Nebraska Municipal Review, December 2023

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW Official Publication of the League of Nebraska Municipalities

Siouxland Freedom Park unveils Korean War Memorial Norfolk hosts Hometown Holiday Festival From village to city: Bennet sees steady growth

DECEMBER 2023

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

Contents DECEMBER 2023 No. 1,184 ISSN 0028–1 9 0 6 About the Cover: Minden is known as Nebraska’s Christmas City and the long-standing tradition of extravagant holiday lights and a local pageant are only a small portion of the town’s holiday charm.

Photo shared courtesy of Jim Bunger, Kearney Media.

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The Director’s Message by L. Lynn Rex, LNM Executive Director – ‘EPIC Option’ would take away local control over the budgeting process from political subdivisions

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A vision realized: Siouxland Freedom Park unveils Korean War Memorial

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ARPA obligation deadline is around the corner

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Holiday in lights: Norfolk hosts Hometown Holiday Festival

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TIMEX 2023: Responders from across the state train together to improve safety

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With a new year… Legislative session starts Jan. 3

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Impacting change – League & LIGHT boards meet

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Nebraska Recycling Council: Annual Municipal Survey

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From village to city: Bennet is seeing steady growth in population & business

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Building their own future: Columbus teen group aiming to build and open drive-in theater

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USDA Rural Development: Improving water & water infrastructure in Nebraska

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LARM – Steps to prevent illegal dumping

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The Legal Corner by Michelle L. Sitorius & Roger D. Sack, Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P. - Determining if part-time government employees are entitled to full-time benefits

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Professional Directory

Larger Cities Legislative Committee Seth Sorensen, City Manager, Alliance Tobias Tempelmeyer, City Administrator/General Manager, Beatrice Rusty Hike, Mayor, Bellevue Jim Ristow, City Administrator, Bellevue Mindy Rump, Mayor, Blair Phil Green, City Administrator, Blair Desirae Solomon, City Attorney, Blair Miles Bannon, Council Member, Chadron Tom Menke, City Manager, Chadron Jim Bulkley, Mayor, Columbus Tara Vasicek, City Administrator, Columbus Dave Bauer, Mayor Crete Tom Ourada, City Administrator, Crete Jerry Wilcox, Clerk/Treasurer, Crete Joey Spellerberg, Mayor, Fremont Jody Sanders, City Administrator, Fremont Kent Ewing, Mayor, Gering Laura McAloon, City Administrator, Grand Island Mike Evans, Mayor, Gretna Paula Dennison, City Administrator, Gretna Corey Stutte, Mayor, Hastings Shawn Metcalf, City Administrator, Hastings

James Liffrig, Mayor, Holdrege Chris Rector, City Administrator, Holdrege Stan Clouse, Mayor, Kearney Brenda Jensen, Assistant City Manager, Kearney Doug Kindig, Mayor, La Vista Pam Buethe, Clerk, La Vista John Fagot, Mayor, Lexington Joe Pepplitsch, City Manager, Lexington Margaret Blatchford, Assistant City Attorney, Lincoln Amanda Barker, Advisor to the Mayor, Lincoln Linda Taylor, Mayor, McCook Nate Schneider, City Manager, McCook Bryan Bequette, Mayor, Nebraska City Perry Mader, City Administrator, Nebraska City Josh Moenning, Mayor, Norfolk Andrew Colvin, City Administrator, Norfolk Dani Myers-Noelle, City Attorney, Norfolk Brandon Kelliher, Mayor, North Platte Layne Groseth, City Admin./Utilities Manager, North Platte Steve Krajewski, Mayor, Ogallala Kevin Wilkins, City Manager, Ogallala Jack Cheloha, Deputy City Attorney/City Lobbyist, Omaha Thomas Warren, Chief of Staff, Omaha

David Black, Mayor, Papillion Amber Powers, City Administrator, Papillion R. Paul Lambert, Mayor, Plattsmouth Emily Bausch, City Administrator, Plattsmouth Don Groesser, Mayor, Ralston Brian Kavanaugh, Council Member, Ralston Rick Hoppe, City Administrator, Ralston William De Roos, City Administrator, Schuyler Jeanne McKerrigan, Mayor, Scottsbluff Jordan Colwell,Vice Mayor, Scottsbluff Kevin Spencer, City Manager/Police Chief, Scottsbluff Joshua Eickmeier, Mayor, Seward Greg Butcher, City Administrator, Seward Roger Gallaway, Mayor, Sidney David Scott, City Manager, Sidney Carol Schuldt, Council Member, South Sioux City Lance Hedquist, City Administrator, South Sioux City Cale Giese, Mayor, Wayne Jill Brodersen, Council President, Wayne Wes Blecke, City Administrator, Wayne Barry Redfern, Mayor,York Dr. Sue Crawford, City Administrator,York

Smaller Cities Legislative Committee Lanette Doane, Clerk/Treasurer, Ansley Jessica Quady, City Administrator, Ashland Marlin Seeman, Mayor, Aurora Eric Melcher, City Administrator, Aurora Chris Anderson, City Administrator, Central City Nikki Schwanz, City Administrator, Cozad Andrew Lee, Admin./Clerk/Treasurer, Curtis Alan Michl, Chairperson, Exeter Becky Erdkamp, Clerk/Treasurer, Exeter Kyle Svec, City Administrator, Geneva Deb VanMatre, Mayor, Gibbon Matt Smallcomb, City Administrator, Gibbon

Gary Greer, City Administrator, Gothenburg Douglas Huber, Mayor, Hebron Jana Tietjen, Clerk, Hebron Kelly Oelke, City Administrator, Hickman Janine K. Schmidt, CMC/Treasurer, Morrill Sandra Schendt, Clerk/Treasurer, Nelson David Russell, Director of Government Affairs, NMPP Energy Mandy Hansen, Government Affairs Liason, NMPP Energy Sandy Kruml, Clerk/Treasurer, Ord Benjamin Benton, City Administrator/Clerk, Randolph Mike Feeken, Council Member, St. Paul Nancy Bryan, Clerk/Treasurer, Stromsburg

Sandra Foote, Council Member, Superior Jeff Hofaker, City Administrator, Sutton Jessica Meyer, City Administrator, Syracuse Kyle Arganbright, Mayor,Valentine Melissa Harrell, City Administrator, Wahoo Desiree Soloman, City Attorney, Waterloo Stephanie Fisher, City Administrator, Waverly Tom Goulette, City Administrator/Utility Superintendent, West Point Randy Woldt, Utilities Superintendent, Wisner CJ Heaton, City Administrator,Yutan

