CITY OF BENKELMAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15TH, 2026
CITY OF BENKELMAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15TH, 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, JoAnn Decker; City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews; City Superintendent Tim Smith; City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt; Dundy County Deputy Preston (Arrived 6:36 p.m.); Others Present: Trevor Horner (Arrived 6:46 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 Dundy County Deputy Preston was present to give the Sheriff’s report. Trevor Horner was present to give the CRA Report. A complaint form was filed regarding the park bathrooms. City Superintendent Tim Smith inspected the bathrooms and reported that nothing appeared to be out of order or cause for concern. It was noted that the park bathrooms cannot be monitored or maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Discussion was also held regarding the increased traffic on the road near the bathrooms and that the facilities are being used more frequently, including by truck drivers traveling through the area. After discussion, it was determined that staff will attempt to check the bathrooms at the end of each workday. The Council also discussed the possibility of installing vandal-resistant (prison-style) toilets in the future, as the current toilets have required frequent replacement due to items being intentionally placed in them and causing damage. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the Dundy County Senior Center Transit Bus and whether the bus should continue to operate or be sold. Financial information was presented outlining the costs associated with operating and maintaining the bus. It was noted that bus services have been suspended since January and that the insurance coverage on the vehicle has been canceled. Discussion was also held regarding alternative transportation. It was noted that Hitch and Hay have offered to assist by keeping a bus available in Benkelman to provide transportation services for residents. If the Senior Center chooses to proceed with the sale of the bus, it was discussed that the sale would need to be properly advertised and a public hearing conducted in accordance with applicable requirements. Further discussion was held regarding the disposition of any proceeds from the sale, as the vehicle title is currently listed in the name of the City of Benkelman. Motions made in paraphrased form and passed unanimously were: •Motion to charge $40.00 per person for swimming lessons. •Motion to have Laynee Lutz for the boat races on July 25th from 11:00a.m.-12:30p.m. •Motion to go into executive session at 8:27 p.m. to discuss litigation. •Motion to come out of executive session at 8:35 p.m. •Motion to proceed with the foreclosure on Kostka property at 704 A Street. •Motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel at 8:37 p.m. •Motion to come out of executive session at 8:43 p.m. •Motion to pay Trynt Unger the same as the other part-time summer help at $16.00/ hr. •Motion to pay Adrianna Bolio $17.50/ hr. for working at the C&D site. •Motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Council member Nick Baney made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Dustin Bundy. Ayes: Baney, Decker, Bundy, Stamm; nays: none. Motion passed. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: •Approve Minutes of May 18, 2026, Regular Meeting. •Approve Treasurers Report. •Approve Bills. •Approve Transfer to CRA in the amount of $1,121.38 in Lieu of Taxes. •Approve July 3rd Off in Observance of the Holiday. •Planning Commission: Approved Fence Permit for Mike Ahrens at 220 6th Ave. The Council heard reports from: •Trevor Horner Presented the CRA Report. •Dundy County Deputy Preston presented the Sheriff’s Report. •City Superintendent Tim Smiths monthly report. •City Clerk/Treasurer Robyn Mathews monthly report. The Council discussed: •Opening of Swimming Pool and Available Staff. •Fire Damage located at 721 Cheyenne Street. •Legislative Bill 759. •Update on Grant Application for Playground Equipment. •Retaining Wall at 218 9th Ave Project. •July 6th, 2026, Special Meeting to Accept Electrical Project Bid. Meeting adjourned at 8:45p.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, May 22, 2026 to June 15, 2026
Colonial Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Life/Accident Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .615.84
NE Dept of Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . .State Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,195.22
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,011.60
BCBS of Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . .Employee Health Insurance . . . . .1,126,466.00
American Family Life Insurance . . . . . . .Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73.52
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337.50
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,755.71
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62.65
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,509.85
NDEE- Fiscal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C318002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,041.28
GSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196.00
Hometown Leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Copier Lease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181.35
Dundy County Treasurer . . . . . . . .Interlocal Agreement . . . . . . . . . .10,944.36
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sales & Use Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7,196.25
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center .C11810 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.50
Principal Life Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700.70
RP Ameritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,921.54
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center .C11810 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.50
Electronic Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,214.03
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40,476.00
Bwtelcom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .872.10
Benkelman Napa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . .377.30
City of Benkelman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Petty Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111.76
Black Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natural Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,131.20
City of McCook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transfer Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,214.52
Crawford Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66.94
Dan’s R Us Sanitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787.72
Davis Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . .4,896.57
Dundy County Clerk . . . . . . . . .40% Emergency Director Fee . . . . . . . .3,404.50
Eakes Office Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .772.41
Dundy County Treasurer . . . . . .1/2 May C&D Site Receipts . . . . . . . . .3,205.60
Frenchman Valley Coop . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fuel & Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,137.27
Grace Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48.27
Helena Agri- Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .855.00
Holmstedt Law Office . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,687.50
Laynee Lutz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65.79
Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska .Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .453.00
Municipal Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,003.09
Neb. Municipal Power Pool .Power Purchased/ Prof. Services . . . . .88,486.21
NE Health & Human Services . . . . . . .Water Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19.00
NWK Pumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Repair/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . .185.00
Nebraska Municpal Power Pool . . . . . . .Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359.56
Owens Implement . . . . . . . . .Supplies/ Tools/ Office Supplies . . . . . . .1,093.40
Pioneer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266.94
Power Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302.62
Robyn Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407.45
Scales Sales & Service LLC . . . . . . .Repair/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . .4,129.70
Scoop Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107.70
Southwest Public Power . . . . . . . . . . .Power Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,121.04
St. Fancis Redi Mix & ConstructionRepair/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . .123.75
Susies Creatuve Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .994.39
Svehla Law Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professional Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899.05
Pinnacle Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Credit Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,477.98
Toni Lurz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Balance Refund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19.85
U.S. Water Services Coporation . . .Sand Filter Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . .1,875.00
Wesco Receivables Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,306.47
Western Resources Group . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .633.96
Marilyn Zarkowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65.00
Wiese Carpentry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,060.00
PUBLISHED: JUNE 25, 2026; SMN:ZNEZ