Scottsbluff local news summary

Council Approves Increased Funding, New Agreement with Riverside Discovery Center

City Applies for $435,000 Grant for Downtown Revitalization

New Pay Resolution Finalized, City Employees to Receive Raises

Council Backs Micro-TIF for New Women's Gym in Historic Building

Police Department Fees to Increase

Union Wage Agreements Formally Adopted

Financial Report Shows City Departments Under Budget

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Receives Go-Ahead for Street Closure

Commissioner Knapper Addresses Recall Accusations, Prompting Tense Exchange

Key Dates Set for Final Budget Approval Process

Board Acknowledges Gering's Hearing on Racetrack and Casino Permit

Council Approves Increased Funding, New Agreement with Riverside Discovery Center

SCOTTSBLUFF - The Scottsbluff City Council has approved a new three-year support agreement with the Riverside Discovery Center, increasing the city's annual contribution from $300,000 to $350,000. The agreement also includes a one-time $50,000 payment into a contingency fund, which the city will hold to help the zoo meet its fundraising goals required for AZA accreditation. The agreement is contingent on the zoo making significant progress toward this accreditation within three years. Council members discussed clauses that allow for adjustments in city payments based on sales tax revenue fluctuations.

City Applies for $435,000 Grant for Downtown Revitalization

SCOTTSBLUFF - Following a public hearing, the council authorized the submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for $435,000 to fund downtown revitalization. If awarded, the grant would create a program offering businesses within the downtown area a 75% reimbursement for facade improvements such as new windows, doors, signs, and awnings. The program, which requires no matching funds from the city, would provide approximately $400,000 for business projects after administrative costs. A representative from the Panhandle Area Development District, who is managing the application, expressed confidence that the grant would be awarded later this year.

New Pay Resolution Finalized, City Employees to Receive Raises

SCOTTSBLUFF - The City Council has formally approved the pay resolution for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, finalizing wage increases for city staff. The resolution includes a 3% raise for general non-union employees, fire captains, and fire lieutenants. Police officers and firefighters will receive a 5% increase. The measure also adds an eighth step to most employee pay scales, providing a path for further wage growth. City officials stated the raises are intended to keep Scottsbluff competitive in the job market and noted that a comprehensive wage study is planned for 2026.

Council Backs Micro-TIF for New Women's Gym in Historic Building

SCOTTSBLUFF - A micro-TIF (Tax Increment Financing) application for a new fitness center at 1605 Avenue A received unanimous council approval. Isabel Moreno, owner of FITogether, plans to renovate the 1909 building into an expanded women's gym and wellness center. The project, which involves a nearly $300,000 rehabilitation, is expected to increase the property's assessed value from $156,000 to an estimated $446,000. The TIF will use the increased property tax revenue generated by the project to help finance the improvements. The plan will now go before the Community Redevelopment Authority for final approval.

Police Department Fees to Increase

SCOTTSBLUFF - Miscellaneous police fees will see a modest increase following the council's final approval of a new fee schedule. The cost for a criminal history check will rise from $7.50 to $10, while the hourly rate for hiring off-duty officers for private security will double from $50 to $100 to better reflect the actual cost to the city. Daily storage fees for impounded vehicles will also increase slightly. Officials noted the changes are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of providing the services.

Union Wage Agreements Formally Adopted

SCOTTSBLUFF - The City Council gave its final approval to wage amendments for its three main employee unions. The action formally incorporates the newly approved pay raises into the contracts for the Scottsbluff Firefighters Local 1454, the Scottsbluff Police Officers Association, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1597, which represents utility and public works employees. These approvals finalize the collective bargaining process for the upcoming fiscal year.

Financial Report Shows City Departments Under Budget

SCOTTSBLUFF - The August 2025 financial report presented to the council shows the city in a stable fiscal position. With 92% of the fiscal year complete, all city departments are operating under budget. The report highlighted that the city’s proprietary funds, including water and wastewater, are within 3% of their budgeted revenue goals. It was also noted that federal ARPA funds and hail insurance money have been spent down from the special projects fund, as planned.

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Receives Go-Ahead for Street Closure

SCOTTSBLUFF - The Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) received permission to close a portion of 16th Street for a community drive-thru flu clinic on Saturday, October 4th. The closure will block eastbound traffic from Avenue A between 7:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to ensure a safe traffic flow for the event. The PPHD Executive Director stated that the clinic will serve residents 65 and older from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by all ages from 10 a.m. to noon.

Commissioner Knapper Addresses Recall Accusations, Prompting Tense Exchange

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY - Tension arose during the board and staff reports when Charlie Knapper addressed allegations central to a recall petition filed against him. Knapper stated that claims made by the petitioner about backdated HR documents and broken county bylaws were false, asserting the documents in question "do not exist" and that the county has no bylaws to break. The petitioner, who was present, approached the podium to object, stating it was inappropriate to discuss matters related to pending litigation. The exchange highlighted the ongoing political friction surrounding the recall effort.

Key Dates Set for Final Budget Approval Process

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY - Residents will have several opportunities to engage with the county’s budget process this month. The county will participate in the joint public "pink postcard" hearing on September 22nd at the Gering Civic Center. A final meeting to formally approve the budget and set the levy has been scheduled for Thursday, September 25th at 4:00 p.m.

Board Acknowledges Gering's Hearing on Racetrack and Casino Permit

GERING - The board briefly discussed a notice received from the City of Gering regarding an upcoming hearing for a conditional use permit for the planned racetrack and casino. Commissioners noted that while the property is currently in the county, it falls within the city's two-mile jurisdictional limit and will eventually be annexed. The notice was viewed as a courtesy heads-up from the city, and the board did not indicate any plans to formally comment or intervene in Gering's zoning process for the major development project.

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