The report is in on how more than a quarter-million dollars in emergency COVID-19 relief funds was spent in Lincoln County.
Fourteen non-profits in Lincoln County received a total of $270,000 in relief funds, according to a report presented Monday to the Lincoln County Commissioners. The funds were administered to food pantries and non-profits by the West-Central Nebraska Development District, which is headquartered in Ogallala.
WCNDD Executive Director Edward Dunn and Specialist Ashley Neiman gave the commissioners a report of how the program was carried out.
Neiman said 18 applicants asked for the funds and 14 were approved. Those approved were:
- North Platte Catholic Community food pantry – $10,000 for food items (canned goods, pasta, meat and perishables.)
- Salvation Army – $50,000, also for food items.
- Grace Ministries Food Pantry — $14,151.20 for food items.
- Hope’s Cupboard Food Pantry — $8,000 for food items.
- Episcopal Church of Our Savior – $20,000 for building preparations, computer and software, utilities, over-the-counter medicines and hygiene products
- Brady Food Pantry – $1,200 for food boxes.
- Deborah’s Legacy – $40,100 for food, supplements, freezer, hospitality, community health supplies and cleaning supplies. Deborah’s Legacy amended their initial agreement to renovate a building the bought across the alley and make it usable, which they did.
- Nebraska Youth Center – $10,500 requested, $5,500 awarded for food to ensure youth met nutritional goals.
- North Platte Senior Center –$40,000 requested, $20,000 awarded for food for both congregate and home-delivered meal programs.
- Bridge of Hope Advocacy Center – $17,000 for security cameras, child abuse prevention curriculum, training, and emergency travel expenses.
- Communities for Kids Lincoln County – $11,705 for mentor-mentee training, parenting training; mentor-mentee activities at no cost, as well as transportation for youth.
- Community Connections of Lincoln County – $90,000 requested, $45,000 awarded for financial assistance for children of eligible families to cover up to six months of tuition for children ages 6 weeks to 8 to attend a licensed childcare entity.
- Families First Partnership – $85,800 requested, $16,000 awarded for bus passes, gas vouchers, vehicle repairs and home safety-cleanliness items.
- Grace Ministries food pantry – $14,000 for foods items.
Nieman said all the funds were spent.
“You didn’t just rise to the occasion, you went above and beyond,” commissioners’ Chairwoman Micaela Wuehler told Dunn.
WCNDD serves an 18-county area that includes 58 communities, handling grant applications and reporting and helping communities market themselves, among other projects.
The funds were part of a $6.8 million grant from the federal government to the county, appropriated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
The windfall of ARPA funds followed a previous federal grant of $1.2 million for the county under a somewhat similar program — the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.)
Of the two programs, ARPA was far bigger. It allocated a total of $1.9 trillion across the nation to cities, counties, school districts, states, organizations and businesses.
The large amount of CARES and ARPA money came as something of a surprise to the county commissioners, who initially talked about returning some of the funds to the federal government in the interests of conservative spending.
But the “pandemic” had restricted business activity for months. Jobs were lost while inflation drove prices sharply higher. The commissioners designated some ARPA funds for food pantries and other social services. WCNDD took the job of accepting and reviewing applications, administering funds and keeping records.
Nieman said all the funds were spent.
“That is great news,” Wuehler said. She thanked Niemann for stepping into the job to take the place of a former employee while the program was underway.
“I know how difficult it is to walk into a project that has been started by other people, get up to speed, take it over and get it across the finish line,” Wuehler said.
Commissioner Chris Bruns said the process was extremely complicated and expressed his appreciation.
“We don’t have the expertise on staff,” Bruns said. “We have people who are capable of learning it, but they are committed elsewhere, providing other services to our constituents.”
Dunn said the development district will send a report to the federal government by April 30, the final step in the three-and-a-half year process.
