City taxes on “skill games” were up for repeal Tuesday before the North Platte City Council, in its first meeting of the year.

The council re-elected Jim Nisley as president for the eighth year. If the mayor is absent, the council president leads the council meetings. Nisley thanked the council and felt honored to serve as president again.

Councilman Ed Rieker joked that he wanted to see his campaign finance report, which brought a chuckle from those in the room.

‘Skill games’

In October 2023, the council passed an ordinance defining and regulating so-called skill games in North Platte. After much debate, a $500 city tax per machine was imposed. Also, hours limiting operation during the night were added, and police were given the right to enter at any time.

In April, the legislature approved a new law that prohibits political subdivisions from imposing an additional tax on games of skill, other than the tax charged by the state.

To avoid a conflict with state law, the city administration proposed repealing the entire Chapter 119: “Games of Skill,” from city ordinances.

Councilman Ty Lucas expressed concern about getting rid of the hours of operation and right of entry, which were put in place to deter mischief. Lucas asked City Attorney Bill Troshynski if it would be too “messy” to amend the proposed ordinance so only the tax portion would be removed.  

Troshynski said other areas of the ordinance need to be cleaned up too. He suggested tabling a decision on the ordinance so he would have time to revise it, therefore leaving the requirements that the council wants in place.

Councilman Pete Volz moved to table the proposed ordinance, and the council unanimously agreed. 

Getting organized

The council agenda had just six items and the meeting was efficient, lasting only 15 minutes.

The council unanimously approved the appointment of department heads and the city street superintendent. The mayor appoints the department heads at the beginning of his four-year term, and the council must confirm them.

Mayor Brandon Kelliher recommended the following department heads, continuing their service to the city:

• City Administrator, Layne Groseth
• Director of Finance, Dawn Miller
• Director of Development, Judy Clark
• City Clerk, Angela Gilbert
• City Engineer, Brent Burklund
• Fire Chief, Dennis Thompson
• City Attorney, Bill Troshynski
• Director of Library, Shelly Deardoff
• Chief of Police, Steve Reeves
• Public Service Director, Steve Mentzer
• Parks & Recreation Director, Lyle Minshull
• Director of Information Systems, Sean Pritchard

All offices, except the chief of police and fire chief, will now serve the remainder of the four-year term, unless removed for some particular reason.

Kelliher said appointing a street supervisor yearly is necessary to receive incentive payments from the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Brent Burklund, the current supervisor, was re-appointed. 

Block grant language

In November, the city received a $440,200 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to improve the infrastructure on 15th St. from Hayes Ave. to Custer Ave. and continuing on Custer Ave. from to 16th. The grant requires the city’s CDBG procurement procedures and code of conduct to be up to date. The council unanimously agreed. 

In other business, the council approved three new stop signs for new and planned streets:

• West 16th and Adams Ave. West 16th is a new street that connects Mulligan Meadows housing development to Adams.
• Preston Dr. southbound at West A St.
• Dixie Ave. southbound at West A St.

Also, the council approved:

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