07/07/2026 Minutes OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION (BUDGET)
July 7, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
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 July 7, 2026. Notice of the meeting was given in The Grand Island Independent on
July 1, 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, Mitchell Nickerson,
Doug Brown, Chuck Haase, Maggie Mendoza and Doug Lanfear. Mike Paulick and Jason
Conley were absent. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator Patrick
Brown, City Clerk Jill Granere and Finance Director Chelsey Steinke.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
5.a) FY2027 Emergency Management
Cover Page
Presentation
Emergency Management Operating Detail
Emergency Management Personnel Detail
Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund reported on budget changes to exchange
personnel costs in E911 Special Revenue Funds (215/216) for operational costs from General
Fund. 215/216 Funds were funded by 911 fees and restricted for 911 purposes. The General
Fund supports core Grand Island and Hall County services, including 911 personnel costs. This
would align personnel costs with the General Fund, where most Grand Island and Hall County
staff are budgeted and would ensure 215/216 funds remained focused on 911 operations.
Mentioned were personnel services would increase by 11.6% for all funds with no new FTE's.
Operating expenses would increase by 23.8%. Motorola Contract in the amount of$222,737.
Mentioned were Capital Equipment as follows:
• Radio Repeater: $8,000
• North Road UPS Battery Replacement: $15,000
• Radio Consoles: $100,000
Discussion was held on the cost of the radio consoles and the price. Mentioned were desks that
came with fans, extra strips and special wiring needs.
Discussion was held on the new Motorola handheld radios and the unexpected charge for the use
of Wi-Fi. Mr. Rosenlund said he was waiting for a response from Motorola on the cost.
5.b) FY2027 Fire &Ambulance Budget Proposal
Cover Page
Page 2 of 3,City Council Study Session,July 7,2026
Presentation
111 Fire Operating Detail
Ambulance Operating Detail
Fire Personnel
Ambulance Personnel
Fire and Ambulance Operating Detail
Fire and Ambulance Personnel
Fire Chief Cory Schmidt reported the following Fire Department was requesting three additional
Firefighter/EMTs (within 3 years) with an increase of personnel services of$231,181.23 (wages
only). This was to match the recommended relief factor of 3.75.
Operational Expenses increase as follows:
• Medical Director- $3,000 (best guess—RFP in August)
• GEMT - $140,000 expense/$240,000 revenue
• Computer Services - $4,715 (contractual increase—First Due)
• Internally reclassified expenses to improve accounting accuracy
Capital ProjectsFY2026 Carryover:
• Technical Rescue Equipment- $205,000
• Ambulance (ordered in 2024) - $462,650
TOTAL: $667,650
Capital Request for a total of$810,000
Capital Equipment as follows:
• Storage Building/Training Area: $375,000
• Station#1 —Air Conditioning: $155,000
• Mobile Radios: $102,000
• Bunker Gear: $75,000
• Engine 2—Engine: $60,000
• Phoenix System Room Remotes: $40,000
• Patient Ventilator: $26,000
• Bursh Truck(grant match) $24,000
• Chain Link Fence: $12,000
Mr. Schmitz mentioned future capital as follows:
• Purchase Fire engine - $1.1 million(2-3 year wait)
• Order ambulance - $480,000 (2 year wait)
• Replace rescue pumper—$1.4 million(recommend ordering within the next 3-5 years)
• Consider replacing fire station#2 - $8-$10 million
Councilmember Sheard suggested a future Study Session for the consideration of replacing Fire
Station#2.
Page 3 of 3,City Council Study Session,July 7,2026
Discussion was held on mandatory overtime and the expense and how it compared with adding
the 3 FTE's. Mr. Schmidt estimated savings of$80,000 to $100,000.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Jil Granere
City Clerk