A few days earlier on April 1, Wuehler spoke to the North Platte downtown association. Referring to the $6.8 million in federal funds, she said, “that money is all gone. We won’t have that this year,” which will make it challenging to budget county expenses while keeping property taxes stable.
© 2025 The North Platte Bulletin. All rights reserved!
= No current warnings. Any past warnings have expired.
= Minor offense. Post was edited where neccessary. Yellow flags fly for 7 days.
= A more serious offense. This user can't post to Talk Back for 7 days. The offending post has been permanently blacked out. Red flags fly for 7 days.
= The most serious offense. This flag is reserved for those with multiple or particularly agregious offenses. Last step before permanent banishment. Black flags fly for 30 days.
= Banned.
Lincoln County’s $270,000 COVID relief spend is a mixed bag, and I’m not buying the hype. Out of $6.8 million from ARPA, they handed 14 non-profits a chunk—Salvation Army got $50,000 for food, North Platte Catholic pantry got $10,000, Grace Ministries $14,000. That tracks—people needed to eat. But then it goes off the rails. Episcopal Church scored $20,000 for computers, software, and building prep. How’s that COVID-related? Bridge of Hope got $17,000 for security cameras—explain how that’s not just a nice-to-have. Community Connections took $45,000 of a $90,000 ask for childcare tuition. That’s not emergency relief; that’s a program.
They had 18 applicants, approved 14, and spent every cent of the $270,000. Commissioners call it a win, but where’s the hard data? How many meals served? How many families helped? Nothing. WCNDD says it’s all accounted for, with a report due April 30, but why no numbers now? County started with $1.2 million from CARES, then got this $6.8 million windfall—Wuehler admits it’s all gone, leaving us tight for next year’s budget. They could’ve sent some back, like they first planned, but didn’t.
North Platte’s got backbone—food aid’s one thing, but cameras and tech upgrades on the feds’ dime? Weak. Show me the April 30 report proves it wasn’t a waste, or admit we should’ve kept our pride and said no to the rest.
So what started out to be covid relief turned into economic stimulus. The federal government allowed the money to be used for other things such as supplies equipment, buildings and infrastructure improvements.
George, are you a reporter or the government’s cheerleader? Your response—claiming COVID relief magically turned into a free-for-all economic stimulus—sounds like you’re reading straight from a federal press release. Nebraska’s staring down a budget deficit, and your own article quotes Wuehler saying North Platte’s coffers are dry after burning through $6.8 million. Yet you’re here defending every dime spent like it’s a badge of honor. Fiscal responsibility is the government’s job, not blowing every cent of a windfall like a kid in a candy store.
Tell me, George, if you got a big bonus, would you spend it all on shiny new toys or save some for a rainy day? Why justify Lincoln County splashing cash on security cameras and church computers when the funds were meant for COVID emergencies? Food pantries? Sure. But infrastructure and tech upgrades? That’s a stretch, and you know it. Stop carrying water for spend-happy officials and start asking why they didn’t save a dime—or send some back—like they first considered. North Platte deserves better than a lapdog nodding along while the budget tightens. Where’s the real scrutiny? Do better George or are you worried to have some integrity in your reporting?
Hey “Bill” if I had time, I’d write longer reports, which you could read for free, and criticize from your anonymity.
However, we live in a finite world.
After your first comment, I took a few minutes to report pertinent info that wasn’t in the initial report. It was not written in defense of the decisions, but so you would be better informed before you take the facts you readily see and cement an opinion.
With more time, I would have reported that there was a sunset provision in the funds, as Guy Fawkes notes below.
I also would have added this — the commissioners allocated some of the money to buy the former headquarters of the West Central District Health Department and renovate it for the District 11 Probation Office, because the county is obligated by state law to provide the probation office. The office needed more space and rent was increasing on the existing building. I wrote about it at the time. The decision came after a months-long study and strong debates. The proponents said the new space would be a wise financially (owning v. renting) and help probation staff do a better job. As you may or may not know, probation has had more obligations placed on it in recent years. The courts have increased the number of probation sentences in part because the state prison system is overcrowded and legislators have debated for a long time if, when and where to build a new prison, but not yet done so. Also, there is a line of thinking that convicts might better find their way in lawful society if they work at it daily with supervision from probation officers, rather than being locked up with other lawbreakers.
