GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Following a public hearing on Thursday, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors set the property tax request and levy during their regularly scheduled board meeting. Note: The August Board meeting was moved to Sept. 4, 2025, to allow time for required public notices.

In July, the Board approved the 2025/2026 fiscal year budget of $31,799,740.74, a decrease from last year’s budget of $34,714,184.14. The budget accounts for proposed expenditures, liabilities, necessary cash reserves, and county treasurer commissions.

Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported that the district’s total valuation, as certified by the 11 county assessors within Central Platte NRD boundaries, is $24,601,392,788 - a 9.87% increase from last year. The 2025/2026 property tax request of $5,347,834.31 is slightly lower than last year’s request of $5,349,324.17. Based on this request, the Board approved a resolution setting the levy at 0.021738, down from last year’s 0.023890.

For a home valued at $200,000, property taxes will be $43.48 next year to support the conservation efforts of the Central Platte NRD. These efforts include flood reduction, water quality and use management, soil health, cost-share for conservation practices, forestry, land management, recreation, and natural resources education. The Central Platte NRD serves all of Dawson County and parts of 10 other counties including Custer, Buffalo, Hall, Howard, Nance, Merrick, Hamilton, Platte, Polk, and Frontier counties.

The Board of Directors meetings are held at 2 p.m. at the NRD office located at 215 Kaufman Avenue, Grand Island, Nebraska.

AGENDA/ACTION ITEMS

Building Committee 
Mick Reynolds, Building Committee Chairman, reported that the committee met onsite to review progress on the NRD’s new office and education center. Assistant Manager Jesse Mintken also presented a video update of the construction to the Board.

Board Search Committee
Board Chairman Deb VanMatre reported that no letters of interest have been received to fill the Subdistrict 3 vacancy. The Search Committee will continue accepting letters of interest until September 10th and will interview candidates before presenting a recommendation at the September 25 Board meeting. The appointed director will serve through December 2026. Subdistrict 3 includes southwestern Buffalo County and the southeastern corner of Dawson County. Letters of intent may be mailed to CPNRD, 215 Kaufman Ave., Grand Island, NE 68803, or emailed to vogt [at] cpnrd.org. For help determining if you reside within Subdistrict 3, call (308) 385-6282.

Manager’s Report  
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:

Flowmeter & Telemetry Program
General Manager Lyndon Vogt reported that the district is evaluating potential sites to install mechanical flowmeters with telemetry at 100 locations across the district. The program will provide each selected site with a free flowmeter and 10 years of telemetry service. The telemetry system will supply both historical and real-time data on pumping rates and volumes to producers/landowners and CPNRD through a secure online login. On average, four flowmeters will be installed per Groundwater Management Subarea at no cost to the landowners or producers. For more information or to express interest in receiving a flow meter with telemetry, contact Brandi Flyr at flyr [at] cpnrd.org or (308) 385-6282.

Nebraska Legislature – Natural Resources-Related Interim Studies
LR 158: Interim study to examine the feasibility of the State of Nebraska assuming the administration of the 76-mile stretch of the Niobrara River that has been designated as a national scenic river

LR 159: Interim study to examine how the nameplate capacity tax affects the development, operation, and long-term viability of privately developed renewable energy generation facilities located in Nebraska

LR 223: Interim study to examine issues within the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Committee

LR 226: Interim study to examine the need for and implementation of a Green Amendment and the implications of adopting LR22CA, 2025

LR 234: Interim study to examine the impact of the net-zero plans and goals of public power utilities

LR 235: Interim study to examine the approval process, personnel involved, and costs associated with controlled burn permits

Nebraska Supreme Court Decision – Lower Republican NRD
In State ex rel. Seeman v. Lower Republican NRD (2025), the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the Lower Republican NRD's (LRNRD) 2017 order, the court applied Nebraska law which holds that a reduction of irrigated acres completed before a person acquires an interest is not affected by the acquisition of that interest. The court denied relief to Seeman, finding that the forfeiture was completed before he acquired his property, and therefore, he could not benefit from the restoration of water rights.

Voting Delegate and Alternate 
Deb VanMatre was selected as the voting delegate and Jay Richeson as the alternate for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Annual Conference, to be held September 29-30 in Kearney, NE.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, reported that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins opened a 30-day public comment period on the Department’s reorganization plan, which closed August 26, 2025. Stakeholders, including USDA employees, members of Congress, and agricultural and nutrition partners, were encouraged to submit feedback via reorganization [at] usda.gov.

Financial Report
The August financial report was approved.

Cost-Share  
Six applications for burn preparation, prescribed burns, and flowmeters were approved for a total of $25,075 through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.

Upcoming Board Meetings   
September 25, October 23, November 13, December 18