Bayard council reviews draft 2026–27 budget, requests pay‑raise and water‑rate options

BAYARD, Neb. — At a special meeting July 9, 2026, Mayor Scot Ouderkirk and the Bayard City Council reviewed a draft 2026–27 budget and asked staff to prepare specific scenarios for employee pay raises and for possible increases to water rates.

City Clerk/Treasurer Shelly Bowlin presented a line‑item spreadsheet the council will use to fill out the state budget forms and said the worksheet had been updated to reflect requests from the previous budget meeting. Bowlin also noted that department heads — including the utility superintendent and the police chief — were included in the budget discussions.

The council asked staff to prepare budget scenarios showing both 3% and 5% wage‑increase options for council consideration and requested options for raising water rates to offset costs. Council members emphasized that final numbers will depend on county property valuations, which are expected in August; the council did not set a budget meeting for August at this time.

Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included a motion to approve the agenda and a motion to adjourn. Council member Chris Baird moved to approve the agenda; Council member Garrett Schukei seconded and the roll call recorded all five present members voting in favor. Later, Schukei moved to adjourn at 7:21 P.M.; Council member Jamie Hernandez seconded and the motion carried on a unanimous roll call.

Next steps: staff will return with the requested 3% and 5% salary scenarios and water‑rate options after county valuation figures are available in August. The council will schedule further budget work sessions once those figures are in hand.