Broken Bow council approves appointments, accepts resignation and OKs renewable energy certificate agreement

The Broken Bow City Council on Oct. 10 approved multiple personnel and administrative items, including the appointment of a police officer, an appointment to the Housing Authority, a renewable energy certificate management services agreement, and a council resignation and vacancy declaration.

Councilmember David Baltz moved, and Councilmember Paul Holland seconded, to appoint Christopher Leibert as a Broken Bow police officer; the motion passed on a roll-call vote of Smith, Baltz and Holland. City Administrator David Schmidt then administered the police officer oath to Christopher Leibert.

The council also voted to appoint Kathy Salts to the Broken Bow Housing Authority for a term ending October 2028; Councilmember Russ Smith moved and Councilmember Paul Holland seconded the motion, which carried on roll call.

The council approved an Agreement Regarding Renewable Energy Certificate Management Services between the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) and the City of Broken Bow. Electric Superintendent Blake Waldow informed the council there were no changes to the agreement before the council voted to approve it.

On personnel changes, Councilmember David Baltz announced he was resigning to pursue a career in law enforcement; the council accepted his resignation effective after the end of the meeting (Baltz abstained from the acceptance vote). The council then approved a Declaration of Vacancy for the West Ward council seat, effective Oct. 10, 2023, for the term ending Dec. 31, 2024.

The consent agenda — which included approval of the Sept. 26 minutes and a detailed bills list — was approved by roll call. The minutes list vendor payments and a total of $581,731.97 under "TOTAL." The meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.