Economic development is a major topic of the Norfolk Mayor's race -- and was discussed at a forum Monday night. Candidates Sue Fuchtman and Tom Schommer say they support asking voters again for LB 840 authority to use tax dollars for economic development. But candidate Larry Sweigart said he doesn't think the authority is needed. The candidates also discussed picking a new city administrator, property taxes, keno, downtown development and city staff. Candidates for City Council from the Third Ward also took part in the forum, which was hosted by WJAG and also carried on CableOne Public Access Channel 14.
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The City of Norfolk will be contributing $1-million toward a proposed Nursing College on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk. The City Council's Finance Committee advanced a resolution Monday that calls for contributing funds over a five year period towards a capital campaign to raise $13-million for the University of Nebraska Medical Center partnership project. City Administrator Mike Nolan says the funds will come through a lease arrangement the city has with Nebraska Public Power District that generates nearly $2.7-million a year.
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A member of the Norfolk City Council has questioned the method of how the city evaluated bids for roofing projects at the city owned buildings. They are Fire Station One, the Police Station and Public Library. Jim Lange said at a meeting of the Council's Finance Committee on Monday, he questions city officials with no roofing experience recommending which bids to take. Fire Chief Shane Weider said the process was competitive with the accepted bid of $121,233 -- nearly half the price of estimates. He says if they have good quality labor and warranties, the bid meets specifications. The Committee accepted the bid from Nuhova Roofing of LeMars, Iowa on a five-four vote.
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A federal appeals court panel has upheld dismissal of a lawsuit that said Nebraska's law forcing small schools to merge with larger districts was unconstitutional. In November 2006, voters repealed the school merger law. But the vote came after the small districts had already been dissolved.
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Nebraska's auditor says the state is seeking new bids for a contract to supply office supplies after his office discovered that Office Depot had been overcharging the state. Mike Foley says that since Office Depot won an exclusive $3-million contract in June 2005, the state has been overcharged up to 400 percent on some items.
