Nebraska City Calling Police, EMS More Than Ever
Police and Nebraska City Fire and Rescue activities were up this fiscal year, but building permits and burials are trending lower.
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA CITY – City Administrator Grayson Path’s year-end report to the city council shows record activity for police and EMS.
The Nebraska City Police Department had record-high activity with 13,379 calls for service. The activity is more than double the average of 6,000 calls. Police made 383 arrests this year, compared to 299 a year ago.
Emergency medical services responded to a record number of 911 alarms at 880. EMS has averaged 750 calls a year since 2012.
The volunteer fire department had an average response time of 3.8 minutes and an average of 11 volunteers responding. There were 1,059 training hours. There were 41 vehicle accidents, 14 vehicle fires, nine structure fires and 35 false alarms.
The fire department reports a record low number of grass fires with three. The department averaged 20 grass fires per year since 2012.
Building permits and burials were trending lower, however.
The city issued 95 building permits in the fiscal year, the lowest in seven years. The city issued 169 permits in 2012 and 115 permits last year. Burials at Wyuka Cemetery is also at an eight-year low. There were 53 burials this year, compared to a high of 85 in 2015.
Attendance at the aquatic center was at a three-year low of 22,622. The pool set record attendance of 29,993 in 2016, compared to a low of 9,277 with the old pool.
The city parks department shows increased hours of mowing of 1,352 hours, compared to 1,158 a year ago.
Path said it was an overall good year for Nebraska City. He called completion of Senior Patio Homes a major “shot in the arm” for housing.”
Path said the city was able to fix street potholes in the spring, keep streets swept, fix the fire station roof and keep up with mowing during a wet, cooler growing season for grass.
The collected $378,634 in occupation taxes this fiscal year. $271,118 was collected by the hotel tax, $89,000 by telecommunications and $3,000 by food vendors. The occupation tax goes into the general fund, but the hotel tax has an emphasis on tourism and support of NCTC.
In other action, Nebraska City Utilities will replace 5,000 feet of steel gas main northeast of Otoe near 42nd and C roads.
The Morton-James Public Library has received a $1,000 grant to pay an intern to assist staff with the Innovation Studio equipment.
The city also banned the use of alcohol at the fire and rescue complex.
Nebraska City Utilities will replace 5,000 feet of steel gas main northeast of Otoe near 42nd and C roads.
The Morton-James Public Library has received a $1,000 grant to pay an intern to assist staff with the Innovation Studio equipment.