Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The Sidney City Council reviewed the City's fee schedules during the Aug. 13 city council meeting.
Finance Director David Scott said in the resolution that the council approved an ordinance in 2018 creating a fee schedule containing all of the fees. Prior to that, each department's fees were reviewed and approved individually, “at random,” according to Scott. The fee schedule reviewed included actual fees to be charged from that point forward.
According to City Manager Ed Sadler, the intent is to streamline the process and have scheduled reviews.
“The intent from here on out is to review this every year,” Sadler said.
He said he thinks an annual review is good for the city, and that a review does not automatically mean a rate increase.
During the review, councilman Brad Sherman asked if the rate change affected pool attendance. An adult daily pool pass is now $5.50; an annual pass is $99. A youth daily pass is $4.50 and $68 for an annual. Children five and under are $3.50 and $52 annually. Seniors are $3.50 daily and $52 annual. A family plan can be purchased for $164.
“Prices don't seem to have affected attendance,” Sadler said.
Scott added that some of the new fees were added when the City realized it was losing money for the service. Requests for copies of reports or documents onto a CD or flashdrive will now come with a cost: $1 for a CD or DVD and $10 for an 8 gb flashdrive. The Stage Line bus service will be $1.25 one way downtown to residential, and $2.25 for one-way ride to the Interstate 80 area. The City is also interested in advertisers for its Stage Line. Spots can be contracted from $225 to $800 for a 12-month agreement.
The council also approved an audit engagement letter with Rauner & Associates for the 2018-2019 City audit. Scott said there is a three-year agreement with an option for a one-year extension.
The City also reviewed its budget on Aug. 27. The council held a hearing on the 2019-2020 budget summary for all City funds, including tax levy and unused budget.
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