City Council Approves Tax Break Program For Firefighters

Sidney volunteer firemen will qualify for a new tax break in coming years, thanks to a resolution passed by the Sidney City Council Tuesday.

The break, which comes in the form of a tax credit against state income taxes, is available due to the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act passed by the Nebraska Legislature. The Act provides the tax credit for volunteers meeting certain criteria during the year.

As firefighters attend training, respond to fires, serve as elected officials and perform other specified duties, they will receive points toward qualifying for the tax break. Up to 100 points are possible, and any volunteer accumulating 50 points will qualify.

Sidney Fire Chief Keith Stone said it is possible not all volunteers would reach the 50 point threshold, but that doesn’t speak badly for those individuals.

“It’s not as if they don’t make 50 points that they aren’t a good volunteer,” Stone told council. “It’s just what the state requires for the tax credit.”

Stone said the credit serves both to reward current volunteers, and may be an added incentive in recruiting new ones.

The unanimous approval by council gives the fire department and city the go-ahead to participate in the program and related reporting.

Council also received an update on the Joint East Sidney Watershed Project (JESWA), which has been years in the making to provide flood protection for homes and businesses in the area of Ft. Sidney Road and Parkland Drive.

Galen Wittrock, assistant manager with the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) told council that recently the work of obtaining all the necessary easement and land rights was completed. That step, necessary because the project’s drainages and structures may cross or affect properties, had stalled until recently.

With the rights acquired, JESWA will turn its attention to the final project design. Once that is approved by JESWA and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, bids for the work can be solicited. Sidney City Manager Ed Sadler told council that if everything goes as hoped, bids should be in by February, with work on the estimated $1.27 million project beginning in the spring.

Council, with some reservation remaining as to financial splits, approved an interlocal agreement with Cheyenne County in relation to funding and operation of the Cheyenne County Emergency Communications Center.

Previously, council expressed concern over the makeup of the Communications Center Authority Board, which named the chair of the Cheyenne County Commissioners as the chair for the Authority Board as well. A change to the agreement now provides that the Comm Center board will choose a chair person from its membership in January of even numbered years.

Council members remain concerned about the equitability of funding the center, but councilman Wendall Gaston and others agreed during discussion that this agreement “is better than others we have seen.”

In other business, council:

-Approved a liquor license for The Sports Bar and Grill at 1540 10th Ave.

-Approved a special designated liquor license for the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce.

-Appointed Cathy Arterburn to the Economic Development Citizen’s Advisory Review Committee.