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government is similar to a large corporation. The City of Beatrice has
approximately 135 employees who work in the various departments to
provide a variety of services to the citizens of Beatrice. It is the
City Administrator's job to oversee all departments of the City.
The departments within the City of Beatrice include the police
department with 29 full-time staff personnel, as well as a full-time
paid fire department consisting of 24 employees. Both the city
engineer's department and the inspection department employ two full
time employees.
The Board of Public Works, a division of the City of Beatrice; owns
and operates the electrical distribution system, buying all of their
power from Nebraska Public Power District. The Board of Public Works
also provides water and sanitary sewer to the citizens of Beatrice and
maintains 110 miles of streets within the city limits.
For the past number of years, the City of Beatrice has been
involved in economic development. The voting citizens have approved
using one half of one half percent sales tax, which has provided the
city with the opportunity to purchase 130 acres of ground, upon which
they have built a railroad spur. The City of Beatrice is also in the
process of negotiating with several other industries in support of
this progressive development.
The City in cooperation with the County Board of Supervisors,
provides most of the infrastructure to the 130 acre Industrial Park,
which houses eight industries. Beatrice is also anticipating the
development of an additional 80 acres adjacent thereto, for future
economic development.
Through private and public cooperation, the city has constructed a
public library, senior citizen's center, and most recently, the voters
approved a new aquatic center.
A new Board of Public Works service center has provided for the
relocation of most BPW departments to a new facility. This relocation
has taken place without increasing rates and within the framework of
decreasing the reliance on property taxes as a result of the city
sales tax and the strong retail climate that exists within Southeast
Nebraska.
All departmental budgets are built from a grass roots process,
including a five year capital program and bi-annual goal setting
sessions of the City Council.
U.S. Hwy 77 is now a four lane expressway between Interstate 80 and
the City of Beatrice. This enhances further economic development and
retail trade for the Beatrice area.
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