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Record of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Budget Study Session - August 4, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyGrand Island, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:08:59

Original source
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0:34

We'll call this meeting to order on August 4th, 2026.

0:38

This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council.

0:41

The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business.

0:45

A copy of the open meeting act is displayed in the back of this room is required by state law.

0:50

And now we'll proceed with our Pledge of Allegiance.

1:01

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:04

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:12

Next, the city clerk will form roll call.

1:14

Councilmember Sheard.

1:16

Present.

1:16

Councilmember Stelk.

1:17

Present.

1:18

Councilmember Conley.

1:19

Present.

1:20

Councilmember Nickerson.

1:21

Present.

1:21

Councilmember Brown?

1:23

Present.

1:23

Council President O'Neill?

1:25

Present.

1:25

Councilmember Hodzi.

1:26

Present.

1:27

Councilmember Mendoza.

1:28

Present.

1:29

Councilmember Pollock will be absent.

1:31

Councilmember Lanfear?

1:33

Present.

1:33

And Mayor Still will be absent.

1:35

Also present are Keith Kerr, City Engineer, Chelsea Stein Key Finance Director, Pat Brown, City Administrator, and Jill Granier, City Clerk.

1:45

Reserve time to speak.

1:46

A sign-up sheet was available in the lobby for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items.

1:52

If you did not sign up to speak on agenda item, please come forward, state your name and the agenda topic on which you'll be speaking on.

2:01

None have come forward.

2:02

So we shall proceed.

2:04

Next up is the Public Works Engineering Administration and MPO budget proposal with Keith Kurz.

2:11

Thank you, Keith.

2:18

Start with the uh engineering and admin portion of the public works department.

2:24

Um all of our divisions will speak or um be addressed tonight.

2:29

But this is the first step to talk about.

2:33

Uh as you guys know, uh we're made up of multiple different divisions.

2:40

Engineering and admin, the MPO is housed under the the public works department, transit, street and fleet, solid waste and wastewater.

2:50

So uh for the 2027 budget presentation, obviously uh that's what we're talking about tonight.

2:57

Uh personnel services for the engineering and admin uh division, uh as you guys can see.

3:04

Um six percent.

3:08

Admin is is three percent.

3:11

Umperating expenses uh for both of uh these two first divisions are are down quite a bit.

3:20

We don't have a lot of operating expenses per se, other than uh personnel is our biggest one.

3:25

Um but uh the the previous budget year we uh budgeted for computers and and computer hardware in our in our department.

3:34

Uh that was a huge spend.

3:37

Uh thus we're bringing that down quite a bit.

3:40

Uh admin decrease.

3:42

Uh we're reducing some um spending according to what we've been spending in the last several years, so we're just uh bringing that budget ass down a little bit in respect to that.

3:55

Again, overall funding, as you guys can see, uh total expenses 1.1 million roughly.

4:02

Um roughly 275,000 is recovered through engineering expenses that we bill uh to the projects that we're working on.

4:14

A lot of the work we do, inspections, right-away issues, uh investigations, those kind of things are not um quote unquote billables, so those would be covered by the general fund.

4:25

And as you can see too, our admin fees are mostly recovered uh through uh charges to our enterprise divisions.

4:40

And that concludes that presentation.

4:43

Are there any questions regarding that?

4:49

Like no questions?

4:51

Or Mitch?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████████████26%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████18%
Fleet Management█████████████████17%
Waste Management██████████10%
Public Utilities█████████9%
Public Transportation██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Procedural██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Grand Island City Council Budget Study Session (Budget) - August 4, 2026

The Grand Island City Council held a study session on August 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers to review proposed FY2027 budgets for multiple Public Works divisions, including Engineering/Administration, MPO, Street, Fleet, Transit, Solid Waste, Wastewater, Electric, and Water. No public comments were received. The meeting focused on operational efficiencies, rate adjustments, capital projects, and personnel requests. Key themes included tightening budget estimates, maintaining competitive rates, and addressing infrastructure needs.

