bow council adopts wellhead protection ordinance
Summary
The Broken Bow City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1264 to adopt a Wellhead Protection Plan prepared by JEO Consulting Group. Council suspended the statutory rule for final reading and approved the ordinance 4-0 after a public hearing in which JEO described the program as voluntary and preventive.
The Broken Bow City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1264 on Oct. 25, 2022, formally adopting a Wellhead Protection Plan prepared by JEO Consulting Group intended to help map and protect the city’s water sources. Councilmember Larry Miller introduced the ordinance and moved to suspend the statutory rule requiring a final reading; Councilmember David Baltz seconded and the suspension passed on a 4-0 roll call vote (Miller, Baltz, Myers and Schmidt).
After the suspension, Miller moved for final passage and Councilmember David Schmidt seconded. The ordinance was adopted by roll call vote (ayes Miller, Schmidt, Myers and Baltz). Mayor Rod Sonnichsen declared Ordinance No. 1264 adopted.
Natural Resources Specialist Adam Rupe of JEO, who attended the hearing to answer questions, described the ordinance as “an addition to a prior Ordinance which allowed for the mapping of Broken Bow's water sources” and said the program is “completely voluntary and a preventative measure rather than a remedial.” The hearing record shows no formal opposition; the council closed the public hearing at 6:38 p.m.
The ordinance title as read to the Council states that it adopts the Wellhead Protection Plan as prepared by JEO Consulting Group, provides for repeal of inconsistent ordinances and establishes when the ordinance will take effect and be published in pamphlet form. The transcript does not specify an effective date beyond the standard adoption and publication language in the ordinance title.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: the ordinance text was adopted and staff were directed to publish the ordinance in pamphlet form as stated in the ordinance language. The minutes do not record additional implementation steps or assigned follow-up tasks for specific departments.
Votes at a glance • Suspension of statutory rule for final reading: motion by Larry Miller, seconded by David Baltz; vote 4-0 (Miller, Baltz, Myers, Schmidt) — adopted. • Final passage of Ordinance No. 1264 (Wellhead Protection Plan): motion by Larry Miller, seconded by David Schmidt; vote 4-0 (Miller, Schmidt, Myers, Baltz) — adopted.
Authorities referenced: Ordinance No. 1264, Wellhead Protection Plan (prepared by JEO Consulting Group).
