CITY OF BENKELMAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING APRIL 20TH, 2026

CITY OF BENKELMAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING APRIL 20TH, 2026  

The City Council met in the Council Chambers beginning at 6:30 p.m. for the Regular Meeting. Present: Mayor Tammy Buffington; Council Members Nick Baney, Dustin Bundy, Deb Stamm; City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews; City Superintendent Tim Smith; City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt; Dundy County Sheriff Bang (Arrived 6:39 p.m.); Absent: Council Member JoAnn Decker; Others Present: Leigh Real, Jenny Kostka, Doug Christiansen of Five Rule Planning, Michael Hoback AMGL, Marian Ellis, Jennifer Fries, Relgene Zimbleman (Arrived 6:32 p.m.); Frank Merklin (Arrived at 6:35 p.m.) and Trevor Horner. (Arrived 7:00 p.m.)  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  Michael Hoback of AMGL CPA’s & Advisors was present to give the 2024-2025 Audit Report. Mr. Hoback distributed a two-page summary report which compared the City of Benkelman audit report to other communities of a similar size. The size of the City’s accounting and administrative staff precludes certain internal controls that would be preferred if the office staff were large enough to provide optimum segregation of duties. This lack of segregation of duties creates an opportunity for employees to commit fraud that may go undetected. This situation suggests that the City Council remain involved in the financial affairs of the City to provide oversight and independent review functions, along with monitoring all utility accounts so that we do not get behind on rate increases as suggested. Mr. Hoback found that the City’s books are in good shape and appreciates the help from the office staff in getting information to them and ready for their audit visit. Mr. Hoback suggested that the City Council revaluate Sewer Rates.  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. Motions made in paraphrased form and passed were:  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve the Audit as presented, seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Baney, Bundy, Stamm. Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve Free Swimming on July 4th, 2026, seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Bundy, Stamm, Baney; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve Leigh Real’s Variance Permit for storage units, seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Stamm, Baney, Bundy; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to hire Wiese Carpentry for park maintenance, seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Bundy, Stamm, Baney; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to hire Laynee Lutz as Manager of the Swimming Pool at $18/hr. and at Lifeguard at $16.50/hr., seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Stamm, Baney, Bundy; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to hire Kiley Anderson for Assistant Manager at $17/hr. and lifeguard at $16.50/ hr., seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Baney, Bundy, Stamm; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to hire Breck Horner as Assistant Manager at $16/hr. and lifeguard at $15.50/hr., seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Bundy, Stamm, Baney; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Dustin Bundy made a motion to hire lifeguards Clara Spargo, Emily Schack and Brock Bailey at $15.50/hr., seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Stamm, Baney, Bundy; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Dustin Bundy made a motion to hire lifeguards Abi Spargo, Garrett Koppie, Bree Lutz, Ava Lutz, Ella Shillington, AnnaLee Shapley for $15.00/hr., seconded Deb Stamm. Ayes: Baney, Bundy, Stamm; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Dustin Bundy made a motion to hire Trent Unger for the part-time summer help position for the City at $15/ hr., seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Bundy, Stamm, Baney; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve 60 months at $1,749.00 for the coverage protection warranty plan for the skid steer seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Stamm, Baney, Bundy; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed.  •Council member Nick Baney made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 pm, seconded by Deb Stamm. Ayes: Baney, Bundy, Stamm; Absent: Decker: nays: none. Motion passed.  Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Baney, Bundy, Stamm; Absent: Decker; nays: none. Motion passed. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:  •Approve Minutes of March 30, 2026, Regular Meeting.  •Approve Minutes of April 8, 2026, Special Meeting.  •Approve Treasurers Report.  •Approve Bills.  •Approve Transfer to CRA for Cline Williams Invoice #432066 for $672.00. (CRA Remaining Budget Included)  •Reappoint Marjorie Els on Housing Authority Board.  •Planning Commission: Approved Brady and Morgan Wonderly 407 5th Avenue West chicken coop permit with recommendation that it needs to be moved to five (5) feet from West side of the property; Approved building permit for CRA new house at 621 A Street (Jack McGraw); Approved Jeneane Welshans new fence permit at 718 Buffalo Street with the stipulation that all the missing information is provided to council such as property lines and needing a signature from the neighbor to the South; Did not approve fence permit for Mike Ahrens at 620 Buffalo Street due not enough information being on permit. The Council heard reports from:  •Trevor Presented the CRA Report.  •Dundy County Sheriff Bang presented the Sheriff’s Report.  •Doug Christiansen Vacant Property Registration Update.  •City Superintendent Tim Smiths monthly report.  •City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews monthly report. The Council discussed:  •Jennifer Fries was present to discuss the Annual 4th of July Parade.  •Fire Chief Relgene Zimbleman was present to discuss bunker gear needed for the Fire Department.  •Zoning Changes/ Updates to Zoning Map.  •Jenny Kostka Vacant Property Registration and her property at 704 A Street.  •CD Rates.  •Concrete/ Drainage way for the 218 9th Avenue project.  •Park Camping for Extended Periods.  •Electric Report submitted by Paul Castillo.  •Water Report submitted by Jeremiah Unger  •Deputy Clerk Report submitted by Adrianna Bolio.  Meeting adjourned at 8:53 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,

