Officials with the city of Gering last night recognized the contribution of Karla Niedan-Streeks to the community.
During the City Council meeting, Mayor Kent Ewing presented a plaque of appreciation to the outgoing director of the city’s Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau.
Council member Michael Gillen highlighted Karla’s impact, and said she will be missed. “As the council liaison to the Convention and Visitors, (there’s) definitely some huge shoes to fill for the person that will be taking over that position,” said Gillen. “I greatly appreciated your guidance, your wisdom, in directing tourism for our valley and making us truly a destination. And greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for the city of Gering.”
Niedan-Streeks completes her time as the Tourism Director at the end of this month, at which time she hands over the reins to Tina Worthman.
Worthman is leaving the helm of the Midwest Theater, and that organization’s governing board has started a search for a new director.
In other action, the council finalized the 2024-25 budget and property tax request following a public hearing at a special meeting prior to their regular gathering, as well as several ordinances amending rates and user fees for a variety of services. Average increases in sanitation, water and sewer rates will be five, three and nine percent, respectively.
The panel rejected the lone bid received for a new winter fuel contract, with City Administrator Pat Heath saying staff determined it did not conform to the bid specifications due to the lack of detail on how the bidder would deliver fuel on an emergency basis. With the rejection, the city will restart the bidding process in the near future.
