Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - August 24, 2026

The Hastings City Council met on August 24, 2026 at the Hastings Municipal Airport. Mayor Beckby presided with all eight council members present. The meeting included public hearings, a detailed budget discussion, and the adoption of multiple ordinances and resolutions. Key themes were managing a $3.6 million general fund deficit and updating regulations for motorized vehicles.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the Special Council Meeting of July 28, 2026 and the Regular Meeting of August 10, 2026.
• Financial Approvals: Approved claims and payroll; Pay Estimate #3 ($167,768.10) for Revive Inc. project 24-PWF-001 (CDBG portion $129,013.67); and CDBG drawdown of $129,013.67.
• Lakeview 11th Subdivision Utilities: Approved Work Order WA-147 (water extension), Work Order SW-393 (sanitary sewer service), and contracts with Van Kirk Bros. Contracting (water/sewer) and Gehring Construction (paving).
• Asbestos Abatement: Approved contract with Environmental Services, Inc. for former middle school asbestos-containing material abatement.
• Event Approvals: Approved Bath Bliss Gifts’ use of city property for Junk Street (Sept 12, insurance pending) and United Way of South Central Nebraska’s use of the airport for the Plane Pull (Sept 19).
• Street Improvement District: Noted report on objections to Street Improvement District No. 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Willis Hunt (616 Madden Road): Spoke on the budget discussion (Item 4c) and Resolution 2026-48 (CRA levy authority). He expressed opposition to the CRA’s request for a 2.6-cent levy, noting the CRA has an estimated cash balance of $1.3 million and questioning the need for the tax. He also advocated for budget conservatism, citing examples from Grand Island and Hastings Public Schools, and urged keeping property tax asking flat.
• Umair Multani: Spoke in support of the Class D liquor license application for Banimart 11, LLC dba "S Mart 10" at 500 S. Burlington Avenue. He noted the applicant plans to relocate to Hastings permanently.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Class D Liquor License (S Mart 10): A representative spoke in support; no opposition. Council approved Resolution 2026-47 and the manager application of Temple D. Juelfs, both unanimously (8-0).
• Public Hearing – 2027-2032 One and Six Year Street Improvement Plan: No public comments. Engineering Director Lee Vrooman reported on completed and planned projects, including the quiet crossings project on Colorado and Elm Avenues. He noted that final quiet zone activation likely will not occur until 2028 due to Federal Railroad Administration review timelines. Council adopted Resolution 2026-50 (8-0).
• Public Hearing – Adams County Enhanced 911 Surcharge Increase: Police Captain Jason Haase explained that Hastings is one of the few PSAPs not charging the statutory maximum of $1 per landline (currently $0.75). The increase to $1 is expected to generate $48,000 annually (a $15,000 increase), affecting only landline customers. As landlines decline, wireless revenue is expected to grow proportionately. Council adopted Ordinance 4842 on first and final reading (8-0).
• General Business – Meeting Schedule Change: Approved moving the September 14, 2026 regular meeting from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM at City Hall, and calling a special meeting at 6:00 PM that same day for a public hearing on the FY2026-2027 budget. Both votes were unanimous (8-0).
• Budget Discussion: City Administrator Mark Funkey and Finance Director Roger Nash presented options to address a projected $3.6 million general fund deficit. Recommendations included setting the levy at .406359 (raising $1.19 million, costing the average homeowner $4.55/month on a $200,000 home), a $500,000 increase in utility dividend fee revenue, and deferring $748,000 in capital improvements (cemetery road paving, columbarium expansion, Fire Station #1 improvements). These actions would reduce the deficit to $1.16 million. Additional revenue options discussed were a 2.5% restaurant tax (potential $1.5 million to offset the museum cost and free up property tax) and a 1% increase in the occupation tax (generating ~$100,000). Council debated the merits: several members supported the increased levy to preserve future levy authority and maintain services, while others preferred a lower increase (the minimum .387076 levy to avoid losing authority) and emphasized finding operational cuts. There was consensus to prepare budget options showing both levy rates and to continue discussions on potential new revenues, including taxing Airbnb/VRBO rentals and mobile food vendors. No final decisions were made; a first reading of the budget will occur on September 14.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor License and Manager: Approved 8-0.
• Street Improvement Plan: Adopted 8-0.
• 911 Surcharge Increase: Ordinance 4842 adopted on first and final reading (8-0).
• Meeting Schedule: Changes approved 8-0.
• Budget: No formal action; options will be prepared for first reading on September 14.
• Off-Road Vehicle Regulation (Ordinance 4838): Second reading passed 7-1; rules suspended for final reading, which passed 7-1 (Larry Consbruck dissenting). Council directed staff to bring back stricter regulations (helmets, age limits, licensing, insurance) for e-bikes and scooters for discussion on September 21.
• Water Rates (Ordinance 4839): Adopted 8-0 on first and final reading. Introduces a three-tiered water rate to promote conservation; most residential users will see a decrease.
• Sewer Rates (Ordinance 4840): Adopted 8-0 on first and final reading. Rates remain stable except for CMS (10% increase).
• Community Solar Rate Rider (Ordinance 4841): Adopted 8-0 on first and final reading.
• City Council Meeting Time/Location (Ordinance 4843): Adopted 8-0; meetings permanently set for 6:00 PM (changing from 5:30 PM pilot) and location moved back to City Hall.
• CRA Levy Authority (Resolution 2026-48): Approved 7-1 (Michael Anderson dissenting). Authorizes a 2.6-cent levy generating $632,594 for 2026-2027.
• Parking Signs (Resolution 2026-49): Approved 8-0 to place signs in public lots enforcing 72-hour parking limits.
• County Attorney Prosecution (Resolution 2026-51): Approved 8-0; formalizes agreement for the county attorney to prosecute juvenile, tobacco, and related city code violations.
• Appointments: Mike Hanson and Stefan Schneider appointed to the Mechanical Advisory Board (8-0).
• Next Steps: Council will hold a special meeting/public hearing on the budget on September 14 (6:00 PM), followed by the regular meeting (6:30 PM) where a first reading of the budget will occur. Further e-bike regulation discussions are scheduled for September 21.