City Council Approves Budget

The Sidney City Council on September 27 approved its budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

The process included a budget hearing early in the city council meeting, followed by the council approving a resolution setting the property tax at .574936 mills. Of that amount, .338854, or $1,520,453, will be appropriated for the General Fund and .236082, or $1,077,409 will be appropriated for bonded indebtedness. Finance Director Lane Kizzire's presentation included that the assessed value of property differs from last year's assessed value by 4.56 percent. The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be .560804 per $100 of assessed value.

The Council adopted a property tax request of .574936; based on the proposed tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the City of Sidney will increase last year's budget by 9.2 percent, according to the presentation. The budget also includes an allowable 1 percent increase in restricted funds.

The council also approved the annual designation of depositories for 2022-2023.

The September 27 meeting included a scheduled executive session on personnel issues. City Manager David Scott was scheduled for his annual employment review. Scott opted to have the review held in open session rather than a closed-door meeting. Scott was asked about alleged outbursts in public by Scott, and of the ongoing vacancy in the Economic Development office.

Scott said the Economic Development position is symptomatic of the same issues other employers are facing. He said the City might consider contracting with a “head hunter” recruiting firm.

Council also quizzed Scott about reported verbal outbursts. Scott admitted to a verbal exchange at the golf course and admitted he should have walked away from it.

Scott proposed having quarterly special meetings with short-term and long-term goals.

The council decided to hold a special meeting for department managers to speak on Scott's performance. Date of the meeting has not been announced.

More than two years ago, about the same time COVID-19 was publicly announced, two Sidney residents came up with an idea to change the way people viewed play time. They envisioned an experience that was more inclusive of people of all ages and abilities. They saw the concept replacing the playground at Legion Park. How much it would cost, they didn't know at first. In early 2022, Madison “Madi” Wilkinson and Ally Benzel, and the Sidney Park Project committee surrounding them, announced more than $700,000 had been raised for the park project.

On September 27, the Sidney City Council recognized the effort of the Sidney Park Project committee. The council approved a resolution recognizing the vision and commitment to see a new playground to completion, and the formal donation of the playground to the City.

One of the parts of the economy impacted by COVID-19 is the supply lines. From food products common in grocery stores, to computer chips for motorized vehicles on the street. It is also what kept the Sidney Police Department from ordering new fleet vehicles.

In the September 27 council meeting, Police Chief Joe Aiken said the newest vehicle in the Police Department is the 2020 Ford Explorer. Prior to that, the Department has a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2013 Dodge Charger, both reported to have about 160,000 miles on them, “and are at the end of their rope.” The council approved purchase of two 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab Police Package pickups for a total of $82,514 plus any cost of fitting the pickups for police use.

The council also considered a resolution limiting parking on the east side of 10th Street from Jackson to King Street. The issue is balancing the business traffic with the needs of apartment residents. The proposed resolution was tabled.