SYRACUSE -  The Syracuse City Council met Jan. 8 with an agenda that included a conditional use permit for a Wagon Wheel sign at the corner of 404 Third Street.

Kurt Teten purchased the property with intention of turning the metal building into storage units. The building has over 4,000 square feet of storage capacity.

SYRACUSE -  The Syracuse City Council met Jan. 8 with an agenda that included a conditional use permit for a Wagon Wheel sign at the corner of 404 Third Street.

Kurt Teten purchased the property with intention of turning the metal building into storage units. The building has over 4,000 square feet of storage capacity.

In other business the city accepted the resignation of Carol Graham from the library board. Mrs. Graham , president of the library board, served for 12 years.  Kate Zost was accepted as a member of the board.

Librarian Melissa Juilfs reported on a new activity added to the library for 2025.  Juilfs is organizing a book club for children ages 7 - 18. If you would like to be a part of this program, please contact the Syracuse library for further information. Juilfs also has put together a history speaker series for 2025, including Jeff Barnes, on Jan 26 at 1:30 p.m., Feb 16th Charlotte Endorf and Dan Holtz on Mar. 16th.

 Bruce Neemann updated the council and mayor on the progress they have received from Schemmers, the company Syracuse fire and rescue has hired to put together information for the Fire and Rescue committees regarding the new building being proposed. Councilman Werner commended Neemann on all the information gathered  by Neemann and his committee to help with the process. 

Electrical rates to increase 3 percent in 2025. and an estimated increase of 2.4 percent in 2026. Dave Peterson of JEO reported on the utility increases from WAPA (western area power administration) increasing  their rates by 16 percent,  and suggested the city begin the process to stay ahead of costs.

Sonni Graves of the Parks Dept. reported that the Project Playground committee is hoping to hear by the end of January on the grant they had applied for. Graves also stated that the mechanical room at the Syracuse pool is seeing filter system upgrades. The Dept is checking into a new slide for the pool and also resurfacing the pool in the spring.

The city received $420 in revenue from permits issued in December of 2024.

The city issued 60 permits in the year 2024, bringing in $35,649. The total project costs were $3, 903,623.

City staff continue to track hours for zoning and building billings.

In  2024  there were a total of 235 hours logged for zoning permits, applications planning commission and city council meetings. 308 hours for construction inspections, permits, and applications. and 97 on nuisance properties.

The annual agreement with the State of Nebraska Roads Dept. for clearing snow on Highway 50 through Syracuse was renewed. The city of Syracuse agrees to pay the State of Nebraska Roads Dept for clearing snow  at a cost  of $1,430 per lane mile, for a total of  $5,863. This cost was not increased from 2024.