CITY OF BENKELMAN
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 31, 2026
The City Council met in the Council Chambers beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a Public Hearing on the One-And-Six Year Road Plan, followed by the Regular Meeting. Present: Mayor Tammy Buffington; Council Members Nick Baney, JoAnn Decker, Dustin Bundy, Deb Stamm; City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews; City Superintendent Tim Smith; City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt; Dundy County Sheriff Bang; Others Present: Dundy County Deputy Sean Preston, Jenny Kostka, Shaila Latta, Mary Castillo, Lynn Schrader and Mike Ahrens. (Arrived 7:14 pm)
Mayor Buffington called the meeting to order and stated that the meeting was being conducted in compliance with the Open Meetings Law, which is posted on the south wall by the main entrance
Council member Nick Baney made a motion to open the public hearing for the One-And-Six Road Plan at 6:31pm, seconded by JoAnn Decker. Ayes: Baney, Decker, Bundy, Stamm; nays: none. Motion passed.
City Superintendent Tim Smith presented his report and proposal, which included the following estimated costs: Approximately 25,000 square yards for $30,000; Aggregate (175 tons) for $21,875; Millings (200 tons) for $28,000; Crack filling for $20,000; and spot spraying for $20,000, for a total of $119,875. He also noted that additional asphalt projects would be completed on an as-needed basis. Other proposed projects include various concrete improvements. He stated that several areas in town require curb and gutter replacement and installation, and that there are potholes in concrete streets that need to be saw-cut and repoured. In addition, a large slab on 7th Avenue between Chief Street and Arapahoe Street will need to be replaced, with an estimated cost of approximately $30,000. During the previous fiscal year, the City of Benkelman spent nearly $500,000 on road and street repairs, with the most notable improvement being the project on Railroad Avenue, along with several other projects throughout the community. Overall, he reported that the City of Benkelman’s roads are in good condition.
Council member Nick Baney made a motion to close the public hearing for the One-And-Six Road Plan at 6:36pm, seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Decker, Bundy, Stamm, Baney. Nays: none. Motion passed.
Motions made in paraphrased form and passed unanimously were:
•Motion to approve Resolution 3-30-2026 #1 A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE ONE-AND-SIX ROAD PLAN.
•Motion to approve the third reading of Ordinance 2026-862 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BENKELMAN, NEBRASKA, AMENDING PRIOR ORDINANCES REGARDING FEES CHARGED FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL BY THE CITY OF BENKELMAN, REPEALING ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
•Motion to adopt Ordinance 2026-862 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BENKELMAN, NEBRASKA, AMENDING PRIOR ORDINANCES REGARDING FEES CHARGED FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL BY THE CITY OF BENKELMAN, REPEALING ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION.
•Motion to approve Resolution 3-30-2026 #2 AUTHORIZING WEST CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BENKELMAN FOR PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
•Made a motion to request an extension with West Central until March 30th, 2027, on the CDBG DTR Grant.
•Motion to approve the proposal from JC Roofing for Class 3 Shingles.
•Motion to approve the proposal for park playground equipment for $128,349.00.
•Made a motion to accept bid from John Deere 21st Century for 324G Skid Steer for $61,071.
•Motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel and bank signature cards at 9:13 pm.
•Motion to come out of executive session at 9:56 pm.
•Motion to hire Braxton Merklin for $16/hr. for summer part-time help.
•Motion to hire Genie Cole for Deputy Clerk Position with wage starting at $22/hr. with health insurance benefits.
•Motion to hire Adrianna Bolio at 32 hours per week at $20/hr. with health insurance and benefits included.
•Motion to remove Lynette Behlke’s name from all signature cards and to add Genie Cole’s to signature cards.
•Motion to go into executive session at 10:01 pm for the protection of the public interest, specifically to hold a strategy session with respect to pending litigation.
•Motion to come out of executive session at 10:21 pm.
•Motion to rescind Resolution 3-30-2026 #3 A RESOLUTION TO FILE NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AND LIEN AGAINST PROPERTIES FOR VIOLATION OF VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
Council member JoAnn Decker made a motion to pull out bills from NWK Pumping and SW Area Clerks Association and approve the consent agenda with having those checks pulled out, seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Decker, Bundy, Stamm, Baney; nays: none. Motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
•Approve Minutes of February 16, 2026, Regular Meeting.
•Approve Treasurers Report.
•Approve Bills.
•Approve SDL Liquor Permit for Uppa Crik Hops LLC DBA Uppa Crik Tap Room.
•Approve Transfer to CRA to Pay Back Taxes on Tracy Scott Property in the amount of $4,197.80.
•Approve Transfer to CRA to Pay Back Taxes on Gary Cabral Property in the amount of $446.52.
•Planning Commission: Larry Wiese Building Permit 1007 D Street; Discussion was held on Leigh Real’s Storage Building Permit at 623 2nd Avenue West, and it was Determined That This Permit Would go to Variance.
