03/18/2025 Minutes CITY OF
GRAND; ISLAND
City Council Study Session Minutes
Council Chambers
City Hall
100 East First Street
March 18, 2025
6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roger Steele called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
The following City Officials were present, City Clerk Jill Granere, City Administrator Laura
McAloon, Assistant City Administrator/CFO Patrick Brown, Finance Director Matthew
Gleason, Assistant Finance Director Brian Schultz and Public Works Director Keith Kurz.
The following City Council Members were present: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Doug Brown,
Maggie Mendoza, Ryan O'Neill, Mike Paulick, Mitchell Nickerson and Doug Lanfear. Chuck
Haase and Jason Conley were absent. Doug Lanfear was present at 6:39 p.m.
4. RESERVE TIME TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS
5. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
5.a) Good Samaritan Recognition for Heroic Acts
Cover Page
Mayor Steele recognized Price King, Amelia Schreiner and Lito Quinones for Heroic Acts.
5.b) Lifesaver Recognition
Cover Page
Mayor Steele recognized Councilmember Doug Brown and Wes Harris.
6. OTHER ITEMS
6.a) Finance Revenue Review
Cover Page
General Fund Revenues by Department
City Council Revenue
Jay Vavricek and Jaime Parr spoke in favor of the funds for the State Fair.
Page 2 of 7,City Council Special Meeting March 18,2025
Assistant City Administrator Patrick Brown gave an overview of the sales tax revenue reporting
it was trending upwards and was 1 'A% up from last year, Mr. Brown also went over the general
fund. Mr. Brown discussed the transparency portal. Discussed was the sales tax that was used to
help fund public highways, municipal streets and sidewalks. Public Works Director reported not
all projects would have been possible without this. Discussion was held on cash reserves.
Assistant Finance Director Brian Schultz gave a revenue review of the major revenue sources for
the General Fund, Streets Fund, Food & Beverage Occupation Tax, Hotel Occupation Tax, and
KENO Funds.
Common Revenues Discussed:
• Cable Franchise Fee
• Casino Tax
• Enhanced Employment Act Occupation Tax
• Food & Beverage Occupation Tax
• Good Life District Occupation Tax
• Hotel Occupation Tax
• Keno Proceeds
• Natural Gas Occupation Tax
• Rental Car Occupation Tax
• Telecommunications Occupation Tax
Discussed were the City Food and Beverage Tax helped fund Grand Island Parks,Nebraska State
Fair, Grow Grand Island and Husker Harvest Days.
Mr. Schultz mentioned the council needed to have discussion on what the future tax should fund.
Mr. Schultz reported the Hotel Tax helped fund the maintenance and operations of the Heartland
Events Center. The current Hotel Tax was set to expire on December 31, 2025, and the council
needed to renew or re-establish City Code to continue. Discussion was held on the importance of
the tax.
10. ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
CityClerk
Jill Granere
