Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek was overruled by City Council Tuesday night. In a unanimous vote, Councilmembers overrode the Mayor's veto of sewer and water assessments in the Platte Valley Industrial Park East.
Council first voted to approve those assessments at a meeting in late September. Mayor Vavricek vetoed the assessments one week later. Tuesday, they were back discussing why water and sewer line assessments are necessary.
The City received a 925,000 dollar grant to improve the 280 acres of land at the industrial park, though some of the grant may have to be paid back if 37 new jobs aren't created in the industrial park by March of 2016.
Mayor Vavricek says that should be a major concern.
We may not get 37 jobs that fit the low and moderate wage earner classifications. So we may need an employer of 100 to get the 37 jobs that qualify for state reimbursement," Vavricek said.
Mayor Vavricek says there are too many unknown costs to approve the assessments, but councilmembers are at odds with the city leader.
Councilmember Peg Gilbert told the council that they need to invest in infrastructure in order to attract business.
"I feel like we will get a return. This may cost the city, I don't know, I don't have a crystal ball," Gilbert said.
Gilbert says whether they have to pay back some of the grant or not, attracting businesses will pay off.
Councilmembers voted unanimously to override the mayor's veto in four separate votes, two in the board of equalization and two as resolutions.
[ Ссылка ]