Executive Board 2023-2024 President

President-Elect

Vice President

Past President

Deb VanMatre Mayor, Gibbon Marlin Seeman Mayor, Aurora Bryan Bequette Mayor, Nebraska City Paul Lambert Mayor, Plattsmouth

CALENDAR Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference.............................................. Jan. 10-12, 2024, Embassy Suites, Lincoln Midwinter Conference......................................................................................... Feb. 26-27, 2024, Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln

Municipal Legal Calendar (All statute citations to Revised Statutes of Nebraska)

Directors

FEBRUARY 2024

Jean Stothert Mayor, Omaha Leirion Gaylor Baird Mayor, Lincoln Julie A. Deepe Mayor, Deshler Catherine-Jo Mills Village Chair, Ansley Joey Spellerberg Mayor, Fremont Joel M. Bergman Mayor, St. Paul Jordan Colwell Vice Mayor, Scottsbluff Josh Moenning Mayor, Norfolk Jeff Hofaker City Administrator, Sutton Janine K. Schmidt CMC/Treasurer, Morrill Layne Groseth City Administrator/Utilities Manager, North Platte

Affiliated Sections

City Managers Amber Powers Papillion Clerks Elizabeth Butler Omaha Municipal Brandi Kloepping Accounting Cozad & Finance Fire Chiefs Dennis Thompson North Platte Utilities Al Schoemaker Blair

League Staff L. Lynn Rex

CITIES OF THE FIRST CLASS Within 15 days of Passage..............................Clerk publishes ordinances passed. (16-405) Within 10 days from meeting or before next meeting (whichever is sooner).............Clerk to have minutes available for public inspection. (84-1413) On or before second Monday.......................Annual Library Board report due. (51-213) Within 30 days from Council meeting.........Clerk publishes official proceedings of meeting. (19-1102) Within 20 days after end of month..............Treasurer files monthly financial report. (16-318) * *.........................................................................Clerk must prepare agenda prior to next Board meeting. (84-1411) CITIES OF THE SECOND CLASS Within 15 days of Passage..............................Clerk publishes ordinances passed. (17-613) Within 10 days from meeting or before next meeting (whichever is sooner)......................................Clerk to have minutes available for public inspection. (84-1413) On or before second Monday.......................Annual Library Board report due. (51-213) Within 30 days from Council meeting................................................Clerk publishes official proceedings of meeting. (19-1102) Within 20 days after end of month..............Treasurer files monthly financial report. (17-606) * *.........................................................................Clerk must prepare agenda prior to next Council meeting. (84-1411) VILLAGES Within 15 days of Passage..............................Clerk publishes ordinances passed. (17-613) Within 10 days from meeting. or before next meeting (whichever is sooner)......................................Clerk to have minutes available for public inspection. (84-1413) On or before second Monday.......................Annual Library Board report due. (51-213) Within 30 days from Trustees’ meeting..............................................Clerk publishes official proceedings of meeting. (19-1102) Within 20 days after end of month..............Treasurer files monthly financial report. (17-606) * *.........................................................................Clerk must prepare agenda prior to next Board meeting. (84-1411)

Executive Director

Christy Abraham Legal Counsel Lash Chaffin Utilities Section Director Cherie DeFreece Administrative Assistant/ Membership Services Assistant Brenda Henning Membership Services Assistant Ethan Nguyen LNM/LARM Information Technology Manager Rob Pierce Utilities Field Representative/ Training Coordinator Shirley Riley Membership Services Director Ashley Wolfe Marketing/Communications Director

LARM Staff

Dave Bos Executive Director Tracy Juranek Assistant Executive Director, Customer Service Specialist Diane Becker Communications/Marketing Director Kyla Brockevelt Executive Administrative Assistant Drew Cook Customer Service Specialist James Kelley Loss Control Specialist John Hobbs Loss Control Specialist Fred Wiebelhaus Loss Control/Claims Manager

Nebraska Municipal Review Editor and Advertising Sales: Ashley Wolfe, 402-476-2829 or ashleyw@lonm.org The NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW is the official publication of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, an association of the cities and villages of Nebraska, published at 1335 L St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 — Telephone 402-476-2829; FAX 402-476-7052; Website: www.lonm.org. Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska. Views of contributors, solicited or unsolicited, are their own and not to be construed as having the endorsement of the League unless specifically and explicitly stated by the publisher.

The NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW is a nonprofit publication administered and supervised by the League of Nebraska Municipalities. All revenue derived from the publication is used by the association to defray publication costs.

The NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW is published monthly. Subscription rates are $5 per single copy — $50 plus tax for 12 issues.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW, 1335 L Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508.

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

‘EPIC Option’ would take away local control over the budgeting process from political subdivisions

BY L. LYNN REX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LNM

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he two proposed constitutional amendments being circulated across the state as “ballot questions” through the initiative process seeking the Elimination of Property, Income, and Corporate (EPIC) taxes would impose only a consumption tax to fund state and local governments. The “EPIC Option” also would take away local control over the budgeting process from political subdivisions as shown in the EPIC County Funding and Distribution Flowchart on page 5; this flowchart is from the proponents’ website. The references to “cities” (highlighted in YELLOW by the League) include villages.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard introduced and prioritized consumption tax bills several times to try to dramatically change Nebraska’s tax structure, including LB 79, introduced in 2023. On Feb. 13, 2023, Sen. Erdman filed AM314 to LB 79 which would replace the bill as originally introduced. The flowchart shows AM314 to LB 79 and how proponents intend to implement LR 6CA and LR 7CA which have the same text as the two proposed constitutional amendments being circulated through the initiative process.

The flowchart demonstrates how the “EPIC Option” would take away local control over the budgeting process from political subdivisions. Incredibly, proponents contend this flowchart outlines how the implementation of the “EPIC Option” would provide “local control!”

AM314 to LB 79 would establish five regional Budget Equalization and Review Boards; the League provided a map of the five regional boards in the November Review.

Each board would be made up of seven members: five from regional areas selected by the county boards, a secretary appointed by the Governor, and the Auditor of Public Accounts or his or her designee. Each member would be paid $80,000 a year with alternates paid $10,000 a year.

The secretary and auditor would be ex-officio, non-voting 4

members of the board.

