North Platte residents will pay more for electricity, water, and wastewater service beginning Oct. 1, following action by the city council Tuesday.

The council waived the customary three readings and unanimously approved a 6% increase in electric rates, a 6% increase in water rates, and a 9% increase in wastewater rates.

The average residential electric bill will increase by about $5.81 per month, and an average water bill will increase $1.39 per month.

Businesses and residences with heavier uses will face a larger increase. Small apartments are apt to be less.

The average water charge will increase about $1.40 per month per home and about $2.60 per month for wastewater, City Utilities Manager Tony Miller said.

That adds up to an expected average increase of nearly $9.80 a month, according to an analysis by JK Energy Consulting that was verified by Municipal Light and Water.

The water and wastewater rate will increase again next year on Oct. 1.

City Administrator Layne Groseth said the increases are recommended by JK Energy Consulting after a study of costs-of-service and the design of current rates. The electric increase is intended to help absorb higher wholesale power costs from the Nebraska Public Power District, while water and wastewater increases are intended to cover operating expenses, infrastructure needs, and adequate cash reserves.

Councilman Ty Lucas said he heard concerns about the council waiving the three-reading process but believed the public had been adequately informed through media coverage and the council’s Aug. 18 utility-rate work session.

(This report was clarified Wednesday afternoon after talking with Municipal Light and Water officials.)

Iron Eagle settlement

Lucas also addressed questions about a transfer in the past from utility funds to cover deficits at the former Iron Eagle Golf Course. He said the transfer payment cleaned up accounting issues involving service that the city previously provided to the golf course. He said it was unrelated to the current rate increases.

Groseth said North Platte’s water rates remain near the mid-point of charges in comparable communities, while its wastewater rates remain among the lowest, even after the increase.

E-bikes

The council also continued work on an ordinance regulating bicycles, electric bicycles, lightweight electric scooters, and hoverboards. A draft of new regulations has been approved, but everyone agreed more work was needed.

During the second reading Tuesday, the council prohibited carrying passengers on bicycles, skateboards, e-bikes, hoverboards, and scooters unless the device is manufactured with a passenger seat or structural accommodation for more than one rider.

As currently written, the ordinance would prohibit lightweight electric scooters and hoverboards, but not e-bikes, from streets with posted speed limits above 25 mph. It also establishes lighting, parking, and hand-signal requirements. It requires riders to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and trails.

Police Chief Steve Reeves recommended going further — prohibiting bicycles and motorized devices from state and federal highways in the city limits, including Jeffers and Dewey Sts., Rodeo Road and Newberry Access Rd. Reeves said those routes present the greatest danger because riders often enter traffic lanes.

Reeves told the council that two accidents involving the devices had occurred since its previous meeting, including one involving a 14-year-old.

Council members discussed whether restrictions should be based on location or the rider’s age. Councilman Rod Dye suggested a minimum age for operating e-bikes on streets, noting that younger riders may not understand traffic laws even though some devices can travel 25 mph or faster.

Councilman Brad Garrick raised concern that banning e-bikes from major roads could push riders onto sidewalks, where their speed could endanger pedestrians. Concerns were also raised about motorized devices on walking and biking trails.

The proposed ordinance allows the city to post signs prohibiting motorized devices on individual trails.

Mayor Brandon Kelliher said additional changes may be considered before the ordinance returns for its third reading.

In other business, the council approved: 

• A conditional-use permit allowing the North Platte Opportunity Center to use its existing building at 1205 S. Tabor Ave. as an office for services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Elimination (vacation) of the city’s right of way on Cody Ave. between W. 13th and Rodeo Road while retaining a 10-foot utility easement for existing power poles. The ordinance was approved in one reading; the required three readings were waived to expedite the planned construction of affordable apartments and garages.
• First reading of an ordinance rezoning 820 S. Walnut St. from an R-3 dwelling district to a B-1 neighborhood commercial district. The prospective owner, Brenda Twidwell, said the building could house counseling offices, a real estate or tax office, or a small boutique.
• First reading of an ordinance rezoning 818 and 820 S. Bailey Ave., just east of a motel at Dewey and Philip, from a dwelling district to a highway commercial district for a proposed Tommy’s Express Car Wash.
• Authorized 20-year covenants that 13 properties are designated for affordable houses. The city purchased the properties in recent months with Rural Community Recovery Program funds to demo building and prepare them for new construction: 1619 W. 13th St., 1902 N. Sheridan Ave., 716 W. Eighth St., 1015 N. Bryan Ave., 606 and 608 E. Fifth St., 2900 and 2705 W. Sixth St., 118 S. Sycamore St., 3111 W. 19th St., 2001 E. Second St., 908 E. 14th St. and 4011 S. Buffalo Bill Ave.
• Amendments to the city’s police pension plan to comply with changes made by the Nebraska Legislature and expand annuity and partial-payment options.
• Increased automatic retirement contributions for newly hired city employees from 1% to 3% beginning Jan. 1. Employees may opt out or select a different amount.
• Accepted the completed $522,708.76 Paving District No. 839 project on Francis St. and Bryan Ave. The project was publicly funded, with no costs assessed to adjoining property owners.
• Accepted the completed $117,246.68 Paving District No. 843 project on Bryan Ave. and scheduled a Board of Equalization hearing for Sept. 15. The entire cost will be assessed to property owners under an agreement with Thriving Connection Apartments LLC.
• Final reading of an ordinance to annex approximately 2.326 acres owned by Deep Waters Retreat LLC at 2211 N. Buffalo Bill into the city limits.
• The 10th Replat of the Industrial Park Subdivision, reconfiguring two existing lots and creating five more lots south of E. Francis St. between Devco and Bicentennial Aves.
• And interlocal agreement with Lincoln County ($399,379.51/year) and with the city of Gothenburg ($84,842.04/year) for dispatch services for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
• Two interlocal road-maintenance agreements with Lincoln County for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Under the agreements, the city and county will each pay the other $1,733 per month to maintain designated roads within the other’s jurisdiction.
• An agreement allowing the city to serve as the entity responsible for the HUD-required environmental review of Mid-Plains Community College’s planned commercial driver’s license training pad. The project is supported by a $2 million federal grant, and the college will reimburse the city for associated expenses.
• The annual 2026-27 agreement with Alexandrea Stroud to operate the Government Access Cable TV system in the amount of $19,200 for the year.
• Sending the application of Christopher Berglund as liquor license manager at Ruby Tuesday’s to the Liquor Control Commission with no recommendation.
• The minutes from the Aug. 18 and 24 meetings.
• The Treasurer’s report for July 2026.
• Payment of the bills. 

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