By Allison Peck
Downtown Association Candidates Forum — November General Election
Editorial note: These stories are written from the Sept. 8, 2026 North Platte Downtown Association Candidates Forum transcript. Candidate positions are attributed to statements made at the forum. The current general-election field was checked against Lincoln County election information and May primary results.
Candidates for North Platte city council and school board, along with Lincoln County Commissioner Michaela Wuehler, addressed growth, taxes, development, school finances and leadership during Tuesday's North Platte Downtown Association Candidates Forum.
North Platte candidates heading into the November general election used a local candidates forum Tuesday to lay out how they would approach some of the biggest issues facing the city, county and public school district.
The two-hour forum brought together candidates in contested city council and school board races, along with Lincoln County Commissioner Michaela Wuehler, who is running unopposed.
City Council Ward 3 candidates Jim Riewe and Scott Young agreed that continued growth is important, but offered different approaches to development, tax increment financing and long-term planning.
Riewe pointed to his business and leadership background and said North Platte needs to continue identifying gaps in the community while carefully vetting new development. Young emphasized fiscal responsibility, contingency planning and making sure major opportunities have community support before moving forward.
Tax increment financing, or TIF, was one of the clearest areas of difference. Young said TIF can be useful but should be used cautiously and with public input. Riewe described it as an investment tool that can help pay for infrastructure tied to development.
Other city candidates also addressed taxes and growth. Ward 4 incumbent Ed Rieker said North Platte's growth presents challenges, particularly the need for streets, water, sewer and utilities as development expands. Ward 2 candidate Brandon Jones said growing the city's tax base is central to reducing pressure on property taxpayers. Ward 1 Council President Jim Nisley discussed controlling spending and keeping the city's levy manageable.
Wuehler addressed county regulation of wind, solar, battery storage and data centers, saying Lincoln County's updated comprehensive plan and regulations are intended to provide a framework for future development. She also discussed county operations in the event of potential commissioner recalls.
School board candidates spent much of the evening discussing the relationship between elected board members and administrators, the upcoming search for a permanent superintendent, district finances and growth.
In Ward 1, Shreya Agrawal and Stuart Simpson are seeking the open seat. Ward 2 features Val Hyde and Harlan Anderson, while Ward 3 is a contest between incumbent Emily Garrick and challenger Kyle Nichols.
The school board candidates differed over the balance between taxation and spending, the district's financial outlook, and how much authority a school board should exercise over administration.
The forum was organized by the North Platte Downtown Association and included questions from local media representatives. The November general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
Source note: Sept. 8, 2026 North Platte Downtown Association Candidates Forum transcript; Lincoln County 2026 election information and May primary results where applicable.