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North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher says the city is continuing to balance immediate challenges with long-term growth following Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
Kelliher noted that wildfire response efforts across western Nebraska remain a major focus for local officials, calling the situation both dangerous and historic in scale.
He also expressed appreciation for firefighters, volunteers, and crews from across the state and region assisting with containment efforts.
During the meeting, the council approved a new health and accident insurance contract for city employees, which Kelliher said comes with a roughly 10 percent increase.
“Across the nation, health insurance goes up quite a bit every year,” he said. “We’ve been very lucky in past years, but this year it’s gone up a significant amount.”
The council also approved the appointment of Travis Covey to the Citizens Advisory Review Committee, which oversees the city’s LB840 economic development funds. Kelliher said the fund currently holds just over $1 million, used for grants and loans to support local projects.
One of the more talked-about decisions was the approval to rename Pioneer Park, located near A Street and Dewey, to Governor’s Park. The park will feature signage and educational displays recognizing three Nebraska governors who are from North Platte.
“Let the youth and the people of North Platte know the people from North Platte have done great things,” Kelliher said.
The signage project is expected to cost just under $8,000, with the city contributing approximately $3,566 after private donations and grants covered the remaining amount. Kelliher added the city may consider naming a future park in honor of pioneer history to address concerns raised during discussion.
The council also approved a contract of just under $2.8 million to extend East Francis Street, a project Kelliher said will support future residential and commercial development in the area by improving access and infrastructure.
“The biggest part of growth is access,” he said. “Infrastructure is highly important… It’s going to be a great thing.”
Council members also approved the annexation of a mobile home park near North Madison Street, allowing the property, which already uses city water and sewer services, to officially become part of North Platte.
In another item, the city approved a payment to Midlands Contracting for work on a sanitary sewer line near a residential area east of Powell’s Brewery. The project will give nearby homeowners the option to connect to city sewer services in the future.
The council also approved purchasing a deteriorating property at 908 East 14th Street using state grant funding. Kelliher said the city plans to clear the property and eventually auction it, along with others, to encourage new housing development.
“We’ll be auctioning these lots… and should generate some lower-cost housing in the community,” he said.
In a separate action, the council approved vacating a portion of an alley near Poplar Street, which will allow for expansion of a duplex and result in the addition of another housing unit.
Kelliher said the meeting reflects continued efforts to improve infrastructure, expand housing opportunities, and recognize local history, while the city also continues to respond to ongoing wildfire conditions and looks ahead to the changing season.