Section 44 of AM314 to LB 79 provides, in part: “On or before the second Monday in May of each calendar year, each county shall send in writing to each political subdivision located or headquartered within the county a request to prepare a preliminary budget proposal, which shall include an itemized estimate of the probable revenue needed for the ensuing fiscal year, actual expenses for the previous five years, a five-year average of expenses, and any requests for additional expenditures. The request to prepare a preliminary budget proposal shall include a thirty-day deadline for submission of such proposal.”

If the proposal exceeds the five-year average of expenses for the county or political subdivision by more than 2.5 percent, the county or political subdivision must schedule a public hearing in July. The county then prepares a countywide budget proposal which includes the county’s preliminary budget proposal along with the preliminary budget proposals submitted by the political subdivisions located within the county. AM314 to LB 79 states that the county shall not alter a preliminary budget proposal submitted by a political subdivision.

Each county then submits the county-wide budget proposal to the regional representative for the county in one of the five regional Budget Equalization and Review Boards. The secretary of the regional board prepares a report and then submits it to the Governor and Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee

by Nov. 15. The Appropriations Committee then would determine the amount to be transferred to the “County Trust Fund” with a subsequent vote by the full Legislature. The County Trust Fund would be “used to supply counties and political subdivisions with adequate funds to run their respective operations…. The State Treasurer shall transfer money to the County Trust Fund NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

as directed by the Legislature.”

Section 46 of AM314 to LB 79 would create a County Stabilization Fund to assist counties with “additional or unexpected expenditures.” The Legislature may transfer money into the County Stabilization Fund as needed, but such funding could not exceed 10 percent of the total money transferred for the year into the fund. Distributions from this fund would be made annually to each county based on each county’s SEND Score which would be calculated by adding together a “public service needs score,” the “highway maintenance score,” and the “hospital score.”

AM314 to LB 79 also would create a County Rainy Day Fund which would “be used solely for the purposes of repairing structures, replacing structures, or providing for temporary shelters or temporary structures for purposes of county, municipal, or township government work or work associated with any political subdivision included in the countywide budget.”

As noted on the flowchart, there is a similar but separate process for school districts.

The League will continue providing information reagarding how the “EPIC O p t i o n” w o u l d a f f e c t municipalities, including the elimination of local option sales tax, highway trust fund dollars, tax-increment financing, etc. 

DECEMBER 2023

Source: EPIC Option website

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Workers install 19 Korean War soldiers in Siouxland Freedom Park. The figures are life-size, two-dimensional and made of stainless steel fronts with laser cuts, buffing and polishing to bring them to life, all created by Port Neal Welding. Photo provided by Port Neal.

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pen 24/7 and 365 days a year, and perched on the Missouri River, the Siouxland Freedom Park in South Sioux City brings focus to the tremendous sacrifice the men and women in the United States Armed Forces have made in the name of our great country. The 55-acre park honors the memory of those lost, aids in healing, and educates on the tremendous and historic significance of their service.

What brought such an amazing tribute to fruition? The simplest answer is passionate volunteers.

The idea was born in 2008 after a tremendous showing of patriotism and emotion after the “The Wall that Heals” traveling Vietnam Memorial was hosted in South Sioux City. Many veterans were in attendance and one question from Mary Guinane to Mike Newhouse started it all: “Why can’t we have something like this permanently in South Sioux City?”

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A vision

Siouxland Freedom Park unveils Korean War Memorial

BY ASHLEY WOLFE

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR, LNM

The initial momentum was quick.

The building at the park went up a year and half later and then the project stalled.

The building sat as a shell—without drywall, insulation, or any finish work on the inside for nearly 10 years. And then four years ago, Leadership Dakota County got involved.

The alumni group was seeking a project to take on and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

The project was re-kindled in January 2020 with a Chamber event and then COVID hit. But the group was not hindered. The fundraising continued and to date, there have been three Siouxland Freedom Balls to continue raising funds for the park.

Now the park is home to the only exact halfscale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The installation, completed in 2014, features the names of 58,272 fallen NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

From NLC

The Korean War Memorial at Siouxland Freedom Park was unveiled earlier this fall.

The exhibit is only one of many pieces dedicated to creating a place for healing and reflection at the park. Photo provided

by Port Neal.

service members from the Vietnam War. At 250-feet wide, the wall is impressive, breathtaking, and a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by many.

In October 2023, a new piece was unveiled at the park. The Korean War Memorial was created in the likeness of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC. The idea originated with a member of the Leadership Dakota County whose father-in-law was a Korean veteran. He took his idea and consulted with Dan Lee at Port Neal Welding. Lee was excited about the idea and created the life-size, two-dimensional, stainless-steel figures with laser cuts, buffing, and polishing to bring each one to life.

The full tribute consists of 19 Korean War soldiers. The soldiers are in a platoon formation, marching as if in the rice paddies of Korea, each soldier distinctively unique.

The Korean War Memorial is even more striking and moving at night. With illumination installed lighting up each soldier, there is a surreal sense of place and realization of the struggles that these soldiers had to face.

In addition to these two exhibits, the park and community recently celebrated the grand opening of the Brigadier General Bud and Doris Continued on page 14 / Freedom

If you go

The park is always open, but the Bud and Doris Day Interpretive Center does not yet have a set schedule determined. It is currently open Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ARPA obligation deadline is around the corner

BY MICHAEL GLEESON NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES

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he American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided cities, towns and villages with a long runway to obligate the allocated funds under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program.

Under this program, every city, town and village in America was offered a grant out of the $65.1 billion set aside for municipalities.

This bill passed in 2021, and the first money went out the door in May 2021. Now, we are 14 months from the obligation deadline of December 31, 2024. If a municipality has not obligated its ARPA SLFRF funds by the end of 2024, they will have to return the funds to Treasury.

What is an obligation?

The SLFRF Frequently Asked Questions published by Treasury explains how this term is used: As stated in the final rule, obligation means “an order placed for property and services and entering into contracts, subawards, and similar transactions that require payment.”

See 31 CFR 35.3.

What this means is that it is not enough for local governments to simply budget the money, they need to go a step further and place an order for property or services that requires Continued on page 23 / See ARPA

DECEMBER 2023

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Holiday in Lights N Photos provided by Visit Norfolk Area

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orfolk’s Annual Hometown Holiday Festival was held on Nov. 21 with a few thousand gathered to share in the festivities.

