City Council Approves 2016-17 Budget 4-0

​Neligh City Council approved the 2016-2017 budget at the Monday meeting on September 13.
 
A hearing for the budget was held to give the community an opportunity to speak in support, opposition, criticism or offer suggestions but no one from the community was present to respond.
 
City Clerk Dana Klabenes explained a few highlights from the budget. The proposed levy is $.756185, which is a decrease from last year by $.002947.
 
The Total Personal and Real Property Tax Required the city is asking for is $503,792.54, with $308,670.54 as Property Taxes for Non-Bond Purposes and $195,122 as Principal and Interest on Bonds. After visiting with the county assessor, Klabenes said that the biggest change was in real property taxes.
 
Other changes made include a cost of living adjustment for all departments, and police part-time wages increasing to competitive rates.
 
The City Council approved the budget 4-0.
 
They also accepted a bid for the water and sewer of Neligh Independent Living. Two bids came in and Rutjens Construction from Tilden was accepted with a bid at $97,419.25 for construction to start on October 1 and end on May 1.
 
An update to the Employee Handbook/Personnel Policy included talk about cell phones and a social media policy. The city council also talked about allowing city vehicle to be driven home for lunch to allow for quicker response to emergencies.
 
The city council will increased stipends to $3,900 for the mayor, and $2,700 for council members starting at the 2018 election.
 
They accepted the Economic Development Director’s report, the Police Chief’s report, the City Superintendent’s report, and the Electric operations report.