A couple other specific expenditures with the “COVID relief” money come to mind. There was a new storage building for Region 51 emergency management. Proponents wanted to put more equipment indoors and work on it there. There was study and the differences in priorities were hashed out about that too.
And, a considerable amount of the “relief” funds was allocated for new equipment for the county roads department. Proponents said it was a good long-term investment for the roads system. The commissioners reached an agreement after they reduced the road superintendent’s request.
The decisions were made while inflation was sending prices 25% or so higher, cumulatively, so there was also impetus to use the money for long-term improvements instead of raising local taxes and/or making shorter-term investments.
However, it is often said there is no such thing as a free lunch, especially when it comes to government spending. The county made some long-term improvements with free govt money. Now they have to create a budget without it. I expect they will pay the price in anguish as they decide how best to do that without triggering the wrath of taxpayers, and I expect taxpayers will feel pain regardless. Hopefully, the public will better understand why because of news reports and discussion — including this talkback thread.
Commissioners’ meetings are livestreamed each week (You Tube/Lincoln County Nebraska) if anyone has time to take a longer look. I’m just saying. I understand if readers are busy; most everyone is. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to accurately report within finite limitations. And, we’ll add more information if guys like you come to a misinformed conclusion; that’s part of the job.
SLFRF money was changed from mostly covid relief to revenue replacement with only a few limits on its use, i believe with the issuance of the final treasury rule in 2022.
George wasn’t paraphrasing a press release, just the law.
Oh, and nobody could just save SLFRF for a “rainy day”, that’s literally one of the 3 prohibited uses of the money . . . I do appreciate another good closet libertarian in the comments though. Spend it or send it back to Biden, those were the only two options. I don’t agree with church computers either, but I’ll admit that’s a better waste of money than transgendered mice or 99% of foreign aid, because that’s where every penny the county sent back was going.
That said, I’ll throw in that I also fully agree with not funding plate readers, traffic cams or anything that expands the government’s police powers.
If I wanted to be watched on camera I’d be on OF charging $9.99 a month for the pleasure.
Alright, George, you’re the editor of the North Platte Bulletin, not a county clerk passing notes—you’ve got a duty to hold power to account, and you’re failing miserably. Let’s rip this apart, line by line.
Your April 7 article paints a rosy picture of $270,000 in COVID relief to 14 non-profits, part of a $6.8 million ARPA jackpot, plus $1.2 million from CARES. You cheerlead WCNDD’s “above and beyond” work, quoting Wuehler’s praise, but where’s the scrutiny? Salvation Army’s $50,000 for food, North Platte Catholic’s $10,000—those make sense; hungry people needed help. But Episcopal Church getting $20,000 for computers, software, and “building prep”? Bridge of Hope’s $17,000 for security cameras? That’s not pandemic relief—that’s a grab bag. The U.S. Treasury’s ARPA Final Rule, effective April 1, 2022, allowed broader uses like “government services,” but required they address COVID’s economic fallout. How do cameras or church tech fix job losses or healthcare gaps? You didn’t ask, just parroted “all funds spent” like it’s a gold star.
You claim in your talkback that “debates” happened—probation office, Region 51 storage, roads equipment. Where’s the proof? Lincoln County’s own website lists commissioner minutes, but your article and follow-up cite no votes, no public input sessions. A December 9, 2024, report from nptelegraph.com—your own outlet—says eight non-profits still had unspent funds by October 2024, with Wuehler pushing to “use it or lose it” by December 31. Why no mention of that rush in your April 7 piece? You knew funds were obligated late, yet you let WCNDD’s Ashley Neiman claim every cent was spent without a receipt. Treasury’s January 2025 Compliance Guidance mandates detailed expenditure reports—WCNDD’s due April 30, 2025. If they’ve got the data, why’s it absent from your story? You’re not a blogger, George; you’re supposed to dig.