Santa and Mrs. Claus paraded down Norfolk Avenue to River Point Square in a fire truck followed by dancers and special characters.

Children had the opportunity to speak to Santa or drop off letters to his mailbox.

The lighting of the 26-foot Christmas tree took place later in the evening and the entire event concluded with a drone show. 

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

DECEMBER 2023

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Above and right: On Nov. 3, emergency responders from across the state gathered at the Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island to participate in a live field exercise to provide a better understanding of Traffic Incident Management (TIM) best practices. Photos provided

by Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT).

TIMEX 2023 Responders from across the state train together to improve safety

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Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy director, Jim Macy, addresses particpates in the 2023 Traffic Incident Response Exercise (TIMEX). Photo provided by NDOT.

n Nov. 3, emergency responders and those supporting Traffic Incident Management (TIM) operations participated in a live field exercise designed to give all disciplines a better understanding of TIM best practices.

This Traffic Incident Response Exercise (TIMEX), supported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), was held at the Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Law enforcement officers, fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services, transportation agencies, towing and recovery professionals, notification and dispatch personnel, hazardous materials management responders, coroners and medical examiners, and public works professionals were represented from across the state. The multi-disciplinary training was an opportunity to expose responders to different aspects of a crash response, and foster an environment to discuss best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for a cohesive response.

“Opportunities for responders to collaborate with those of different disciplines don’t come around as frequently as we’d like. Busy schedules, staffing, and the everyday Continued on page 15 / See TIMEX

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NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

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DECEMBER 2023

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With a new year...

Legislative session starts Jan. 3

BY ASHLEY WOLFE

MARKETING & COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR, LNM

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awmakers will convene on Jan. 3 for the 2024 legislative session. This is the second session of the biennium and legislators are scheduled to meet for 60 working days, setting up for a likely adjournment in mid-April.

Speaker John Arch of La Vista will continue to serve his two-year term as Speaker of the Legislature. Among other duties, the speaker prepares the Legislature’s daily agenda and serves as presiding officer in the absence of Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly.

Forty-nine Senators make up the Nebraska Legislature with each lawmaker representing approximately 35,000 people.

In 2023, Sen. Tom Briese of Albion was appointed to serve as state treasurer of Nebraska. District 41includes all of Boone, Greeley, Sherman, Valley, and Wheeler counties, as well as portions of Buffalo and Hall Counties.

In November 2023, Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Fred Meyers to serve as Senator of District 41. Meyers ia a St. Paul farmer and former member of the State Board of Education and will serve the remainder of Briese’s term, which ends in January 2025.

In the Nebraska Unicameral, lawmakers are elected to a maximun of two consecutive-four year terms and recieve an annual salary of $12,000. 

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Jan 9 - Presid s: Feb. 1 s Day s e c e R ative Legisl 9 Jan. 2 , 16, 26 2, 29 9 2 .

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NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

Impacting Change The League Executive Board and Light Board of Directors met on Dec. 1 in Lincoln.

Thank you to all who have dedicated time and effort to working with the League in 2023!

We are looking forward to great things in 2024!

Over 49 million homeowners will put themselves at risk this year by not contacting 811 before digging.* Whether you’re an excavator or a facility operator, keep yourself and those around you safe by helping to increase awareness about the importance of contacing 811 before digging. *According to a February 2023 survey of American homeowners.

Find us online

DECEMBER 2023

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Freedom Continued from page 7

Day Interpretive Center. The center and the exhibits are a culmination of many years of hard work and community involvement.

Throughout the center, interactive displays, memorabilia, and exhibits share the powerful and personal stories of Siouxland veterans. Visitors can travel alongside the veterans and experience each phase of the military life cycle including: enlistment, life in uniform, leaving home, returning home, and reintegration.

Each branch of the military is represented at the center and touchscreen monitors connect visitors more closely by allowing them to hear the stories directly from the individual veterans. Thirteen uniforms are on display in the Mike Newhouse Presentation Theatre representing service members from World War I to present day.

For Diana Kincaid, who serves as secretary of the Siouxland Freedom Park board, it means so much to see the park at this point, but she still won’t call it complete.

“Mike Newhouse has stuck it out through the entire process,” Kincaid said. “But he recently told me, ‘You know, all these years people have been asking us the wrong questions---they keep asking when the park is going to be completed, but I have come to realize it is an ongoing project.’”

For a truly unique experience, try visiting Siouxland Freedom Park at night. The Korean War Memorial is illuminated and is a breathtaking tribute to all who have served. Photo provided by City of South Sioux City.

Kincaid agrees and says with the very active veteran population in South Sioux City, there are already ideas floating around about what could be next. But for her, the true importance of this park lies with our youth.

“It is so important for the younger generation to understand the significance of the true sacrifice and what our veterans have given us. Freedom is not free,” Kincaid said.  Editor’s note: Thank you to Rochelle Nelsen with the City of South Sioux City for sharing information about the park with the Review. Also, thank you to Diana Kincaid for all her work on the park and helping expand the story.

Nebraska Recycling Council: Annual Municipal Survey Check your email–the League recently sent out the 2023 NRC annual survey

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he Nebraska Recycling Council administers the Annual Municipal Survey to gather information on waste management and provide a resource to residents, senators, local and state government, educational institutions, environmental organizations, and others. This research is the only information of its kind available in the State of Nebraska. Annual updates from municipalities are required to maintain data quality.

Research is made possible by funding 14

from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, distribution by the League of Nebraska Municipalities, and participation from community representatives.

This survey should be completed by the most knowledgeable person in your local government (public works director, recycling coordinator, etc). Questions relate to fiscal year 2023. The time burden is approximately 5-10 minutes. If you would prefer to provide your community information over the phone, please give us a call at 402-436-2384. Thanks for all you do! 

Learn more!

To see one of the ways NRC utilizes the data gathered in the Annual Survey, check out their Story Map by using the QR code below.

Article provided by Nebraska Recycling Council

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

A group shot of the 2023 Traffic Incident Response Exercise (TIMEX) participants. Photo provided by NDOT.

