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The meeting will be 7:30 p.m., at City Council Chambers in Memorial Auditorium.
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The city has been collecting a tax for landline telephone service within the city and also collects fees for other city utility services, according to the city manager's report included in the council agenda packet. The proposed rate will be the same as collected for regular phone service, at three percent.
The city council has asked in the past to look at the city's fee structure to make sure that the city is charging sufficient amounts to provide services without going to direct taxes, said the manager's report. Auditors during the annual audit have also suggested the cell phone tax,
Other Nebraska cities who collect occupation taxes on cell phones at three percent include Kearney, Sidney, Columbus and Grand Island and at five percent, Lexington, Hastings, Fairbury, Seward, and Bellevue.
Council will be asked Monday night to approve the rate, a regular agenda item, in a proposed ordinance on its first reading, The ordinance will have to go through two more readings before the tax is enacted.
The council will also take the final step concerning waste at the water treatment plant.
David Miesback, with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, will give details to the council about the waste injection well at the sewer plant.
The waste injection well will be used to dispose of waste generated by the water treatment plant, by injecting it about 1,850 feet underground near the sewer plant. Currently, the waste generated at the water treatment plant is being run through the sewer plant, as approved by the NDEQ.
After the council officially receives the information, the next step will be to connect the injection well to the water treatment plant to start the process.
Consent agenda items the council will be asked to approve include:
* to receive and file a list of 33 outstanding uncollected water, sewer and trash debts that are owed to the city, to be dismissed by the City Manager. The total amount owed to the city comes to $2,957. The debts come from customers that have moved away and can't be reached, filed bankruptcy, or from property that has changed ownership and previous owners cannot be reached. Another related consent agenda item asks for council approval to authorize the reclassification of 11 delinquent water/trash/sewer bills from accounts receivable to uncollectible. Total amount of these bills comes to $2,940.92. Council approval is needed for bills more than $200 to be classified as uncollectible.
* approve the planting recommendation from the Tree Advisory Board and the Parks Advisory Board, that suggests placing eight trees in Norris Park this spring, with remaining trees to be planted in fall and winter.
* receive and file the city's financial report for the quarter ending March 31, 2008
* receive and file a proposed budget calendar
Council members will also be asked to submit programs, projects or activities they wish to be considered for the next budget year.
A public hearing will be conducted at the beginning of the meeting for the application for a Class C liquor license submitted by Justin and Cassie Davis of La Cocina Lounge.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please 
I disagree with "babycakes". I originally came from a very large city that had anything and everything for kids to do. However, they also had a lot higher crime and drug rate, lower graduation rates, and lower family values. No, McCook doesn't have alot to do, however of what there is, there is plenty for the time alloted for a kid to be out and about. The bowling alley is wonderful gathering place for young and old. The race track, the ball fields, concerts downtown, etc. The times that you find yourself looking for something to do, look around a little harder or just pull out a board game or cards and have some quality family time. This is what's missing in society...parents need to take time with their children and children need to make time with their parents. TRY HARDER BABYCAKES!
Edbru I agree that things are more expensive...you actually made the arguement for the city. Their costs are also going up and if citizens want the services the city will need to find ways to pay for the service. The most fair way is a "users fee" like the cell surcharge. That way if you do not want to pay for the service then don't use a cell phone.
babycakes1258 - I must disagree with you. McCook has plenty of things for people to do including young kids. We have got many great parks including one with an amazing Disc Golf course that can be played for Free thanks to the city! We have got a bowling alley that is constantly adding and doing new things. Game On runs tournaments every week and most for free. They also have a game room for kids to come down and play in at anytime. Sehnert's Bieroc Cafe has lots of great concerts. The Race's at the Fairgrounds. The Cinema 3 usually gets in most new movies. The Fox hosts many plays by SWNCTA. The church's are constantly offering great Christian entertainment. I could go on, but I won't. You and the rest of the people who think there is nothing to do in McCook should really start looking around. As for the cell phone tax, I think it's well worth it to invest into the city. An extra income stream can help many projects that need completed to make McCook more attractive to businesses, as well as individuals/families to move here.
We dont need another sales. The city should think about recruiting new business into McCook. McCook sucks. There is nothing for anyone to do here why do you think people are moving away nothing to keep them here. There is nothing here for kids to do. Think about putting in a skating rink that has a place for video machines. Pretty sad when the people of McCook have to go outside the community and spend their money.
Another story unfolds in the life of McCook. We have agreed by voting in the 1% and 1/2% taxes already to generate funds for the city. They will be used for updating the streets, parks and etc. Isn't that enough already????
If the cell phone should be taxed, then it should be kept in the city of McCook. Not all cell phones stay in the city. Truckers travel all over the country and should they get taxed for that??? Other people travel from McCook to other places too. Maybe there should be a tax for every state, county, or city on cell phones that people carry with them. And I mean tax that same person for every place they travel. That would be outrageous. Should the city tax themselves?? Yes! From the utilities, schools, police dept, and etc. If one citizen gets taxed, all should be taxed with NO exemptions. Now this is going too far. So what if other cities tax cell phone usage. Look at the economy right now. Prices are going up as we speak. Fuel, groceries, dry goods, housing, etc. have all raised in price. And this isn't going to stop yet. What convenience will the city want to tax next. Your barbeque grill, nice shade tree, wonderful garden, the kids you have???? This could go on and on and get really nasty, but there is no need for that.
The city will need to lots of research on this subject. This could be bad for the city. Do you really want to kick a sleeping dog??????????
Consideration of the cell phone tax properly requires caution and planning. This is not a matter where it should be considered sufficient to collect opinions and make a quick decision. The tax should be approached with more caution: Do the research including a term study. Related consequences are very complicated. In the absence of a detailed scientific research study this tax could be classified as a mere reckless act. This is simply not a two sided issue.
I'm optimistic that someday the real public issues will place more emphasis on education inclusive of the proper use of the wireless mobile phone in regard to safety health and etiquette and privacy laws. P.S. Do not bring them to the theater or the gym(Illegal in most states).