LISTEN TO RECAP OF MEETING WITH CITY MANAGER KEVIN WILKINS
OGALLALA, Neb. — As summer begins to heat up, the Ogallala City Council faced a packed agenda Tuesday night, with discussion spanning fireworks restrictions, a new drone show, street repairs, and public transit funding.
City Manager Kevin Wilkins recapped the meeting Wednesday morning in an interview with the Sandhills Post, highlighting the council’s efforts to balance public safety, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement amid a summer season already shaped by drought concerns and budgetary challenges.
Fireworks Ban Sparks Debate
One of the most emotionally charged topics of the night was the city’s ongoing fireworks ban. With a fire ban in place for several months and Keith County maintaining restrictions due to dry conditions, Wilkins said city leaders weighed the risks against the public’s desire for tradition.
“There’s a general understanding that within city limits, where you’ve got irrigated lawns, concrete streets, and garden hoses, the risk of wildfires is much lower,” Wilkins said. “But staying in harmony with the county is important, especially when many don’t recognize the boundary between the two jurisdictions.”
Despite some community support for limited fireworks within the city, the council voted 3-2 to remain aligned with the county’s ban—at least for now. A review is scheduled for June 24. If the county lifts its ban and conditions improve, the city may follow suit.
“The public discussion was courteous and respectful,” Wilkins added. “It worked the way government should.”
Drone Show Set for July 5
With traditional fireworks off the table, Ogallala will light up the sky with a modern twist: a drone light show on Saturday, July 5.
The city secured a 200-drone performance at a discounted rate of $25,000—the same amount it had budgeted for fireworks.
However, Wilkins noted that fundraising fell $6,000 short this year, with taxpayers ultimately covering more than $12,000 of the event’s cost. As a result, the city is stepping away from organizing future July 4th celebrations, encouraging civic groups to take the lead.
“In years past, it was local organizations like the Chamber putting on these shows,” Wilkins said. “Now it’s time to return that responsibility to the community.”
The council confirmed that while the city won’t manage future events, it remains open to financially supporting qualified civic or private efforts.
Transit Software and Federal Mandates
In other business, the council approved a contract for federally mandated public transit scheduling software, despite concerns over upcoming state budget cuts that may slash funding by as much as 30%.
“We don’t like the software, and it will disrupt how we currently manage transit,” Wilkins said. “But we’re mandated to have it, so we went ahead with the purchase this year to avoid further complications down the road.”
The council also passed a resolution enabling Ogallala to enter into the 5311 Federal Transit Administration program for ongoing funding, despite the uncertainty surrounding future allocations.
Council Declines Fee Negotiation Policy
An item brought forward by Police Chief James Herman and Wilkins aimed to allow for negotiation of vehicle impound fees under extenuating circumstances. The council, however, rejected the proposal.
“Our current laws don’t allow for fee negotiation unless explicitly stated,” Wilkins said. “The council was not comfortable giving that authority to the police chief and city manager.”
Until a formal policy is developed, all impound fee disputes will be directed to the council on a case-by-case basis.
Street Projects and Curb Stop Challenges
A paving project near City Hall and the Fire Hall is moving forward, but not without procedural hiccups. The council will consider an engineering agreement at its June 24 meeting, with hopes to seek bids in early July.
The city also discussed potential solutions to its aging curb stop infrastructure. Wilkins reported that approximately 30 curb stops—underground valves that control water flow—are in need of repair.
While no action was taken, the council is exploring whether to budget $100,000 annually for repairs or offer incentives to property owners. Since 2018, the city has not enforced mandatory repairs for failing curb stops.
“We’re trying to determine how much of that responsibility the city wants to take on,” Wilkins said. “But any decision will have a direct impact on water rates, as the water and sewer funds must remain self-sufficient.”
Looking Ahead
The next Ogallala City Council meeting is scheduled for June 24. At that time, the council is expected to revisit the fireworks ban and formalize plans for the paving project.
As Wilkins noted, the goal remains to keep the city informed and responsive, even during a summer season filled with uncertainty.
“Our community shows up. Whether it’s for fireworks, street repairs, or civic discussions,” he said. “That’s what keeps Ogallala moving forward.”
For more updates and the latest city council decisions, visit NorthPlattePost.com or SandhillsPost.com.