LINCOLN, Nebraska -- The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors acted on several important items during its Sept. 17, 2025, meeting, including the adoption of its Fiscal Year 2026 property tax request, approval of an employment agreement for a new general manager, and approval of a new Long Range Implementation Plan (LRIP).

FY2026 Tax Request
Following a special hearing held on September 10th, the Board approved the District’s FY2026 property tax request of $12,289,341.41 with a levy of 0.022999. The District’s total budget for FY2026 is set at $40.1 million, an increase of $3.98 million from FY2025 that reflects needed and expanded conservation and flood control responsibilities.

New General Manager Employment Agreement
The Board approved an employment agreement naming David Potter as the District’s general manager. Potter has served as assistant general manager for the last nine years. He is also a former LPSNRD board member, county board member, city planner, county zoning administrator, community planning and landscape design consultant, and has an agriculture background. As a lifelong resident of rural Valparaiso and a Kansas State University graduate, Potter brings both staff and board-level experience to the position. He has extensive knowledge of Lower Platte South NRD programs, finances, and partnerships.

Long Range Implementation Plan (FY2026–2030)
The Board also adopted the FY2026–2030 LRIP, which serves as a roadmap for District programs over the next five years. The plan is consistent with the District’s budget and outlines measurable goals across all program areas, including ground water monitoring, flood resilience, recreation, trails, wildlife habitat, and public education initiatives.

In other business, the board approved:

The 2026 Individual Unfunded Cooperative Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), continuing a longstanding partnership that supports shared staff and resources for conservation planning and implementation.

A cooperative agreement with the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center was approved to formalize collaboration on the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch project, a major prairie conservation and trail initiative.

A request to construct a family residence within the designated area of a conservation easement near Ceresco.

A contract with Theisen Construction, Inc. to perform inspections of timber trail bridges along the MoPac, Homestead, and Oak Creek Trails to ensure safe and proactive maintenance.

A bid of $20,150 from Morrissey Enterprises for invasive tree removal and grassland restoration at Timber Point Wildlife Management Area, a project supported by a Nebraska Game and Parks grant.

Surface Water Quality Cost-Share assistance totaling $78,509 to install terraces and grassed waterways that improve water quality and reduce erosion.

Lower Platte South NRD board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.