McCook council approves street plan, short-term rentals, and utility rate hikes

September 15, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council moved through a full agenda Monday night, approving its 2026 street improvement plan, granting several special exceptions for vacation rentals, and finalizing budget and utility rate increases for the coming year.

The meeting opened with announcements about ongoing community projects, including progress on the all-inclusive playground at Kelley Park. City staff reported that four semi-loads of new playground equipment have already arrived, with installation expected to begin in the coming weeks. The project, largely funded through private donations and grants, also includes replacing playground equipment at Barnett Park.

Council then turned to three public hearings on requests to allow short-term rentals in residential districts. Properties at 111 West G Street, 1616 Centennial Drive, and 1107 West 1st Street were all granted approval after city staff confirmed that zoning and safety requirements were met. Insurance coverage requirements are now being standardized for all such properties after recent questions about liability.

Street improvements dominated another portion of the meeting. The council adopted its 2026 one- and six-year street plans, which outline $3.66 million in projects for the coming year and more than $16 million in longer-range work. Projects include drainage and paving on West 14th Street, upgrades to roads serving the new youth sports complex, overlays for cemetery and park roads, and several neighborhood street segments.

In other business, the council received an update from the West Central Nebraska Development District on the city’s nuisance property program. Of 240 properties reviewed this year, 125 were flagged with courtesy letters and 111 have since been cleared. Council members rescinded nuisance declarations on five properties and approved abatement orders for three others.

Progress on the youth sports complex also drew attention. City Manager Nate Schneider reported that the city has secured a grant from BNSF Railway, with applications pending through the McCook Community Foundation Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Black Hills Energy, and state programs. Representatives from the Dougherty Foundation are scheduled to visit McCook on Sept. 24 to review the project. Paulsen Inc. has been awarded a $4.78 million contract to complete infrastructure work around the complex, with deadlines set in 2026 to match the facility’s planned opening.

The council also completed final approval of the city’s 2025–26 budget. Adjustments from earlier drafts shifted funding from fire department equipment to public works, including new mowers, a paint machine, and upgrades for parks, cemeteries, and ballfields. The budget maintains capital outlay for public safety and includes funding for police technology upgrades, ambulance payments, and library improvements.

Utility rates will rise in the new fiscal year. Water rates are set to increase to help fund up to $20 million in projects at the 20-year-old water treatment plant, including a new filtration system to address red water issues, media replacement, and redundancy improvements. Sewer rates will also rise as the city moves ahead with a $14.5 million replacement of its aging wastewater treatment plant, which dates back to the 1970s.

Solid waste fees were introduced for the first of three readings, with proposed increases of $1.50 per month for residential customers and a jump from $86 to $92 per ton for commercial users. Officials said the hikes are driven largely by new state and county landfill surcharges.

Council members closed the meeting by approving an ordinance setting the salary for the city manager. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.