North Platte City Council Postpones Key Decisions Due to Member Absences
The North Platte City Council’s final meeting of the calendar year concluded earlier than anticipated on Tuesday, largely due to several members being absent. This unexpected adjournment led to the postponement of at least two significant agenda items, which are now slated for the council’s next session on January 6, 2026.
Mayor Brandon Kelliher addressed the reduced attendance, explaining, “You may have noticed that we’re shy a few council members tonight due to illness, largely. And as a result of that, the gentleman putting in the application prior — number three — asked me to move this to the next week’s or next council meeting’s agenda. So number three is removed from tonight’s agenda and will be on the first meeting in January.”
This decision impacted a notable proposal that had already been under consideration. One of the items pulled from Tuesday’s agenda was a request for a conditional-use permit to establish a commercial solar farm. This project, proposed for the intersection of Victoria Lane and East State Farm Road in southern North Platte, had been tabled by the council two weeks prior. The applicant themselves requested the postponement, and consequently, the council took no action on the solar farm proposal during their recent meeting.
Another critical item deferred was the election of the council president for the upcoming year, 2026. This leadership role has been consistently held by Ward One representative Jim Nisley for the past several years. The council’s decision to delay this election means that the leadership for the new year will be determined at a later date.
The council is now scheduled to revisit these postponed items, along with any new business, at their January 6th meeting. This upcoming session will be crucial for addressing the deferred decisions and moving forward with the city’s agenda for the new year.
Key Postponed Items:
Commercial Solar Farm Conditional-Use Permit:
- Location: Intersection of Victoria Lane and East State Farm Road, southern North Platte.
- Status: Applicant requested postponement. Council took no action.
- Next Steps: To be revisited at the January 6, 2026 meeting.
Election of Council President for 2026:
- Incumbent: Ward One representative Jim Nisley has served in this capacity for several years.
- Status: Postponed due to member absences.
- Next Steps: Election to be held at the January 6, 2026 meeting.
The council’s ability to conduct its business efficiently is directly tied to the participation of its members. The recent meeting highlighted the challenges that can arise when a significant portion of the council is unable to attend. Residents will be looking to the January 6th meeting for decisive action on these important community matters. The early adjournment serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of local governance and the importance of consistent council presence for timely decision-making. The city now awaits the rescheduled discussions and the potential resolutions for the deferred proposals.