Discussion Items

  • Public Works Engineering/Administration and MPO Budget: City Engineer Keith Kerr presented. Personnel costs for engineering up 6%, admin up 3%. Operating expenses decreased significantly due to prior year computer hardware purchases. MPO budget down 34.3% due to completion of the long-range transportation plan. City Administrator Pat Brown noted personnel adjustments: union staff assumed 5% COLA, non-union 4%, and health insurance estimates were tightened. Councilmember Stelk asked about competitiveness – Kerr indicated they are competitive. Councilmember Mitchell praised the effort to true up budgets to realistic levels.
  • Street Division Budget: Presented by Street Superintendent Shannon Callahan. The division maintains 977 lane miles. Storm sewer program continues with 65 sheds; progress shown on maps. Proposed budget: no new FTEs; operating up slightly due to engineering services, railroad lease, and IT costs. Non-capital projects for asphalt resurfacing, concrete repair, and traffic signals. Equipment requests totaled $95,000 for building improvements and carryover equipment. Councilmember Nickerson commended the crew and asked about mowing, concrete crew location, and storm sewer cleaning schedule. Councilmember Stelk suggested hiring part-time youth for summer work.
  • Fleet Division Budget: Presented by Shannon Callahan. An internal service fund with no new FTEs. Operating down slightly due to trued-up outsourced repair costs. Revenue from labor rates (proposed at current levels), parts markup (25%), and fuel markup ($0.50/gallon). Fuel sales estimated at ~100,000 gallons/year. Councilmember Sheard asked about data on vehicle replacement cycles – Callahan noted small sample sizes but uses a point system for street equipment. Councilmember Hazi inquired about centralizing fleet management; discussion indicated shop space and staffing limitations but potential future consideration. Callahan noted upcoming retirements may prompt discussion.
  • Transit Division Budget: Presented by Transit Program Manager Charlie Fallman. City contracts with Brown Transit. Average 4,500 trips/month, 55,000 trips/year. $2/trip, on-demand, curb-to-curb, ADA compliant. No capital equipment purchases planned for FY2027 due to recent vehicle acquisitions (supply chain catch-up). Federal funding down 14% due to no capital purchases. State provides 50% of local match. Safety plan updated. Councilmember Nickerson asked about driver availability – Fallman said Brown Transit uses part-time drivers, including retired individuals. Rural transit discussed as a separate program operated by Hall County.
  • Solid Waste Division Budget: Presented by Jeff (division manager). Enterprise fund with no general fund support. Transfer station and landfill operations. Landfill life ~23 years; cell 4 construction underway (completion September 2026). New transfer station improvements (scale house, loading pit) expected to finish by early 2027. Proposed budget: personnel $1.7M, operations $2.0M, debt service $1.0M (unchanged), capital $2.1M (down 61% but includes finishing projects and a $955,000 landfill dozer). Rate increase of 4.2% approved (to $58.90/ton at transfer station). Competing rates shown (Columbus $69, Norfolk $78, Fremont $75). Councilmember Nickerson asked about yard waste site (positive feedback), old transfer station reuse. Councilmember Stelk asked about profitability – Jeff stated ~$500,000 in the black this year, but debt service will reduce that. Councilmember Hazi complimented customer focus.
  • Wastewater Division Budget: Presented by Keith Kerr. Revenue down due to lower grant funding. Personnel up pending two new FTEs for a collection crew, and restructuring operations (removing two seasonals, adding a lead operator). Total personnel cost increase ~$100,000. Capital projects: blower modification, UV system installation, aeration diffuser replacement, carbon filter replacement, manhole rehab, 13th Street sewer project (grant-funded, no city cost), East 15th sewer district (potential CDBG-funded), collection system master plan update. Equipment: TV/cutter truck, pickup replacement (2005 model). Councilmember Sheard noted 40 miles of system growth in 13 years with minimal staff increase – Kerr agreed. Councilmember Nickerson asked about FOG program (fats, oils, grease) – preferred hauler program has 20-30 sign-ups, education ongoing. Plant tours offered first Wednesday monthly.
  • Electric Division Budget: Presented by Director Ryan Schmidt. Achieved Diamond level reliability award (top 5% nationally), first safety award, top SADI reliability score. Rates 3.2% below second cheapest utility in Nebraska. Proposed 0% rate increase. Personnel: 3.5% increase, one new FTE for compliance manager (due to regulatory demands and pending retirements). Cost of power up 13% due to Fortitude site (adds 13% load, offset by revenue). Capital: distribution materials, transformer inventory, land, server. Generation: extending life of Platte Generating Station with generator rewind kit, valve overhaul, turbine buckets for spares. Solar array (10 MW) performing well, payback 10-11 years; goat grazing used for vegetation management. Councilmember Brown expressed strong support. Councilmember Nickerson asked about peak loads – Schmidt noted solar prevented new peaks in summer 2026. Capacity costs rising; exploring partnerships.
  • Water Division Budget: Presented by Ryan Schmidt. Rates 8% below second cheapest. Proposed 8% rate increase. Personnel: 3.5%, no new FTEs. Operating: cost of pumping/treatment up 2.1%; distribution O&M up 22% due to one-off items (ultrasonic testing, valve/hydrant replacement). Lead service replacement program: discovery on 1,020 of 3,000 services (34%); 59% lead rate; 307 replaced (51% of discovered). Loans: 100% forgivable for discovery, 57-62% for replacement, 0% interest, 30-40 year terms. Capital: fencing elevated storage tower, equipment (service truck, trench box, hydrant/valve operators). Councilmember Nickerson praised lead program staff. Combined electric and water rates 11% lower than second cheapest utility.
  • Budget Accuracy Discussion: Councilmember Nickerson noted budgets appear more accurate than in previous years. Pat Brown stated 95% of budgets are tight, with monthly reporting to supervisors on overtime and capital expenditures. Efforts include use of RFPs for project estimates to improve accuracy.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken; this was a study session to review proposed budgets. All budget proposals will be further considered in subsequent council meetings.
  • The City Administrator confirmed personnel adjustments: 5% COLA for union staff, 4% for non-union, and health insurance estimates were reduced.
  • Rate increases: Solid Waste 4.2% (previously approved), Water 8% proposed, Electric 0% proposed.
  • Two new FTEs requested for Wastewater (collection crew) and one new FTE for Electric (compliance manager). No new FTEs for Street, Fleet, Transit, or Water.
  • The lead service replacement program will continue with additional loan draws expected.
  • The meeting adjourned without further action.

