By Allison Peck
The Ogallala City Council will meet Tuesday, Sept. 22, with a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2026-27 budget and property tax request among the primary items on the agenda.
The council will first hold a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. at City Hall. The only business listed for that meeting is consideration of a contract with FR Customs LLC for the 2026 Durango PPV upfit.
The council’s regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will begin with a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget statement.
According to the budget documents, Ogallala is proposing a $37.505 million budget for 2026-27, compared with $28.144 million in actual or estimated disbursements for 2025-26. The proposed property tax request is $1,917,870.71, compared with $1,825,327.55 the previous year — an increase of about 5%. The city's taxable valuation is listed at $523.607 million, up 9% from $480.349 million. The proposed tax rate is $0.366280 per $100 of assessed valuation.
The budget documents state that the proposed property tax request is within the allowable growth percentage. A proposed resolution says the city's total operating budget would increase by 33.26% from the previous year based on the proposed tax request and changes in other revenue.
Following the budget hearing, the council will consider the final budget and property tax request, along with a number of other items.
The consent agenda includes claims and appointments to city boards. Brian Vasa is proposed for a five-year term on the Community Redevelopment Authority, while Vicki Peters and Michael Tuttle are proposed for four-year terms on the Library Board.
A public forum will include an update from PeopleService Inc. Its August water and wastewater report notes maintenance and repairs throughout the city's systems, including issues identified at several wells. The report recommends repairs to North Well No. 4.
The council also will consider several resolutions and department recommendations, including an amendment to the city's job title-salary range table, an amended special fee schedule and creation of Chapter 115 of the municipal code governing mobile food vendors. The proposed mobile food vendor ordinance addresses definitions, registration requirements, operating regulations, renewals, suspension and revocation, and would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Another significant item involves improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant. An amendment with JEO Consulting Group would add design and bidding services for changes including final clarifier arm brushes, sludge piping, flow-control modifications and aeration basin blower controls. The amendment calls for an estimated $47,500 in additional engineering compensation, increasing the agreement from $1.189 million to $1.2365 million.
The council also will consider the final plat of the Siebert Subdivision, involving three tracts of land in Section 31 of Township 14 North, Range 38 West. The city planning department says the item involves a property exchange between the city and Randy and Patty Siebert. Under the proposed exchange, the city would retain land needed to maintain the existing water tower and potentially construct another tower in the future. The Planning Commission recommended approval on a 6-0 vote, with three members absent.
The meeting agenda also includes project updates from the city manager and reports from council members on their respective boards and community organizations.
The Ogallala City Council meeting will be held at Ogallala City Hall, 411 East 2nd Street, with the special meeting at 6:45 p.m. followed by the regular meeting and budget hearing at 7 p.m.