LISTEN TO RECAP OF MEETING WITH CITY MANAGER KEVIN WILKINS
By Derek Beck | Sandhills POST News | July 9, 2025
OGALLALA, Neb. — Ogallala City Manager Kevin Wilkins recapped a busy Fourth of July weekend and discussed city updates during Tuesday’s “Sandhills Spotlight” segment on Z 93.5 Country, following a brief but productive Ogallala City Council meeting Tuesday evening.
Wilkins highlighted the success of Ogallala’s first-ever Independence Day drone show, which nearly didn’t happen due to unexpected technical difficulties. The drone operators initially struggled to secure a signal for launching the drones, causing a delay of about 40 minutes. The show ultimately went forward thanks to quick action by city staff, Councilman Austin DuPeire, and Brandon Scott from the city’s planning and zoning office — along with Scott’s family — who helped assemble and align the drones.
“We were close to canceling,” Wilkins said. “Councilman DuPeire came through with exactly the equipment we needed. The Scott family helped physically set up the drones — they blink certain colors and have to be aligned due north before they’ll launch.”
The show finally started just after 10:30 p.m. and was synchronized with patriotic music broadcast on Flatrock 100.7 FM. Wilkins called the debut a success but said the city is already reviewing lessons learned.
“I think next year, we’d look at combining a few traditional aerial fireworks with the drones to give the crowd the best of both worlds,” Wilkins said.
Ogallala’s Goodall YMCA outside pool — operating under the “Ogallala Oasis” name — also received praise at the city council meeting. Wilkins said membership is growing, and the Y recently added two new pieces of exercise equipment to the Goodall Recreation Center. The YMCA has also taken over concessions at both the city pool and Western Diamonds Sports Complex.
“The pool is seeing great numbers, and the YMCA is doing a fantastic job managing it,” Wilkins said. “Even with some hiccups, like an old slide pump, things are running smoothly.”
The only other action item during Monday’s council meeting was approval of bid specifications and a bid opening date for street reconstruction on two sections of West Second Street. The city hopes to complete the project before the end of the current fiscal year, with a tentative target of November for completion.
“We want to get it done quickly,” Wilkins noted. “There’s not a lot of underground infrastructure, so it’s primarily surface work — but we are addressing drainage concerns, especially in front of City Hall.”
Wilkins also previewed what’s ahead, including budget planning sessions later this month. He noted complications stemming from new state-level legislation that is making municipal budgeting more complex across Nebraska.
“We’re not alone in facing uncertainty,” Wilkins said. “We’re juggling state requirements, forecasting future growth from the Casino/Resort development, and trying to remain fiscally responsible.”
Speaking of the resort, Wilkins confirmed that hiring is underway for the temporary casino facility, and race day at the new track is now set for August 19 — a few weeks earlier than originally expected.
“The resort’s progress is encouraging, and the city is excited about what it will bring,” Wilkins said. “We’re already seeing interest from people who want to visit, which is exactly what we hoped for.”
The Ogallala City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled later this month, when budget discussions are expected to intensify.