06/30/2026 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (BUDGET)
June 30, 2026
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session (Budget) of the City Council of the City
of Grand Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on June 30, 2026. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
June 24, 2026. Council President Ryan O'Neill called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The
following City Council members were present: Jack Sheard, Mark Stelk, Jason Conley, Mitchell
Nickerson, Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Ryan O'Neill. Absent: Maggie Mendoza, Mike Paulick
and Doug Lanfear and Mayor Steele. The following City Officials were present: City
Administrator Patrick Brown, City Clerk Jill Granere, City Attorney Kari Fisk.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
5.a) FY2027 Library Budget Proposal
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Library Budget 2027 Budget Presentation
Library Director Celine Swan reported that the personnel expenses would decrease 2.4% but
does not include their request for 1 FTE and would like to do an in-house promotion from
Library Assistant I to Library Assistant II for the Bookmobile for an increase of$6,500. Would
like to replace Library Assistant I that was promoted with one FTE but hiring 2 part-timers at 20
hours each and no benefits. Promotion of Librarian 2 to Assistant Library Director. Operating
expenses would be the same as last year's request of $598,800. Capital Projects included new
carpet for an estimated amount of$300,000.
5.b) FY2027 Information Technology Budget Proposal
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Presentation
City Administrator Patrick Brown reported Personnel Services would decrease 0.48% and
operating expenses would increase 30.4% due to increase in software and hardware costs.
Discussion was held on the budgeted amount of $1,893,010 and why it was doubling from
previous year and it was due to contract services, equipment and introductory into an AI system.
Council stated they were interested in getting involved with AI.
IT Manager Steph Gosda reported on PC replacements and the price on them has tripled and the
average year of the replacements are about 10 years old and need to be replaced.
5.c) FY2027 Community Development & CRA Budget Proposal
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Community Development Budget Presentation
CRA Budget Presentation
Page 2 of 5,City Council Study Session,June 30,2026
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported that the Regional Planning personnel
services would increase by 1%. Operating expenses would increase by 8% ($2,400). He reported
there would be no Capital Projects or Capital Equipment.
Building Services personnel services would increase 5%. Operating expenses would increase by
44% in contract services for PRT activities. Without the $40,000 carryover it would be 22% of in
increase for Citizenserve licenses. There would be a Capital Equipment purchase of a new
inspection vehicle in an amount of$35,000.
CDBG would have a personnel service would increase 13%. Operating Expenses would increase
by 35%, grants position was moved to Community Development. There would be no Capital
Projects or Capital Equipment.
Community Development Director Chad Nabity reported the CRA was requesting property tax
revenues of$822,945. CRA Budget Highlights were as follows:
• Façade Improvement: $450,000
• Conestoga Marketplace: $200,000 (payment 4 of 20)
• Husker Harvest Days: Year 9 of 10 of$200,000
• Other Projects: $500,000
• Fire/Life Safey: $200,000
• Land Purchase: $100,000
CRA Carry Over Projects:
• Old City Hall Fire Life Safey ($120,000)
• Fire Life Safety Tower 217 ($65,000)
• Liederkranz Fire Alarm System and Life Safety Study($70,000)
Mention were projects paid since last budget included:
• Hedde Building Life Safey Grant($105,000)
• 3221 Ramada Road($100,000)
• 703 W. 3rd($100,000)
• Woolworth Building Life Safety $55,000) anticipated
• Woolworth Building Façade ($68,297) anticipated
• 4th Street Holiday Decorations $17,000)
• Railside Speakers ($50,000)
• Miller Property on 4th Street(461,000)
Also mentioned were TIF projects Final Payments:
• Token 213-215 N Ruby(2026)
• Auto One (2026)
• Habitat 8th & Superior(2026)
• Weinrich Development (2026)
• EIG Grand Island LLC (2027)
• Token Properties Kimbal (2027)
• TC Enck Builders 1616 S. Eddy (2027)
Jay Vavricek spoke in regards to maximizing the levy to 2.6 like the state statute allows if there
was a need.
Page 3 of 5,City Council Study Session,June 30,2026
5.d)FY2027 JackRabbit Run Golf Budget Proposal
Cover Page
Presentation
Sadonna Manfull with Landscapes Golf Management reported on their key strategies for the year
and increasing golf fees by 4% to offset the raise in cost, expanding their outings and expanding
some leagues.
Ms. Manfull reported on the 2026 financial summary through May 2026 (draft). For the FY2027
summary they were looking at bringing in about $1.4 million in revenues, about a 10% increase
over FY2026, expenses were looking at about a 5% increase and looking at finishing FY2027 in
the positive.
Mr. Manfull reported on additional expenses coming out of operating as follows:
• Management Fee
• Payroll, Payroll Taxes and Processing (mentioned was the minimum wage increase of
66.67%)
• Marketing Platforms
• POS Systems
• Maintenance Equipment Lease
• Golf Cart Fleet Lease
• Insurance Premiums & Claims
• GPS on Carts
• Loyalty Program
• Credit Books Program
• $61,000 improvements (snack bar, electric work for new gate, maintenance building
doors, pump house furnace, drinking water well head & new reverse osmosis system,
plumbing repair for north well, snow blade for pickup truck)
Proposed Equipment& Improvements as follows:
• Continue Tree Removal/Planting (multi-year project) $15,000
• Driving Range Improvements: $20,000
• Deck, Furniture and Grill: $60,000
• Grade Parking lot—unknown(city has done in past at no charge)
• 2 Toro Greens Mowers $95,060
• Blower: $12,000
2027 Items on the radar:
• Irrigation system—Study to be completed July 6-8th
• Septic system -connect to city sewer and water
• Two fairway mowers
• Hole#11 Cart Path
• Resurface entry road
• Fill in bunker behind#2 green
Page 4 of 5,City Council Study Session,June 30,2026
• Pond cleanouts
• New fencing around course
• Clubhouse age/condition
Justin Arlt with Landscapes spoke in regards to increasing rounds 8%, revenue 10%, expenses
were going to go up 8% and touched on payroll going up roughly $43,000. He stated this was the
first year they didn't ask for cash and things were tracking in the right direction.
Discussion was held on tournaments and if they were more profitable, which depending on how
full the tournament was filled, but majority of the time tournaments are more profitable.
Golf Pro Tatum Timbers spoke in favor of the golf course and the great course and support it
had.
Discussion was held on the paving the parking lot. Mentioned was it being on the landfill and the
constant shifting that it was not a level surface and it would not be profitable.
5.e) FY2027 VenuWorks Budget Proposal
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Presentation
Kyler Tarwater mentioned the following revenues:
• Building Rent: $307,339
• Contractually Obligated Revenue: $509,908
• Reimbursed Event Expense: $401,317
• Food& Beverage Revenue: $1,196,729
• Other Revenues (tickets, merchandise, fees) $542,046
TOTAL: $2,957,340
Expenses mentioned were as follows:
• Cost of goods sold: $377,661
• Personnel Cost: $1,433,576
• General & Administrative Costs: $53,130
• Occupancy Costs: $477,501
• Services & Operations Cost: $270,671
• Event Expenses: $668,294
• Food& Beverage Expenses: $175,851
TOTAL: $3,079,023
Summary overview:
Revenues: $2,957,340
Expenses: $3,456,685
Net Operating Loss: ($499,345)
Owner Operating Investment: $500,000 (Hotel Occupation Tax)
Net Income: $655
Page 5 of 5,City Council Study Session,June 30,2026
Jay Vavricek spoke in favor of VenuWorks management.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
qiej.), 7,
Jill Granere
City Clerk