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City approves plat for Walters Addition
McCOOK, Neb. - The plat for the Walters addition and the associated sports complex consumed much of the spotlight at Monday night’s meeting of the McCook City Council, but the prospect of increased fees and additional taxes was also a topic of discussion.
A public hearing was held to discuss the request from the City of McCook to approve a preliminary plat for the creation of the Walters First Addition. Craig Bennett and David Blau of Miller and Associates made a presentation to the council regarding the proposed plat for the creation of the addition in Northwest McCook. Although the plat addressed the arrangement of the single-family residential, multi-family and commercial lots to be offered, Bennett addressed the entire 127-acre site, describing the topography as “ideal.” The site, according to Bennett, provides a level plateau area at the center, with opportunities for runoff and green spaces on the periphery
After considerable discussion of provisions for water and sanitary sewer and runoff, the measure was approved on a 4-0 vote, with Councilman Rambali absent.
As a matter for consideration, but not immediate action, the council also began to explore additional revenue sources for the city. In an introductory note to the council, City Manager Nate Schneider wrote, “With the passage of LB 34 in 2024 and potential sales tax diminutions, the City of McCook is faced with the age old question - are there other methods of generating revenue to provide services the citizens of McCook expect without raising taxes?”
Nebraska’s LB 34, enacted in 2024, limits annual increases in property tax collections by cities, villages, and counties to the greater of 0% or the inflation rate, with certain exceptions.
The note also referenced a past effort when the City of McCook discussed implementing an occupation tax on games of chance in 2023. That effort was, in the words of the note, “usurped by the State of Nebraska.” As a possible alternative, the prospects of a telephone occupation tax have been considered.
The agenda item was previously discussed at the Jan. 20 and March 17 McCook City Council meetings. At the request of the City Council, staff compiled a list of communities that have telephone occupation taxes, all but one of which levied an occupation tax on both landline and mobile phones. With the implementation of LB 1023 last year, the State of Nebraska set a limit of 4% on telecommunication occupation tax rates.
LB1023, approved by the Governor on April 23, 2024, lowered the maximum telecommunications occupation rate from 6.25% to 4% unless the increase is approved by a vote of the taxpayers. The city’s survey of comparable communities looked at Beatrice, Alliance, Columbus, Fremont, Holdrege, North Platte, Sidney and York--all of which charged cell phone occupation taxes ranging from three to five percent.
The council briefly touched on other tax options, specifically hotel occupation taxes. All ideas were presented as future alternatives, but no immediate actions were proposed.
Tucked away in the consent agenda next to the usual housekeeping items was the approval of a resolution to amend the City Code to increase parking fines from $25 to $50. No council members asked to have the measure removed from the consent agenda, and there was no discussion of the motives behind the change. The increase was adopted as a part of the consent agenda.
Also under the consent agenda, the council approved a lease with the Frenchman Valley Cooperative, Inc. for land use at Ben Nelson Regional Airport valued at $4,000 per year, and the approval of applications from Great Plains Communications to occupy city right-of-way for installation of underground fiber optic conduit, cable, and associated equipment on East 11, West Q and West O.
Acting in its ceremonial capacity, the council issued proclamations, including a designation of April 2025 as “Child Abuse Prevention Month.” Barb Ostrom of the Southwest Nebraska Child advocacy team handed out promotional materials related to the prevention of child abuse to those in attendance, but no presentation was offered.
In a recognition of “Library Week” during the week of April 6–12, 2025, Councilman Gene Weedin praised the McCook Library’s online borrowing platform “Libby,” and Library Director Jody Crocker encouraged all in attendance to obtain library cards.
April 13-19 was also recognized as “Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.” Police Chief Kevin Hodgson took the opportunity to speak in support of dispatchers as “our first responders behind the scenes.” In a prepared statement, Hodgson spoke to the importance of Public Safety Telecommunicators, saying, “These dedicated individuals are tasked with assessing the situation and dispatching the appropriate emergency service, sometimes in high-stress situations under great pressure, where every second counts.”
Under the regular agenda, the council approved an agreement for professional services with Miller & Associates for the new subdivision and heard a project update specific to the sports complex. Joined by the sports facility design firm Mammoth Construction via video conference, the discussion included specific features of the athletic complex, including multi-use fields, bleachers and the construction of support buildings. The discussion also included efforts to add a soccer field as an alternative to Barnett Park, a popular bird habitat.
Although several cost-cutting measures were discussed, the inclusion of artificial turf in the project was presented as a non-negotiable. Although artificial turf requires greater up-front expense, the maintenance costs are substantially lower and the material, less vulnerable to environmental conditions, allowing an extended playing season.
The council then voted on a series of ordinances. Among them, the second reading of the ordinance to raise the staff purchasing limit to $50,000. The measure passed on a 4-0 vote.
The council also passed, on third and final reading, an ordinance to provide a method for conveying city-owned property to economic development organizations. The council also, on third and final reading of an ordinance to allow the council to set fees for management of McCook Aquatic Park as well as the companion ordinance that sets pool fees for the park. All three were passed and will be adopted as law upon publication.
Under suspension of the three-reading rule, the council considered and approved the final passage of an ordinance to amend general regulations for unlicensed vehicles and the final passage of an ordinance to amend the animal Code to allow Red Willow County Court to order restitution. All passed on a 4-0 vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. The next meeting of the council is scheduled for Monday, April 21.