TIMEX improve TIM on our roadways. Effective TIM “Our goal at NDOT is demands of life make it difficult, but keeps emergency responders, crash victims, and to provide Nebraskans those challenges don’t overshadow motorists safe. When crashes or disruptions with the highest quality the critical need to have this type of occur, TIM practices reduce the duration and of life possible, and this joint training,” said Colonel John impacts of traffic incidents. includes our emergency Bolduc, NSP Superintendent of Law “Great efficiency in these situations means responders. They dedicate their lives to providing for Enforcement & Public Safety. enhanced safety. We’re able to work together with our safety, and their safety Participants worked side-by-side to other responders to address the situation, care for is our priority too.” walk through scenarios involving: those involved, clear the roadway, and get traffic NDOT Director Vicki Kramer • Livestock emergencies flowing again,” said Major Jeff Wilcynski of the • Hazardous materials spills Nebraska State Patrol. “Every minute saved in • Establishing a traffic incident response to a crash reduces the risk of secondary management area crashes. This partnership has held over 100 training classes in • Safe, quick clearance strategies Nebraska and has trained more than 250 agencies and 2,000 • Expedited crash investigation individual responders. • Air ambulance services Source – Nebraska Department of Transportation Each scenario incorporated key focuses on TIM fundamentals and terminology, incident command, TIMEX 2023 participants interagency communications, and scene safety.

Central City Veterinary Clinic Kimball Health Services Central City Volunteer Fire Department Kramer’s Wrecker Service “Our goal at NDOT is to provide Nebraskans with Cheyenne Co. Emergency Lincoln Transportation and Utilities the highest quality of life possible, and this includes Communications Center Lincoln-Lancaster Co. Health Department our emergency responders. They dedicate their lives to Dalton Volunteer Fire Department Lone Tree Towing Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Meyer Towing providing for our safety, and their safety is our priority Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Midwest Towing and Recovery too,” NDOT Director Vicki Kramer said. “We’ve FHWA Nebraska Mike’s 66 Towing Grand Island Fire Department Mike’s Towing been planning TIMEX for months, and the need for Grand Island Police Department NE Dept. of Environment & Energy such training became apparent this fall with the loss Hall Co. Emergency Management NE DHHS of two NDOT teammates. This month, we turn our & Emergency Communications Nebraska LTAP Hamilton County Emergency Management Omaha Fire Department eye to safety of our responders and roadside workers Hampton Volunteer Fire & Rescue Omaha Police Department including Crash Responder Safety Week November Hastings Fire & Rescue Phillips Fire & Rescue HDR Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office 13-17 and celebrating continued collaboration with Henderson Fire & Rescue Region 21 Emergency Management our safety partners. We want to show our support by Hitz Towing Serenity Towing continuing to invest in the skills and knowledge of our Kearney Police Department Washington Co. Emergency Management Kearney Towing York County 911 teams. At the end of the day, it’s all about our people.”

Kimball County Sheriff’s Office This exercise was part of a statewide effort to Continued from page 10

DECEMBER 2023

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In March 2023, Bennet officially passed the population threshhold to be recognized as a city. As the Mayor and Council plan for the fiture, they are seeking to grow but also maintain that tight-knit and small-town feel.

Photo provided by City of Bennet.

From village to city:

Bennet is seeing steady growth in population & business

BY PAT SANGIMINO, THE LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

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“We want to keep that small-town feel. I don’t want to deter growth, but if we can keep it reasonable, that’s what we want. We want to continue to be a tight-knit community.”

Ryan Cheney Mayor of Bennet

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yan Cheney is a Bennet lifer, the great-grandson of a man who opened a trucking company there in 1953 that is still run by his family.

He’s also the mayor. Bennet’s first, actually.

It was about a year ago that the tiny berg — 1,082 strong, located 12 miles southeast of Lincoln on Nebraska Highway 2 — made the decision to change from a village to a city.

That change became official in March.

The day wasn’t marked with a ticker-tape parade down Monroe Street. The kids still had to go to school that day. It was just another day.

But something was different.

“It changed things a little bit,” said Cheney, who owns and operates a welding company in town. “You could feel it.”

The little town that had been Cheney’s home all his life was growing up. It had passed the threshold — a population of

more than 800 in the latest U.S. Census count — and was showing signs of life with the opening of the South Beltway a few months earlier, the construction of some new houses and a handful of businesses setting up shop in town.

“Becoming a city is a really big deal,” said Janelle Mueller, a Lincoln resident who opened Antique Anthology in 2022. “It pushes the city government and the citizens to kind of think outside the box in terms of how they can grow.”

As the mayor and city council work on a five-year comprehensive plan, they are walking a tightrope between overseeing growth and maintaining the attributes that prompted people to move there in the first place.

“We want to keep that small-town feel,” Cheney said. “I don’t want to deter growth, but if we can keep it reasonable, that’s what we want. We want to continue to be a tightknit community.”

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

And therein lies the conundrum facing Bennet: Growth without dramatic change.

“People move to a small town to have that connection,” said Kristie Sittner, who, along with her husband, Jake, in March opened Tailored Life 360, a home goods store that serves as a sister store to its landscaping business. “What we’re providing is a connection to each other, to the community. It’s a way to just have that way of feeling like they’re part of something.”

There’s an intimacy to a small town.

Some find it claustrophobic to be in a place where everyone knows you, but so many find great comfort in that.

The perception is that small towns are safer and a better place to raise children.

That’s been the theme that’s driving a downtown expansion and has only increased the conversation among a good many in town for even more services.

A recent survey asked Bennet residents to state what services they wanted and there were few surprises.

“Like everyone who lives in a small town, they want a restaurant, a gathering place,” said Ed Bruening, a Lincoln resident who owns two commercial buildings in Bennet.

“They want a daycare facility, and they want a grocery store.”

That’s the wish list of virtually every small town anywhere. They also want a coffee shop — a request that will soon be filled with the coming of Bean Box Coffee.

“Everyone wants a place to have a cup of coffee,” said Mueller, whose antique store will be next door to Bean Box at 609 Monroe St. “They’re opening their first brick and mortar, and they’re hoping to be open by December.

That’s exciting to get a coffee shop coming here.”

The grocery store might take a little DECEMBER 2023

Council Member Dan Zig, Council President Pete Simmons, Mayor Ryan Cheney, Council Member Justin Dorn, and Council Member Steve Bettendorf pose for a quick shot. Council Members Zig, Simmons, Dorn, and Bettendorf make up Bennet’s first City Council. Photo provided by City of Bennet.

longer. Russ’s Market announced last month it wants to build a grocery store by 2026 — with gas pumps — in Hickman, a city that has seen its own rapid growth in recent years.

