HASTINGS, Neb. (NCN) – Hastings City officials are finalizing the city’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which is proposed to cost less than last year.

On Monday night, councilors heard comments from the public about the budget, which had only three residents express concerns about keeping the budget at a reasonable amount.

Hastings Assistant City Administrator Mark Funkey presented the budget in place of City Administrator Shawn Metcalf, who was placed on paid administrative leave last week.

Mayor Corey Stutte said during the meeting that Metcalf will be on leave “until further notice.”

City documents show the 2024-25 fiscal year budget is roughly $1.5 million less than the 2023-24 budget, dropping from $214,226,979 to $212,602,171.

The city’s property tax rate is also proposed to drop from 0.4243 to 0.3948 cents per $100, the lowest rate in 10 years.

The city will need to access $923,950 from the General Cash Fund to balance the capital budget.

During the budget vote, an ordinance and two resolutions related to the 2024-25 budget passed unanimously 8-0 with no pushback on each separate vote to approve the first vote.

While Monday night’s vote passed, the City Council must hold two more votes to finalize and approve the 2024-25 city budget.

Funkey said the City Council plans to call another special session during next Monday’s City Council work session to hold the second reading of the budget.

It could pass with unanimity and a repeal of the second vote rules.

Whole Hastings City Draft Budget available here.

All city budgets in Nebraska must be turned over to the state by September 30th and will take effect on October 1st.

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