Council to revisit disputed wage vote Monday

Posted on by Nikki McKim

Action scheduled to consider rescinding and reconsidering November decision

The Falls City Council will meet Monday December 1 at 6 p.m. with an agenda that includes action on the disputed non union wage vote taken November 19. The previous vote referenced the wage proposal originally brought forward on November 3. After the meeting several council members and the city administrator said they believed the council had acted on a different proposal discussed November 17.

City Attorney Michael Dunn issued a written legal opinion November 21 that was included in the agenda packet, stating that the resolution adopted at the special meeting was the November 3 version and that the motion and public vote recorded during the meeting control the outcome. The opinion recommends that the council rescind the previous action if it intends to adopt a different wage plan. According to Dunn two members who voted in favor of the original motion would need to request rescinding the motion in order to reopen the matter.

Monday’s agenda lists two wage related actions under old business. One item would allow the council to reconsider Resolution 2025 R155 regarding non union wage scales and benefits for fiscal years 2026 2027 and 2028. A second item would consider the non union wage scale proposal again if the prior vote is rescinded.

The November 3 wage proposal includes higher annual salaries, immediate pension vesting for management staff and severance language for the city administrator and police chief. Dunn wrote that if no new vote is taken or if the matter is not placed on the agenda the wages would remain as adopted under the November 3 resolution.

Agenda items for the December 1st meeting include:

1. Discussion & Action – Consider requests to rescind the restricted parking on east side of the 900 Block of Morton Street from 9th Street to approximately 182.00 feet North of 9th Street.
2. Discussion & Action – Reconsider Resolution 2025-R155 regarding non-union wage scales and benefits for fiscal year 2026, 2027 and 2028 passed at the November 19th special meeting as requested by Council person Ferguson and Council person Leyden.
3. Discussion & Action – Resolution considering non-union wage scales and benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, 2027 and 2028 [Closed session may be necessary to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual who has not requested a public meeting]

1. Discussion & Action – Consider authorization to execute an agreement with SEL Engineering Services, Inc. totaling $174,600.00 for Items 4, 5 and 6 of the Power Plant SCADA Controls Upgrade Project as recommended by the Board of Public Works.

2. Discussion & Action – Consider approval of Requisition REQ01883 for the purchase of a remote methane leak detector as requested by the Natural Gas Department

3. Discussion & Action – Consider approval of Requisition REQ01899 for the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD with Stahl Utility Bed as recommended by the Board of Public Works

4. Discussion & Action – Consider execution of a renewal to the Maintenance Agreement No. 10 with Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) for CY2026

5. Discussion & action – Consider execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Falls City Special Olympics for utilization of Prichard Auditorium
6. Discussion & Action – Resolution authorizing execution of a Community Benefits Agreement with Nebraska Rural Generation and relating to confidential economic development discussions for the NRG Industrial Development Project conducted under a non-disclosure agreement [Closed session may be necessary to protect the public interest by discussing confidential economic development negotiations and proprietary information regarding the NRG Industrial Development Project. which are subject to a non-disclosure agreement and not appropriate for public release at this stage.

The Falls City Journal will attend Monday’s meeting and report the outcome in next week’s edition.

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