The Council heard reports from:
•Shaila Latta Presented the CRA Report.
•Dundy County Sheriff Bang presented the Sheriff’s Report.
•City Superintendent Tim Smiths monthly report.
•City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews monthly report.
The Council discussed:
•Leigh Real was present to discuss his variance permit for storage buildings.
•Qualifications for a variance permit and the steps required to amend the zoning map.
•Mary Castillo was present to discuss the development of a community walking trail.
•Jenny Kostka Vacant Property Registration and her property at 704 A Street and Five Rule Planning.
•Dundy County Senior Center Transit Bus.
•Lincoln Federal Rate Proposal.
•Mike Ahrens was present to discuss water taps on his properties.
•MEAN Representatives.
•Emergency Management Director fee for Region 51.
•Forestry Grant received from The City of McCook.
•Possible Tree Board.
•Council Wards.
•Update to Swimming Pool Ordinance.
•Nuisance Tree Update.
•Generation Clause to Add into Personnel Manual.
•Background Checks for Newly Hired Full-Time Employees.
•Electric Report submitted by Paul Castillo.
•Water Report submitted by Jeremiah Unger
•Deputy Clerk Report submitted by Adrianna Bolio.
Meeting adjourned at 10:24 p.m.
A full set of minutes may be found on our website at benkelmanusa.com or at the City Office.
Tammy Buffington, Mayor
ATTESTED: Robyn Mathews, City Clerk/Treasurer
City of Benkelman Disbursements,
February 24, 2026 to March 30, 2026
State of Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,401.73
State of Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,339.72
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center . .C11810 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.50
American Family Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aflac Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73.52
American Family Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aflac Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73.52
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75.00
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,350.38
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47.15
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .559.60
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75.00
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,706.14
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47.15
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .530.55
Colonial Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Life/Accident Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .485.36
Dundy County Treasurer . . . . . . .Interlocal Law Agreement . . . . . . . .10,944.36
Dundy County Treasurer . . . . . . .Interlocal Law Agreement . . . . . . . .10,944.36
Principal Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . .Vision, Life & STD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .772.60
Principal Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . .Vision, Life & STD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .582.12
GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fireman’s Life Ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187.00
GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fireman’s Life Ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187.00
RP Division of Ameritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,653.56
RP Division of Ameritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,373.71
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,510.66
BCBS of Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Health Insurance . . . . . . . .11,077.40
Hometown Leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Copier Lease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181.35
Dundy County Treasurer . .1/2 February 2026 C&D Site Receipts . . . . . .310.00
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sales & Use Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . .10,816.66
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center . .C11810 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.50
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center . .C11811 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.50
Robyn Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mileage/ Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .617.28
William Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mileage/ Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291.52
A.S.A.P Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.00
AMGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Services . . . . . . . . . . .8,380.00
American Agricultural Laboratory . . . .Water Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42.56
American Electric McCook . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .768.12
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding ……………………… 4,690.49
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Salaries …………………………42,234.25
Bwtelcom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Telephone ……………………………895.79
Benkelman Napa . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance/ Supplies…………….899.51
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Petty Cash ……………………………..92.30
Black Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natural Gas………………………..3,409.84
CNA Surety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Services…………………….100.00
City of McCook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transfer Station ……………………..3,512.56
DOM Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance ……………………580.25
Ne Dept of Transportation . . . . . . . . . . .Snow Removal ………………………2,917.20
Dan’s R Us Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal……………………………..822.68
Dundy County Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Testing ………………………………154.00
Dutton Lainson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies……………………………..366.44
Eakes Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Office Supplies…………………………642.59
Kiah Feaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance ……………………250.00
Five Rule, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Services …………………2,000.00
Frenchman Valley Coop . . . . . . . . . . . .Fuel & Diesel/ Oil ……………………6,062.93
Helena Agri-Enterprises . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance ……………………..26.95
Holmstedt Law Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Fees …………………….1,742.50
Mid- American Chemical Research . . . . . .Supplies……………………………..834.63
Nebraska DHHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Testing/ Analysis ……………………….159.00
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool . . . . .Power Purchased………………….196,174.39
Mittens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diesel ……………………………….281.32
Municipal Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies……………………………..649.41
Owens Implement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies/ Shop Tools …………………….557.90
Pinnacle Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Credit Card …………………………..439.86
Pioneer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies……………………………..266.94
Pye Barker Fire Safety . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance ……………………340.00
Scoop Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Printing……………………………1,258.61
Tim Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies………………………………127.93
Tim Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mileage/ Hotel ………………………..806.04
Southwest Public Power . . . . . . . . . . . .Power Purchased …………………….1,637.73
Svehla Law Offices, P.C . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Services………………….1,406.50
Wesco Receivables Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies…………………………..4,046.74
Wiese Carpentry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/ Maintenance …………………4,228.80
PUBLISHED: APRIL 9, 2026; SMN:ZNEZ