Let’s talk dollars. Nebraska’s 2021 budget deficit was projected at $150 million by the Legislative Fiscal Office, and Lincoln County’s 2024 budget was $47 million. ARPA’s $6.8 million was a 14.5% cash spike, yet commissioners burned it all, knowing inflation hit 7% in 2021 (BLS data) and property taxes—1.63% effective rate, per the Tax Foundation—were crushing locals. Your article admits they considered returning funds but didn’t. Why? You quote Wuehler on April 1, 2025, saying the money’s gone, leaving budgeting “challenging.” That’s not news—that’s malpractice. North Platte’s median household income is $54,000 (Census Bureau, 2023). Families are stretched, and you’re waving a flag for a county that blew $270,000 on vague “investments” like Deborah’s Legacy’s $40,100 for “hospitality” or Families First’s $16,000 for “bus passes” after an $85,800 ask. Where’s the ROI? You didn’t ask.
Your talkback’s a dodge—probation office ($1.5 million, per your past reporting), roads gear (no cost given), storage shed (zip). That’s not transparency; it’s a smokescreen. You say inflation pushed long-term buys, but Treasury barred using ARPA for “rainy day” funds. So why not prioritize food, rent aid, or healthcare over tech toys? You mention a “sunset provision,” but funds could’ve been allocated to critical needs by December 31, 2024, and spent by 2026. Instead, commissioners played Monopoly. You let it slide, tossing out YouTube links instead of demanding WCNDD’s draft report. Salvation Army’s $50,000—how many meals? Community Connections’ $45,000—how many kids? Crickets.
Here’s the gut punch: you’re complicit. Lincoln County’s ARPA audit was presented April 7, 2025, per Huskeradio. You had access to WCNDD’s numbers—Dunn and Neiman were there—yet your article’s light on specifics, heavy on fluff. You’re not “finite” on time when you’re typing essays to defend yourself. You’re choosing not to grill commissioners who left taxpayers holding the bag. North Platte’s property tax burden grew 4.2% from 2020-2023 (Nebraska Dept. of Revenue). ARPA was a lifeline, not a lottery, and you’re letting the county off the hook while families brace for tighter budgets. Step up, George. Demand WCNDD’s full ledger—names, amounts, outcomes. Call out why “hospitality” trumped hunger. Or admit you’re too cozy with the courthouse to challenge their spree.
btw…George, I noticed that my above comment was removed from the public forum. Since I believe that my comment adhered to all community guidelines, I was surprised by its removal. Could you please clarify whether this feedback will be made public or if it has been intentionally removed?
I’m asking because this situation raises concerns about whether diverse perspectives are being fully represented. I value a transparent discussion and hope we can address any confusion regarding the criteria for publishing community feedback.
Bill, I tried to send you an email yesterday but it’s an invalid address, which figures. Why the secrecy!?? I’m working on three stories at a time since yesterday while getting over a flu bug that bit on the weekend. Like I said, finite limits come into play. The WNCDD report that is due April 30 will be public record; ask at the county clerk’s office. I doubt that it will have more than the $270K in grants, but yes it should have more details about those. Other info is in the minutes of the meetings and livestreams on YouTube. You can ask your commissioner why they decided to spend the money. I expect he or she will reply (as I believe I said in previous response), to cover the costs of long-term investments that would befall the county taxpayers otherwise, and save the taxpayers some money during the pandemic, but you might better pin them on it. You can write a letter/guest opinion about the situation. I’d help gather info if you do, but we won’t give you free space to complain about us. We are not affiliated with the nptelegraph. You raise some good points about the expenditures and I have all of it in mind. Glad you’re interested. It’s a better country if people take care of it. Let me know how it’s going. Send a valid email address.