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Tecumseh council approves CDBG application, adopts budget ordinance and signs several contracts
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting the Tecumseh City Council approved a CDBG Downtown Revitalization application and related program guidelines, authorized a $25,000 agreement with SENDD for GRID resiliency work, adopted the 2025-26 appropriation ordinance and approved multiple contracts and transfers.
The Tecumseh City Council on Sept. 2 approved a slate of economic-development and budget measures, including authorizing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for commercial façade rehabilitation and adopting the city's 2025-26 appropriation ordinance.
At a public hearing opened at 5:02 p.m., Brittany McCullough of the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) reiterated the terms of the city's CDBG application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for commercial façade rehabilitation. The hearing closed at 5:04 p.m. Council then adopted program guidelines for the CDBG Downtown Revitalization (DTR) program and approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the application. The council also appointed the city's Economic Development Board to serve as the CDBG DTR committee.
Council Member Brian Britt moved to approve a $25,000 agreement with SENDD to support an NDEE GRID Resiliency Project; Council Member Lorie Topp seconded and the motion passed unanimously among the members present (Beethe, Britt, Goracke, Speckmann, Topp; Brommer absent).
Council business also focused on the city budget. City Clerk Janelle Moran reported she was finishing the budget and would file it with the state and that audit work for fiscal 2024-25 was beginning. Following introduction and a motion to waive the multi-day title reading, the council approved final passage of the annual appropriation ordinance to set the 2025-26 budget and ordered it published in pamphlet form. The council voted to increase the Restricted Funds Base for the 2025-26 budget by 1% over the allowable growth percentage and approved a resolution setting the 2025-26 property tax request at a different amount than the prior year; the minutes do not record the specific dollar amount of the tax request.
On other agenda items, the council approved an Economic Development lot transfer agreement authorizing the mayor to execute a deed in favor of Louis Keim, and unanimously accepted a bid from Miller Painting and Decorating to sandblast and repaint the municipal swimming pool for $58,710. Utility staff member Davison reported that staff had run engines with OPPD on site after a power outage that damaged transformers; new fuses were ordered. Parks staff reported work on new tennis/pickleball courts would begin this week.
Votes at a glance: all recorded motions below passed by roll-call vote with five ayes and no nays among members present (Beethe, Britt, Goracke, Speckmann, Topp); Alicia Brommer was recorded absent.
- Agreement with SENDD for NDEE GRID Resiliency Project ($25,000). Motion: Brian Britt; second: Lorie Topp. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Adoption: CDBG DTR program guidelines. Motion: Tyler Speckmann; second: Travis Goracke. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Resolution authorizing mayor to sign CDBG application. Motion: Lorie Topp; second: Lance Beethe. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Appointment: ED Board as CDBG DTR Committee. Motion: Brian Britt; second: Lorie Topp. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Increase Restricted Funds Base (2025-26 budget) by 1% over allowable growth. Motion: Tyler Speckmann; second: Travis Goracke. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Resolution: set 2025-26 property tax request at different amount than prior year. Motion: Lance Beethe; second: Brian Britt. Outcome: approved (5-0). (Amount not specified in the minutes.) - Ordinance: adopt annual appropriation (budget) bill and publish. Motion to introduce: Tyler Speckmann; motion to approve final passage: Travis Goracke; second: Lance Beethe. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Economic Development lot transfer to Louis Keim; mayor authorized to execute the deed. Motion: Travis Goracke; second: Lorie Topp. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Contract: Miller Painting and Decorating bid for pool sandblast and repainting ($58,710). Motion: Lorie Topp; second: Lance Beethe. Outcome: approved (5-0). - Consent agenda (Aug. 18 minutes; payment of city bills). Motion: Lorie Topp; second: Tyler Speckmann. Outcome: approved (5-0).
Why it matters: The CDBG DTR application and SENDD agreement position Tecumseh to seek state funds for commercial façade rehabilitation and local resiliency work. Adoption of the appropriation ordinance and changes to the restricted funds base set the city's spending authority for fiscal 2025-26 and alter the city's property tax posture for the coming year. Together, the measures direct the next year's capital and operating priorities for municipal services and downtown revitalization.
Meeting logistics: the council convened at 5:01 p.m. and adjourned at 5:29 p.m. The minutes record Mayor Jesse Grof presiding and City Clerk Janelle Moran recording the proceedings.