But Bennet’s growth is dwarfed when compared with Hickman, which is nearly three times bigger and is still growing.

Bruening said he has talked with grocery executives who say that Bennet is on their radar, but getting one of the chains to commit could take years.

So for the foreseeable future, Bennet will remain a bedroom community to Lincoln.

Continued on page 28 / See Bennet

17

The Legacy group works on a brainstorm wall to decide what project they wanted to focus on. Photo provided by Lisa Kaslon.

of students from Columbus High, Lakeview and Scotus Central Catholic High Schools.

“Our main push is to look at what we can do to make Columbus a place people want to come back and raise their families; live and work here,” said Columbus High junior Caitlin Campbell, who is a proud member of the Legacy group. “Making Columbus somewhere people want to stay.”

Columbus teen group The Legacy group was inspired by a youth study conducted by the aiming to build and open nonprofit Nebraska Community drive-in movie theater Foundation (NCF), which has a mission to “unleash abundant local

BY MATT LINDBERG PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, assets, inspire charitable giving, and CITY OF COLUMBUS connect ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater group of Columbus teens Nebraska.” Its local affiliate, the is hoping to help make the Columbus Area Future Fund, helped community’s future bright by NCF coordinate the survey with potentially launching a drive-in movie Columbus teens. theater in town and more.

T h e s t u d y, w h i c h g a t h e r e d Legacy is a collective comprised information from teenagers from

Building

their own

future

A

Left: Photos from the Legacy back-to-school event held in August at Pawnee Plunge.

The event was open to students from all three high schools in Columbus. Over 150 youth showed up for the event. Photos provided by Lisa Kaslon.

18

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

across Nebraska, indicated teens felt safety, good schools and proximity to family were among the most important things to consider when picking a community to call home as an adult.

Residents K.C. Belitz and Lisa Kaslon have been serving as key adult volunteers on behalf of CAFF for the Legacy group, initially helping lead periodic meetings among the students and guide the conversation.

“Change plus impact equals legacy,” Kaslon said. “The idea is for them to think about all the positive change for Columbus that will happen and this legacy they can leave for a community they’ve been a part of, and hopefully, come back to.”

Belitz, who is also the director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the former NCF chief operating officer, said the group has had about a half-dozen meetings since forming earlier this summer. The youth have taken over the discussions as the meetings have continued.

“At first it was a bit more structured, “Change plus impact but as we’ve gone on, I think we’ve (the teens) taken more leadership and that equals legacy. The idea we’ve made progress,” Campbell said. is for them to think about The CHS junior said the drive-in movie all the positive change for theater idea is something the teens Columbus that will happen believe could be a great entertainment option that appeals to kids and adults. and this legacy they can Right now, the project is still in the early stages. They’ll be discussing funding leave for a community and looking for the right land they’ve been a part of, and options before making further decisions. hopefully, come back to.”

The drive-in theater might be down the road but the Legacy group has already made its presence known with - Lisa Kaslon help from many community partners, including the City of Columbus, Cargill, Columbus Area Future Fund and additional corporate sponsors.

In August, the teens hosted a summer party at the Pawnee Plunge. About 160 kids showed up for a night of fun at the water park and enjoyed free snow cones and burgers. All high school students were welcome to attend for free – they just had to show their student ID proving they attended one of the three local high schools.

“We were so happy to be able to offer the Plunge for an end-of-year party,” City Parks and Recreation Director Betsy Eckhardt said. “It was a nice warm night and we are always happy when volunteer groups and groups that help to grow young leaders invite us to help celebrate those kids and their achievements.”

The event was a tremendous success and the support from the community doesn’t go unnoticed by the teens.

“I definitely think it means a lot to us. It really means a lot that the public is in support of us and that they are encouraging us, they do take us seriously and help us out as much as they can even though we’re just teenagers,” Campbell said.

Belitz said he was happy to see so many area teens representing all three local high schools show up for the fun, adding that it wouldn’t have been possible without so many local entities collaborating to help the youth.

“This is youth-led engagement, and I think we should all be extraordinarily DECEMBER 2023

encouraged about that. It should make us optimistic about the future of not just Columbus but the Columbus region,” Belitz said. “What’s really key is that these young people know their hometown supports them and want to support the things they think are important. The Columbus region is a place they’re listened to, appreciated and where they can make a difference.” 

19

USDA Rural Development:

&

Improving Water Wastewater Infrastructure IN NEBRASKA

M

any communities in Nebraska are facing the concerns of aging infrastructure and the effects that has on their residents’ access to safe drinking water or sanitary wastewater systems. Along with this concern comes the big question of “how do we fund the replacement of these systems?”

Photo provided by USDA Rural Development.

USDA Rural Development has several different programs to help a community with many different projects a community may have on their list, including a program that can solve those water and wastewater concerns.

Success Story: Hayes Center Improves Pressure and Replaces Aging Infrastructure

In Hayes Center, Rural Development funds were used to replace infrastructure that had exceeded its useful life. The project entailed replacing the water tower and distribution main and installing new SCADA controls on its existing well.

The current storage tank was over 75 years old and did not provide enough water pressure due to its height and it was not large enough to meet the community’s needs.

The new 50,000-gallon water tower will help maintain a steady pressure and flow of water to residential and commercial users during times of high use, fire, or power failures.

Several 2”, 3”, and 4” (believed to be over 75 years old) water mains were replaced with 6” PVC mains, reducing the potential risk of a failing distribution system.

Rural Development funds were leveraged with $435,000 in grant funding from CDBG to ensure the 224 residents continue to have access to safe and reliable water.

The Hayes Center Water Improvement Project was completed in the fall of 2023. 

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program What does this program do?

Provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage in rural areas.

Who is eligible?

Most state and local governmental entities, private nonprofits, and Federally recognized Tribes in rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less, or Tribal lands in rural areas.

What kind of funding is available: Long-term (up to 40 years), low-interest loans. If funds are available, grants may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable. Loan term based on useful life of facilities financed and has a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Interest rate based on need for the project and the median household income of the area to be served.

How funds may be used: To finance the acquisition, construction, or improvement of drinking water sources, treatment, storage, and distribution, sewer collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal, solid waste and storm water systems.

To learn more about any and all of the USDA Rural Development Programs that might be of value to your community, visit our website at rd.usda.gov/ne or call our main line at (402) 437-5551.