Meeting Transcript

We'll call this meeting to order on August 4th, 2026. This is an open meeting of the Grand Island City Council. The City of Grand Island abides by the Open Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the open meeting act is displayed in the back of this room is required by state law. And now we'll proceed with our Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Next, the city clerk will form roll call. Councilmember Sheard. Present. Councilmember Stelk. Present. Councilmember Conley. Present. Councilmember Nickerson. Present. Councilmember Brown? Present. Council President O'Neill? Present. Councilmember Hodzi. Present. Councilmember Mendoza. Present. Councilmember Pollock will be absent. Councilmember Lanfear? Present. And Mayor Still will be absent. Also present are Keith Kerr, City Engineer, Chelsea Stein Key Finance Director, Pat Brown, City Administrator, and Jill Granier, City Clerk. Reserve time to speak. A sign-up sheet was available in the lobby for individuals wishing to provide input on any of tonight's agenda items. If you did not sign up to speak on agenda item, please come forward, state your name and the agenda topic on which you'll be speaking on. None have come forward. So we shall proceed. Next up is the Public Works Engineering Administration and MPO budget proposal with Keith Kurz. Thank you, Keith. Start with the uh engineering and admin portion of the public works department. Um all of our divisions will speak or um be addressed tonight. But this is the first step to talk about. Uh as you guys know, uh we're made up of multiple different divisions. Engineering and admin, the MPO is housed under the the public works department, transit, street and fleet, solid waste and wastewater. So uh for the 2027 budget presentation, obviously uh that's what we're talking about tonight. Uh personnel services for the engineering and admin uh division, uh as you guys can see. Um six percent. Admin is is three percent. Umperating expenses uh for both of uh these two first divisions are are down quite a bit. We don't have a lot of operating expenses per se, other than uh personnel is our biggest one. Um but uh the the previous budget year we uh budgeted for computers and and computer hardware in our in our department. Uh that was a huge spend. Uh thus we're bringing that down quite a bit.

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