As the city council discussed the city budget for 2024-25, representatives of four organizations asked for financial assistance from the city.

Such requests are made each year. Someone from each organization personally appears before the council, presents their case, and answers questions.

Here are the 2024-25 requests. All of them except the request from Legion baseball are made each year.

Promotional funds for Nebraskaland Days

Executive Director Bob Lantis requested $11,250 to help promote the annual Nebraskaland Days celebration. Councilman Mark Woods asked for the annual profit margin. Lantis said the celebration has been very profitable over the last five years, with a net of about $100,000.

He said that profits are reinvested into the property, with one major project chosen each year. This year, their focus is on evaluating the grandstands to make it more accessible for people with physical disabilities, and renovating the concession stand to meet building codes.

Lantis emphasized the importance of maintaining financial stability, stating that there have been unprofitable celebrations, and a few bad years could have serious consequences.

Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful

Mona Anderson, the executive director of Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful, requested $15,000 to help match their grants. Anderson said the organization is primarily funded through the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and receives about $150,000 a year.

She said they use the funds to show they are serious about keeping the community clean.

Councilman Ty Lucas said he had heard from several people that the recycling bins are full quite often, and asked if that was the city’s fault. City Administrator Layne Groseth said the recycling center hits capacity frequently and cannot take the loads; he said the city checks the bins daily.

Lucas also asked if anything could be done to beautify the I-80 and U.S. Highway 83 interchange. Anderson said she researched what could be done. Some federal funds could be used, but it is a longer-term project that requires state cooperation. She said it must be organized at the state level, not the city level.

Councilwoman Donna Tryon asked about a glass recycling bin. Anderson said currently the costs of processing glass are too high.

Legion baseball

Legion Board President Colton Albrecht asked for $10,000 to help maintain the fields. Albrecht said that with the addition of high school baseball, along with the Plainsmen and 80s, the fields are used more frequently, which requires more of everything from dirt, chalk, toilet paper and paper towels to maintain them.

Albrecht said the Legion has always taken responsibility for maintaining the fields and this is the first year they have requested funds from the city.

Councilwoman Donna Tryon asked how many games are played and what profits, if any, they see. Albrecht said the Legion averages 15-20 games per year, and the entrance fee is $6 per adult; he said all profits fund improvements to the field, pay coaches, and upgrade uniforms. Councilman Pete Volz asked how many games the 80’s and high school played on the fields. Albrecht said the high school only played one home game last year but will play 10 this year, and the 80s played 24 games. Councilman Mark Woods said that each team should pay to help maintain the fields and not put it on the city taxpayers.

Albrecht said that the city owns the fields and has no budget; if the city doesn’t want to help with the maintenance, the teams may find somewhere else to play, and fields may end up in disrepair. Councilman Ed Rieker asked if the North Platte school was paying anything to use the field; Albrecht said they did not last year, and he has not yet talked with them about next year.

Rieker also asked if the other teams paid anything, and Albrecht said they did not. Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the teams pay the city a fee to help cover the costs of lighting and mowing the fields, but the school has not paid the city anything. Councilman Brad Garrick said he didn’t have a problem with the city helping financially but encouraged Albrecht to go to the school to ask for funds to help.

Councilman Ty Lucas said the Legion has done a great job rehabilitating the field in the last few years.

North Platte Area Chamber/DevCo

President of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation Gary Person thanked the city council for their partnership. Person asked the city to support the Chamber with $150,000 again this year as they work on the next level of development, specifically childcare and transportation.

They are also working to address everything that comes with the emerging workforce and the immigration it will bring. Person said North Platte has become the envy of other communities because of the partnership between the city and Chamber. Councilman Ed Rieker asked what is being done for vocational training. Person said they partner with the Community College. Rieker also asked what the high school does to spark the interest of the younger kids in vocational education, i.e. construction, HVAC, diesel, and electrical type jobs. Person said they have a partnership with the college, as well as mentors.

Councilwoman Donna Tryon asked how the housing developments are coming. Person said it is a long process to get housing projects approved, and putting in the infrastructure also takes time. Person said the city would see some of the MicroTIF and rehab projects come to fruition sooner than new residential developments. He said there is a need for more construction companies, and they have spent a lot of time convincing contractors that North Platte is worth the investment. Tryon asked if there will be enough homes for the workers next year as the Sustainable Beef plant ramps up operations. Person said mobile homes could fill the need for housing. He said he would feel better if one is built, and a potential deal recently fell through because the property owner asked a higher price than the developer would pay.

Councilman Brad Garrick asked what was being done to attract talented people to the area; Person said making North Platte attractive is key. He said the new rec center will be a big factor, and the trails, park improvements, and new housing will all play a part in making the area more attractive. 

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