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NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

DECEMBER 2023

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ARPA Continued from page 7

payment. In the case of payroll, grantees need to follow state and local established practices.

What does this mean for building your budget?

For local government finance directors, this means they cannot begin identifying expenditures in mid-2024 for fiscal years 2025 or 2026. Contracts or similar transactions need to be executed in the next 14 months, though the dollars do not need to be spent until 2026.

For cities looking to use their money for ARPA Flex (which allows funds to be expended on Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), infrastructure projects, and recovery from natural disaster), those contracts or similar transactions, or subawards, will need to be entered into by December 31, 2024. The expenditure deadline is September 30, 2026.

For clerks, town managers and finance officers, one other thing to keep in mind is that it can take some time to structure an agreement for a housing project (CDBG) or an infrastructure project. Additionally, for infrastructure projects, contracts might need to be signed in a sequence.

If an infrastructure construction project will last until October 2026, some of the contracts for materials or labor may not be signed – because of sequencing reasons – until after December 31, 2024, the obligation deadline.

What should my city do now to prepare?

In 2020, NLC’s City Fiscal Conditions showed that 24 percent of cities, towns, and villages have a starting date of January 1 for their fiscal year. There is a little more than a month before the FY24 budget will be put into force. This means that 24% of cities, towns and villages realistically have about a little over a month to incorporate SLFRF funds into the budget.

The easiest way for municipalities to put the SLFRF funds into their FY24 budget is claim it as lost revenue. A municipality can then use the money for government services.

While it is possible to pass budget amendments during the year to include SLFRF spending in the budget, it would be best to incorporate it now.

Fifty-four percent of cities have a July 1 start date for their fiscal year. Between July 1st and December 31 they will

Best practices

When obligating and spending your SLFRF funds, keep these best practices in mind: • Be mindful of the definition of obligation. It is not just budgeting the money, a municipality must go further and create a contract, subaward or similar transaction requiring payment.

• All municipalities should have a plan to obligate by the deadline.

• Calender year budgeters should be examining their budgets to make sure they are plugging in their SLFRF dollars. The easiest way to do this is to claim lost revenue and use the money on government services.

• Remember that it can take time to negotiate and execute a contract.

Include that time in your plans.  Source – National League of Cities (NLC)

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An example of signage in Oakland to help deter illegal dumping. Photo

by Diane Becker/ LARM.

Steps to prevent illegal dumping It’s becoming increasingly common to see full garbage bags in ditches or canals running through a town or village. Why? Some people choose to put their garbage in empty or public areas rather than take it to the dump or contract with a waste collector.

People get a new flat-screen TV or upgrade their appliances more often than in the past, resulting in unwanted devices they’re unsure how to get rid of. A citizen may not know what to do with their broken recliner, so they push it off into a municipality-owned gully. As people order more online, they are inundated with boxes and packaging material they’d rather dump than take to a recycling station. They don’t want to pay disposal fees or don’t DIANE BECKER want to take the time to go to the city COMMUNICATIONS/ dump. Why should all of this illegal MARKETING DIRECTOR, LARM dumping be a concern for city leaders?

The trash in public and private areas diminishes a city’s aesthetics and possibly affects its economic development draw. No one likes to see a used napkin blow across a city street, let alone a paper bag of empty liquor bottles sitting by the

24

curb. Visitors to a community will likely view a municipality negatively when they see discarded lawn furniture in a gully or can smell rotting garbage in a park.

Besides obviously affecting the aesthetics of a town, illegal dumping is also a health issue. Trash attracts rodents and promotes the spread of disease. Some garbage can contain dirty diapers, contaminated needles, toxic chemicals, and other dangerous items that pose a health risk to pets and children.

Some illegal dumping, such as discarded construction material or outdated/broken appliances, can pose a safety risk for vehicles or cause other problems, such as blocking drainage channels.

Illegal dumping also can prove costly for city and village leaders who need to fund the added expense of paying someone to clean up the dumped garbage and, in some cases, repair landscaping and other Continued on page 30 / See Dumping

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

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25

THE LEGAL CORNER

Determining if part-time government employees are entitled to full-time benefits

Michelle L. Sitorius

E

Roger D. Sack

mployers often establish different benefits for full-time and part-time employees.

Retirement plans, health insurance, and additional paid time off are common benefits offered exclusively to full-time employees.

Employee shortages have led to parttime employees working increased hours. As weekly hours near closer to 40, questions may arise about whether part-time employees are entitled to the same benefits offered to full-time employees.

This article outlines a government employer’s discretion to create its own full-time eligibility requirements.

There are, however, exceptions employers should be aware of.

I. Governmental Plans are Exempt from ERISA The Employee Retirements Income and Security Act (ERISA) is the primary federal law that establishes minimum standards for employerestablished retirement and health plans. Governmental plans established or maintained for federal, state, or local employees are exempt from the requirements of ERISA.i Thus, government employers, such as municipalities, have much greater flexibility compared to private employers in providing retirement 26

BY MICHELLE L. SITORIUS & ROGER D. SACK, CLINE WILLIAMS WRIGHT JOHNSON & OLDFATHER, LLP

and health benefits to their employees.

Gove r n m e n t e m p l oye r s h a ve substantial discretion to define which of their employees are part-time or full-time. Employee handbooks and plan documents detail eligibility requirements for full-time or part-time employees. This places an importance on documents and communications that accurately describe eligibility requirements.

II. Federal Law Federal laws give employees certain rights no matter if the employer defines the employee as “part-time” or “full-time.” The laws outlined below supersede an employer’s eligibility requirements.

A. The Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains shared responsibility provisions that require applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer minimum essential coverage to 95% of their fulltime employees.ii A full-time employee is, for a calendar month, an employee employed on average at least 30 hours of service per week, or 130 hours of service per month.iii The ACA’s shared responsibility provisions apply to all employers, including federal, state, and municipal employers.iv An ALE is defined as any employer with an average of at least

50 full-time employees during the preceding calendar year.v Even if a smaller municipality is not currently subject to the ACA’s shared responsibility requirements, these employers should remain especially cognizant of their part-time employees’ working hours. As parttime employees work more hours, they may become a full-time employee under the ACA. Small employers should be mindful of such increases in hours to ensure the employer does not incidentally become an ALE that is subject to the ACA’s shared responsibility provisions without proper planning and compliance measures being taken.

