Voters' guide to McCook economic development plan, LB840 available online

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- The ballot for Tuesday's Primary Election will include a request from the City of McCook to renew an amended version of its economic development program through fiscal year 2033. A "Guide to Implementing the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act" is available on the Nebraska Department of Economic Development website which could serve as a valuable tool for voters seeking more information about LB 840.

The guide helps simplify a variety of complex issues and delves into implementation requirements, eligible activities, the legal process and required tasks once the program is implemented.

Among other areas, the guide discusses safeguards concerning the integrity of the program and the proper use of funds. Municipalities are to provide an annual, outside, independent audit of its economic development program by a qualified private auditing business. The results of the audit are to be filed with the city or village clerk and made available for public review, according to the guide.

The NDED guide also identifies the duties of the Citizen Advisory Review Committee, as well as who should make up the committee.

The history of the LB 840 law is summarized and the guide refers to it as a complex act based on the simple premise that voters should have the right to spend their tax dollars in the manner they find best suited to meet their own local needs.

View Proposed 2016 plan here.

View Current 2007-17 plan here.

View Guide to LB840 here.

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