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City manager lays out goals, challenges for coming years
McCOOK, Neb. — To encourage open dialogue, the McCook Gazette hosts Coffee Talk on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Ember’s Bakery & Cafe.
The Aug. 28, 2024, guest was McCook City Manager Nate Schneider. Schneider, who has been in his position for 10 years, reflected on his time in the role and laid out the priorities and challenges that lie ahead for the city.
From city attorney to city manager, Schneider underscored the importance of internal growth and continuity for effective leadership, stating, “It’s hard to establish any continuity unless you’ve got somebody in that role for some time.”
Among Schneider’s initial priorities upon assuming office were the extension of the LB 840 program and strategic annexation efforts. He recalled discussions with Bruce McDowell and the City Council about extending the LB 840 program for ten years to avert its impending sunset.
“I was the city attorney when we drafted the original LB 840,” Schneider noted, reflecting on the potential he saw in the program in 2007-08.
In addressing annexation, Schneider emphasized its critical role in strategic growth and economic development. “When I think of annexation, I think of annexing unimproved ground and then being able to create whatever you want from it,” he said. He highlighted the ongoing annexation of the John Walters property as a significant step toward future development while acknowledging the complexities involved, especially regarding already improved properties.
Schneider elaborated on past annexation projects, such as the industrial park and the North Point project, emphasizing their importance for economic expansion and housing development. “We wanted to make sure that we had some property alongside the railroad that we could devote to industrial development,” he shared, noting the importance of strategic property acquisition for future housing projects.
Despite these advancements, Schneider also outlined pressing challenges facing the city’s departments, particularly staffing shortages in public safety and infrastructure maintenance. Emphasizing the need to retain experienced employees and invest in training, he called attention to the long-term sustainability of city services.
Financial challenges are another critical concern for McCook, exacerbated by rising costs for essential services. Addressing the impact of LB 34, Schneider called for careful planning and resource allocation while voicing frustration over misperceptions that local governments are contributors to inflation.
“We’ve done everything we possibly can to keep prices down,” he remarked, highlighting ongoing struggles with outdated equipment in public works. As Schneider navigates the coming months, including the anticipated closure on the annexation of the John Walters property on Oct. 2, his commitment to McCook’s growth and stability remains steadfast. Through continued investment in infrastructure and strategic development, Schneider aims to ensure that McCook thrives in the years ahead.
The guest for the Sept. 25, 2024, Coffee Talk will be the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation Board.