B. The Fair Labor and Standards Act The Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA) covers all public employees of a state or political subdivision.vi An employer must pay at least one and one-half times the nonexempt employees’ regular rates of pay for all hours worked over 40 in the workweek.vii III. Insurance Plans Employer-provided health plans provided through an insurance policy may have eligibility requirements separate from an individual employer’s “full-time” definition. For example,

NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

a health insurance policy’s eligibility requirements may be set at 30 hours per week for certain employers that employ more than 50 employees.

In this situation, any employee who works 30 hours per week is eligible to participate in the plan – even if the employee doesn’t meet the employer’s definition of “full-time.”

Unless their health plan is self-insured, an employer should be aware of its insurer’s eligibility requirements.

IV. Conclusion Government employers are generally free to offer benefits exclusively to employees who meet their definition of a full-time employee. Employers should detail eligibility requirements in plan documents and ensure communications are consistent with such documents.

As part-time employees work more hours, they may be entitled to increased benefits under the ACA or the FLSA. Employees that work 30 hours per week on average are full-

time employees under the ACA. If an employer has an average of 50 full-time employees during the preceding calendar year, the employer must provide minimum essential health coverage. Nonexempt employees must be paid at least one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for all hours worked over 40 in the workweek. Employee handbooks and plan documents do not supersede these federal laws.

Employees who are considered “part-time” may also be eligible to participate in a health plan despite not meeting their employer’s “full-time” definition.

It is best practice for employers to keep current records of their employees’ hours to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.  Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide legal advice to its readers. Rather, this article is intended to alert readers to new and developing issues. Readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel or the author of this article if they wish to obtain a specific legal opinion regarding their particular circumstances. The authors of this article, Michelle L. Sitorius and Roger D. Sack, can be contacted at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, L.L.P., 233 South 13th Street, 1900 US Bank Building Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 474-6900, msitorius@clinewilliams.com, rsack@ clinewilliams.com, or www.clinewilliams.com.

Endnotes I.R.C. §§ 1003(b)(1) and 1002(32). v Id. at 4980H(c)(2) ii vi I.R.C. § 4980H 29 U.S.C. § 203(d) iii vii Id. at 4980H(c)(4) 29 U.S.C. §§ 207(a) and 213(a) iv Id. at 4980H i

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Bennet Continued from page 17

“People here don’t want to be a bedroom community, but that’s what we are,” Cheney said. “And that’s OK.” It’s very possible for Bennet to rely on Lincoln for many of its basic needs, while also having its own sense of balance, Bruening said.

“The community does not want to lose their identity,” Bruening said. “They accept the fact that they are dependent on Lincoln.”

That’s not a bad thing. It might be the advantage of the South Beltway, which has created an easier and less-congested drive to Lincoln, where the groceries, health services, and restaurants are just minutes away.

It also might eventually prove to be what attracts people to Bennet from Lincoln and other surrounding cities.

“It’s still pretty early to tell how it’s really affected us,” Sittner said. “We don’t have a benchmark to tell how it’s affected us because it’s been here since we opened, but it’s something we’ll be watching.”

Mueller said the completion of the South Beltway — combined with the unique shops being offered in Bennet — is bringing in visitors from all over the area.

Jordan Hunzeker grew up in Tecumseh.

She attended school in Lincoln. Now, she’s betting on Bennet being close enough to Lincoln to draw both the locals and a few people willing to make the short drive from the Capital City.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” said Hunzeker, who took over the Hair Exchange in August. “It’s so close to Lincoln that it’s really convenient for people who don’t want to pay Lincoln prices or for people who just don’t want to go drive all the way to Lincoln and go through all the traffic.”

Hunzeker was having trouble gaining 28

_ traction in the hair industry in Lincoln, where there are dozens of shops, but being in Bennet put her in rarified air — the townspeople have been loyal to her from the start and are doing what they can to keep her doors open.

“I had just random people coming in,” she said. “And a lot of them wanted to help me.”

People would take Hunzeker’s business cards and leave them all over town.

Others in Bennet did a mass email blitz that promoted the Hair Exchange.

“They helped because they wanted me to stay,” she said. “They actually cared about me being here and being successful. In a bigger place like Lincoln and Omaha, they don’t really care.

You’re a dime a dozen.”

For Emilie Long, opening a boutique in Bennet made sense on many fronts.

She lives there. Her online business had expanded and was taking over her house and she saw something special in Bennet.

“I saw the benefits that Bennet was in

________

a real period of growth,” she said. “So when the opportunity came up, we just dove in and went for it.”

L ove , M B o u t i q u e o p e n e d i n September in the same building as the Hair Exchange at 625 Madison St., a building owned by Bruening.

After selling her fashions online, she was in need of a workplace away from home.

“I’ve got three young kids, ages 6 and under,” she said. “I quickly just kind of realized that it was taking over my house. It was not a good work-life balance. ... Things were everywhere.”

After six weeks in her new shop, business is good. The foot traffic is solid and she is still selling a lot of clothes online.

There’s also a buy-local feeling in Bennet that is boosting business, she said.

“I think the community support has been really, really good,” she said. “You can feel it. It’s motivating.” 

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Dumping Continued from page 24

public features affected by the trash.

There are steps that communities can take to help deter illegal dumping.

Some municipalities have increased their use of security cameras to detect offenders or note the license plate numbers of those dumping trash in public areas.

Other communities have offered “appliance vouchers” to encourage people to bring their old appliances and large discarded furniture to the city’s dump site. Many towns have a

_____ household waste day where people can drop off paint and other hazardous materials at the city waste site at no cost.

It may be time to beef up city or village ordinances that outline fines for those who dump trash in public spaces. Stricter laws or increased penalties may be necessary to discourage illegal dumping. It may be effective to place signs in problem areas reminding residents of the anti-dumping ordinance and the consequences for violating it.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

____

Cities and villages can provide recycling receptacles to make it easier for people to recycle rather than discard items. Some communities have online marketplaces where people can sell or give away items rather than dump them.

People of all ages can be educated about the adverse effects that illegal dumping has on a community. Periodic community clean-up programs instill pride in citizens and provide firsthand insight into the problem.  For more information about municipality safety, go to www.larmpool.org.

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NLC City Summit

Ralston Mayor Donald Groesser and Ralston Council Member Brian Kavanaugh, both members of the League Larger Cities Legislative Committee, pose for a quick photo with Gibbon Mayor and League Board President Deb VanMatre at the NLC City Summit held in Atlanta in November.

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