> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Scottsbluff City Council Summary - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/scottsbluff-city-council-summary-11/ - Published: 2026-08-09T19:21:53.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T19:21:53.000Z - Description: Week of July 16, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: scotj, #summary, email # City proposes $94.8 million budget with no property tax increase # Budget includes 3 percent cost-of-living raises, two new city positions # Residents to see 3 percent increase in base utility rates # $25 million aquatic center hinges on November sales tax vote # City prepares for $6.2 million transfer station construction # $1.1 million allocated for residential street chip-and-seal project # City explores creating Business Improvement District for downtown # Parks department to establish municipal tree farm # Police department upgrades technology, utilizes license plate readers # Fire department to purchase digital fire extinguisher training tool --- ### City proposes $94.8 million budget with no property tax increase SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — For the fourth consecutive year, Scottsbluff will not ask for a property tax increase, keeping its mill levy at 0.178, which officials say is the lowest in the state. Despite the static tax rate, the proposed fiscal 2027 budget will jump from roughly $58.7 million to $94.8 million. City officials attributed the $36.1 million increase to major capital improvement plans, including potential grant-funded infrastructure projects and a proposed aquatic center, which will only move forward if alternative revenue sources are secured. --- ### Budget includes 3 percent cost-of-living raises, two new city positions SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Scottsbluff city employees, including non-union staff, police and fire personnel, are slated to receive a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment, keeping municipal wages competitive with peer cities. To accommodate city operations, the budget also proposes adding two new full-time positions, bringing the city's total workforce to 141 employees. The new roles include converting a part-time library technician to full-time and hiring a community outreach coordinator to manage the city's website, social media and small business retention efforts. --- ### Residents to see 3 percent increase in base utility rates SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — City officials proposed a 3 percent increase for environmental, wastewater and water services in the upcoming fiscal year. The changes will result in a combined $1.81 increase to base utility rates, breaking down to an 81-cent increase for environmental services, 65 cents for wastewater and 35 cents for water. For a standard household using 5,000 gallons of water, the usage portion of the monthly bill is projected to increase by an estimated 69 cents. --- ### $25 million aquatic center hinges on November sales tax vote SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The city's proposed budget includes $25 million for a new aquatic center to be built at the former Kmart property on East 27th Street. However, the project is entirely contingent on voters passing a half-cent sales tax referendum this November under Legislative Bill 357\. If approved, the city plans to partner with the YMCA to operate the facility. The city is also exploring grant opportunities to help fund site preparation, which requires bringing in dirt from local drainage and retention ponds to raise the lot's elevation by up to 3 feet. --- ### City prepares for $6.2 million transfer station construction SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The design phase for Scottsbluff's new $6.2 million transfer station is nearly complete, with officials currently awaiting state permit approval. Construction is expected to begin during the upcoming budget cycle. The project, funded through enterprise fees rather than property taxes, will replace aging infrastructure that handles the city's daily refuse operations. --- ### $1.1 million allocated for residential street chip-and-seal project SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The city is investing heavily in street maintenance, budgeting $1.14 million for a citywide residential chip-and-seal program. Officials negotiated the cost down to roughly $5.62 per square yard to extend the lifespan of local roads. Additionally, the budget incorporates a placeholder for a $4 million federal "Safe Streets for All" grant, which the city has applied for to fund further transportation upgrades on an 80/20 cost-sharing basis. --- ### City explores creating Business Improvement District for downtown SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Officials are discussing a transition from a restricted off-street parking district to a Business Improvement District for downtown Scottsbluff. Currently, the district's funds, generated by a small mill levy on downtown businesses, can only be used for parking lot maintenance and snow removal. Converting to a BID — which taxes by linear storefront foot rather than property value — would allow the city to use the funds more flexibly for downtown revitalization, such as hiring landscaping staff or installing protective structures over parking lots. --- ### Parks department to establish municipal tree farm SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — In response to hundreds of trees lost to recent windstorms, the city will invest $25,000 to establish a municipal tree farm. The project includes purchasing a tree spade attachment and installing irrigation near the Riverside Park Campground park shop. By cultivating deciduous and evergreen seedlings purchased from the North Platte Natural Resources District, the parks department aims to independently rebuild the city's urban canopy over the coming years. --- ### Police department upgrades technology, utilizes license plate readers SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The Scottsbluff Police Department is utilizing automated license plate readers positioned at city entrances to solve crimes, recently using the data to assist in a criminal investigation. The department has also entered into new service contracts to upgrade body-worn and in-car cameras to a cloud-based system, streamlining the legal discovery process. Furthermore, officers are transitioning to virtual reality systems for Taser training, saving the city money on physical deployment cartridges. --- ### Fire department to purchase digital fire extinguisher training tool SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The Scottsbluff Fire Department is budgeting $17,000 for a digital fire extinguisher training prop to expand its public education efforts. Currently, the department borrows a propane-fueled prop from Regional West Medical Center, which is weather-dependent and must be used outdoors. The new digital system uses laser technology and a screen, allowing firefighters to train up to 500 community members per battery charge indoors without the need to constantly recharge physical extinguishers. --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? 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