April 01, 2026 to April 21, 2026

Colonial Life – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Life/Accident Insurance – – – – – – – – – -485.36

Bob Ellis – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Water Payment Lease Payment – – – – – -8,000.00

Electronic Deposit – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Withholding – – – – – – – – – – – – -3,980.10

BCBS of Nebraska – – – – – – – – -Employee Health Insurance – – – – – – -9,267.57

Hometown Leasing – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Copier Lease – – – – – – – – – – – – – -181.35

Dundy County Treasurer – -1/2 March 2026 C&D Site Receipts – – – – – -351.20

Electronic Deposit – – – – – – – – – – – – -Sales & Use Tax – – – – – – – – – – – -8,559.88

Nebraska Child Support Payment Center -C11810 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -164.50

JC Roofing – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Repair/ Maintenance – – – – – – – – -13,848.48

JC Roofing – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Repair/ Maintenance – – – – – – – – -13,648.78

21st Century – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Skid Steer – – – – – – – – – – – – -61,071.65

A.S.A.P Express – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Postage – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -20.00

NWK Pumping – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Repair/ Maintenance – – – – – – – – – – -180.00

American Electric McCook – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -307.00

Electronic Deposit – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Withholding – – – – – – – – – – – – – 5,911.31

Personnel – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Salaries – – – – – – – – – – – – – -45,498.25

BWTelcom – – – – – – – – – – -Telephone/ Supplies/ Repair/ Maint – – – -3,555.11

Benkelman Napa – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -106.45

City of Benkelman – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Petty Cash – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -97.46

Black Hills – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Natural Gas – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,896.49

City of McCook – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Transfer Station – – – – – – – – – – – -3,198.84

Cornhusker State Industries – – – – – – -Office Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – -4,813.00

Dan’s R Us Sanitation – – – – – – – – – – – – -Disposal – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -100.00

Dundy County Clerk – – – – – – -40% Emergency Director Fee – – – – – – -3,404.50

Dutton Lainson – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -2,173.09

Fairfield by Marriott – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Motel – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -491.80

Frenchman Valley Coop – – – – – – – – – -Fuel & Diesel – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,675.16

Holmstedt Law Office – – – – – – – – – -Professional Fees – – – – – – – – – – -1,770.00

League Association of Risk ManagementInsurance – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -398.60

Nebraska DHHS – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Testing/ Analysis – – – – – – – – – – – – -38.00

Nebraska Municipal Power Pool – – – – – -Certificate – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,750.00

Nebraska Department of Labor – – – -Unemployment – – – – – – – – – – – -1,525.59

Municipal Supply – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -627.05

Health & Human Services – – – – – – -Testing/ Analysis – – – – – – – – – – – – -38.00

Nebraska Clerks Institute – – – – – – – – – -Conference – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -46.00

Nebraska Generator Service LLC -Repair/ Maintenance – – – – – – – – -2,084.85

Nebraska Rural Water Association -Water Conference – – – – – – – – – – – -890.00

Newell Plumbing & Electric – – – – -Repair/ Maintenance – – – – – – – – – – -311.05

One Call Concepts, Inc – – – – – – – – – – – – -Locates – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -18.70

Pinnacle Bank – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Credit Card – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,761.61

Star Seed – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Chemicals – – – – – – – – – – – – – -2,725.95

USA Bluebook – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -Supplies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -1,077.27

Western Resource Group – – – – – – – – – – -Disposal – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -601.20

Wiese Carpentry – – – – – – – – -Repair/ Maintenance/ Supplies – – – – – -2,485.41

PUBLISHED: APRIL 30, 2026; SMN:ZNEZ