VILLAGE OF ELM CREEK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 15, 2025, 7:00 P.M.
A Regular Meeting of the Elm Creek Village Board of Trustees convened in open and public session at the Village Center, 535 W. Boyd Avenue, Elm Creek, Nebraska at 7:00 p.m. on December 15, 2025. Advance Notice of this meeting was given in advance thereof by posting in three public places within the Village, as shown in the Certificate of Posting affixed to these minutes. Advance Notice was simultaneously given to the Chairman and all members of the Board of Trustees and their acknowledgment of receipt of Notice and the agenda are affixed to these minutes. Tanner Tool called the meeting to order at 7:00pm by calling for the roll, with the following members responding: Davis Miner, Michael Strong, Tanner Tool, Brian Florell, and Kyle Lawrence. Tanner announced that in accordance with Section 84-1412 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes, a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is available for review and is posted on the east wall of the meeting room.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Davis to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes of the Regular Meeting on November 20, 2025, and the approval of the Claims for the month of December totaling $82,511.78. Ayes: Kyle, Michael, Davis, Brian, and Tanner. Nays: None. The motion carried.
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Davis to adjourn the meeting Sine Die at 7:01pm. Ayes: Brian, Michael, Davis, Tanner, and Kyle. Nays: None. The motion carried.
Reorganization
The Clerk asked for nominations for Chairperson of the Board and Davis Miner nominated Tanner Tool. It was then moved by Tanner and seconded by Michael to cease nominations. Ayes: Michael, Davis, Tanner, Kyle, and Brian. Nays: none. Abstain: None. The motion carried and the nominations ceased. There was no need to carry out a secret ballot vote. Tanner Tool was appointed as Chairman.
Tanner then called the meeting to order at 7:03pm by calling the roll with the following members responding: Davis Miner, Michael Strong, Tanner Tool, Brian Florell, and Kyle Lawrence.
Tanner appointed Davis Miner as Vice-Chairman. It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Kyle to ratify the appointment of Davis Miner as Vice Chairman. Ayes: Brian, Michael, Kyle, and Tanner. Nays: None. Abstain: Davis. The motion carried.
SHERIFF’S REPORT: Sgt Valenzuela said there was nothing out of the usual to report for the month. Weather has been good. School Resource Officer Frazho just returned from training. In the fall of 2026, they are hoping to bring the DARE program back into the school. Tanner said he would like to see a seminar on vapes at the school as there are so many different types.
REGULAR AGENDA
AGENDA ITEM #1: DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: Designate depositories for Village funds; designate legal publication.
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Davis to approve FirsTier Bank as the designated depository for the Village funds. Ayes: Kyle, Michael, Tanner, Brian, and Davis. Nays: none. The motion carried.
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Kyle to approve the Kearney Hub as the legal publication. Ayes: Davis, Brian, Michael, Kyle, and Tanner. Nays: None. The motion carried.
AGENDA ITEM #2: DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: Appointment of Village officials and Boards
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Davis to appoint the following officials and boards:
- Village Attorney- Taylor L’Heureux Dewald Deaver L’Heureux Law Firm
- Village Engineer-Lance Harter with Oak Creek Engineering
- Street Superintendent- Lance Harter with Oak Creek Engineering
- Municipal Administrator – Dusty Newton
- Municipal Clerk/Treasurer-Amy Gillming
- Utilities Superintendent – Tanner Hemmingsen
- Emergency Management Director-Tanner Hemmingsen
- Librarian-Jane Walker
- Zoning Administrator-Dusty Newton
- Board of Health-Captain Bob Anderson, Carol Jorgensen, and Tanner Tool
- Board of Adjustment – to remain the current Village Board members
- Committees:
Utilities & Infrastructure: Kyle & Michael
Park, Recreation, & Cemetery: Brian & Michael
Finance: Tanner & Davis
Ayes: Davis, Michael, Tanner, Brian, and Kyle. Nays: None. The motion carried.
AGENDA ITEM #3: Review preliminary ordinance regarding e-bikes and e-scooters
Taylor drafted an ordinance regarding the regulation of e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards for the board to approve. They discussed whether they should be allowed in the business district and if so, what the rules would be. They opted to allow them, but rules of the road and sidewalks must be followed. They will add that they are not to be used on the track or tennis court. Taylor will make the changes, and we will vote to adopt it at the January meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #4: Renew CD with FirsTier Bank
It was moved by Tanner and seconded by Michael to renew the CD at FirsTier Bank for a 7-month term. Ayes: Kyle, Brian, Davis, Tanner, and Michael. Nays: None. The motion carried.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Dusty spoke to Stan Ourada regarding the payment he received for the land lease. Stan said that we are the reason he couldn’t take water this summer but that he was willing to so he didn’t feel like he should have to pay us back. Dusty will propose that we meet halfway and recoup $2500 from him.
Michael expressed concerns about the potential campground on the south side of town. There are multiple steps that need to be taken before it is approved. Other board members said they have heard questions and comments from others in town expressing concern as well.
Ravenna Sanitation has seen a 42% increase in their dump fees since our last contract in 2023. Dusty reached out to see if they wanted to discuss a rate change, but Steve was not ready at this time.
Viking Industrial will be out this spring to do a free evaluation of the water tower to see if we need to do any painting or repairs.
We currently have gas cards with Pump & Pantry, but they have added a $40.00 monthly fee so Dusty reached out to CHS to see what they could offer. Dusty and Amy will be meeting with them later this month to see what they can do.
There is a rundown camper on the south side of town that we are working with Larry Gydesen to get removed.
The next Library meeting will be in February.
The state will start working on Highway 183 from the spur north in August of 2026.
The next Village Board meeting will be on Wednesday, January 21.
AGENDA ITEM #5: Adjournment.
All agenda items having been considered, it was moved by Brian and seconded by Kyle to adjourn this Regular Meeting. Ayes: Davis, Michael, Tanner, Brian, and Kyle. Nays: None. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:58pm.
Amy Gillming, Village Clerk
December 2025 Claims
To Whom
Wages $17,636.05
FICA $5,779.44
State Income Tax Withholding $878.09
Principal Financial – Employee $1,486.50
Principal Financial – Employer $607.82
BCBS-Employee Health $1,455.16
BCBS – Employee Dental $88.42
BCBS-Employer Health/Dental $4,821.19
Guardian – Vision Employee $18.42
Guardian – Vision Employer $54.30
Guardian – Life & AD&D $34.00
Guardian – Employee Voluntary $316.54
AFLAC – Employee Voluntary $216.94
A.S.A.P. Express $15.55
American Legal Publishing $399.00
Arnold Motor Company $195.02
Bank of America $651.52
Black Hills Energy $482.72
Buffalo Cty Highway Dept $765.00
Buffalo Cty Sheriff Dept $3,750.93
Dana F Cole & Company LLP $20,242.20
Depository Trust Company $1,477.50
DeWald Deaver L’Heureux Law Firm $750.90
DPPD $38.26
Eakes $76.98
Great Plains Communications $259.91
Hometown Leasing $135.83
Jon’s Repair $968.14
Junior Library Guild $1,244.44
Martin Welding & Machine Shop $20.00
NAPA $9.10
NE Dept of Revenue $918.33
NPPD $3,304.93
Oak Creek Engineering $3,879.50
One Call Concepts $3.28
Ravenna Sanitation $8,273.40
Rose Equipment $122.70
Unitech Inc $445.00
Village Center Agency $299.23
Wex Bank $389.54
TOTAL $82,511.78
