Grand Island/Hall County Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund makes a presentation about his department’s FY26 budget at the July 22 City Council meeting, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Grand Island-Hall County Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund outlined is FY 26 budget at the July 22 Grand Island City Council meeting.
Personnel services are projected to increase by 0.9 percent, and operating expenses will increase by one percent.
The major capital project for the department is the P25 radio project. Approximately $450,000 is left to spend in FY26. The project will be completed in January 2026. Grant funds can pay up to 75 percent of the project. The remaining 25 percent will be shared between the city and county.
In keeping with replacing two older or unrepairable outdoor warning sirens annually, the department is planning to spend $35,000 on two outdoor sirens.
Security cameras will be replaced at a cost of $14,400. The department is going to purchase a drone for $10,000. In the past, the department has relied on drones from other departments to get information, such as video of recent flooding. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers have been trained and will operate the drone.
Emergency Operating Center computers that are at “end of life” will be replaced for $10,000. A backup battery system for 911 and radio systems in City Hall will have its battery replaced for $12,000. A tower equipment shelter is being purchased for $68,000. The department plans to place new radio equipment at the Cairo water tower.
The City Council voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance concerning amendments to the city’s Good Life District Economic Development program. An example of a change in the amendments is that the boundaries of the Good Life District shall not be reduced except upon request made to the state.
City Attorney Kari Fisk said Woodsonia Realty is working on an amended application for the Good Life District, after the Legislature approved changes to the project. Council members want Woodsonia to complete their amended application as soon as possible.
“The people expect us to move with dispatch. We are interested in getting this moving,” Mayor Roger Steele said.
City Council President Jack Sheard said that he thinks that the City Council needs to discuss moving the project faster.
City Council member Ryan O’Neill said the City Council cannot wait for “some day” for the project to move ahead.
Local developer Scott Rief said that he and other local developers would like to be involved in the project.
In another matter, Library Director Celine Swan was recognized for 25 years of service to the city.
A group called We Are One made a request to use city streets and a state highway for a Sept. 21 march. The purpose of the march is to promote unity in the community for immigrants. The request was approved by a 7-0 vote. Council members Maggie Mendoza, Mike Paulick, and Doug Lanfear were absent from the July 22 meeting.
Another item pulled from the consent agenda was approving a bid award for the Dodge Parking Lot sidewalk repairs. A low bid was received for $54,287. The bid award was approved by a 7-0 vote.
Anderson Kia sought approval for tax increment financing for a project to redevelop property for Anderson Kia on Old Potash Highway, just west of Highway 281. The project is expected to be completed in 2026. Project cost is $8,444,036 with a final estimated valuation of $4,757,955. The applicant sought $994,532 in tax increment financing. Roger Bullington of Chief Industries said that Chief will be the potential contractor for the site.
Owner Mike Anderson, who also has Anderson Ford just north of the Kia dealership, said that they could not move the project forward without TIF financing. “I’m amazed at how expensive construction is,” Anderson said.
Former Mayor Jay Vavricek said it was good to see the site being developed into a multi-million dollar project. Vavricek said that having Anderson present at the City Council meeting meant one thing – he cares. The redevelopment plan was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Council member Doug Brown voting against the motion.
Mayor Roger Steele commented about completing a hiker/biker trail along South Locust Street that will end up at Camp Augustine.
“It’s not something I invented,” the mayor said. He said he started working on the project six years ago after he was elected, but the project had been proposed long before than time.
Steele said that the hike/bike trail extension was discussed in 1997. In 2001, bridge work at the Platte River near Camp Augustine was completed and allowed for placement of a hiker/biker trail. Steele said the topic goes back 30 years. In 2011, former Mayor Jay Vavricek signed a proclamation concerning the hiker/biker trail. In April 2025, the consulting firm Confluence that was completing work for the Parks and Recreation Department said that completing hiker/biker trails was a priority for the community.
Steele said there is value to escape to a natural area.
The City Council voted 6-0 to approve a 20-year lease agreement between Jackrabbit Run Golf Course and the Hall County Airport Authority. Council members Ryan O’Neill and Doug Brown abstained because they serve on the Airport Authority Board. Steele cast a vote so the item could pass by a majority vote. The annual lease for the golf course will be $28,358, with a 3 percent increase per year.
The City Council voted 7-0 to approve a $200,000 request from VenuWorks for operation of the Heartland Events Center. In October 2024, the City Council approved a five-year contract with VenuWorks to manage day-to-day operations of the Events Center.
In November 2024, VenuWorks requested and was approved for $100,000 funding to operate the Events Center. The money is paid out of the Hotel Occupation Tax fund. Another $200,000 was approved in January 2025, and a similar request was made in July 2025.
The City Council voted 6-0-2 to approve the FY2025-26 budget for the Railside Business Improvement District. Council members Mark Stelk and Mitch Nickerson abstained from voting, and Mayor Steele voted yes so that there would be a majority vote. The total special assessment for the district is $151,478. Property owners will be charged, based on their valuations.
The City Council voted 7-0 to approve the annual budget for the Fourth Street Business Improvement District. The 2025-26 budget has a total special assessment of $40,000. The Business Improvement District pays the city $2,200 for accounting services.
