Broken Bow residents may see higher trash collection rates as city council weighs a proposed ordinance tied to increased landfill and fuel costs, while community members also urged action on growing safet concerns involving electric bikes and scooters.
Monthly Trash Assessments
During the public hearing Monday night, the Broken Bow City Council discussed Ordinance 1308, which would establish updated mandatory monthly trash assessments on utility bills for residential and business properties within city limits.
Joseph Roach with the S & L Sanitary Service in Broken Bow shared with the council the reasons behind proposing an increase for services.
Under the proposal, residential trash rates would increase from $25 to $27 per month. Small business rates would rise to $37.25, medium business rates to $48.25 and large business rates to $73.25.
Roach said other Nebraska communities already charge significantly more for trash service.
Council member, Paul Holland questioned whether a previous agreement limited future increases. Ultimately the council voted not to waive the required ordinance readings, allowing more time for review before final approval.
Electric Bike and Scooter Concerns
The meeting also drew extensive public comment about electric bikes and motorized scooters being ridden around town by children and teenagers.
Community leaders and residents described multiple close calls involving riders ignoring traffic laws, traveling at high speeds and riding on sidewalks.
Residents urged the city to adopt regulations similar to ordinances recently approved in other Nebraska cities. Mayor, Rod Sonnichsen noted that the council has been working to help resolve this issue strategically in cooperation with the police department.
Broken Bow Police Chief, Chris Anderson, confirmed the department has received increasing complaints and is drafting a proposed ordinance for council review. Anderson said, technically, even riding a bicycle riders have to follow traffic laws but enforcement can be difficult because officers often arrive after riders have already left the area.
Throughout discussion amongst community members and city officials several possible solutions were brought into the conversation, including helmet requirements, age restrictions, licensing requirements for certain vehicles and restrictions on riding sidewalks.
City council President, Russ Smith, said they plan to continue working with law enforcement and community members to develop rules before someone is seriously injured.
Other Items Discussed
City council members also moved to postpone action on an interlocal cooperative agreement with the Custer County Communications Center after receiving late revisions from county officials.
In other business, the council approved the first step toward potentially selling the former Armory building, which City Administrator, David Schmidt, said has proven costly to maintain without a clear long term use.
- Schmidt emphasized no sale has been finalized and noted the process could still take months. According to the May 12, 2026 agenda the potential sale of the surplus real property is valued at over $5,000.
Rounding out the city council meeting, Schmidt reminded residents that Broken Bow’s free citywide cleanup will take place May 16, 2026 between Tomahawk Park and Paul Brown Field from 8:00am to 3:00pm Residents can also take advantage of a free tree dump May 16 and May 23, 2026 from 8:30am to noon and 1:00pm to 5:30pm.
The next Broken Bow city council meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026 at the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
