HASTINGS, Neb. – Hastings City Officials are finalizing the city's 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which is proposed to cost less than last year.

On Monday night, council members heard comments from the public about the budget, which only had three residents express concerns of keeping the budget at a reasonable amount. 

Hastings Assistant City Administrator Mark Funkey presented the outline of the budget in place of City Administrator Shawn Metcalf, who was placed on Paid Administrative Leave last week.

Mayor Corey Stutte said during the meeting that Metcalf will remain on leave 'until further notice.'

City documents show the 2024-25 fiscal year budget is just over $1.5 million less than the 2023-24 budget, dropping from $214,226,979 to $212,602,171. 

The city property tax rate is also proposed to drop from .4243 to .3948 cents per 100 dollars, which is the lowest rate in the past 10 years.

The city will need to access $923,950 from the General Cash Fund to balance the capital budget.

During the budget vote, one ordinance and two resolutions related to the 2024-25 budget passed unanimously 8-0 without pushback for each separate vote to approve the first round of voting.

While Monday night's vote passed, the city council must hold two more votes to finalize and pass the 2024-25 city budget. 

Funkey said the City Council plans to call another special session during next Monday's City Council work session to hold the second reading of the budget. 

It could pass with a unanimous vote, and a suspension of the rules on that second vote.

All city budgets in Nebraska are required to be turned into the state by September 30, and will go into effect October 1.