Venango board approves budget prep, telecom upgrade at September meeting

FROM THE MINUTES

The Village of Venango Board of Trustees approved budget preparation services and a telecommunications site upgrade while reviewing utility and infrastructure updates during its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Chairman Thomas Tines called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the town hall. Trustees Cody Miller, Christina Farnsworth and Dennis Ekdahl were present; Troy Grothman was absent. Notice of the meeting was properly posted, and the Open Meetings Act was made available.

Trustees unanimously approved adding “building permit” to the agenda, the Aug. 12 meeting minutes and the monthly treasurer’s report. As of Aug. 29, the village’s checking account balance stood at $84,000, with CRA/TIF funds at $457,233.76 and the Keno account at $103,430.67.

Reports were heard on water, sewer, trash and streets, followed by discussion on the village’s new well. Trustees approved Resolution 2025-9-1, signing the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2025, and further certified the program compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classification and Standards.

The board voted to hire Skiles, Loop, Bremer & White CPAs PC to prepare and submit the 2025-26 budget to the state. A request from Verizon to complete a telecommunications site upgrade at 510 Ziemer St. was also approved.

The public forum began at 7:45 p.m. with seven guests attending. A budget hearing opened at 8 p.m. and closed at 8:23 p.m. before final adjournment at 8:28 p.m.

Trustees approved payment of monthly bills totaling more than $7,000, including $2,140.55 to Waste Connections for trash services, $1,004.18 to NPPD for utilities, and $2,333.34 for contract labor.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Venango Town Hall.