City Manager Responds to Questions About WEC Transition

August 27, 2025

McCOOK Neb. — Community member Dr. Jason Hilker recently submitted detailed questions about the transition of the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) facility to federal use. In response, City Manager Nate Schneider met with local media to provide answers to the extent possible. Schneider emphasized that the City of McCook has not been part of the planning or decision-making process and is still awaiting information from state and federal officials.

The following summarizes questions submitted regarding the Work Ethic Camp transition and related impacts. City Manager Nate Schneider met with media representatives to provide responses to the extent possible.

Grant / Proposal

1. Was NEDC or MEDC part of the process in bidding for the detention facility?

   
   

   – No. The City and local entities were not part of the process. First notification came when the Governor visited McCook the Saturday before his announcement.

   
   

1.A. Have we seen the grant/proposal?

– No. Nothing has been provided by the state.

1.B. Estimated cost to the federal government?

– Unknown.

1.C. Who calculated the estimate?

– Unknown.

1.D. Was this the purpose of the Dept. of Corrections visit prior to the Governor’s announcement?

– Unknown; assumption only.

1.E. Do we have representation on the planning committee?

– No. McCook has not been included.

1.F. Assurances for future use after 365-day contract?

– None. Unknown.

1.G. Who is contracted for facility upgrades/conversions?

– State/federal matter, not city.

1.H. Provision to return facility to original use?

– Unknown.

Airport

2. Was McCook contacted for approval to include airport in proposal?

   
   

   – No. City has not been contacted.

– Federal grant assurances require the airport be open to public and government use; city cannot deny access.

2.A. Fuel profit estimate ($23K/year) – does city have one?

– No. Would depend on aircraft size and number of flights.

2.B. Who pays for increased staffing at airport?

– No additional staffing planned; city cannot afford it. Fire and one staff member currently cover requirements.

2.C. Who provides flights (contracted or military)?

– Unknown.

2.D. Have increased costs been calculated and sent to state?

– No. Unknown.

2.E. Will community shuttle be used?

– No contact made. Budget limited.

2.F. Will migrants process through current terminal?

– Unknown.

2.G. Tourism Committee estimate on impact?

– None; to the best of our knowledge Tourism was not consulted.

2.H. Will more TSA agents be required?

– Unknown; federal matter.

National Guard / ICE

3. What is the housing plan?

   
   

   – Unknown. Federal decision.

3.A. If in hotels, capacity/tax loss considered?

– We do not know how employees/contractors will be housed, Federal/State decision.

3.B. Will they rent vehicles locally?

– Unknown.

3.C. How many ICE/federal personnel are expected?

– Unknown.

3.D. Housing/transportation plan for personnel?

– Unknown.

3.E. What agency provides flight security?

– Unknown.

3.F. Where will personnel be based?

– Unknown; assumption is McCook, but the city has not been contacted.

State Patrol

4. Governor said “six state patrol jobs” – McCook or statewide?

   
   

   – Unclear; likely statewide. Local troop D staffing questions should be directed to State Patrol PIO/Capt. Schmidt for officer safety.

Funding

5. Is there any financial incentive above $9.5M shift from state to federal?

   
   

   – Unknown.

5.A. What happens with any surplus above costs?

– Unknown; state/federal decision.

5.B. How much of increase benefits McCook?

– No increase identified for McCook.

5.C. Will costs/shortfalls be communicated during planning?

– Unknown.

5.D. Will program cover facility costs upfront or via reimbursement?

– Unknown.

Authorities / Meetings

6. Did a meeting take place in Keystone building during Governor’s announcement?

   
   

   – Yes. It was an MEDC Executive Committee meeting with invited participants.

6.A. Who was in attendance?

– MEDC Exec. Committee, Mayor Linda Taylor, City Manager Nate Schneider, others. No county officials.

6.B. Purpose?

– To share information and discuss initial impacts.

6.C. Quorum of council or county board present?

– No. Only two council members attended,the minimum number of councilmembers needed to constitute a quorum is 3 (ie. a majority of the 5 councilmembers must be together for a quorum to exist).

6.D. Was official business conducted?

– No. Informational only.

6.E. Was a joint task force established?

– Only agreement was for PIO support.

6.F. Was PIO role established at that meeting?

– Yes, group agreed Molly could serve due to prior experience.

6.G. Who does PIO represent?

– City, County, MEDC, and other entities collectively.

6.H. Is PIO a city position?

– No. It is a contracted consultant role, not a city staff position.

6.I. Is it paid/does it have budget?

– Yes. $2,400 contract shared by city, MEDC, and possibly county. Section 34.35 of the McCook Code of Ordinances states that professional services may be procured by the city with the approval of the Purchasing Agent (ie. the City Manager or his/her designee). No contract for professional services exceeding $50,000 may be awarded until the contract has been reviewed by the City Attorney, and without the prior approval of the City Council. Since the city’s share of the contract will be $800 or $1,200 (depending on the county’s contribution), the City Manager was authorized to enter the service contract with the McCook Community Hospital. If the City of McCook’s staff had time to place the item on the council agenda, it could have been included as an action item or ratification item, although not required per Section 34.35. There was not enough advanced notice by the State of Nebraska of its decision to convert the WEC facility to an ICE facility to allow any additional agenda items for consideration at the regularly scheduled Aug. 18th City Council meeting, as state law does not allow for agenda modification unless it occurs 24 hours in advance of the published notice.

6.J–6.P. Questions about quorum, minutes, emergency meeting notices

– Not applicable; not a quorum, not an official city/county meeting.

Community Leadership

7. Will the mayor provide a statement or press conference?

   
   

   – Not at this time. City/feds have provided no details, so there is no information to share.

7.A. Will there be a public Q&A or emergency council meeting?

– Not unless the state/feds provide substantive information.

Additional Local Impacts

• Loss of inmate labor (cemetery trimming, fire department support) will be absorbed by staff; considered manageable.

• Rumors about the ballpark project being paused are false. Project continues as approved by voters.

While many answers remain unknown, Schneider clarified that the city continues to operate within its limited authority and budget. Local impacts such as the loss of inmate labor will be absorbed by city staff, and projects like the voter-approved ballpark remain on track. Officials stressed that questions regarding contracts, housing, and federal staffing must be directed to the Nebraska Department of Corrections or Governor Pillen’s office, as the City of McCook has not been included in those discussions.